Where in the world to invest money into property?

I currently consider the prime areas for pre construction (oroff plan) investment to be: Caribbean (Barbados, Bahamas), USmainland (Las Vegas, Orlando), Central America (Belize, Panama)as well as parts of Europe.Why? Well, areas need to have specific positive influences, over andabove the nearby localities or other countries. Let's consider afew from my list above.For example, Barbados continues to be the place where the richand famous holiday for 4+ months of the year. On a recent visitthere (pre rich and famous season!), hotels were already fullybooked through to Easter 2007. Then, throw in the Cricket WorldCup, and rentals will certainly be strong again. Thus, yourincome stream is solid. In addition, realtors predict capitalgrowth to be 7-11% per annum for the foreseeable future, and forthe island to continue to hold a rare crown of never having seena house price decrease.Relaxed lending criteria, a stable economy, direct flights frommost key airports, Bajan$ fixed to the US$ and a real shortageof good pre-construction developments right now, and there's achance to make some money there.Thus, Barbados is key for me.As for Bahamas, I'm actually visiting there as I compose this,sat on Paradise Island. The area around Cable B...

...each is about tobe transformed by a huge investment in an area around 3 of thelarge hotels. I understand the Caribbean's largest casino is tobe built there.Anyone who can find the right properties around that area shoulddo well. Unfortunately for my own portfolio, I couldn't do itduring this trip as I leave tomorrow, but will be returning in afew months' time to look again.For another, consider Orlando. Many love the area, and many hateit. The key factor for me is the ongoing flood of people movingto the area from colder climates, whether from the Northernstates of the USA or from parts of Europe (especially UK). Thus,it has an exceptional quality that other areas of the US (acountry for which, as a whole, I foresee falling prices fairlysoon, with interest rates having risen so much, many investorson interest only, high loan-to-value deals etc.).I consider Eastern Europe to carry a high risk factor, as havingseen recent price hikes, is now expensive relatively to itsstability.The UK continues to see price stability without any real rises,and expectations are for the status quo to remain for the nextyear or two.French leasebacks are always attractive when backed by a soliddeveloper, whereby the investor is guaranteed a 9-18 ye...

...ear rentalincome, with personal usage allowed. Tax benefits also available.I like to consider areas that are a little unusual too - takePanama. Not a common choice for property investment, especiallyfrom a UK perspective, but in my mind, a good one.In Panama City, prices are below $100 per sq ft for primeapartments in prime areas. Yielding c. 10% to local renters,with borrowing rates in the high 5%s, and banks that are moreand more willing to attract foreign lending, it has a lot goingfor it.It is close to one of the most important shipping lanes in theworld, which continues to generate steady and significant incomefor the area. Stick to a reputable developer and the right area,and I am one of a number of people who share the view thatPanama is on its way up.Throw in good retirement benefits and a stable US$ basedeconomy, and Panama City has the right ingredients for me. I am also positive on certain other areas of South America(Brazil and Argentina), but am still concluding my research intothose. I also like South Africa, but with the same caveat. I will be composing an article on the ins and outs of overseasproperty financing for my next tome, and look forward toreceiving any feedback (positive or negative) on this article.