As a real estate investor and scout I spend a lot of time on the road…checking out new locations, digging deep on locations that have been on my beat for decades…and searching for the best real estate opportunities.
And I’m always looking for new ways to get this information to you, my readers.
That’s why this week, I launched a brand-new YouTube channel.
But I want this channel to be more than just me talking at you. My goal is to create a real conversation—a place where we can share ideas, trade insights, and learn from each other’s experiences.
That’s why, every time I post a new video, I’ll be right there in the comments with you—answering questions.
And I’ve just dropped a new video today…Can You Get a Mortgage Overseas?
Join me on my YouTube channel as I discuss getting a mortgage when buying property overseas. Click to view.
In this video, I’ll discuss…
- Can foreigners get mortgages overseas? Short answer: It depends!
- What do mortgage and LTV rates look like in places overseas?
- What are the alternatives when a mortgage isn’t available to you?
So jump in now and let me know if you have any questions about what you’ve watched. I’ll be answering your questions myself and am interested in hearing your thoughts on the topic.
And in case you missed it, earlier this week the first video I added to the channel was “3 Markets for Huge Capital Appreciation.”
One thing that my two-plus decades as an international real estate investor has taught me is that timing matters. Step in ahead of the crowds, and that’s where real gains happen.
And that’s exactly what I’m talking about in this video. You can check it out here…
From a small town in northern Portugal to an emerging city-state on the Caribbean, check out my top three destinations to own for capital appreciation on my new YouTube channel right here.
I have lots more great topics lined up for future videos (three destinations for incredible rental income…how to profile yourself to find your perfect overseas opportunity…and much more). To make sure you don’t miss out on any of them, subscribe to my channel on YouTube today.
And if there’s a topic you’d like me to tackle in a future video—whether it’s the most affordable spots to own along the Med, how HOAs work overseas, or strategies for maximizing rental income—drop it in the comments.
The Scouting Continues…
As you read this, I’ll be in the Spanish capital of Madrid. It’s been nearly 20 years since I lasted visited this historic city.
But earlier this summer one of my team members spent time on the ground there scouting neighborhoods, sipping coffee in tapas bars, and digging into the real estate scene. (You can read his findings here.)
Madrid hums with history, art, and passion—its energy as timeless as its palaces and plazas
Prices in Madrid are still a fraction of what you’d pay in European capital cities like London or Paris—for now. But demand is rising. That makes it a city where opportunity, and affordable real estate prices, still exist.
I’ll be exploring the city’s neighborhoods…and of course sampling some of the local cuisine and culture. Stay tuned for updates…
A Return to the Mediterranean Island of $33K Homes
We’re going back to the island of incredible bargains…
Last year my scout Ciaran Madden went on a wide-ranging trip to the Italian island of Sicily.
Ciaran drove all around the center and north of the Mediterranean’s biggest island. And he uncovered some incredible up-and-coming hill towns like Mussomeli and Gratteri where attractive historic homes in livable condition list from insane prices like €28,000 (that’s just $33,000).
Now, Ciaran’s planning to head back to Sicily…
Ever since that trip, Ciaran’s been keeping his ear to the ground about developments in Sicily. Word is beginning to spread about the incredible bargains here. More folks are coming from overseas to dive into its real estate opportunities.
So, Ciaran’s plotting out a new scouting trip, this time focusing on communities in the west and south of the island with growing appeal to tourists and expats, and big lifestyle and investment potential.
Here’s a quick rundown of the places he’s eyeing…
In the far west of Sicily is the city of Marsala. Relatively few tourists make it to this city, particularly when compared to nearby Trapani, but it has a stunning coastline, ancient ruins, and a long wine-making tradition.
And sea-view penthouses here can list for less than €150,000.
Marsala is the fifth-biggest city in Sicily. Known primarily for its sweet fortified desert wines, the city itself tends to fly under the radar, even though its marble-paved streets are lined with stately Baroque buildings…and highly affordable real estate opportunities.
Ciaran also wants to investigate Agrigento.
Millennia ago, this southern coastal city was one of the most significant settlements on the entire Mediterranean. That was during the time of ancient Greece.
This rich cultural heritage is still visible in Agrigento today. The city is now a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient Greek ruins. It was also named the Italian capital of culture for 2025.
And yet sea-view homes here list for sub-€100,000.
The Temple of Concordia in Agrigento is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples of its kind anywhere on the Mediterranean.
Also on his radar is a region in the southeast called Ragusa.
Another World Heritage site known for its stunning Baroque architecture, Ragusa is a wealthy enclave, a place where you’ll see lavish villas both historic and modern, with prices rising into the €300,000s, €400,000s and more.
But within the Ragusa region, you’ll also find stunning hill towns like Chiaramonte Gulfi—called the “Balcony of Sicily” for its breathtaking views—where homes are available in the sub-€50,000 range.
Ragusa is a little-known wealthy enclave in southeastern Sicily. But there are still incredible bargains to find in this region of rolling hills and sandy beaches.
All this and more is planned for our return to Sicily. Stay tuned. (Have a suggestion for where we should scout? Email us here.)
Your Questions Answered
Have a comment for me or my team? A question about owning overseas? Share it here. I’d love to hear from you. Here’s a question I got from a reader recently…
Tom B. asks: Hi, Ronan and team, my wife and I are thinking about Uruguay as our Plan B location. I have the impression that Uruguay is not so much on your radar, if at all.
We’re going on a scouting trip this month, and will investigate real estate and law firms and living conditions.
Any help/advice you might offer?
By the way: why Uruguay? Well, I had a discussion with AI and this was the best choice given the concerns. Interesting use of AI in its own right.
Thank you for reading.
Ronan says: Hi Tom, thanks for your question. Uruguay is very much on my radar…and has been since the earliest days of my Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA).
And right now, it’s high on my list of new places to buy a property…to spend time…and potentially establish residency….
Draws for me (and many other expats and investors) include pine trees running down to sweeping Atlantic beaches…the fact that it’s neat and tidy…and there’s an incredibly attractive tax regime.
And I believe that Uruguay is one of the best-kept secrets in international real estate.
It’s well-run, peaceful, and welcoming, combining the quality of life you get in Europe with the culture and vibrancy of Latin America.
And it has incredible weather spanning four seasons, with a mild winter, warm spring and fall, and glorious summer featuring average daily highs in the high 70s and low 80s F.
With its temperate climate, livable capital, and under-the-radar bohemian beach towns, it can be eerily reminiscent of Portugal a decade ago, before real estate prices there surged.
Tom, here’s an article I wrote recently about Uruguay that may be useful (click here to read) and at the end of last year, one of my scouts Ciaran Madden spent weeks on the ground in Uruguay, driving some 750 miles across the country to talk to developers, attorneys, brokers, long-time expats, and other insiders. His full report on that scouting trip is here. (This report is available to RETA members only. If you’re not yet a member, all the details for joining are here.)
I have no doubt the world will discover Uruguay, as it did Portugal. But for now this is a place where we can get in ahead of growing demand. And there’s rarely been a better time to explore this opportunity…have a good trip, Tom!
Wishing you good real estate investing,
