Kathleen Peddicord shares her experience living investing overseas. Her journey took her from publishing to becoming an authority on global real estate investing. She discusses why she prefers real estate over stocks while also outlining challenges such as lack of MLS systems, legal complexities, and cultural differences. Kathleen explained how to evaluate markets, avoid overpaying, plan exit strategies, and select properties with unique value rather than cookie-cutter developments. She stressed the importance of freehold title, sound property rights, and turnkey management solutions, while also addressing issues of safety, infrastructure, and research hurdles in foreign markets. Today we discuss... 

• Kathleen Peddicord began her career in publishing with Agora but developed lifelong interests in global diversification and real estate investing.
• She prefers real estate over stocks because it offers stability, control, personal use, and both cash flow and appreciation potential.
• International real estate yields vary widely, with Panama highlighted as a safe haven market where she has achieved strong rental returns.
• A major challenge abroad is the lack of MLS systems, requiring investors to do extensive legwork to determine fair property values.
• Ensuring freehold title is essential to avoid risks of losing property to unclear or cooperative land ownership structures.
• Investors should plan their exit strategy before buying and avoid cookie-cutter developments that force competition solely on price.
• Properties with unique features, amenities, or historical value are better positioned to hold and increase resale value.
• Turnkey solutions with property and rental management are crucial for those who don’t live locally.
• Legal systems, language barriers, and cultural differences add complexity compared to U.S. real estate.
• Safety perceptions are relative, and many international markets can feel safer than U.S. cities depending on the context.
• Choosing a country to invest in requires matching personal goals, budget, and lifestyle priorities to the market options.
• Visiting potential markets in person is essential, as spreadsheets and research alone can’t capture whether a location will feel right.
• Success stories, like a couple thriving in Portugal, show the upside of international moves, while failures, like an unhappy relocation to Belize, highlight the importance of fit and flexibility.
• Small surprises—such as homes without hot water—illustrate the cultural adjustments investors must be prepared for.