🏡 Step-by-Step Home Purchasing Plan
🌎 Your Dream International Second Home Awaits: Live Where You’ve Always Imagined.
✈️ Your International Second Home Journey: Complete Guide
From dream to reality—discover communities welcoming North American buyers worldwide
Welcome to Your Adventure ✨
Thousands of Americans have discovered what you’re dreaming about—waking up to ocean views in Portugal for less than your current mortgage, enjoying morning coffee on a mountain terrace in Ecuador while Social Security covers expenses, or working remotely from a modern Malaysian home where your dollars stretch twice as far.
This guide maps the journey based on experiences from hundreds of successful American international buyers, giving you clarity and confidence throughout the process.
New Second Homes connects Americans with international developers who welcome North American buyers. We share educational information and make introductions—you conduct due diligence, select professionals, and make all decisions. We provide education and connections; you work directly with developers and licensed professionals for all transactions, legal matters, and financial decisions. Refer to our terms of service for more information.
🗺️ The Four-Phase Journey
📍 Phase One: Discover What Matters to You
Successful buyers clarify priorities before looking at properties. This saves months of research and helps you focus on communities matching your lifestyle vision.
What to Consider:
🌅 Lifestyle Vision - Peaceful retirement or active adventure? Beach, mountains, or cultural cities?
💰 Financial Parameters - Comfortable purchase range? Monthly living costs? Total investment capacity?
⏰ Timeline - Exploring for future or ready to purchase within 6-12 months?
🏠 Property Preferences - Low-maintenance condo or house with outdoor space? New construction or resale?
🎯 Must-Haves - Fast internet for remote work? Healthcare proximity? Expat community? Climate preferences?
Free Lifestyle Assessment
Complete our assessment to organize your thoughts. We’ll share information about communities matching your preferences and connect you with developers whose properties may interest you.
Assessment helps us match you with suitable communities—not professional consulting. We forward information to developers who may contact you directly. We earn referral fees when introductions result in purchases.
🌐 Phase Two: Explore Communities Worldwide
International communities designed for North American buyers exist in stunning locations globally. These developments typically feature English-speaking services, familiar amenities, established expat populations, and infrastructure accommodating American expectations.
Destinations We Feature
Communities in countries where developers actively welcome American buyers:
🇲🇽 Mexico - Close to U.S., diverse options, familiar culture
🇨🇷 Costa Rica - “Pura Vida” lifestyle, safety, natural beauty
🇵🇦 Panama - Tax benefits, U.S. dollar, pensionado program
🇪🇨 Ecuador - Most affordable, eternal spring climate
🇨🇴 Colombia - Modern cities, coffee culture, growing expat scene
🇵🇹 Portugal - European elegance, Golden Visa, excellent healthcare
🇬🇷 Greece - Mediterranean lifestyle, islands, EU residency
🇮🇹 Italy - Cultural richness, food culture, “la dolce vita”
🇲🇾 Malaysia - MM2H visa program, affordable luxury, great healthcare
🇧🇿 Belize - English-speaking, Caribbean beauty, close to U.S.
🇹🇭 Thailand - Affordable living, excellent healthcare
🇮🇩 Indonesia (Bali) - Wellness paradise, digital nomad hub
🇹🇷 Turkey - East-meets-West, Mediterranean coast
🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai) - Modern luxury, tax-free living
And many more!
How We Select Communities
We feature communities where developers have requested introductions to American buyers through our platform, meaning they are prepared to work with U.S./Canadian purchasers.
Critical: Our Role & Your Responsibility
We share information provided by developers and facilitate introductions. We don’t personally visit every community, verify developer claims, or conduct independent vetting of developments. Thorough due diligence—visiting properties, researching developers, verifying all claims, speaking with current residents, and working with qualified local professionals—is entirely your responsibility.
Your essential research: Visit in person, speak with residents independently, verify amenities exist and function, research developer track records through multiple sources, hire your own qualified professionals to evaluate everything.
👀 Phase Three: Visit Communities in Person
Successful buyers rarely purchase without visiting. There is no substitute for experiencing climate, meeting residents, and seeing what daily life would actually be like.
Why Visiting Matters
Photos can’t show:
How climate actually feels daily
Whether community vibe matches your personality
Real proximity to healthcare, shopping, activities
Actual quality of amenities and infrastructure
Honest resident feedback on living there
Discovery Trip Options
Independent Travel: Many arrange their own visits, booking hotels and scheduling developer tours directly.
Organized Property Tours: Travel organizers offer property-focused discovery tours, typically $500/person/day, including lodging, meals, guides, and transportation between communities.
Arranging Trips: We can share contact information for travel organizers offering discovery tours in specific regions. You work directly with them to customize your itinerary.*
*We share organizer contacts but don’t arrange, coordinate, manage, or supervise any travel services. We are not responsible for trip quality, safety, or organizer actions. Research any organizer independently before booking. Some may compensate us for referrals.
Strong Recommendation: Visit multiple communities over several days before making purchase decisions.
