Welcome to BuyAssociation.co.uk

Buying a Golf Property Overseas

Introduction

Such is the popularity of homes on golf courses that three-quarters of British buyers don’t even play the game, but like the facilities, security and ambience that usually come with a golf course.

There is no shortage of new golf developments springing up around the world from Spain to South Africa and Canada to the Caribbean to tempt Britain’s four million players. On the Costa del Sol, for example, more than 100 new courses are under construction with thousands of houses and flats surrounding their fairways.

One of the beauties of buying on a golf development is that you create an instant social network of like-minded friends and will never be short of a neighbour in search of a round.

Golf properties also offer excellent rental potential. Cheap flights now mean that even golfers on a tight budget can afford to travel the world in search of a game and most will base themselves at a good resort.

There is, however, a huge shortage of quality. The best are fantastic, but the worst are well below par. Buy on the right development and the value of your home should rise and you will have many happy years there. Choose a poor golf resort and not only will you be unhappy there, but you will also struggle to earn a decent rental income and its value will stutter. Househunters, therefore, need to do their research thoroughly before deciding where to buy.

Prices vary dramatically, too, from a £30,000 studio on an Ian Woosnam designed course in Bulgaria to a £5 million villa on Royal Westmoreland in Barbados where, coincidentally, Woosnam has a home.

Where to buy

As with everything it is a question of location, location, location. A good starting point is to look in an area you would enjoy spending time in regardless of whether it had a golf course. Even the keenest players will not want to spend all day playing golf – and nor will their families – so there must be other things to do. The South of France and the Algarve have great beaches, while Florida and Las Vegas have almost endless attractions. There must also be other good courses nearby, either for your own enjoyment or for your guests who will usually want to play at a variety of clubs.

The area must be easy to get to, either with good airports or good roads – save the longest drive for the course not the journey there. If you want somewhere you can hop across to for a long weekend, France, Spain and Portugal are a good bet. Thailand, South Africa and the Caribbean are for longer visits or letting to tourists.

Climate is crucial. Ireland, for example, is home to many of the world’s finest courses, but the weather is unpredictable. Just as rain and wind make play uncomfortable, so does extreme heat – lugging asset of clubs for four hours in August on the Mediterranean can be unbearable. Similarly, in areas where there is little rainfall it will be expensive to maintain a golf course to an acceptable standard without, and homeowners will have to foot this bill.

The costs

Building a golf course is a huge expense for a developer and this is reflected in the price of property. Expect to pay at least 20 per cent more for a house or flat on a golf resort.

As with all properties on resorts there will be charges for maintaining communal areas, as well as local council taxes and utility bills. On a golf development, you may also have to pay to play. The crucial questions you need to ask the developer before buying are: What are the annual costs of membership? What does the fee entitle me and my family to? How much will guests pay to play the course?

The answers can vary dramatically. Some resorts will demand an initial joining fee of several thousand pounds and an annual subscription, others will offer free membership to one owner but charge their husband or wife fees. Guests will usually have to pay to play but on a reduced green fee.

Speak to other homeowners and ask them if there are any hidden costs and whether the fees represent value for money.

Selecting the right development

Once you have chosen a region, play as many courses as you can and discard those that are too easy, too difficult, too hilly, too wet, too dry or too busy. Remember, if you buy a home you will be playing the course for many years to come. Then, draw up a shortlist and speak to other members and check online reviews for as many independent opinions as you can find and avoid those with a poor reputation.

It is equally important to find a home that you like built to a good standard by a reputable builder, after all, you will spend more time indoors than on the course.

The same rules apply if you are buying a property for rental income. You need to buy on a course that your guests will enjoy playing to ensure that not only do they come back year after year, but they also recommend it to golfing friends. Visitors will want more than just a good course and a comfortable house or apartment, but also plenty of other facilities nearby, such as bars, beaches and restaurants. Golfers are generally active people and are likely to play tennis, swim or sail as well.

Below, we look at some of the destinations that are popular with British buyers:

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Spain
Page 3: The Caribbean
Page 4: Guaranteed rental schemes

Holiday home insurance from intasure - Click Here UK insurance for your property overseas

www.holidaylettings.co.uk online advertising for home owners abroad

The best villa holidays from James Villas with our hand-picked villas and all the support you need in resort, we're the number one choice

The best deals on car hire in the UK, USA, Europe and beyond Alamo has the car you need at the price you want!

Discounted Airport Parking - available across the UK

Find your perfect villa rental with Villas4You over 500 villas across 20 destinations