Buy A Property In Turkey - Things To Watch Out For

As we said in the previous post, it's not that difficult to buy a property in Turkey and right now it's one of the best places to choose. But of course there are things you have to be careful of.

• First of all, check that it's actually legal for you to buy a property in Turkey. There's no problem if you're from the USA, the European Union or Russia. If you're from outside these countries, check that your country has a reciprocal agreement with Turkey.


• Foreigners can't buy a property just anywhere in Turkey. It has to be within the boundaries of a municipal area, i.e. a town or village with a population of 2,000 or more. Also make sure it's not in a military zone.


• There is legislation in Turkey covering purchase of property by foreigners (The Land Registry Act, Article 35). This covers property purchased for your own use but there are special regulations for property purchased for business or investment purposes connected to tourism. So if you intend to use your property for a holiday rental business, you should take legal advice.


• Remember that Turkish is a very difficult language for speakers of English and other European languages to learn, as it belongs to a completely different language family. Also English is not widely spoken in Turkey, except by those who have been to bilingual schools. You do need a reliable translator and a bilingual legal adviser.

In the next post we will look at the actual process of purchasing the property. Because of the language situation, a good alternative to struggling on your own is to find a property company in your own country or on the Internet to help you find your property. If you find it through us at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html we will support you at every stage and help you with all the difficult bits!

Buying properties Abroad - Delights of Turkey

More and more people are deciding to buy a property in Turkey. In fact it's becoming an increasingly popular choice for British people to retire to.


A decade or so ago, the idea wouldn't have occurred to many people. The usual choices were places like Spain, France or Italy. However these are becoming saturated and smart people are looking further afield.


And Turkey seems to be a good place to look at. It seems to have everything - a spectacular coastline, a near-perfect climate and ancient sites going back thousands of years.


What's more, Turkey is seen as a hot property market at the moment. The country is anxious to join the European Union and is doing everything possible to be foreigner-friendly. Properties can still be snapped up for wonderfully low prices and if Turkey succeeds in entering the EU, there will be a property boom.


If you want to buy a property in Turkey, the good news is that house purchase is a relatively simple process for foreigners. However, as with most countries, there are things you need to be careful of and we will look at these in the next post. Meanwhile you can start looking for your Turkish property at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html

Buying A House In Cyprus

In the last post we noted that before buying a house in Cyprus (as a non-Cypriot), you need to obtain permission from the Council of Ministers. It takes 8-14 months so you should wait to choose your property till it has come through.


Once you have received your approval and identified your property, you can then start the purchase process.

1. First you have to sign the preliminary contract and post a holding deposit with a Notary, or with your lawyer. The deposit can be as little as 1 percent of the purchase price.


2. Your lawyer then draws up a secondary reservation deposit agreement which both parties sign. The property is then taken off the market and it won't be put back on provided you stick to the agreement.


3. The lawyer will then investigate the title through the District and Registry office. Once the investigation is complete, the parties can move to the final contract stage. The contract is signed by both parties and then filed with the Land Registry.


4. If the seller is a Cypriot, an application then has to be made to the Central Bank of Cyprus to approve the transfer of funds. If you are buying from another non-Cypriot, this isn't necessary.


5. If the property is not new, the title will be transferred to you straight away and you are now the owner. If it's a new build, the title will not be transferred for three years, though you are fully protected as the final contract is filed with the Land Registry.

Of course, before getting to the final contract stage, you need to have your finance in place. The easiest way is probably through a bank in Cyprus - most banks will provide mortgages to US and UK clients. Also, if it's a new build, the developers may offer their own mortgage facilities. Alternatively you may prefer to refinance your existing house - for help with this, try http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/lending.html To find some gorgeous Cyprus properties, visit http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/propertyabroad.html

Buying Properties Abroad - Think of Cyprus

Cyprus is the top choice - or near the top - for many people looking to buy an overseas property, whether it's for investment, retirement, vacation or rental.

