25 Overseas Hideaways from $108,000

Have you found yourself daydreaming about an escape to an incredible dream home in a beautiful overseas destination—somewhere with stunning scenery, rich culture, delicious food, and an amazing climate?

A place where you can truly relax, get away from the stresses of everyday life, and enjoy the ultimate in luxury living at an affordable price?

If so, you’re not alone.

With real estate prices soaring in many parts of the United States, more and more people are looking abroad to find their slice of paradise without breaking the bank. From breathtaking beachfront villas on Caribbean shores to restored 16th-century homes in the Tuscan countryside to chic urban apartments in Europe’s great cities, there are countless options for overseas dream homes that provide an exceptional quality of life for a fraction of what it would cost back home.

In this report on dream hideaways, we’ll take you on a tour of some enticing properties in the world’s top overseas destinations. We’re talking gorgeous homes in beautiful locales. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing retirement retreat, an adventurous year abroad, or a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture while living in luxury, these dreamy listings will have you packing your bags…

But who am I?

What makes me the expert?

My name is Ronan McMahon. And real estate is my life, career and passion…

I’ve been traveling the world looking for the best real estate deals for more than two decades.

I own almost no stocks, no gold, nor crypto. I have no collectible coins, no cellars of fine wines nor classic cars.

Instead, I own properties around the globe.

And I travel…a lot.

I put my boots on the ground all over the world. One week Mexico…another Montenegro…on to Portugal…back to Panama…

Then there’s all the travel of my research team. Hill towns of Italy…beaches in France…temple-cities of Thailand…Caribbean islands….far-flung mountain hideaways…

The world is the well-trodden beat of my team and I and getting boots on the ground is a guiding principle of mine. Our annual bill for travel and research is usually over a million dollars.

And our mission is simple: Find opportunity in real estate.

My personal focus is mostly on finding incredible real estate opportunities for members of my Real Estate Trend Alert service. A RETA deal is one that harbors the prospect of truly massive and rapid gains…both in capital appreciation and income. (If you’re not already a RETA member you can find out more about that here.)

Needless to say, such RETA deals are hard to find.

And while looking for them, my team and I find lots of amazing properties. Not what I’d call RETA-grade investments, but overseas dream homes worthy of attention. I mean the perfect condo by beach…a charming house in a tranquil village…a cottage in a beautiful hilltop town…

I’m talking about homes in stunning parts of the world, where the cost of living is less, the weather is good, the views are great, and the living is easy.

It seems such a shame not to share some of what we’ve found. So, we’ve worked together to create this report on dream escapes overseas.

What I offer you in this report is a taste of the amazing properties you can find in desirable locations around the world. If you love real estate and you like dreaming about bargains read on. I’ve honed in on locations I think offer the most bang-for-buck and given you a range of sample properties and some places to get started with your own search.

Let’s begin…

Wishing you good real estate investing,

Ronan McMahon, Real Estate Trend Alert

P.S. Remember, always do your due diligence when buying any property. It’s easy to fall head over heels for a place and let the romance woo you into hasty decisions. But a good lawyer and proper due diligence are essential no matter how cheap a property is. For the record, I haven’t done any such legwork on any of the properties I mention below; you’ll need to do your own. Now…on with the fun!

Bargains in Red-Hot Portugal

Until recently Portugal was Europe’s best-kept secret. Sure, millions of tourists visited the beaches of the southern Algarve, which gets 300 days of sunshine a year, but beyond that the country was pretty unknown. But all that has changed in the last few years.

According to Condé Nast Traveler, Portugal was the fourth most Googled travel destination in the world last year and in 2023, a record 30 million tourists arrived in Portugal.

I’ve been scouting here for years, have spent many months on the ground, and I bought a home on the country’s Silver Coast. With the explosion of interest in this small European country (both for investment and lifestyle), real estate opportunities are drying up in the popular Algarve and the capital city, Lisbon.

So I’m now looking to northern Portugal to find the best value for your overseas getaway.

In northern Portugal, you’ll find incredible food…stunning soft-sand beaches…rich history and culture—basically, all the quintessential elements that make Portugal so appealing.

