Linda,

I have to disagree with you and believe Paddy G is correct when he says no property investment is risk free because it is not and nor can it be. Property investment and particularly overseas property investment is by its nature is a risky type of investment. The overseas property market is not regulated and it involves investors investing large amounts of money often in a country that they have very little knowledge of. The market is completely open to exploitation by unscrupulous agents who make claims that can often be very far from the truth. This happens in the more mature markets such as France and the UK as often as it does in more riskier emerging markets. Even when one does a great deal of research and due diligence, shops around, and uses a independent local solicitor or good property sourcer, there are still risks and you cannot remove all risks no matter how much care you take. Of course you can reduced risks and it is very important to do this but nobody has a crystal ball and you cannot predict the market or be absolutely sure at what stage in the cycle one has bought, so it is just a possible to lose money in France as anywhere else.

Geord