Many people are looking to foreign climes, but some fear being ripped off, write Alan MacDermid and Cameron Simpson

ALAN MacDERMID and CAMERON SIMPSON

Why not today, Jack Nicklaus asks us in his TV ads plugging the sale of holiday villas and apartments on the Mediterranean.

According to a new survey, many Scots are thinking of taking him up on it. The Clydesdale Bank survey - published to flag up their new service to prospective buyers - found that 32% of Scots are considering a place in the sun following this year's dismal summer.

One-third would buy property as a long-term investment but 35% fear being ripped off.

Research shows that the number of Brits who already own properties abroad rose 45% to 800,000 in the last couple of years. The most popular destination continues to be Spain, with the majority going to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol.

Clydesdale Bank found the biggest draw for foreign living is the guarantee of sunny weather (60%) and the dream of a more relaxed pace of life (48%).

Buyers' biggest concerns, however, include the fear of being ripped off through not understanding the buying process, the stress of trying to find all the necessary professionals, negotiating in a foreign language, and the "Spanish Land Grab" where legal loopholes could see property owners no longer owning the land their property is built on.

Many of those hoping to rent out their property hadn't thought this through in advance. A minority of people said they would buy a property which was convenient for airports or holiday resorts.

Amanda Lamb, from TV's A Place in the Sun said location was a key factor when snapping up a home abroad. "It is vital to think about what's going to appeal to other holidaymakers," she said.

"The practicalities of maintaining the property while you are back in the UK are also a big factor. Attractive decor but with minimum maintenance is key.

"It is also important to consider the location of your holiday home. Although some people like to get away from other Brits abroad you'll increase your chances of renting the property if you make it as accessible and as appealing as possible to the maximum number of people."

A report by the consumers' association Which? recommends dealing with firms of estate agents which are members of relevant professional bodies but warns that their fees - as well as other fees and local taxes - can add thousands of pounds to the cost.

As well as the pull of Spain, Portugal is also well-established for British buyers and Calabria, in the south of Italy, is coming up as the new Tuscany, but with a beach.

Portugal's Algarve, with its temperate climate and easy accessibility, attracts househunters during the summer months and many put a downpayment on their dream then and there.

But as the initial thrill fades with their suntan, dark clouds can come scudding over what was an azure sky. As Pliny, one of the first Romans to settle in Portimao, said: "Caveat emptor."

First there is the language. Portuguese, with its preterite tense, is no walk in the park. Get away from the coast and it is surprising how few people speaka da English. So learning the language is a must.

Then there are the impenetrable property laws. Portuguese property can belong to different generations of the same family. One British couple woke one morning to find a chap resembling Albert Steptoe harvesting their olive trees in their garden.

And this is where the language comes in. Their Portuguese ran to como esta and vinho tinto so it took a while to find out that even although they owned the house and land the gnarled great grandfather still retained a legal right to shakedown the olive trees.

They eventually became best friends and it made a great dinner party story.

Most Brits are seduced by designer showflats and houses. But if they only took time the real bargains are to be found in older properties where the developer is not making a killing on the white goods and furniture.

Be prepared to bargain hard. One family got £14,000 knocked off the price when they told the sellers that they had seen something else in the next village.

Many Brits never visit their dream holiday location off-season. The Algarve in winter can be a dreich destination with many restaurants closed.

Electricity is expensive and it is only then it dawns that those quaint fireplaces are there for a reason.

Katrina Tasker, Scottish agent for Each Property Med, is pioneering Calabria - at the "toe" of Italy - as the next big thing for homes abroad.

"You will be protected by a 100% bank guarantee, which is the law in Italy," she said.

"Whatever you hand over to start with - typically 50% - will be held in a bank account and not handed over to the developer until completion, so that your money is safe if the developer goes bust."

Also very strict in Italy are the planning and building regulations, aimed at ensuring that new buildings look right and don't interfere with the character of the local community.

"Generally all due diligence will have been done by the developers, and it will never become a concrete jungle," said Ms Tasker.

