OFW guide: Handy tips on finding a good house abroad

Working overseas is not easy as there are many things to consider when moving to another country for work.

You need to ask yourself things like: Is the salary worth it? Can I stand living away from my family?

If your company does not provide housing, you also have to ask yourself: Where will I live?

The blog site Frugal Mama said "moving can be one of the most expensive and life-changing financial transactions a family will make.  While a move can be exciting, it is also very stressful — right up there with losing a job and the death of a loved one."

The site said finding the right neighborhood is "a huge factor in determining the success of your move." 

As there is really no "best neighborhood," the key is to find a place that suits your needs, tastes and lifestyle.

There are two options when working abroad: renting a place or buying your own property.

Buying your own property is ideal if you will be staying in that country for a long time, or even for good. You will need to have enough funds to afford a home in foreign soil.

However, if purchasing a house will be too costly and you are not even sure how long you'll be working in that country, the best option would be to rent a house.

The business site Expat Finder compiled a list of guidelines when renting a place abroad:

(1) Research the rental market

Before you go head first into the foreign rental market, check the Internet for information.

“A 2009 survey carried out by Mercer determined that Moscow is the most expensive city for expats to rent in, with New York, Geneva and London close behind and in the top ten,” Expat Finder said.

Knowing information about rental price range and other details will give you an advantage when you actually start searching for a place to rent.

(2) Consider your preference

What do you want your home away from home to have? Does it need to be accessible to work, malls and public transportation? Are you on a budget or is money not an object?

Questions like these should be taken into account early on so that you already have a clear idea about your basic requirements for a home abroad.

(3) Know where to look

Don't be clueless when you're actually starting to look for a place to rent.

You could get information from a local relocation company or even through old-fashioned word of mouth.

The other options would be to check the Internet or buy a local expat magazine containing lists of rental places and their prices.

A newspaper is also good material for this.

(4) Know the requirements

In other countries, renting may be much more complicated than what you are used to in your country.

Landlords might require things such as bank statements and even references from your former landlords and employers to check if you are a 'good fit' for their property.

Knowing these in advance will definitely save you a lot of time and trouble.

(5) Be legally equipped

Once you have found the perfect place which has all your needs with a price that you can afford then you're off to contract signing.

Before you sign, you might want to read it thoroughly or even have it checked by a local legal professional to make sure that what you're signing has no hidden strings attached. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News