Buying property overseas can be an attractive proposition, both in terms of some incredible views as well as some great investment opportunities. However, due to the unique nature of international real estate, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to help the process go smoothly.

Taylor White

Here are eight tips for house hunting overseas.

1. Keep an open mind.

You may have a specific location or type of property in mind, but you should always go into the process willing to consider a number of options. By doing so, many expats and investors have inadvertently stumbled onto some incredible gems they might not have otherwise considered.

Don’t limit yourself by looking at only specific styles of homes or those in a certain neighborhood.

2. Work with trusted professionals.

No matter how much research you do, no one can know the local market and the nuances of the buying process as well as a local professional with years of experience. However, don’t automatically assume that anyone with the right title can do the job.

Make sure to get plenty of references and solicit the advice of other expats when choosing who to work with.

3. Get to know the area.

Before buying property in a certain town or region, it’s important to know it as well as you can. What’s the weather like? How about in the off-season?

And what about crime? Is that an issue? Consider the needs of your family to make sure the schools, health care, and other services match up with what you require.

Costa Rica Beauty

4. Don’t buy the first place you see.

Potential expats are often blown away when they realize what their money will buy in their desired location vs. what they would pay for a comparable property back home. But that’s no reason to jump at the first opportunity that comes along.

By seeing numerous properties and comparing their prices and amenities you can enjoy your new home feeling like you paid a fair price for it.

5. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t buy anything you haven’t seen.

You’d think this one goes without saying, but it doesn’t. So we have to say it anyway. You can look at pictures of a property ’til the cows come home, but there’s no substitute for seeing it for yourself.

A realtor might fail to mention that the amazing listing she sent you sits right next to the public dump or that the road to the property stays completely washed out during the rainy season.

6. Do your due diligence.

International real estate can be tricky, especially when it comes to titles, liens, and other legal concerns. Before making an offer, it’s important to thoroughly research the ownership of the property as well as verifying that all appropriate permits, easements, and other permissions are in order.

The same goes for property inspections. Unless you’re prepared to end up having to level the house and start from scratch, make sure the construction is sound.

7. Thoroughly vet potential developers.

When buying a pre-construction home in a new development, it’s even more important to do your homework. Get references. Research previous projects. Read the fine print. Developers promise a lot, and you want to make sure yours can guarantee that the end result will look like the colorful computer-generated images in his brochure.

You’ll also want to think about how you’re going to monitor the progress of the development during the construction period.

Roman Königshofer

8. Sleep on it.

Realtors and developers are skilled marketers. They’ve been known to make a hard sell and try to persuade potential buyers to sign on the dotted line and make a deposit while they’re right there on the property. Don’t fall for it.

Instead, take some time to think about it. See if you still feel as strongly about the property when you’re not standing on it. While it may be a perfectly good decision, you’ll never regret giving yourself 24 hours to be 100% certain it’s the right one for you.

Buying property overseas can be an intimidating idea, especially for first-timers. Employing these tips can save you anywhere from a few headaches all the way up to thousands of dollars in costly mistakes. Don’t hesitate any longer. Open up your mind to the possibilities!