My recommendation is to seek more passive routes of real estate investing such as investment groups, shares of RE Companies, REITs etc for the European theatre as it will relieve you of much of the leg work, hassle and headache, especially if you aren't native (working a deal can be tough as the "American" even when you speak the local dialect).

I'm new to BP as well and am not a San Diego native.

As a native in SF, I have heard of the horrors of the planning department and community approval.

Hi David,I am also new to REI and am currently evaluating several properties in my native San Diego area.

;-)I'm a Texas native and have lived around the state.

I am Steve Hardy, and I am a native of Santa Fe New Mexico.

My husband and I are native Clevelanders .

As a fellow Capital District native (Schenectady/Albany) and upstate investor I am glad to see you are in the right place.

Hello BP natives.

Most of foreign forums don't :)However, thank you for the compliment, I'm trying to practice my English every day, so that when I need to deal with foreigners I have means of communication and it's always good to hear that native speakers understand me :)Back on topic, I am not aware of any tax advantages, however I believe that even in this country good offers can be found, one only has to know where to look.