Those with a second home abroad, which they have perhaps bought using an international money transfer system, might be exempt from inheritance tax if they let it out to holidaymakers, an industry expert has said.

A lot of properties abroad can be very valuable and can be owned by wealthy people, explained DHC Accounting.

People who are moving abroad to work need to ensure they have organised their finances, it has been suggested.

A growing number of workers are expected to leave the UK in search of employment, Shelter Offshore explained and there are a number of things they need to arrange before they leave.

An increasing number of Brits who are looking to move somewhere they can live affordably while being in a tropical location are heading over to Costa Rica, it has been reported.

People living on the Caribbean island can "can live well for less and ride out the impending global recession in relative comfort", said Shelter Offshore.

The Brazilian economy is not suffering quite as much as the UK, USA, Europe and Japan due to the fact that it was "protected" in recent months, it has been suggested.

Paulo Wrobel, from the commercial section at the Brazilian Embassy in London, said the country - along with other emerging markets such as China - was "a bit protected earlier ... when the credit crunch started, because really the financial systems were not affected."

The pound has weakened further against the euro, moving closer to parity with the continental currency for the first time amid bets that the Bank of England will lower the base rate of interest from its current level of two per cent to help the economy.

Additionally, the sterling's money exchange rate fell against the dollar after John Gieve, the deputy governor of the Bank, told the BBC that policymakers require new instruments in order to tackle the current economic slowdown.

Singapore is becoming an increasingly attractive tax haven, it has been suggested.

According to an article on online resource Shelter Offshore, the island microstate is viewed by some as having superior legislation to Switzerland in terms of protecting those who bank, save or do business in regions under its jurisdiction.

Most people's preconceptions about Nicaragua "are wrong", it has been suggested.

An article on online resource Shelter Offshore explains the country is no longer dangerous or unstable and is, in fact, a passionate and vibrant nation.

While a drop in the UK's inflation is positive for consumers as the cost of goods drops, there is a danger if the country enters recession, it has been suggested.

Darren Cook, a spokesperson for Moneyfacts, said that if inflation drops too low, it will cause deflation to occur.

Should emigres meet "certain criteria", they may be able to argue they have the right to file legal proceedings in the country they consider to be their home, it has been noted.

Writing for online resource British Expatriate Community, sector commentator Frank Arndt explains different countries require different levels of residency in order to allow legal proceedings to begin.

Property investors are always looking for places to invest and the current economic climate, which could result in large alterations to foreign currency exchange rates, is important to them, it has been suggested.

Lily Simpson, head of business development at Quintessentially Estates, makes her comments in response to the latest Knight Frank Global House Price Index.

The US Federal Reserve's "dramatic economic action" of reducing the country's base rate of interest to between zero and 0.25 per cent may have to be followed by the Bank of England, it has been suggested.

Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at research consultancy Capital Economics, states the fact that the Fed had to make such a move is an indication that the UK may have to consider "similar sorts of policies".

A couple have enjoyed a crime-free existence so far after moving to Valencia, it has been noted.

Speaking to the Sun, Kerry Pipkin explains that she and husband Pete moved to Spain last year following two years of unsuccessful job hunting after he was made redundant.

Foreign currency exchange rates are very important to people when it comes to travelling abroad, it has been suggested.

Elliot Frisby, press and PR manager for tourism board VisitBritain, explains current exchange rates are likely to result in an increasing number of people staying at home, rather than taking breaks overseas.

The dollar has fallen against other currencies after the US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to a record low in recent days.

Some sector analysts expected the Fed to reduce the base rate of interest to 0.5 per cent. In fact, it was reduced to 0.25 per cent.

Cyprus has topped the list of places to retire to as a result of its cheap costs of living.

The Mediterranean island took the top spot in a ranking of potential retirement destinations for expats on online resource Shelter Offshore.

According to the article, despite the fact that Cyprus is now in both the European Union (EU) and eurozone - meaning its currency is the euro - it remains the most affordable place to retire overseas.

Expatriates should plan ahead in order to minimise the effects that UK inheritance tax (IHT) has on their estate, it has been suggested.

An article on web resource Shelter Offshore explains that emigres face being liable for such tax even if they move abroad - which may have to be paid by international money transfer - and that there are a number of steps they can take to ensure this is not the case for them.

A British expatriate who began a new life in Wellington, New Zealand in 2003 has recently spoken of the affordable housing offered by the country.

In an interview with the Sun, Peter Taylor stated he and his family rented a home for six months prior to purchasing a property of their own.

People considering buying property abroad - a move which could be funded by an international money transfer - could benefit from looking to Iceland for inspiration, it has been suggested.

In recent days, Olli Rehn, the European Union's (EU) enlargement commissioner, said the country may apply to join to the 27-member organisation as soon as next year.

The dream of owning property overseas remains alive for British consumers, despite the ongoing effects of the credit crunch, a new study suggests.

