I've just visited Harlequin's website - very glossy! But then I start to look underneath the hype and find most pictures are artist's impressions (but not stated as such!) and most developments seem nowhere near completion. In fact most are unstarted and don't have planning permission, yet Harlequin are still taking deposits! I've seen it alleged elsewhere that Harlequin don't even own the land outright, but still take deposits. Is this true?
And how is Harlequin managing to offer 100% financing in this credit crisis, especially on overseas property? How is Harlequin managing to offer properties as SIPP investments when the 'investment' doesn't have planning permission? I hope for the poor pensioners sake that these properties do get built and that they are worth what Harlequin are selling them for, but they are not for me!
I also looked at Assetz, these guys seem to be mainly agents for developers, etc, so make sure you do your homework - they will only be interested in their commission and finder's fees! If it looks too good to be true then it almost certainly is. At least Assetz and a lot of the properties are in England, so you may get a bit more protection if anything goes wrong.
The best thing to do is do your own research in an area you know and invest there, not in a place you don't know, relying on developer/agent hype.