And that includes the weather…

The weather in the north of the country is excellent, generally hovering between 60 and 80 F for most of the year. This temperate environment will have amazing appeal as we see a shift in climate preferences.

As newsfeeds every summer highlight unbearable temperatures and wildfires burning right across Europe and North America, there is a growing appetite for milder-climate destinations. The next generation of migrations want the sun…but they’ll also want temperatures and a landscape that are conducive to being active and being outdoors.

Northern Portugal offers this…and so much more.

Northern Portugal’s main city of Porto, once dilapidated and ignored, has emerged as an incredible tourist hot spot and one of the most livable cities in Europe. And with that has come the crowds. The city is now bustling year round. Tourists are a constant presence. And real estate prices here have soared…reportedly up 61% since just 2019.

Porto occupies the north bank of the Douro River, but head over to the south side, and you’ll find the Porto’s sister city, Vila Nova de Gaia.

Though Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia form part of the same urban area, the city of Gaia has long been the junior partner in this relationship. Residents of Porto like to tease that the only good thing about Gaia is the views of Porto from across the water.

Most visitors to Porto never venture far from the city’s historic port area, except to take the short trip out to Foz. They’re missing out…

Gaia has 16 miles of spectacular Atlantic beaches, with an expansive boardwalk that runs alongside most of them with restaurants and cafés. There are also lots of facilities on the Douro River, including an upscale marina area. And all this just 13 minutes’ drive from downtown Porto, meaning the city’s historic neighborhood is on your doorstep.

This is a world-class environment, with the river, beaches, history, culture, fine dining. Yet, the area gets comparatively few foreign visitors. The vibe is more local and residential.

Gaia is a gentler, calmer beach haven that offers easy access to downtown Porto…and where you’ll get more bang for your real estate buck.

Let’s look at some listing examples:

Five minutes from Gaia pier, you’ll find this characterful two-bedroom apartment for €215,000 . Inspired by Japanese and Moroccan architecture, it has a fully fitted kitchen, living room, meditation area, and beautiful hand-painted tiles in the bathrooms. See the listing here.

About a 15-minute drive from the center of Gaia, and a short walk to Praia da Aguda is a luxury four-bedroom, four-bathroom house spread across four floors. The living area is south facing with sliding doors that leads out to a terrace with a saltwater pool and barbecue area. There’s also a balcony on the second floor with views of the sea. Price: €570,000 ($615,620). More details here.

Less than a mile from Madalena Beach is this four-bedroom villa. It has a bright and spacious open-plan living area/fully fitted kitchen, an office/lounge space on the upper floor that has a terrace with views of the sea, and an outdoor area with a barbeque area and a garage. Price: €620,000 ($669,480).The full listing is here.

If you’re looking for a city escape in Northern Portugal, but without Porto’s high price tags, consider Braga. One of Portugal’s oldest cities, it was founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

It’s also a major religious center, famed for its dozens of churches in Romanesque, baroque, and neoclassical architectural styles. Wander its circular, mostly pedestrianized historic center and you’ll rarely walk down a cobblestoned street or alley without ending up in plaza…looking at a church.

And yet, despite this abundance of history and religious traditions, Braga feels youthful and vibrant. This is a university town and major economic center. Around 40% of its population is under 30. Chic bars and restaurants occupy many of its centuries-old buildings.

This combination makes it extremely appealing for retirees, full-time remote workers, and tourists on city breaks who want to escape the crowds that descend on Porto and Lisbon.

Braga is sometimes called “the next Porto.” The implication being that the city is the next target in Portugal’s relentless wave of gentrification.

The characterization is fair, if overly simplistic. Gentrification is certainly coming to this city, as it came to Lisbon and Porto. And just like Porto, you’ll find buildings undergoing restoration work on virtually every street in its historic center. But the pace in Braga is calmer and gentler.

In the center of Braga, you’ll find this three-bedroom apartment. It also has two bathrooms, a kitchen that was renovated just three years ago, an office, and a living room. There are views of Braga cathedral from the second floor so you’re right in the heart of the action here. Price: €385,000 ($416,000). See the full listing here.