In fact, one of the attractions in this area are the traditional houses which are being restored for sale to would-be holiday home-owners.

"The locals welcome this - it is bringing money and new life into their local community," she said. "Young people there tend to move north. The work will be done by local builders. When you arrive to take possession the whole village will turn out to greet you."

The important thing is to buy through a reputable agent as developers don't deal directly with the public.

Ms Tasker added: "We're selling a lot in Calabria, an emerging market within a developed country. The lawyers we use tend to be London-based Italian firms.

"If you are over here relying on local builders who don't understand English you can fall foul of the local council, so having a reputable agent over there takes the strain off."

We value the fact that you can still see the locals here'
WHEN David and Jaclyn Murphy bought their three-bedroom bungalow on the Costa Del Sol in December 2002, it existed only on paper, with completion expected in December 2003. In the event, it was finished in June 2005.

"We kept getting promises that it was nearly finished' or it would be finished in two months then it would be another two months," Mrs Murphy said yesterday. "We hung back from going on holiday elsewhere because we kept being told it would be ready soon."

That was the downside, but the Murphys, from Bearsden, near Glasgow, have no regrets.

For one thing, the house doubled in value from the time they signed the deal until they took possession - though it shouldn't be assumed that buying a Spanish property is the route to a fast buck as the market is pretty much flooded.

Although they normally went south on holiday - usually to France - the Murphys, who have two children, got so fed up with the Scottish weather that they decided on having their own home from home to use regularly.

Situated in a development in the Manilva district, six miles south of Estepona, the house is less than an hour from Malaga Airport and 20 minutes from Gibraltar.

The nearby village of Sabinillas is developing into a small town offering a range of good shops and restaurants, but without being spoiled.

"We don't want to be Brits abroad - we value the fact that you can still walk along the promenade and see the locals painting the front of their houses, and pass a shop with a blackboard outside telling you which fish they are expecting to come in that evening," Mrs Murphy said.

They have bicycles and other play equipment stored at the house, and the couple have an alternative wardrobe waiting for them.

When they are not using the house they rent it out, but this is mainly to friends, family, and a few regular tenants they trust to take care of the place.

They bought it for £108,500 and spent about £31,500 installing a driveway, electric gates and a kitchen. They expect annual bills for non-residents tax, rates, community fees and someone to look after the place to total £2800 a year.

Apart from the initial building delays, the couple, who are both 42, are happy with the way it turned out in the end. Mrs Murphy said: "The risks are outweighed by the benefits when you are walking along the promenade and the kids are playing at the beach."

What you can buy for £170,000
Portugal

• Luxury apartment in the coastal resort of Lagos. The property has two bedrooms, a family bathroom, living room and a fully fitted kitchen. There is also free access to an on-site gym, squash courts and swimming pool. The apartment boasts coastal views. E235,000 (£163,000).

Spain

• Secluded south facing villa in the quiet village of Comares in the province of Malaga. Property has three bedrooms, a family bathroom, spacious living area and fitted kitchen. It also benefits from private gardens, a private swimming pool and views of surrounding mountains. E245,000 (£170,000).

France

• Character property in the small village of Montagne au Perche, Normandy. It has four bedrooms, family bathroom, living area with period features and large kitchen. It benefits from mature gardens and a substantial outbuilding which is currently used as workshop. E238,000 (£165,000).

Greece

• Detached family home in north-west Corfu with a separate guest annexe. The main home has two large bedrooms, two bathrooms, large sitting room and fitted kitchen. The guest annexe comprises one bedroom, one bathroom, separate sitting area and kitchen. The properties share large swimming pool and mature gardens. E240,000 (£166,000).

Croatia

• Beautifully restored, semi-detached sandstone home with traditional features in small hillside village of Istria, Buje.

The property has two bedrooms, family bathroom, large living area with exposed wooden beams and large family kitchen. The property benefits from sea views and has space to build a swimming pool. E244,000 (£169,000).