✅ Phase Four: Work With Local Professionals
International property purchase requires licensed professionals in your target country specializing in helping American buyers navigate foreign transactions successfully.
Professionals You Will Need
⚖️ Local Real Estate Attorney - Licensed in purchase country, experienced with foreign buyers, English-speaking.
What they do: Review contracts, verify clear title, handle closing, ensure legal compliance, protect your interests.
💰 U.S. Expat Tax Advisor - U.S.-licensed CPA with international expertise, familiar with FBAR, FATCA, foreign property reporting.
What they do: Advise on U.S. tax implications, help with reporting, optimize cross-border tax situation.
🔍 Property Inspector - Licensed in target country, ideally familiar with North American standards.
What they do: Evaluate property condition, identify issues, provide detailed reports.
🏦 Currency Exchange Specialist - Licensed service with better rates than banks for large transfers.
Examples: Wise (TransferWise), OFX, Interactive Brokers, Currencies Direct
🏠 Property Manager (if applicable) - Licensed company managing maintenance, utilities, rentals.
Finding Professionals
Research resources:
Local bar associations and professional directories
Expat forums and community recommendations
U.S. Embassy commercial service offices
Professional association directories
Current American homeowner recommendations
We can share contact information for professionals who work with American buyers in various countries. You interview candidates, verify credentials, and hire whoever you are most comfortable with.*
*We may receive referral compensation from some professionals. We don’t verify credentials, vet qualifications, supervise services, or guarantee professional competence. Always verify licenses with local authorities, check references independently, and interview multiple candidates before hiring.
Before Hiring Anyone:
✅ Verify current license with regulatory authority
✅ Confirm liability insurance coverage
✅ Read reviews from multiple sources
✅ Check references from American clients
✅ Interview 2-3 candidates minimum
✅ Get written fee quotes
✅ Ensure clear communication
📋 International Property Research Checklist*
Common considerations based on American buyer experiences. Use as a starting point for discussions with your licensed professionals.
Important: Requirements vary dramatically by country. Your local attorney guides you on specific requirements in your jurisdiction.*
* Educational guide only—not professional advice. Not exhaustive or tailored to specific jurisdictions. Not a substitute for professional guidance. Requirements vary by country—add items specific to your situation and consult qualified professionals for your transaction.
💰 Financial Considerations
Topics to discuss with your financial advisor and local professionals:
[ ] Total closing costs (transfer taxes, notary, registration)
[ ] Currency exchange timing and costs
[ ] Financing options for non-residents (if needed)
[ ] Ongoing costs (HOA, taxes, maintenance, utilities, insurance)
[ ] U.S. tax reporting (FBAR, FATCA, Form 8938—discuss with U.S. CPA)
[ ] International banking and account setup
[ ] Estate planning and inheritance implications
[ ] Property and liability insurance requirements
[ ] Capital gains tax if selling later (both countries)
[ ] Impact on overall financial plan
⚖️ Legal Topics
Questions for your local real estate attorney:
[ ] Legal ownership structures for foreigners
[ ] Property title verification process
[ ] Restricted zone considerations (coastal, border, agricultural)
[ ] Local inheritance laws
[ ] All contract reviews before signing
[ ] HOA bylaws and restrictions
[ ] Property surveys and boundary documentation
[ ] Dispute resolution processes
[ ] Required permits and approvals
[ ] Visa and residency implications
🏡 Property & Community Evaluation
Items to verify during research and visits:
[ ] Utilities availability, reliability, costs
[ ] Internet speeds and cell coverage (test in person)
[ ] Distance to international airport
[ ] Healthcare facilities and English-speaking doctors nearby
[ ] Grocery/shopping for familiar products
[ ] Expat community size and activities
[ ] Property visits at different times
[ ] Multiple resident conversations about experiences
[ ] Test drives to key locations
[ ] Verification all promised amenities are built and functional
🌍 Lifestyle & Location Research
Topics to research about your target country:
[ ] Visa requirements and residency paths
[ ] Safety and crime rates (multiple sources)
[ ] Climate patterns and natural disaster risks
[ ] Banking and financial service availability
[ ] English language prevalence
[ ] Familiar services availability (Amazon, streaming)
[ ] Local customs and cultural considerations
[ ] Healthcare quality and costs for your needs
[ ] Political and economic stability
[ ] Travel ease between property and U.S.
