Though last ten years have seen a big expansion in US real estate markets, recent signs suggest that the air is starting to leak out of the domestic property bubble. Home mortgage rates are rising and the average time to sell a home is increasing.

With the US market slowing, it might be a good time for real estate investors to look outside the United States for opportunities. One such real estate opportunity is in the Caribbean. Investment in island vacation homes can be a shelter from an unstable US real estate market.

But buying real estate in a foreign country can be tricky. Before investing in an overseas property, you should consider a number of factors that influence property values and the ease with which you can buy land. In most cases these issues are minor and can be solved with the help of a local realtor, but you should be aware of them all the same.

Local Property Laws
First, you should know the local laws regarding the purchase of land by n increasing foreigners. In some countries you cannot purchase property without forming a local corporation. Other countries have more lenient regulations. In Honduras, for example, you can purchase up to