Higher investment returns are often made by purchasing property at below market value locally to where you live, then adding value quickly by improving the property – all this is far easier to manage if the property is within 80 km of where you live. Because of this, the majority of successful property investors focus on local property and with great effect. Purchase of property abroad has a higher risk profile – capital appreciation can be impressive in a rising market in the right place at the right time, but commissions, fees, legal complexities and problems managing at a distant can severely dent returns. What is your experience – what do you think?