Catalina Stogdon, The Telegraph

Catalina Stogdon's essential guide

The checklist

Before you start looking for a property, ask yourself the following questions:

1. How often do you want to use it?
2. What will its purpose be? Weekend retreat, summer holiday home, permanent or retirement home, buy-to-let investment?
3. How important is it to be able to speak the language?
4. How long should travel times be?
5. Is there a limit to lengths of stay in your country of choice?
6. Are there any dangers, such as political unrest, in the country?
7. Do you want a renovation project?
8. Do you want it to be managed in your absence and rented out?
9. And, crucially, what's your budget?

The search
Should I use foreign estate agents?

A local agent will get you a cheaper deal, but you need to speak the language. Or go for an overseas property specialist, such as The Property Finders which has English-speaking agents (01908 218753, www.thepropertyfinders.com). Prime Location (www.primelocation.com) has a strong international online database. Knight Frank (020 7629 8171, www.knightfrank.com), Hamptons International (020 7244 4740, www.hamptons.co.uk) and Savills (020 7824 9030; www.savills.com) have overseas offices in Europe.

Before you buy
Should I get a UK or foreign mortgage?

Shop around. In Europe it is cheaper to arrange it in euros. UK admin costs are small, but interest rates are higher. The minimum deposit will be about 20 per cent. If you arrange it abroad, you need a bank account in the country, which must always be in credit. Halifax (affiliated to Banco de España) offers mortgages for Spanish holiday homes (01422 333868, www.halifax.co.uk). Abbey offers loans for France (0033 320 181877, www.abbey-national.fr). Savills Private Finance (020 7877 4710, www.savills.com) advises on international mortgages. Check if there is a reliable mortgage infrastructure in your country of choice if you choose to go locally. The lending market is far less developed in Morocco and Turkey.

Do I need a survey?

Few people have a survey done, but it can be a mistake. It can cost as much to repair and rebuild abroad as in the UK. Check if you are allowed to make structural changes or additions. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has registered members overseas. Call the helpline 0870 333 1600, or e-mail contactrics@rics.org. Alternatively, contact the local government building authority. Remember standards vary widely in each country.

What about legal assistance?

Check if there is a reliable local legal system in the country. Turkey has seen a lot of foreign investment recently but administrative systems remain frail. Use English-speaking international organisations such as Europelaw, (020 7420 0400, www.europelaw.com).

Find an independent lawyer who is familiar with both the law of the country you are buying in and UK law, and who is not linked to the estate agent. Or use an English legal firm with strong international links. Dawson Solicitors (020 7421 4800, www.dawsons-legal.com) advise on international mortgages and tax issues and have overseas links to legal firms.

Tax and insurance?

Your solicitor can advise on tax issues.

Be sure to take out the right property insurance - holiday homes that will be empty over long periods need special cover. Andrew Copeland Insurance (020 8656 8435, www.andrewcopeland.co.uk) is underwritten by Lloyd's. Prices vary per region. Turkey and Morocco are not covered. Local insurers may have a better knowledge of particular problems in the region.

Making the offer

Make your offer locally through people with first-hand knowledge of the area. Big organisations charge higher prices. Be careful if you are paying cash - you could be taking a risk.

For more information: The Complete Guide to Buying Property Abroad, by Liz Hodgkinson, (£12·99, Kogan Page). Buying Property in France, by Charles Davy (£10·99, Kogan Page). The Blevins Franks Guide to Living in Spain, by Bill Blevins & David Franks (£6·99, BlevinsFranks)