Somewhere abroad

Catch up with our full week's series on this page

Have you ever dreamt of owning property somewhere abroad? Perhaps you'd like to own a holiday home as an investment - or maybe you cherish the dream of retirement in the sun.

All this week on Breakfast, we've been looking at the increasing number of Britons who are buying property abroad.

Our business reporter Susannah Streeter has been hearing the stories of five people who've chosen to buy somewhere abroad.

You can catch up with the full week's coverage here on this page.

To round it off, we brought in the BBC's property expert Martin Roberts, to answer some of your questions.

Q&A: buying homes abroad

Go straight to today's coverage

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Monday: the first-timer, France

Getting on the property ladder is a struggle in Britain, so why not buy a property abroad and rent it out?

Dominic will need a 15% deposit to buy in France

Meet Dominic Le Croissette, a 28 year old who can't afford to buy a flat in London, so has decided to buy a property in southern France. He wants to go travelling and know that he has a property complete with sitting tenant.

But be warned: being a landlord in France can be a tricky business, and if you are going to let your property, your tenant has more rights than in the UK.

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Tuesday: the small businessman, France
Being your own boss is a dream for many people, but running a business in Europe can turn into a nightmare if you don't do your homework.

Learning the language is critical if you wan to run a business

We met a British couple who have moved their lives lock, stock and barrel to France and opened a restaurant.

Heather and Rick Hurley said their work in the restaurant meant they had to work long hours.

They were initially nervous - cooking food for the French in a French town, but they add that you have to integrate.

They were married in the local town , and the mayor was their guest.

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Wednesday: the investor, Montenegro
If the Spanish Costas and the French countryside are too expensive, why not Go East?

Montenegro is still unspoilt by tourism

Liz from Farnham has just bought property in Montenegro - part of the former Yugoslavia, because she's convinced it will be the next European country to get a boost from the tourist boom.

It's largely unspoilt - but will it ever become part of the EU?

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Thursday: the impulse buyer, Spain
Many of us have been on holiday and decided we want that lifestyle all-year-round, but some people actually take the plunge and then come to regret her decision.

Nicola is coming home to raise more money for renovations

Nicola has been living in Spain with her daughter Alicia.

After the house she'd been renovating fell down, she's reluctantly decided to move back to Britain, to raise more cash.

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Somewhere Abroad: today Friday: the retirers, Spain

Brenda and Dave: have lived in Spain since 1999

We went to Torrevieja, to meet the British ex-pats who have retired to the sun. Brenda Hickin and Dave Packer, from Coventry, told us they spent two years planning their move - and they've never regretted it.

Brenda's pension is paid straight into her Spanish bank account - and they have a better social life than they ever did at home .

Brenda and Dave's story

Martin answers some of your e-mail questions