In Braga’s São Victor neighborhood, close to the university, is this modern four-bedroom townhouse. Renovated in 2016, it has a living/dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and the fourth bedroom on the second floor provides access to a terrace area. There’s a small outside space too that includes a garage. Price: €315,000 ($340,000). All the details are here.

Luxury For Less in France

Whether you dream of a pied-à-terre…a rambling farmhouse…a village house wrapped in wisteria-hung memories of long ago…or even an historic chateau, France has something for you…

There are scores of hidden corners of France where you’ll get more bang for your buck and where luxury doesn’t have to break the bank.

Once known as the “poor man’s Provence” the Languedoc region of southern France is slowly making its way into the world’s consciousness.

The Languedoc’s Mediterranean coast is part of France’s sun belt, and its long sandy beaches are still fairly uncrowded. Inland, you’ll find wild mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and stunning hill towns that many Francophiles will tell you are more authentic than what you’ll find in over-touristed and over-priced Provence.

If your idea of France is fairy-tale castles perched on rugged mountain peaks and medieval villages where the food is amazing and the wine is local, then you’ll find everything you want in the Languedoc.

And if you yearn for Mediterranean views, long beach strolls and fresh seafood, then the Languedoc has that, too.

Languedoc-Roussillon essentially covers the area of southern France where the Occitan language was once the common tongue. It’s just west of Provence, stretching all the way to the Spanish border where you’ll find Roussillon—French Catalonia—sandwiched alongside the Pyrenees Mountains.

As you move inland from the sea, the sun-drenched coastal plain gives way to rolling, forested hills and jagged mountains. No other part of France I know of is so varied. In fact, the micro-climates you’ll find in the Languedoc can pose a challenge to the real estate buyer. A short drive from one village to another can mean a difference of a few degrees in temperature.

To whet your appetite, here are some bargains around the Languedoc:

Close to the village of Vinca (about a 30-minute drive from Perpignan) is this renovated village home on the market for €150,000 ($164,100). Once the gatehouse to a chateau, it has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a modern kitchen, and a small office. There’s also a roof-top terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. See the full listing here.

With a terrace that sits right over the famed Canal du Midi, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom house really has the wow factor when it comes to location. In the village of Castelnaudary, about a 40-minute drive from Carcassonne, it also has a modern kitchen, a dining room that also looks out over the canal, and an American-style kitchen. Price: €250,000 ($270,200). See the full listing here.

The Languedoc’s Minervois wine region is located northeast of the city of Carcassonne. It stretches along the foothills of the Montagne Noire mountains. On the banks of the River Cesse, in the medieval village of Bize-Minervois, is this charming, stone period house. The house is laid out so that the second floor can be used as a separate two-bedroom apartment with its own bathroom, kitchen/living area and a terrace. Live in the first-floor unit with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and living/kitchen areas and rent the smaller unit. You’re just 45 minutes from Carcasssone. Price: €389,000 ($420,600). More details here.

If your budget stretches a bit further, and you’re looking luxury in the French countryside, this eight-bedroom, four-bathroom historic home might be for you. Located just outside the small village of Olonzac, this former presbytery boasts a kitchen with granite countertops, a large pantry, a dining room with a marble fireplace, a study, large living room with decorated floor tiles, and an attic room that’s currently used as a workshop. Outside you’ll find a paved terrace with dining and barbeque areas, a covered seating area, and a swimming pool. A small, enclosed garden is home to roses, olive trees, and jasmine trees. Price: €700,000 ($757,00). Get all the details here.

Buy a French Castle

If you’ve ever wanted to the king of your own castle (literally), France is the place to look. And you might not need as much money as you think to own one.

Take a look at some of these chateaux that are currently on the market around France.

Château de Muzac is located on the top of a hill, about 10 minutes from the village of Turenne, listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages (Les Plus Beaux Villages) in the Dordogne region. Although you won’t own the entire chateau, there is a magnificent four-bedroom, three bathroom apartment, set over two floors, within the chateau for sale. Built in the late 16th century, the chateau overlooks a magnificent garden of topiary mazes, and offers views over the village of Turenne and the valley beyond and there’s a shared swimming pool. Price: €349,000 ($378,750). See the full listing here.

