Looking to buy real estate overseas? If this is a new experience for you, you’re probably going to be stepping out of your comfort zone, but opening yourself up to so many new options has the potential to create some real returns. International property has long been one of the safest and most rewarding investments, so the quicker you can get involved in the market, the better.

That’s not to say that international real estate is worth rushing into. You want to make sure that the locations you focus on are appropriate for your personal investments, and will ultimately give you the greatest returns. Take a look at the below list of our top 12 real estate locations if you’re looking for the best opportunities for overseas investment in 2020:

Brazil

The coastal area of Brazil is a favoured real estate destination in particular, thanks to its strong demand and increasing popularity with American and Brazilian tourists. At the moment, you’ll find that beachfront investment in Brazil is still fairly low-cost on a worldwide scale, so it’s really worth taking advantage of while the situation remains the way it is.

The Dominican Republic

Improvements in transport links mean that the once-remote island of The Dominican Republic is now well and truly a tourist vacation favourite spot. In particular, Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is seeing immense real estate growth, with improved overseas investment. With increased links to the outside world, this tourist hotspot seems set to only continue to grow in the future, so there’s no better time to get investing.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a destination that has historically done well in the real estate sector. With competitive interest rates and a wealth of good buying opportunities, Hawaii is a real estate favourite for many long-term investors. Thanks to ever-increasing tourist interest in the renowned vacation destination, even those with only a little money to spare can benefit greatly from Hawaii’s real estate situation. If it’s security that you’re after, you won’t often be let down by Hawaii.

Orlando

One city that’s seen real overall growth in recent years is Orlando. The Florida-based city has twice been listed as one of the best places to buy a house by Forbes, and when you look at its ever-increasing transport links and visitor numbers, that’s hardly surprising. With predicted future job growth and population growth, and affordable real estate pricing, you’re best getting in on the action while you can.

Thailand

It’s arguably one of the hottest eastern tourist destinations of all time, and it doesn’t seem like Thailand’s popularity is going to diminish any time soon. This makes its real estate potential huge – and as of now, housing prices are fairly low, so there’s no better time to invest. Focus your attention in or around Bangkok, which is said to attract millions of visitors a year.

Paris

Paris has long drawn international interest in the property sector, thanks to the French city’s vibrant culture, thriving work scene and historical relevance. As you would expect, the real estate prices in Paris move up and down from year to year, but on the whole, property demand remains high, and it doesn’t look like that’s about to change any time soon. The exact location of investment depends on your budget, but if you’ve got the cash to splash on a central property, you’ll certainly reap the long-term benefits.

Chicago

You might not have even considered Chicago as a good place to invest, but actually, the Windy City offers some of the best real estate opportunities in the US. With a good average return on investment for rental properties in the long run, it’s worth considering seeing what the city has to offer you. For the best returns, invest in the winter months while there’s more leeway for negotiation.

Portugal

The property market in Portugal has been on the rise for some years now, and thanks to a boom in tourism, the country has become one of the best locations in the world for investing in real estate. Focus on properties along the Algarve coast, which have the highest investment potential and the biggest long-term appeal.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

The advantage to some locations with the greatest real estate potential is that they’re still emerging, meaning there’s no better time for you to get involved. Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, a rapidly growing vacation destination on the eastern coast of central America. Thanks to its mild weather conditions and potential for further growth, Ambergris Caye is a current favourite amongst real estate investors looking to make long-term gains.

Panama

There’s no better time to look into buying beachfront property in Panama than now. The city has really grown in the last decade or so into a vibrant hub of activity, yet prices still remain a total bargain in some cases. Some investment areas are riskier than others, so make sure you do your research before finalizing a deal.

Italy

European tourist destinations are only ever going to increase in popularity, and Italy, which is only now gaining global recognition for its tourism potential, is amongst the top real estate locations of them all. Along the coast, you’ll find some of the most competitive real estate prices in Europe, and thanks to its culture, history, art and food scene, the destination will continue to draw in tourists for years to come.

Colombia

Colombia might not have the most fortunate history, but this only works in its favour when it comes to its future in the real estate market. Look towards property prices in the city of Medellín, and you’ll find that they’re relatively lower than prices across the rest of the country. Prices are only going to continue to rise, but you’ll still find some incredible deals if you’re looking to invest in 2020. Colombia is definitely the underdog of real estate that’s worth watching out for.