There are many reasons for its popularity. Living there is easy and relaxed, especially for English speakers, as English is widely spoken there. It is incredibly beautiful, with a special quality of mystery and romance that comes from its connection with ancient myths and legends and its history stretching back thousands of years. Whether you choose the gorgeous coastal areas or the stunning mountain regions, you can be fairly sure of finding a fantastic property at a price you can afford.

So what's involved in buying a house in Cyprus? Well it's not difficult, but there is a specific procedure to go through. The first thing you have to be aware of is that every foreign national has to obtain permission from the government before buying a house in Cyprus. This permission is obtained from the Council of Ministers. You will need a lawyer to help you with the purchase process, so your best plan would be to hire a lawyer now to advise you as to how to go about getting this permission. The process takes 8-14 months so it's best to begin the process before choosing your property.

(Remember that this applies to the Republic of Cyprus. The legal process in Northern Cyprus is quite different.)

In the next post we will look at the process of buying a house in Cyprus. Meanwhile if you are ready to choose your property you can start your search at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html

Buying Properties in Egypt - Traps to Avoid

The property market in Egypt has only recently got going and this is good news for overseas investors! However, the fact that it hasn't been going very long has its downside too. For those thinking of buying properties in Egypt, there are things you need to be very wary of.

1. Remember construction standards are lower in Egypt and the standards that do exist are not strictly observed. So don't put down any money on a property until you have ensured that it's structurally sound. Ideally you should commission a structural engineer, preferably a European one. (This may seem expensive but you will be getting a bargain on the property.)


2. You must check whether a property is registered before committing yourself - insist on seeing the original title document, not a copy. Many properties are unregistered - the reason for this is that registration used to be much more expensive than it is now, so many owners just didn't bother! If you don't check, you could find later that you don't actually own the property, even though you've paid for it!


3. Another vital check you must make is if there are any mortgages registered on the property. In Egypt, mortgages are recorded on the actual property rather than being in the name of a person. So a transfer of ownership doesn't make any difference. You don't want to find after purchasing a property that it's mortgaged to a third party! You can check any encumbrances on a property through the Pledge Register at the Notary Public's office.


4. Before beginning the actual purchase process, make sure you get a lawyer who is fluent in your language. Unfortunately, foreigners are sometimes seen as "fair game" and other parties may try to slip something past you! Insist that the initial "Sale and Purchase" agreement document is bilingual and check that it includes all the legal guarantees. You can then complete your purchase by registering the title through the Real Estate Department and the Notary Public.

Yes - buying properties in Egypt CAN be a bit of a minefield - but making the effort can be very worthwhile. You will have a beautiful property at an amazing price and it is almost certain to appreciate in value. Remember, we have a few superb Egypt properties at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html And the good news is that if you buy one of these, we will help you through all these steps and make sure you have a good clear title!

Buying Properties Abroad - Try Egypt

Have you ever thought of buying a property in Egypt?

If it's never occurred to you, you're not alone. The idea of buying properties in Egypt hadn't occurred to many people at all until recently. However, in the last few years the Egyptian government has made a determined effort to attract overseas property investment. Now more and more people are realizing that it has a lot to be said for it.

Egypt as a place to visit has many well-known attractions. In fact, there are very few places to compare with Egypt for romance, culture and fascination. Everyone has heard of the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the Temples at Luxor and the Nile, one of the most amazing rivers in the world. Egypt was home to one of the world's most ancient civilizations and you can see stunning reminders of this everywhere you go.

Unfortunately, a few years ago people were put off visiting Egypt because yjere were one or two outbreaks of terrorism. The government does seem to have made a good job of clamping down on this and Egypt remains one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

Many experts believe the outlook is very rosy for the Egyptian property market. Prices are very favorable at the moment and there is a high rental potential because of Egypt's popularity as a tourist venue. Because it's early days for the Egyptian property market, there is every reason to believe it would be a very profitable investment as well as a delightful and "different" holiday home. You really would be getting in on the ground floor.