In the tranquil countryside of Haute-Vienne in western France is this four-bedroom chateau. It has a kitchen with bespoke oak units, a wine cellar, dining room, a living room with oak panelling, and a craft room. There’s also an adjoining self-contained gite that has three bedrooms and it’s own kitchen and living room. Outside there’s an ornamental pond, a pizza oven, and a large workshop. All of this comes with 14 acres of land. Price: €490,000 ($530,650). The listing is here.

If you’re looking for something really dramatic, and you can stretch your budget, this fairytale castle is in the Pays de Loire, about 20 minutes from the city of Angers. Built in the 19th century, it has retained many of its original features such as marble fireplaces, oak parquet flooring, and ornate ceilings. It has 15 bedrooms (some of which are in need of restoration), five bathrooms, kitchen, study/library, dining room, and three reception rooms. Château Anjou is set in just under 10 acres of woodland. Price: €945,000 ($1,023,350). More details here.

The Good Life in Italy

Italy is one of the most evocative places in the world. The wine, the food, the history…
Every region in Italy offers its own version of the country’s magic and romance. Everywhere you go you can savor lost-in-time landscapes, stunning views…marble mountains, sandy Mediterranean beaches…

The cradle of the Renaissance, the birthplace of opera, the country that gave the world Italian food… Italy is jammed with treasures, many of its cities are themselves works of art.

You can wander along old Roman streets, stand in the shadow of the Colosseum or just sip espresso with the locals. For culture look no further, enjoy Verdi in the birthplace of opera, visit the lavish home of the Pope adorned with priceless works of art…and the cities are only the start…

Italy has many small art towns which offer great attractions…medieval gems set amongst lost-in-time landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards, olive groves, and wildflower meadows…gentle wooded hills crowned with castles and medieval villages…

Italy epitomizes dolce vita living…endless azure skies overlooking ruins from millennia, masterpieces around every corner, and family recipes perfected through generations for some of the most exquisite food your palate could ever wish for.

The evening passeggiata here embodies poetry in motion—the time-honored ritual of the pre-dinner stroll. As the sun creeps towards the horizon, Italy’s towns and cities come alive. Friends trickle into the piazzas, nourished by fontanas of wine and spirited discussion. Visitors sit in the shade of a street-side café and take it all in while nibbling bruschetta and sipping a glass of local vino that cost just $4.

It recalls a time when life was…well, simpler.

Italy has been in near-permanent recession since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Its public debt is proportionally the highest in the euro zone after Greece. It’s a chronic economic underperformer, stuck in almost constant political paralysis, with a per capita income that has been steadily declining compared with its European peers.

An outside observer would think that the country is in reasonably good economic health. But, as with much of Italian culture, appearances can sometimes be deceiving. And perhaps the most obvious crack in the veneer is the remarkably affordable real estate.

Look off the beaten path, away from what we call the “George Clooney real estate,” the kind that attracts the global elites, and you’ll uncover truly deep value. And it’s all over Italy. It’s in the ancient cities, on Italy’s lakes and ski resorts and beaches and islands. Even on famed coasts like Amalfi and cities like Florence. Opportunities are to be found everywhere.

Say “Tuscany” and most folks will think of historic Florence…the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance…the glorious rolling landscapes…and the world-famous cuisine.

But Tuscany’s popularity has also meant that it’s often viewed as a place in Italy where only those with huge bank balances can afford to buy a dream home.

There are tranquil little corners of Tuscany where you can still enjoy all that this region is famous for…but for a lot less than you might think.

Right in the heart of the village of Chianni, 20 miles southeast of Pisa, is Casa Arabella, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that has recently been restored and is currently for sale for €99,000 ($108,290). It has an open-plan kitchen/living area and features exposed stone walls and tile flooring. There’s also a private courtyard included. See the full listing here.

Bagni di Lucca is in the forest-clad foothills of the Apuan Alps. Michelangelo’s statue of David was once just a hunk of Carrara marble dragged out of these mountains.

