advice please

samharry

anyones advice would be greatly appreciated.......
i purchased a property in 1988 and due to certain events sold it in 1997 at a great loss......the mortgage company i was with household mortgage corporation wanted their 25,000 negative equity forcing me into an IVA..luckily the job i am in has a house attached and i can live here for a small rent each month.however after 7 years on a iva paying back £500 per month i am now relatively debt free..........however i can only stay in the house i am in till a maximum of 55 years of age..i am now 39.....i would like advice on what to do...i can afford a mortgage of about £550 per month..do i buy in england or invest in property abroad...i do not intend to live in this property merely rent it out......would i be entitled to a first time buyers mortgage as i have married since my last mortgage in 1988 and my wife has never had a mortgage......my credit rating is now good.....