However, for those considering buying properties in Egypt, there are some points to be very careful of and we will look at these in the next post. Meanwhile, you can find a few stunning Egypt properties at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html

Buy Property in Thailand - What About Pattaya?

If you're looking to buy property in Thailand, you are bound to come
across lots of invitations to consider Pattaya. This is a very popular holiday destination about 100 miles south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Gulf of Siam.


So is Pattaya for YOU? Well, it depends on your reasons for wanting to buy property in Thailand.


If you're interested in the property as an investment, it looks as though Pattaya would be an excellent choice. The Pattaya property market is booming and is increasingly recognized as one of the hottest property markets in south-east Asia. The tourist industry is growing exponentially - it's highly popular with Thai as well as non-Thai tourists. So international property investors are finding great success in buying up property to let out to tourists and vacationers. The recent opening of the Suvannabhumi (or Suvarnabhumi) airport has caused an even greater boom in tourist numbers - and fueled the demand for quality tourist accommodation.


However, if I were looking for a peaceful retirement home, or a holiday home where I could relax and enjoy the local culture and the beauty of the country, I have to say honestly that Pattaya wouldn't be my first choice. Despite the fact that it's called "Asia's premier beach resort", the beaches are not great and not a patch on those in Phuket and other places. The beaches are mostly attractive to people who like watersports and water activities. Pattaya is known as "Funtown" and is famous primarily for its bars, casinos, nightclubs and adult entertainment, and has a very lively nightlife! If this is the kind of holiday that appeals to you, then you would enjoy a holiday home in Pattaya. If you like something quieter, you should probably avoid it.


That's my opinion anyway - if you think differently, do share your views! And you can find properties in Pattaya and other places in Thailand at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/overseasproperty.html

Buy Property in Thailand - Phuket

For those wishing to buy property in Thailand, and who know something about the country.the stunning island of Phuket has always had a specially magnetic appeal.

Tragically, Phuket was caught up in the terrible tsunami at the end of 2004, and that was how its name became better known throughout the world. Since then, many people have thought that it might no longer be an option to buy property there.

Actually, the opposite is true. Only 5 percent of the coastline was damaged and has now been almost completely repaired. The property industry in Phuket remained stable throughout 2005 and started to grow strongly again during 2006. Growth forecast estimates are about 100 percent every three years.

So really it's hard to see how you could do better than Phuket for buying properties abroad, whether it's for investment, to rent out or to live in. Phuket is the wealthiest province in Thailand. It has a superb infrastructure and a well-developed tourist industry including an international airport. Not to mention its beauty and its abundance of amazing natural features, and wildlife including elephants!

Properties in Phuket don't come up very often and they aren't always available on our site http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html However, if you're interested, do keep checking so that when one comes up you can quickly snap it up! And of course it does feature beautiful properties in other parts of Thailand.

Buy Property In Thailand - the Process

In this post discussing how to buy property in Thailand, we are looking at the basic process. Don't forget that if you buy your Thai property through our site at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/overseasproperty.html , we will help and advise you at every stage.

1. Appoint a lawyer who is fluent in English, or in your own language if it is not English. (If you use us, we can help you with this. Otherwise you can ask the nearest consulate of your own country, or other expatriates from your own country.)


2. The lawyer needs to make various checks: that the sellers have the correct title to the property; whether there are any charges or debts owed on the property; and that the contract is drawn up correctly.


3. The lawyer will then help you through the transfer of funds and ensure that the property is registered correctly in your name.


4. To buy property you have to transfer funds from a bank outside Thailand to a bank inside Thailand. You can use any Thai bank, but Bangkok Bank seems to have the most organized set-up for international transfers. Make sure the transfer document states clearly that the funds are for the purchase of property. Bangkok Bank has also recently opened a facility for offering mortgages for overseas buyers.