This is not typical Tuscany, no fields of sunflowers and rolling vineyards…for that you go south. But it is the best-value in Tuscany and an incredibly beautiful and pristine part of the world. Plump trout laze in mountain rivers. Deer, boar, and even wolves can be found around here.

Just a five-minute walk from the center of town is Villa Secret Garden, a six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home that is laid out over four floors. Originally built in the 1700s, today it has two living rooms (one of which provides access to an outdoor terrace), a dining room, study, and a kitchen with a small storage room. It sits on a lot of 5.6 acres. Price: €449,000 ($485,250). See the full listing here.

Elsewhere in Tuscany, you’ll find this beautiful, renovated farmhouse. Close to the village of Sarteano (which is about an hours drive south of Siena), this three-bedroom home features terracotta floors, exposed stone walls, and wood beam ceilings. It also has two living rooms, a kitchen that has access to the garden, and a basement which currently houses a guest room and bathroom. The home is on a lot of just over 2 acres with a mix of woodland and arable/pasture land. Price: €695,000 ($754,000). For more details, see the full listing.

Ever wanted to own your own Italian village? Well, just an hours drive from the Cinque Terrre coast there’s a small hamlet for sale. Borgo di Quarazzana is a complex of three buildings that sit around a central courtyard. All together the three buildings have eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and they all have views over the nearby Apuan Alps. Also within the hamlet there’s a yoga room, a large garden with plants and fruit trees, a raspberry grove with 200 trees, an outside lounge area with a pergola, an above ground swimming pool and three ancient cellars (one of which usd to be the village shop). It’s currently run as a tourist business, you could continue that or use it as a multi-generational home. Price: €680,000 ($737,900). All the details are in the full listing here.

Tranquil, Safe, Welcoming Costa Rica

Ask anyone who’s ever visited Costa Rica what they think of it—and most will tell you it was love at first sight.

I’ve lost track of the number of people I’ve met who bought property in Costa Rica in their 50s and 60s…based on fond memories of surf trips and wildlife adventures when they were decades younger.

They might have traveled with little comfort in their younger years, roughing it in cheap hostels and beat-up buses…but when it comes to a second home in the country, their older, more experienced, and better-heeled selves often want a touch of luxury.

Costa Rica is a safe, stable country. It’s got no army, no beef with anyone, and a very friendly welcome for tourists and expats alike.

Its biggest treasure is its natural beauty. From unspoiled beaches to smoldering volcanoes…tranquil lakes to crashing waterfalls…thousands of acres of rainforest and cloud forest…there’s beauty almost everywhere you look.

It’s the kind of place for those that love the outdoors. If your passion is tracking rare tapirs…zip-lining through the jungle canopy…sea kayaking and whale watching…hiking, biking or horseback riding…Costa Rica has it covered.

If you’re dreaming of a place where you can escape for vacations with family and friends; a retreat where you can ride out the cold winters back home; or your goal is a second home that can deliver good returns—you’ll find it in Costa Rica.

Arenal is a tranquil, rural area in Costa Rica’s northwest that’s got enormous appeal. The landscape is magnificent—green hills around a huge lake, with volcanic peaks towering in the background. The lakeshore road meanders around the lake with photo opportunities at almost every turn. There are small, local villages scattered along the lakeshore road, as well as restaurants and cafés where you can stop for a bite to eat.

It will always be the sort of place expats will seek out and dream of retiring to. The lifestyle here is unlike anything I’ve come across in Central America. In some ways, the lush, green landscape reminds me of Switzerland—but with tropical butterflies, birds, and plenty more sunny days. (Indeed, there is a Swiss-style hotel on one side of the lake, complete with chalets, a mini train, and a rotating restaurant.)

The biggest towns on the west side of the lake are Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán. Nuevo Arenal has a bank, grocery stores, a clinic, gas station, bars and cafes. The famous German bakery is a good spot for lunch, serving bratwurst, sandwiches, fresh pretzels, and apple strudel.

