Buying a property abroad is often the realisation of a personal dream and
probably represents one of the greatest expenses of your life. As part of
the purchase process, you will inevitably need to transfer a sterling sum
into another currency in order to pay for your property. This vital element
of the purchase process - one that is often overlooked - can make a huge
difference to the price, in sterling, that you will have to pay for your
dream home.
Exchange rates change constantly and 10% fluctuations in a relatively short
space of time are not uncommon. This could effectively increase, by 10% or
more, the sterling amount that you will have to pay.
There are various organisations that can convert your sterling into whichever
currency you need. Specialist currency dealers will normally offer you a better
rate of exchange than your bank and provide a more personalised service.
Foreign exchange companies like Moneycorp often offer a proactive service to
their clients, using their expertise to monitor exchange rates on the clients'
behalf in order to achieve the best possible rate of exchange.
If you ask your bank to send the money you should expect them to charge you for
doing so. The local bank may also make a substantial charge for receiving the
money. A reputable currency trader may well be able to reduce those overseas
charges substantially by sending the money via a cheaper route.
Your currency can be delivered any time within two years at an exchange rate fixed
at the time of purchase. This is called 'forward buying' and it will help you secure
an exchange rate at an advantageous level even if you do not have all your sterling
available to transfer at the time of purchase. Forward buying removes the risk of
adverse currency movements that could lead to the sterling value of your overseas
property increasing between the time of signing and the contract and the actual payment.
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9 Bedroom Villa in Lake Maggiore £1,772,727 / €1,950,000