Whether you’re moving abroad to experience new cultures or enjoy a career you can’t pursue at home, you can bet you’re in for the ride of a lifetime. Travel is one thing, but actually moving to a place puts you bang in the middle of its ebb and flow. Even better, with house prices in many countries soaring, overseas relocation could, if you play your cards right, save you money.

Before you jump in, though it is worth noting, that there’s more to think about than just property prices when it comes to bagging yourself an overseas bargain. Many abroad home shoppers, for instance, have been stung with unexpected costs because they simply failed to factor or overcome the following hidden expenses. 

# 1 – Flight costs

Flight costs can add up when you’re buying property abroad, and not just because you’ll need to fly to your destination once a purchase is complete! Many homebuyers also make the mistake of booking multiple trips to house hunt, but this is a two-way excursion you won’t want to make too often.

The simple fact is that, by the time you’ve added a return trip and luggage onto your flight, you’re set to spend a great deal every time you head to and from your destination. And, it needn’t even be that way! Something as simple as searching even distant housing markets online using something like this property portal instead is guaranteed to make your life easier, and cheaper. Equally, making sure to book all house viewings in one trip saves the back and forth that will, undeniably, get expensive. 

# 2 – Hidden fees

Sorry to say it, but moving abroad can also come with hidden fees that you may not know to factor ahead of time. Most notably, you might find yourself subject to customs duty and taxes that you hadn’t factored in your initial budget. And, that’s before you even consider additional fees like visas for countries that require them. Stamp duty, too, tends to be pretty steep where cross-country moves are concerned. So, make sure you’re aware of what exactly you stand to pay before you put an offer on a property that, all things considered, is outside of your price bracket.

# 3 – Moving costs

Then, of course, there’s the cost of moving in itself. While this is relatively non-existent when you’re transporting stuff from one side of town to another, it’s vital that you don’t underestimate the expense of overseas transportation. The harsh reality is that international removals can cost as much as $10,000 if you’re trying to take everything but the kitchen sink. Bulky furniture like sofas and beds are particularly problematic here, and honestly, you would be best off leaving them at home of giving them away before you head off. Instead, aim to take only what you can fit in your inflight luggage for affordable overseas moving at last. Hey, you can always repurchase everything once you arrive to start your new life!