Dotted around the lakeshore road, you’ll see little hand-painted signs for eateries. You can eat New York steak, local-style rice and beans, barbeque chicken, pizza, home-made pasta, burritos…or just stop for a rich Costa Rican coffee with a macadamia-nut muffin, warm from the oven.

During the day, residents often enjoy fishing in the lake, horseback riding, gardening, or hiking in the forest. With the constant spring-like climate, it’s comfortable to be active and outdoors any time of year. There’s a small but active group of long-term expats who often meet for drinks or to share a pot-luck dinner.

Here’s a selection of what’s on offer…

In the hills above Tronadora, on the west shore of lake Arenal, is a home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-plan kitchen/living/dining area that opens out to a covered terrace overlooking Lake Arenal. Its on a lot of just under half an acre. Price: $179,000. See the listing here.

Casa Botanica is a recently renovated two-bedroom, two-bathroom home on a half-acre lot just outside of Tilaran. This home has a kitchen, dining room, living area, and an office nook. There’s also a teak studio-style cabin on the property that’s perfect for visitors. The lake is just a two-minute walk away. Price: $269,000. See the full listing here.

A short drive from Nuevo Arenal, is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom with unobstructed views of Lake Arenal and Arenal volcano. Set on a lot of just under 2 acres, the house has an open-plan kitchen/dining area that takes advantage of those views. The master bedroom has a private walk-out terrace and its own living room. Outside you’ll find an outdoor kitchen and large seating area for those evening meals overlooking the lake below. Price: $449,000. See the full listing here.

If you’re more of a beach person, Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region boasts some of the country’s most spectacular beaches, lush forests, and ideal climate.

With average yearly temperatures hovering around 85°F and plenty of sunshine, the warm weather and beautiful surroundings make enjoying an outdoor lifestyle of surfing, fishing, hiking and beachgoing easy to embrace.

The relaxed pace of life in beach towns like Tamarindo and Nosara appeals to expats seeking a tranquil existence spent admiring ocean sunsets.

This region of Costa Rica is known as the sunniest in the country and is home to some of its most beautiful beaches.

The North Coast has traditionally been one of the most popular for expats and vacationers…and this popularity is only increasing. In towns like Playa Flamingo, Playas del Coco, and Tamarindo, you have walkable seaside villages and expat enclaves with plenty of amenities like world-class golf, high-quality medical care, stores full of imported items, top-notch restaurants, and much more.

Expats who come to live here see this part of Costa Rica as a safe and welcoming natural paradise close to North America. As a result of its popularity, real estate prices here are understandably higher than in other places in Costa Rica. But you’ll still get much more bang for your buck here than in the U.S. for a home near the beach.

Here’s some examples of what you can get around Guanacaste:

A 10-minute drive from Tamarindo, is this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The kitchen/living area opens out to a large terrace that has a small jacuzzi style pool. It sits on a lot of 1.2 acres and comes fully furnished. Price: $399,999. See the listing here.

In the popular beach town of Playa Flamingo, there’s a three-bedroom, three-bathroom luxury condo in the gated community of Altos de Flamingo for sale. The open-plan kitchen/living/dining area has floor to ceiling windows and access to a balcony that runs the length of the condo with views of the sea and the mountains. The community has gardens planted with fruit trees, has a barbecue area, a basketball court and a playground. The condo comes fully furnished. And the beach is just a three-minute walk away. Price: $625,000. More details here.

IRELAND

On a sunny day Ireland is the most beautiful place in the world. The ocean shimmers like the Mediterranean and you can dig your toes into powdery soft sand on a deserted beach. The countryside is at its deep-green best and as the daylight stretches to nearly 11 p.m. it can feel like the summer will never end…

But sunny days aren’t all that common. Even in the height of summer it can rain. All that rain is why it’s so stunningly green.

I spend time each summer in Ireland. I’m from Cork. This is where I made my very first real estate investments and learned much about real estate before traveling overseas.

Right now, real estate in Ireland is generally expensive. Although, prices have peaked and appear now to be hitting a plateau due to rising interest rates, demand for housing in Ireland is still high, and there’s not enough supply, so I don’t see prices dropping in any dramatic way anytime soon. It’s certainly not the hottest investment play.

