That might seem like a stupid question – but the exact answer can influence many aspects of the information that follows in this book.

If you are making a permanent move to Florida and are buying a home to live in all year round for the rest of your life, that is a very different proposition from buying a property that you hope to finance through rental income. Buying a property with a view to trading up in a few years is different from choosing a property to enjoy for your whole retirement.

Your choice of location, style of house, the type of finance you choose – indeed, the type of finance available to you – are all likely to be different depending on exactly what your plans and aspirations are.

So, we strongly recommend that you sit down with your partner, your family and any other interested parties and think through your answer to that question before you go much further. Discuss considerations like “How far into the future are we planning?” and what you would do if the unexpected happened – for example, how would things like serious ill health in the family or redundancy affect your plans or your attitude towards your property in Florida?

There have been many instances where unsuspecting Brits buy an overseas property on the basis of the excitement of the moment, the sales spiel, the fact that property seems so cheap compared with the UK etc. So often these are the people we see for a trouble-shooting briefing afterwards as there are plenty of sales agents who will seize on your dream and make sure you buy a property regardless of the consequences for your family. Again we emphasize the importance of obtaining impartial advice first.