Carried out by Homes Overseas in association with Barclays, the research suggests 2.4 per cent of the 2,138 respondents would consider purchasing a house in another country in the next 12 months.

Work is the most common reason for expats to head overseas, a new survey by Bupa International has suggested.

The research consulted more than 1,300 expats living in more than 100 countries and asked about what their lives are like overseas.

As the pound approaches parity in value with the euro, the "winners and losers" have been identified.

Tourism is identified as a winner, with the favourable foreign money exchange meaning that London has not been cheaper for visitors from the continent in at least two decades, an article in the Evening Standard notes.

Canada, Germany and Spain are the easiest countries for expatriates to settle in, according to the results of a global study.

A total of 2,155 expats across four different continents were spoken to as part of the HSBC Bank International Expat Explorer survey.

Those looking for a European bolthole need not confine themselves to the more traditional destinations, it has been suggested.

Writing for the Times, sector commentator Zoe Dare Hall explains that if people widen their search a little, there are a multitude of places which are just as easy to get to and where prices will be lower - perhaps due to a more favourable currency exchange rate - than in more established cities.

Britons looking to purchase overseas property in Croatia tend to head for the coasts and major islands, an expert has suggested.

Paul Collins, property editor at online resource BuyAssociation, explains there are a "huge" number of islands off the coast of the central European country which prove popular with people seeking such homes.

The European Central Bank (ECB) will keep its options open regarding interest rates until its next meeting, which is set to take place in January, it has been asserted.

Michael Bonello, a member of the ECB's Governing Council, made his comments when asked by reporters whether his opinion corresponded with market expectations of a 50 basis point reduction in the benchmark lending rate in January.

The appeal of purchasing overseas property in Istanbul is due to increase as the Turkish city moves closer to being crowned European Capital of Culture in 2010, it has been asserted.

An article on online resource Shelter Offshore explains that the country's tourism numbers are on the rise, while a favourable money exchange rate means the pound goes a long way in Turkey.

The benefits of hiring a lawyer to help would-be speed up the emigration process have been highlighted in recent days.

Speaking to the Times, Peter Townsend - who has lived with his family in Vancouver, in British Columbia, since 2002 - explains the immigration process was "extended and complicated".

It is important to carry out research and forward planning before moving to another country, it has been noted.

An article on online resource Shelter Offshore uses the example of moving to Dubai to make its point, noting that women working in the country that wish to sponsor their husbands and children to live with them are subject to a number of restrictions.

The sterling may begin to improve now the base rate of interest has been cut, but it is likely to underperform for the rest of the year, according to a strategist at foreign currency exchange service provider HiFX.

Against the dollar (1.4500), the UK's currency has been at its lowest rate for six years and it has been at an all time low against the euro (1.1500).

Volatile exchange rates caused by the global economic slowdown mean that Seoul is no longer one of the most expensive locations for expatriates, according to a new study.

Carried out by ECA International, the survey compared a total of 125 services and consumer goods commonly purchased by expats in more than 370 locations around the world.

There is a real risk of actual deflation next year, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

Charles Davis, an economist for the organisation, made his comments after the Bank of England today announced a one percentage point reduction in the base rate of interest, taking it from three per cent to two per cent.

The fact that the spoken language of New Zealand is English is a "massive bonus" for people choosing to move overseas, it has been suggested.

An article for online resource Shelter Offshore explains that while this is positive, complications can arise as soon as would-be expats express an interest in going to the country.

Expats who have not ventured too far from the UK are more likely to receive visits from loved ones, a new survey shows.

Alliance & Leicester International (ALIL) discovered that while an annual average of ten friends and family members travel to stay with people who have moved to France, two to three do the same for those in New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.

People's assets - such as property - in Brazil will appear cheaper in UK terms as a result of the exchange rate between the pound and the Brazilian real, it has been suggested.

Clive Hawkes, director from estate agent Property Bond International, explains the rate of exchange with the foreign currency has strengthened.

People are beginning to think more seriously about their spending habits, according to Alliance and Leicester.

Hetal Parmar, manager for savings at the financial services provider, states they are thinking more about ensuring they have money set aside for "a rainy day".

Location is "everything" when it comes to making a successful property purchase, an expert has asserted.

David Bates, business development manager at estate agent dandara, explains there are some "great deals" to be had, providing people do their homework on where they buy before they make firm decisions such as deciding to transfer money abroad to pay for a house.

Italy is a great place to be self-employed, it has been suggested.

An article on online resource Shelter Offshore explains there are many reasons for this.

For example, it notes the "vast majority" of firms in the country are small to medium-sized enterprises which are often run by families - with even larger brands such as Versace and Prada being run by a familial unit.

Conditions are ripe for interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB), according to Jose Manuel Barroso.

The president of the European commission made his comments on Sunday on RTL radio.

Declining to comment on the scale of a potential rate cut, he said: "It is true that now the conditions are there for a drop in interest rates."