5. The Initial Purchase Agreement will set out price, settlement date etc. and a 10 percent deposit is required at this stage. The deposit is refundable if the purchase does not go through, as long as it is not your fault.


6. Fees and taxes for buying property will total about 2-3 percent of the purchase price. They include a stamp fee of 0.5% and a transfer fee of 2%.


7. At completion the property will be registered in your name.

You should not find it too diifficult to buy property in Thailand - most people find it reasonably stress-free compared with many other countries. If you have personal experience, let us know if you agree or disagree!

Buy Property In Thailand - How To Own Land

In the last post about how to buy property in Thailand, we mentioned that although you as a foreign individual can own a building - e.g. a house or villa - in Thailand, you cannot own the land on which it is built.

There are a number of ways you can get round this - quite legally.

• You can set up a limited liability company registered in Thailand. There is nothing to prevent a foreign individual or couple from doing this and it will enable you to own land. However you have to pay a fee up front which comes to approximately £6,000 GBP or $12,000 USD, and there is also a monthly payment that amounts to around £50 GBP or $100 USD.


• You can purchase a 30-year lease, which you can register as renewable for consecutive periods of 30 years. You have to go to the local Land Office to sign the contract for the lease, which will be in Thai accompanied by a notarized translation into English or whatever your language is. The fee is 1.1 percent of the appraised value of the property.


• Many westerners choose to own a condo (condominium) rather than a villa. There is clear provision in Thai law for foreign ownership of up to 49 percent of units in a condo complex.


• There is another option which can be called the "romantic option"! A lot of westerners decide to marry a Thai national, which means they can buy property in the spouse's name. It is especially frequent for western men to take Thai wives. This is fine as long as it's a genuine marriage. However if you try entering into a sham marriage for the sake of owning property, you will find yourself in trouble as the Thai authorities take a dim view of it - not surprisingly! And if the arrangement breaks down, there will be all sorts of legal complications.

In the next post on how to buy property in Thailand we will look at the actual process of buying. If you would like to get started, you can visit http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html And if you have had experience of buying, or trying to buy, property in Thailand, do let us know your comments!

Buying Properties Abroad - Thailand

When you think about buying properties abroad, have you ever thought that you would like to buy property in Thailand? Maybe you have ruled it out because you had no idea how to go about it.

Thailand must be one of the most attractive places in the world to own property. You can't visit there on holiday without falling under the spell of this amazing country - its lush, exotic scenery, its wealth of beautiful temples and its delightful, friendly people. And of course it has an almost perfect climate from the point of view of sun-starved northern people!

The good news is that it is not at all difficult for foreigners to buy property in Thailand. In fact it is a lot easier than in some European countries. And of course it seems an increasingly attractive alternative to the traditional Europe holiday spots which are becoming more and more crowded.

The only catch is that although non-Thai nationals can own buildings, they can't acquire property rights to the land on which the building stands. There are a number of ways to get round this, and in the next post we will look at these. Meanwhile if you can't wait to look at some stunning properties in Thailand, you can find some at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html

How To Buy Property In Spain - More Tips

In previous posts we have been looking at some of the pitfalls to beware of in buying property in Spain, and suggestions about choosing the right property for YOU.

Once you have picked your property and (excuse the repetition but it's so important) double and triple-checked that there are no legal problems that could cause you to lose the house, you're ready to make the purchase.

In Spain there are initial charges that have to be paid up front. These include transfer tax, stamp duty, fees to the notary public who supervises the sale, and payment for name change on the title deed. Allow about 10 percent to cover these.

You also have to pay a 10 percent deposit to the vendor. Once this is done, the sale is legally binding on both sides. If you pull out, you lose your deposit. If the vendor pulls out, he/she not only has to repay the deposit but pay you an additional 10 percent.

If you need a mortgage, it is usually not too difficult for foreigners to arrange one with a Spanish bank. Another possibility is to refinance your existing property.

