My wife and I want to retire to the island of Fuerteventura, in the Canaries. Ideally, we want a detached villa with a swimming pool in a rural location. We are financially independent. Where do we start and what should we look for?

JB, Leicestershire

It will be hard to find the detached villa with a swimming pool that you are looking for in a rural location on Fuerteventura. You may be able to buy a farmhouse and, subject to planning consent, install a pool, but if you want a complete package, it is far easier to buy on one of the new, more urbanised developments to the north of the country. Prices range from about £170,000 to £260,000 for a typical villa, or more for a larger and more luxurious property. Purchase costs will generally add another 10%.

It is vital to instruct a reputable English-speaking lawyer to make sure that the title deeds are in order. The lawyer should also check that there are no charges on the land or property.

Although the Canaries are part of Spain, they are not fully integrated into the EU, which means that you may have to prove to the authorities that you have the financial resources to live on Fuerteventura without being a burden on the state. However, this requirement is expected to be lifted soon.

I have heard that Berlin is a property hot spot, especially for investors, now that the German economy is improving. I have also seen deals offering guaranteed tenancies alleged to be backed by the government. Are they too good to be true?

GD, Birmingham Berlin does have huge potential. After 15 years of stagnant and even declining property prices, there are signs that the market is picking up at last, with values in central areas such as Charlottenburg and Schöneberg, starting to rise. The government has invested billions in property restoration, housing and infrastructure over the past decade or so, and attractive renovated flats can be bought for as little as £60,000, with annual rental yields in the region of 5%-7%. Germany is a country of renters; only 14% of people in the capital own their own home and, unlike the British, many of them remain in the same property for many years.

There are a lot of deals on offer, so get ready to be bombarded with glossy literature. Such deals can look attractive, especially when they promise to take care of everything for you, and when you don’t need to have any physical input in the management of your property. But remember: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Before putting down a deposit, do as much research as possible, not just on the property market as a whole, but on the agent or developer who is trying to sell you the property.

A 10-year rental guarantee backed by the government would be a very good deal indeed, but before signing anything, you should find an English-speaking lawyer who knows the ropes in Berlin to establish that such a guarantee is on offer. A good starting point is www.helplinelaw.com/ lawyers/germany/berlin.

How can I find out more about timeshare-type developments in France?

HT, Conwy

Timeshare is not as widely advertised or as available in France as in many other continental European destinations. For property listings, try Multivacances (00 33 1 55 26 49 64, www.multivacances.com) or contact the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (www.ote-info.com).

Timeshare has acquired a poor reputation over the years – often justifiably. If you insist on buying one, then rather than plumping for a new development, it might be better to look at resales, which tend to be cheaper. But check carefully that the present owner can transfer his share without cost.

You should also consider alternatives such as fractional ownership, which, unlike timeshare, gives you a share of the property, allowing you to benefit from any capital gains. Leaseback deals, in which you buy a property and immediately lease it back to the developer, may also be worth a look.

Bill Blevins is the managing director of Blevins Franks International, an independent firm providing tax and investment advice; www.blevinsfranks.com

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