5. Meet neighbours before you finalise your decision. Get to know them. As with any property purchase, your neighbours will be a part of your life once you've moved in to your new property.

6. Negotiate. Contact a local valuer to get an impartial opinion.

7. Consider taking independent legal advice, through another notary or a UK based specialist. The vendor instucts notary who acts in sale of property. They are acting in conveyance of title, but not for either side.

8. Just as in UK get property inspected by a qualified buildings surveyor.

- Make sure that you have telephone number of owner or their representative so that you can call to let them know if your arrival time is delayed. If you encounter an owner who is unwilling to talk to you on phone, beware. You simply cannot send money to someone you’ve never spoken to. Go with your gut feeling. Take out adequate travel insurance, we would recommend that you speak to a travel insurance specialist, and explain type of holiday you are going to book - that way your going to get right advice, and right level of insurance - remember that you'll pay a deposit, if for any reason your ill, or your flight is cancelled or delayed, you'll need insurance to be able to claim deposit back.

- Don't be embarrassed to ask for testimonials from other holidaymakers, or email address / telephone number of other holidaymakers who have book accommodation. Have a search on internet, and see if you can "dig" up any bad feedback or reviews about owners or property rental.

“To many this may sound time consuming,” says Darren, “Most owners, respond within 24 hours, once you have confirmation of booking and paid deposit, then you book your flight, and travel insurance - by leaving travel agent out of process, you will save money, and you have opportunity to research location and accommodation, before booking, compared to booking with an agent who, let's be honest is trying to get you to book quickly, for commission.”

Darren says that many travel agents are now realising potential of internet, our website alone, is a complete booking portal, you search for accommodation, contact owner, and then through our travel shop you can book your flights, car hire and travel insurance. Next time your looking to book your holiday - have a search on internet, you'll be surprised what you can find.