What about a Swedish holiday home? The property is located on a verdant peninsula (all of which Ralf owns) and has lake frontage , yet it is only 12km (7½ miles) from the centre of Gothenburg and a short drive to the airport. It is only relatively recently that international buyers have picked up on the beauty of the country's rugged west coast. "It makes so much sense for British people to buy homes here," says Johan Lefevre, the director of Sotheby's International Realty, Sweden. Budget airlines mean you are likely to spend as much on taxis to Heathrow as you do on flights to Gothenburg and the area has a tremendous amount to offer. Much of the Swedish west coast is on about the same latitude as Edinburgh and summer temperatures can reach 30C (86F). Its countryside of lakes and forests is stunning and Gothenburg, its main city, has good theatres and excellent seafood restaurants. Property prices are lower outside the main towns and cities and many Swedes like to own one of the copper-red painted cabins that can be seen dotted around the landscape. Some of these can be bought for as little as £40,000. A more substantial property will cost a lot more and location is all important. "You may find a 60-80 sq m home with a distant sea view for £200,000," says Lefevre. But expect to pay over £1 million for a beautiful, large home on the water with its own dock. Buying in Sweden isn't as risky as it is in other overseas markets. Professor Michael Ball of Reading University and author of the RICS European Housing Review of 2012, says that although Swedish house prices only rose by one per cent in 2011 , they have more than doubled in the previous decade. Even though house prices fell due to the 2008 global financial crisis of 2008, they fell only briefly and bounced back strongly in 2009 and 2010 as the economy boomed: house prices rose by five per cent between 2007 and 2011. As for Ralf Larson, he says that he will miss his James Bond house on the water but his work is taking the couple to Norway. He will not attempt the same sort of building project again. "Next time I want to buy a traditional Norwegian house," he says, "complete with a grass roof." Ralph Larson's home is for sale for £2.65 miillion through sothebysrealty.com (0046 702 788 993) Holiday homes for sale on the Swedish west coast (see pictures) This seven-roomed house , (95 sq m), with its wonderful sea views, is on an island 70km (44 miles) north of Gothenburg. For sale for £294,000 with Sotheby's International Realty (sothebysrealty.se; 0046 854 580 000). Amundovik, near Gothenburg, has three bedrooms, four drawing rooms, a sauna, and a private beach. For sale for offers above £3.5 million with Christie's International Real Estate (christiesrealestate.com; 0046 8 662 6800). This two-bedroom house north of Gothenburg is a walk to the ocean. It has 69 sq m of living space and 3,353 sq m of gardens. For sale for £251,000 with Sotheby's International Realty (sothebysrealty.se; 0046 854 580 000). Hotellviken has nine bedrooms, and six bathrooms. It has views over fjords, boating facilities. For sale for offers above £5 million with Christie's International Real Estate (christiesreal estate.com; 0046 8 662 6800).