Property often makes a great investment. The likelihood of your investment appreciating in value over the next 5 to 10 years is pretty good, if past performance is anything to go by. Something that we are seeing more and more when it comes to property investments are holiday properties, rental properties and second home properties abroad. Buying property abroad allows an investor to maximize his or her investment potential by purchasing property in up and coming areas and areas with a high volume of tourism.

One of the most popular places to buy such property is in Spain. Why? Like most other countries, Spain is experiencing a decline in their housing market. Sales are down and there are plenty of properties to choose from. This means that you can buy virtually any property you want for a bargain price. The culture, allure and beauty that have always been an integral part of Spain are still there. But now you can buy a piece of it for a fraction of the cost than you could in years past.

Spanish Property: 5 Things to Consider

Whenever you buy any type of holiday property whether it be in Spain or some other exotic location, you will have many considerations that you will need to make. You should never buy a property in Spain without weighing the pros and cons. Here are some things you should consider:

• Location - Location is everything. Spain is experiencing a decline in the housing market, but some places are harder hit than others. Try to choose a property in an area that will recover quickly once the downturn is over. Areas that are holding their own in spite of current market challenges are the best places to start.

• Use - How will you use the property? Will it be used as a second income, as a holiday home or both? If you plan to sublet it, will you hire a management company to take care of the details?

• Affordability - You should be absolutely certain that you can afford all of the costs associated with the property without the extra income from a tenant. After all, you might not be able to secure a tenant right away or at all. You should be prepared for all possibilities.

• Salability - How long do you plan to hold the property? Remember; sales are down in Spain. If you're looking for a property that you can buy and sell quickly, you might want to look somewhere else. If you're looking for a long-term investment, on the other hand, Spanish property is ideal.

• Laws - Buying property abroad is different than buying property at home. You have to abide by the country's property laws where the property is located. Some of these laws might be favorable to your situations, some might not be.

Buying property in Spain is a venture that you should not enter into lightly. Do your homework; study the market. Hire a great agent. Do everything possible to ensure that you get the property you want and the best deal possible.