Your lawyer then draws up a contract which includes details of the sale and sets a completion day. (Remember what we mentioned in a previous post - do NOT agree to any request by the vendor to enter a smaller purchase price in the contract to help the vendor pay less tax.) Between now and completion day, the lawyer will be doing all the legal checks.

On completion day, you and the vendor meet in the presence of the notary public (notario). You must bring the balance of the payment with you, either as a banker's draft or in cash. Once the notario is satisfied that all is in order, he or she will disappear with the contract and return in about 20 minutes with the stamped copies. Your dream property is now yours!

If you have carefully followed all these tips about how to buy property in Spain, your new home should be suitable for you in every way AND should be free of any legal traps and pitfalls. So there's no reason you shouldn't be able to enjoy it for the rest of your life!

You can start right away by looking at some of the gorgeous Spanish properties at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/overseasproperty.html or http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html If you're in the USA and would like to find out how to refinance your existing property or get a home equity loan, come and visit http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/lending.html

How To Buy Property In Spain - The Next Step

Once you have chosen the area where you want to buy your property, book into an hotel for a few days and explore. If possible and practicable, try to visit the area more than once at different times of the year, to make sure you like it in the off-season as well as at the peak of the holiday period. Of course if you live in the USA, you may not be able to do this.

Before starting your search for your actual property, write down your budget and stick to it. Most properties in Spain look so gorgeous in the sunshine that it's easy to get carried away, especially after a few glasses of Rioja! If you are tempted to offer more than you can afford, you will soon find yourself in serious problems!

When you find properties you are interested in, make sure you are able to view them as often as you wish. If any owner wants to restrict you to a single viewing, walk away. After your first viewing a lot of questions will occur to you so write them down before you go back. Try to view the properties at different times of day and in different weather conditions.

I know this has been said already but it can't be emphasized often enough. Before making even a preliminary offer MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LAWYER. And make sure it's one who speaks both Spanish and your language, one who knows all the ins and outs of Spanish property law, and one you can trust. If you are using an estate agent, don't accept the lawyer recommended by your agent. This may be tempting as it would save you time, but you must have someone who is acting in YOUR interests. You can't be sure that the lawyer would not be acting in the interests of the estate agent as a return for putting business his way. Ask around other expatriates from your country - they may well have someone they can recommend (or someone they can warn you against!). Or ask your local consulate who will probably have a list of recommended lawyers.

I hope these tips on how to buy property in Spain are proving useful - do join in with comments if you agree or disagree or if you have anything to add from your own experience. If you are ready to start looking for your property, you can try http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html - you'll get lots of help with the practicalities as well!

How To Buy Property In Spain - Where To Start

When considering how to buy property in Spain, the first question to ask yourself is: "Why do I want to buy this property?" That is, do you want it primarily as a holiday home or a possible retirement home for yourself and your partner/family? Or is it primarily as an investment or a lettings business?

The answer to this question will help you decide where to start looking for your property. If it's primarily for yourself, you should consider looking inland, as property is much cheaper inland than in coastal areas. However, if it's for business or investment purposes, you'll get a better return if it's near the coast.

Of course you must also look at the question of accessibility. However gorgeous the property might be, you won't be able to enjoy it if it's difficult to get to. If it's near an airport, think how you would manage if the airline you normally use ceased flying to that airport (this does happen). If you have fallen in love with the property while on holiday, make sure you visit the area at different times of year to make sure you still like it all year round! Find out about local amenities such as shopping and sports.

One thing you must remember is that, in Spain, if ownership of a property is transferred while there are mortgage or other debts still owed on it, the new owner becomes legally responsible for those debts! So if you are buying an existing property, make sure you check and double-check via your lawyer that there are no debts on it. You can't count on the seller to tell you!

Remember that you can start your search for your Spanish property at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html You'll receive every possible help right from the start, including advice on where would be the best location for you.