But if you’re looking for somewhere to escape to that offers culture, history, and craic agus ceoil (that’s Irish for “fun and music”), then Ireland should definitely be on your list. And if you look in the right places, you can find some beautiful properties in locations that are as stunning as you’ll find anywhere on earth.

The farther you are prepared to go from any of the country’s major cities, the more bang for your buck you’ll get. For example, counties in the west of Ireland offer more affordability and much of what makes Ireland special…natural beauty, history and rich traditions of music and folklore. (One tip, weather-wise it is wetter in the west and north of the country than it is in the east and south.)

Outside the town of Belturbet in the Co. Cavan countryside, about a 90-minute drive from Dublin airport, is this charming Irish cottage. It has a kitchen, a bright living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a parlour that could be converted into a third bedroom. Its sits of 1 acre of land. The house is in need of renovation but the bones are good. Price: €115,000 ($125,850). For the full listing, go here.

If you’re willing to take on a renovation project, check out Treanlaur Lodge in Newport in County Mayo. A former hunting and fishing lodge was originally built in 1860 and its sits on an elevated lot on the shores of Lough Freenagh and is surrounded by forest, a stream and the lake. The lodge has four bedrooms, a kitchen, pantry, four reception rooms, and it still has some original features like fireplaces, window shutters, and staircase. Price: €295,000 ($319,950). Find more information here.

In West Cork, one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland, famous for stunning natural landscapes (the beaches in particular), foodie scene, and lively creative community (think art, crafts, and music), I found a property that’s more “turn key.” This restored 19th-century farmhouse is located between the villages of Schull and Goleen. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living/dining room with views over the garden, and a study. There’s also a separate one-bedroom guesthouse. The cottage sits on a 1.5-acre lot that has a stream stunning through it and is planted with flowers and mature trees. The perfect hideaway in beautiful rural Ireland. Price: €795,000 ($861,950). Full listing is here.

Become a Pub Owner in Ireland

Conroy’s looks like hundreds of other Irish pubs.

Brass taps line the countertop in front of an array of colorful glass bottles. Padded stools invite you to sit and linger at the bar. The furniture is aged and a little worn. The walls covered in knick-knacks and trinkets. Blackthorn walking staffs, smoke-stained photos, ancient bottles dug up from the backyard.

But here in Conroy’s Old Pub in Ireland’s midlands, something is different… For one, there is no alcohol. The whiskey bottle behind the bar is filled with cold tea. The vodka and gin bottles offer only water. The taps don’t connect to any kegs. In fact, the pub doesn’t even have a liquor license. It was sold years before by the original owners for €150,000.

The main thing that sets it apart from many other pubs in rural Ireland, however, is that it’s profitable…because it’s not a pub in the traditional sense. It’s a vacation rental. A former pub that has been adapted into the world’s first self-catering Irish pub.

In the past, converting a former pub into a residential home required planning permission. But pubs are now exempt. Not only does that make the process easier but it saves buyers months of uncertainty, bureaucracy, and associated costs.

Traditional pubs are in decline throughout rural Ireland. Their viability as a business has slowly been eroded by government legislation like the smoking ban, strict drink driving laws, higher excise duties and VAT compared to other countries, and local authority rates and regulations. High insurance costs, the cheaper supermarket alcohol, and the popularity of home entertainment have also had significant impact.

Then there is the changing nature of Ireland itself. Rural populations have been falling for years, with young people migrating to the cities. Plus, a lack of public transport has made most pubs unreachable for residents in surrounding areas. Some pubs have resorted to providing their own taxi service for regulars. Many, however, are simply closing their doors.

Pubs have been central to public life in Ireland for centuries. The lineage of Irish pubs can be traced back to as early as the sixth and seventh centuries, when local kings were required under law to have their own bruigu or brewer, who could provide “a never-dry cauldron, a dwelling on a public road, and a welcome to every face.”

Like Parisian cafés, pubs were where the intellectual class congregated. Writers and poets like James Joyce and Patrick Kavanagh were attracted by the talk…often brilliant, witty, and savage.

