CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown has made it easier for us all to join the Marbella Belles and own a home abroad.

Before, if you rented out your home, you would have to pay taxes in the UK. Someone with a home abroad earning £15,000 in rent would face paying £6,000 tax.

But those rules have now been scrapped and more people than ever want a place in the sun.

A survey by Smooth Radio, a new nationwide commercial station for older listeners, found one in six Brits over 50 intend to live abroad in the next few years.

Sun Money has tracked down five boltholes where you can now buy a holiday home for well under £100,000. - with that investment likely to rise dramatically in the coming years . . .

CAPE VERDE: This former Portuguese colony off West Africa is the new Canaries. Investors can get a two-bed apartment for about £69,000 from estate agency Noscasa.

Managing director Paul Akwei said: "Unlike the Canaries, the islands will be protected from overdevelopment. Prices are low for somewhere that's only five hours away from the UK."

HUNGARY: Demand for property has grown since Hungary joined the EU in 2004 - but prices are still much lower than in neighbouring countries.

At Lake Balatan, 50 miles from the capital Budapest, a two-bed apartment with balcony can be bought for £50,000.

Prices are expected to rise 10 - 20 per cent a year. You can fly straight to Lake Balaton from Stansted with Ryanair.

MOROCCO: Morocco is becoming one of the hottest emerging property markets in the world.

Property prices vary but in Marrakech you can buy a two-bed apartment with shared gardens, swimming pool and 24-hour security for £76,000.

Getting there is cheap, too, with flights from Luton for around £50.

MONTENEGRO: Opposite Italy on the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro is the latest overseas destination wooing British buyers with cheap house prices. In the most popular areas like Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor and Sveti Stefan, an apartment can be bought for £50,000 and a two-bed waterfront villa from £100,000.

Unlike most property hot spots, most of the homes for sale in Montenegro are old but new developments are beginning to appear along the coast.

BRAZIL: Northeast of Brazil is predicted to be the hotspot for investment property, with the Government continuing to invest in infrastructure and tourism facilities.

Prices vary but you can get a one-bed apartment for as little as £29,000 in some areas though popular destinations such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo cost more.

You will have to fork out to get there, though. Flights to Brazil cost around £450 and take about 12 hours.

Source The Sun March 07