🔍 Developer & Community Research
Critical due diligence before committing:
[ ] Developer track record and completed projects (independent verification)
[ ] Developer licensing and good standing verification
[ ] Developer financial stability assessment
[ ] Multiple current resident conversations
[ ] In-person verification all amenities are built and functional
[ ] Community financial health (HOA statements)
[ ] Construction timeline for new builds (written guarantees)
[ ] Online developer research (reviews, complaints, legal issues)
[ ] Property management quality (resident feedback)
[ ] Recourse if developer faces difficulties
[ ] Marketing materials review with skepticism
📋 Purchase Process Steps
Working with professionals throughout:
[ ] Local attorney actively reviewing transaction
[ ] Professional property inspection completed
[ ] Insurance coverage secured
[ ] Furniture/shipping logistics researched
[ ] Rental regulations understood (if applicable)
[ ] Local accountant relationship established
[ ] Closing process clearly understood
[ ] Deposits in proper escrow/trust accounts
[ ] All promises documented in writing
[ ] Full understanding before signing anything
[ ] YOUR attorney reviewing (not developer’s)
[ ] Cancellation rights clearly understood
*Research checklist is for general educational purposes based on common considerations. Not exhaustive, not tailored to specific jurisdictions, not substitute for professional advice. Requirements vary by country. Add items specific to your situation, consult qualified professionals.
📬 Start Your Journey
Step 1: Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Educational content, buyer stories, community features, market insights.
Step 2: Complete Lifestyle Assessment
Share priorities so we can connect you with developers whose communities may interest you.
What happens next: We review and share with developers whose communities appear to match your preferences. Developers contact you directly to discuss properties, answer questions, arrange tours.
Our role: We function as independent referral platform connecting buyers with developers. All property discussions, negotiations, transactions happen directly between you and developers. We remain available for general educational questions but don’t participate in specific transactions, legal, or financial matters.*
*We earn referral fees when introductions result in purchases. Consider this when evaluating our information.
Step 3: Share Your Success Story 📖
Purchased through a developer we introduced?
We would love to feature your journey! Your story inspires others while creating marketing value for your property.
How sharing helps you:
Your featured article becomes professional content potentially enhancing your property’s rental and resale value, generates inquiries from our subscriber base, helps you connect with Americans before they arrive, and creates a permanent record of your adventure.
Simple process:
Email us when purchase closes
Casual 30-45 minute conversation
We write story, send draft
You approve before publication
You control everything shared: Names, photos, prices, contact info—all optional.
Featured stories help market our platform. You are not compensated but receive marketing value created.
💬 Common Questions
Q: How much do your services cost?
A: Our educational resources and introductions are free. We are compensated through referral relationships with developers and some professionals. You never pay us directly.
Q: I’m just exploring—is that okay?
A: Absolutely! Many subscribers explore 1-3 years before purchasing. We educate with no pressure.
Q: Do you verify developers you feature?
A: No. We share information from developers requesting American buyer connections. You must conduct thorough independent due diligence—visiting properties, researching developers, speaking with residents, working with your qualified professionals to verify everything.
Q: Have you personally visited these communities?
A: No. We connect buyers with developers marketing to Americans, but visiting, evaluating, and verifying communities is your responsibility. Never purchase without your own in-person visit and professional evaluation.
Q: Can I visit property before deciding?
A: Definitely—we strongly encourage it. Arrange independently or through travel organizers. We can share organizer contacts but don’t arrange travel.
Q: What about healthcare quality?
A: Many international locations offer excellent healthcare at lower costs. Research healthcare thoroughly in your specific area and discuss with your physician.
Q: Is it safe for Americans?
A: Safety varies by location. Research crime statistics from multiple sources, speak with current residents, visit to assess comfort level.
Q: What about taxes?
A: U.S. citizens pay U.S. taxes on worldwide income regardless of location. Consult U.S. CPA specializing in expat taxation—essential, not optional.
Q: Can I rent my property?
A: Often yes, though regulations vary. Many earn $15K-$40K annually renting. Research local regulations and tax implications.
Q: What if I don’t speak the language?
A: Featured communities typically may have English-speaking services and expat populations. Many Americans succeed with minimal local language, though learning basics helps.
Legal Disclosures & Important Information
How We Help
New Second Homes is a service of Launch Dream LLC. New Second Homes connects American buyers with international developers welcoming North Americans. We share educational information, conduct lifestyle assessments, make introductions—while you maintain complete control over all decisions.
What we are not: Licensed real estate brokers, attorneys, financial advisors, or tax professionals. We don’t handle transactions, verify developer claims, personally visit all communities, conduct independent vetting, or provide professional advice.
Referral Compensation
We earn referral fees when buyers we introduce purchase properties. We may receive compensation from professionals we mention (developers, builders, attorneys, tax advisors, travel organizers etc.)
Your Role & Responsibility
Successful buyers conduct thorough independent due diligence: visiting properties in person, speaking with residents independently, researching developers through multiple sources, verifying all claims and amenities, hiring qualified local professionals (attorneys, CPAs, inspectors), making informed decisions based on your own research.
International property carries real risks—currency fluctuation, legal complexities, potential financial loss. You are responsible for all due diligence, professional selection, and purchase decisions.
Our Commitment
We provide educational resources and connections, not guarantees or professional advice. Community information we share comes from developers and has not been independently verified by us. Requirements vary dramatically by country—consult licensed local professionals for guidance on your specific situation.
Bottom line: We provide introductions and education; you conduct due diligence and make decisions supported by qualified professionals you select.
To maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim liability for outcomes, third-party services, developer actions, professional services, or any decisions you make. Complete terms at Terms of Service.