Nick I started out abroad about 4 years ago, and one thing now is certain, - making substantial profits over the short term is virtually impossible now.

Your freinds have likely fallen into the same habits most of us pick up when investing abroad and that is OVER ESTIMATING REAL PROFITS.

Ive lost count of the number of times people say theyve doubled thier money yet when they come to sell they find it can take years and the apparant profits were just heresay.

Furthermore there is a tendancy to underestimate costs. One cost for example will be the interest you will no longer make as a result of taking money out of the bank.

Others will include ongoing maintenance, rubbish collection, insurance and so on. They you will have fees to sell which are substantial.

Another factor many encounter is this; Agents will tell you want a fantastic opportunity they have when they want to flog you a property but will give you the cold shoulder when it comes to resales. Property showrooms did exactly this, telling me what a fantastic once in a lifetime opportuuity they had yet when it came to resale I got a 5 second answer - no thanks we've moved on to other projects.

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Been investing abroad a few years. Always amazed people invest in places that produce just a few months rent per year