There was a time in Ireland when some villages nearly had as many pubs as houses. In 1635, six of the 15 houses in the village of Gurteen in County Sligo were pubs. In 1844 the town of Claremorris in Country Mayo had 50 licenced premises for 800 inhabitants, one for every 16 people.

The 21st century, however, has brought a swift decline. A pre-pandemic survey found that Ireland had 1,500 fewer pubs in 2019 than in 2006. And prolonged closures during the pandemic has likely caused a rapid acceleration of this decline.

However, with every adversity there is opportunity. While the economics of traditional licensed rural pubs may no longer be sustainable, their decline has opened up the possibility of adaptive reuse…whether that’s to live in it yourself or turn it into a vacation rental.

To whet your appetite, here are some pubs currently for sale in Ireland:

About a 20-minute drive from the medieval city of Kilkenny, in the small town of Callan, The Auld House pub in for sale. It has all the charm you’d expect from an Irish pub with its snugs, old fireplace, long traditional counter, and timber ceiling. There also a function room, a fitted kitchen, and an office. Upstairs you’ll find five bedrooms and a shower room. Price: €185,000 ($200,750). Get more details here.

In the village of Bonnifinglas, in County Mayo, on Ireland’s west coast, is the historic An Sionnach Rua pub. Thought to have been in operation for over 300 years, it’s a cozy, traditional bar with an open fire and a stove. As well as the pub there’s also a four-bedroom, four-bathroom cottage, as well as a separated, self-contained two-bedroom annex apartment, making it perfect for a vacation rental. The large, and popular, tourist town of Ballinea is just a 10-minute drive away. Price: €350,000 ($379,000). This listing is here.

There’s More…

The world is big…once you start casting your net out for pocket-money dream homes you realize your biggest challenge is narrowing down your search…

That’s why establishing your personal criteria is so helpful. And it’s fun, you can do it right now. Just grab a pen and paper and write down what you’re looking for then you’re set to get started with your search.

Once you start looking you might be surprised what you’ll find…

Good bargain hunting!

Tips for Deal Hunting for Dream Homes

It doesn’t matter what you’re buying, when it comes to buying real estate, a cool head will benefit you. Be unemotional. Try and park your natural excitement when you see a special property. Focus on getting the best deal. Don’t let falling in love with the place get in the way of grabbing a true bargain.

Start with your personal criteria and stick to them.

Home in on a region you like. Apply your criteria…what climate do you want? What about the culture, the food, and things to do? Do you need to be close to a city, an airport…

How will you use the property? Is it a part-time base for a few months a year…do you want to make it a primary base, have a large garden, some land for animals…will you have a lot of visitors from back home…

How much work are you willing to take on? Does the property need to be turn-key, do you drop your bags at the door and start enjoying yourself? Or are you up for the adventure of renovation…bringing life back to a centuries old stone home and making it your own.

A big one, if you’re looking to make some rental income that’s a whole other thing, that requires you to put your investor’s hat on and analyse the property accordingly.

If you find a property that meets your criteria I say pull the trigger. Just make sure you have your criteria nailed down. Don’t be hesitant, nor fearful and don’t be greedy.

When you’ve found what you’re looking for, don’t hang about.

Remember, all asking prices are just that…it’s what the seller is asking you for.

You want to pay less.

So, how much will the seller settle for?

Take Europe, where there are beautiful villages and towns with dwindling populations. You can find regions with a glut of stunning old homes on the market and very few buyers. Migration to the cities is the prime reason. And often locals just prefer to live in a modern apartment then deal with the management of a large rambling house that’s centuries old. Now we have a major crisis. So there will be more motivated sellers. Cast a wide net and let potential sellers compete for the sale.

This is exactly how I would play it.

And look for places where folks already have second homes. Granted not everyone will be in a rush to sell, but some folks will. You can find turnkey dream homes, no work required, and get a screaming deal.

How do you find out?

Just ask. Let sellers compete for your business.

Find a half dozen properties you like…or more. Show sellers you are serious. Prove your funds…then offer them what you’re willing to pay and see if they bite. Sure, a bunch of sellers will dismiss your offer. But you only need one to offer you the best deal.