Things You Must Know Before Buying Property Abroad

If you’re interested in buying property abroad, there are some things you should consider before diving in headfirst. Expatriation and relocation open the door to new business opportunities and fresh experiences, but it’s important to make sure that your new country has what you need before settling down and purchasing a piece of real estate. Visit different areas to find any property for sale. Here are some important things you must know before buying property abroad!

1) What are your long-term plans?

Do you intend to buy and live on the property? If so, the key question to ask is What are your long-term plans? As these will help you decide whether buying in a certain country makes sense for you. For example, buying a house or an apartment may not be your best bet if you’re just going abroad on vacation. Be sure to research how expensive it is to travel back and forth between countries when calculating your budget. For instance, it’s fairly cheap and easy to fly from Canada or the US into Mexico but coming back might be more of a hassle. Therefore, when deciding where in the world to purchase a property make sure that there are affordable ways for yourself or any future family members who move there to return home periodically.

2) Where are you going to buy it?

Buying property abroad can be a challenging undertaking, especially if you don’t know what to expect and what is required of you. It’s always best to do your research before investing in overseas property, especially one that’s going to be your permanent home for the foreseeable future. Keep reading for a list of nine things you must know before investing in foreign property.

3) Are taxes and other fees included in the asking price?

A good agent should be able to provide this information, but keep in mind that governments can change these fees and rules without notice. Plus, property rights may be affected by country-specific laws, as well as by potential tax rates and levies on foreign buyers (especially if you are planning to rent).

4) Understand how foreign ownership works in the country where you want to buy

First, it’s important to understand how foreign ownership works in the country where you want to buy. Some countries have a foreigner’s quota which limits the number of properties foreigners can buy in a given period. If you are buying a resale property, the best thing to do is find out if the seller has complied with local requirements for notifying government authorities about the sale and to ask for evidence that they have done so.

5) Check out legal charges on the land

Before you can buy property abroad, you’ll need to check out the legal charges on the land and make sure they are up-to-date. There are three common types of legal charges on property in Western countries: Freehold (entitles the owner to both parts of a property – its ownership and that it has exclusive use of the building), Leasehold (entitles the tenant only to usage rights on a property) and Squatters Rights (allows an occupant to take the legal title if he/she pays rates). The buying process for freeholds is slightly different from leaseholds because freeholders can sell their land for any amount at any time.

6) Is there a warranty on the land?

Many countries will require you to purchase a warranty for the land before it is deeded to you. These warranties can typically range from a few months to several years, and often cost anywhere from 5% – 20% of the total purchase price of the property. The warranty protects against such events as landslides, quakes, government seizures and infrastructural breakdowns. And if your home was destroyed? Your warranty would then entitle you to either rebuild the property or be compensated with an amount equal to your purchase price.

Do proper research for warranty and then go for land for sale.

7) Will utilities be available at the site?

Will utilities be available at the site? It is important to know the answer to this question before proceeding with the purchase of a property abroad. If you are looking for a home that includes many of the amenities, or if you want your new property to be hooked up and ready for occupancy from day one, be prepared to spend money on items like electricity, water, gas, phone and internet connections as well as any heating units. Otherwise, keep an eye out for properties with these features already included (known as all-inclusive). The majority of properties sold abroad come with at least some form of power – though it may not be turned on until you agree to buy it.

8) Who will be responsible for clearing the land?

The buyer will be responsible for clearing the land in many countries, but this responsibility falls to the seller in others. It’s important to know the specifics of local laws before buying a property abroad. You can find a property for sale and you want to finalize the documentation but one thing you need to do is research, research and research local laws of properties.

9) Are there any restrictions on the use of land?

One of the biggest restrictions on land use is the stipulation that foreigners cannot own property for development or other purposes. Foreigners can only buy property for personal use and are restricted to owning no more than three properties. In some countries, any foreigner who has permanent residency can purchase property; however, they are restricted to just one property at a time, unlike citizens who can purchase an unlimited number of properties.