Living the dream should never be a nightmare

Many people tell us that they are over the moon with the idea of their future home in the sun. The problem is that the day just doesn't arrive, it seems.

Now for those of you who are quite kamikaze and never can wait well, we can only advise that patience. Patience is a virtue, remember?

"I can't wait!" that great English expression that can so confuse speakers of other languages. Of course the reality is that you have to. At least for now. Getting everything in place is never easy. "Can't we just take the plunge now?!" you cry. "After all, there is never a totally perfect time for anything!". Sadly there are things to be done, obstacles to overcome, hoops to jump through and then you can realise your dream.

However, a word of caution. Don't get so bitter on the way that you are then unable to enjoy your dream! A client said to me a few weeks ago that as the wait has been longer than she expected she no longer wanted to go ahead! Crazy! Two years can seem a long time, but Rome, let alone an apartment in Cape Verde, Dubai or the Algarve - or whatever it is your dream be, was truly not built in a day.

What about "All things come to those who wait!". Of course it's not strictly true. There must have been loads of people who waited and waited and waited and not nothing came to them. But I am sure that in your case, your dream will come. Just don't turn it into a nightmare along the way! And don't raise your expectations to such an extent that you become disappointed or disaffected when you do get it.

"The watched pot never boils!" is another great piece of advice, or nonsense. One or the other!

The world of overseas property, like many other things in life, is all about emotions. After all, no one buys a home abroad because it's practical, do they? Practical was always Bognor, Torquay or Slapton Sands. "Emotion" was always Spain, The Algarve, Antigua, Poço Barreto. Names that evoke the exotic, stir the soul!

So have patience, and if in this downturn you feel inclined to be negative, don't be. It WILL be worth it in the end.