Session 1: Profiling Yourself — The Critical First Step

Ronan McMahon & Margaret Summerfield

In this session, Margaret and I take you through the key criteria you need to consider to determine which type of overseas real estate is right for you.

We dive into the critical first step—ruthlessly profiling yourself. We take you through an exercise to help you zero in on exactly what your priorities are, covering essential questions like:

• Are you buying for capital appreciation, income, or lifestyle, or is it some combination of these factors?
• If you plan to use your real estate for part or all of the year, what are your “lifestyle non-negotiables”…your red lines?
• Do you want the city or the countryside? What type of climate do you enjoy? Which amenities are essential to you, like access to the beach, hiking or world-class golf?

Finally, we show you different kinds of real estate opportunities and how to choose the perfect type to match your specific profile.

Session 2: Where to Invest—The Best Places to Buy Overseas Today

Ronan McMahon & Margaret Summerfield

In this session, we show you where to find the type of real estate that best suits your preferences.

Margaret and I break down leading destinations using our exclusive RETA International Real Estate Index. Published annually, this comprehensive breakdown covers the 25 best places in the world to buy real estate.

We dive into the pros and cons of each destination across factors such as accessibility, climate, visas, amenities, and investment and income potential. We also show you examples of properties my team and I have seen on the market, so you understand pricing ranges.

These are places that offer outstanding value, amazing lifestyles, and huge capital appreciation and rental income potential.

Session 3: Where to Invest—More of The Best Places to Buy Overseas Today

Ronan McMahon & Margaret Summerfield

In this session, we show you six more places where you can find the type of real estate that best suits your preferences.

Margaret and I break down more of our leading destinations using our exclusive RETA International Real Estate Index.

Once again, we drill into into the pros and cons of each destination across factors such as accessibility, climate, visas, amenities, and investment and income potential. We also show you examples of properties my team and I have seen on the market, so you understand pricing ranges.

Destinations in Session Three include Los Cabos, hill towns of Sicily, and Medellin.

Session 4: What to Buy and How to Pay for it

Ronan McMahon & Margaret Summerfield

We took a deep dive on the various types of real estate you can own overseas, examining standout opportunities including:

• A charming pied-à-terre in historic Verona’s center that offers an incredible lifestyle and strong rental potential when you’re not enjoying the Italian dolce vita yourself
• A redevelopment project in Uruguay’s cosmopolitan capital where rapid gentrification could deliver a whopping 34.5% yield for savvy investors
• A preconstruction condo in Playa del Carmen featuring half an acre of rooftop amenities with uninterrupted views to the Caribbean
• A jungle lot in Costa Rica where you can build your dream retreat amid lush tropical landscapes

We also delved into the different options you have for financing your dream home, including using leverage, and both developer and seller financing.

Session 5: Due Diligence, Transaction Costs and Rental Yields

Ronan McMahon & Margaret Summerfield

In Session 5, we walk you through the fundamentals that separate successful overseas investors from costly mistakes. We covered the essential six-step due diligence framework: finding the right attorney, vetting developers, checking permits and contracts, and understanding title and ownership structures.

We examined “the Margarita effect”—how even seasoned investors make poor decisions when they don’t follow proper due diligence overseas. Using real examples like my house purchase in Caminha, Portugal, we broke down actual closing costs, HOA fees, and taxes, providing our comprehensive transaction costs report covering every country on our beat.

We also showed you how to structure ownership from day one and calculate true rental yields to make informed investment decisions that align with your goals.