[imagesource: Property24]

This is our PSA that spending your hard-earned dosh on property overseas will get you a lot less bang for your buck.

We might not have the finest service delivery, public transport, or enough electricity to go around, but the exchange rate means that we do well to buy local.

I know that what’s happening in our country right now makes it hard to be upbeat, but let’s have a look around to drive home the point.

Via IOL, comparing properties in countries that are popular with South African emigrants, you can get an idea of what around R4 million can get you.

This is what you’ll get in England, Maidstone, Kent:

Price: £210 000 to £220 000 (R4,175m to R4,374m)

Bedrooms: two bedrooms, one bathroom

Size: 70,5m², split-level

External features: Garden and patio area. On-street parking.

Location: Well-located near the town centre with a vast choice of shops, restaurants, a cinema complex, and supermarkets. Easy access to Maidstone’s three train stations and local bus services.

Moving on to Adelaide’s East End in Australia, which doesn’t look too bad:

Price: AUS$360 000 to AUS$380 000 (R3,875m to R4,090m)

Bedrooms: one bedroom, one bathroom

Size: Building 60m², land 76,52m²

External features: one garage/underground parking

Location: Positioned within the heart of the vibrant East End. Near trendy cafes, restaurants, and wine bars, as well as Adelaide universities. Close to Adelaide Oval.

All that makes property in Cape Town’s Harfield look pretty decent (pictured right up top in the main image), with this listing from Property24:

Price: R 3 990 000

Bedrooms: three bedrooms (main en-suite), two bathrooms

Size: erf size 347 m², floor size 200 m²

External Features: Single garage and covered off-street parking bay. Large garden with pool, including a covered patio with built-in braai.

Location: Stunning trendy, vibey village life; within walking distance to shops and restaurants and close to all the necessary establishments like schools and hospitals.

Okay, Black River in Mauritius might just take the cake:

Price: Mauritian Rs11,99 million (R3,985 million)

Bedrooms: three bedrooms, two bathrooms

Size: Land 321m²

External features: Private garden, swimming pool, and two parking spaces.

Location: Close to all the daily conveniences: various shops, shopping centres, schools, banks, and public transport. Golf, spas, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and a wide range of water activities are easily accessible, too.

For a similar price, a similar size, and almost all the same features, Mauritius might be the property to beat.

Either way, I’ll take a large free-standing home complete with a garden and pool in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs over less space in the UK or Australia any day.

Who’s with me?

[sources:iol&property24]