How To Buy Property In Spain - A Few More Warnings

In order to understand how to buy property in Spain safely, there are a few more things you need to be aware of.

• The most usual way for foreigners to buy property in Spain is to purchase a plot of land from a developer and agree the design of your house from a brochure of standard designs. If you are buying the land and the building from the same company, INSIST on separate contracts for the land and the building.


• Make sure you get hold of the title deed for the land BEFORE signing a building contract. (Your lawyer will help you with this.)


• Also before you sign the building contract, insist on seeing the "termination guarantee". This is a kind of insurance policy that protects you if the builder goes out of business before the work is complete - which does happen. If the builders can't produce one, walk away!


• If the property is on a new development or "urbanisation", get your lawyer to check that it's legal. Most are, but as mentioned in previous posts, some foreign buyers have found their property is built on an illegal development. This means the authorities can confiscate and demolish your property without compensation. This applies even if you purchased an existing property in good faith and it then turned out to be built on an illegal development.


• Check the water supply and sewage. In many areas where excessive development has taken place, the effect on the local water supply and sewage systems has been severe. This could seriously affect your enjoyment of your new home.

Remember all these warnings are to ensure you really enjoy your property in Spain! You can avoid a lot of these pitfalls by finding your property at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html We take you by the hand and support and guide you through every step of the process!

How To Buy Property In Spain - The BIG Trap

Many people, when they start wondering how to buy property in Spain, think of one thing - that is the so-called Land-Grab laws.

These have resulted in so many heartrending stories that they have almost entered into folklore - and have discouraged some people from buying property in Spain.

So let's try and separate the myth from the reality. These laws were originally passed in the province of Valencia in 1994. The object was to assist local authorities in the development of undeveloped areas and enable them to build low-cost houses.

Unfortunately, however, the authorities in recent years have cynically made use of these laws to enable them to "grab" property from foreign owners. These owners were informed that the land was required for development to help local people - their houses were demolished and they were given NO compensation whatsoever! Of course they were heartbroken especially if they had put all their savings into the property and looked forward to a retirement in the sun. It seemed to some as if it was a deliberate targeting of foreign property owners. It happened in Andalucia as well as Valencia.

Recently this has been declared illegal under European law - which clearly it is! Nevertheless, many owners report that it is still happening.

So what can you do about it? Well, first and foremost, at risk of being repetitive - GET A GOOD LAWYER! Make sure it's a lawyer who understands SPANISH law thoroughly, who speaks your language, and whom you can trust to act in YOUR interests. Before you pay any money or commit yourself to any property, make absolutely certain that your title to it is 100 percent sound. If there is any possibility in that local area of confiscation for ANY reason, or if there is any ambiguity about whether the property is legally built on that land, WALK AWAY.

If you have any questions or any experiences of your own to share, do get in touch. And there are some wonderful Spanish properties - with NO legal problems - on http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html

How To Buy Property In Spain - More Traps to Avoid

As mentioned before, this focus on traps and pitfalls is not intended to put you off. The idea is to ensure you are aware of how to buy property in Spain in the right way so you can enjoy it for life! Lots of people have already done so - but many others have lost everything and wish that somebody had warned them. So here are some more tips:

• Remember that anybody can set up as an estate agent in Spain. This means that there are lots of unregistered and inexperienced ones around, wanting to take advantage of the property boom. This in turn has led to, at best, mistakes in the purchase process being made and, at worst, would-be buyers being deliberately exploited. Do ask around for an estate agent with a good reputation - find ones recommended by people from your own country who have had a good experience.


• Make absolutely certain that your lawyer understands the local planning regulations properly and checks them out in exhaustive detail. Even if you are buying an existing property rather than a new build, it is possible that this property was not legally built on that land in the first place. Of course the seller may know this but may be hoping you won't find out before the sale is complete. If the authorities discover this they will demolish the property with no compensation - as many, especially from UK, have discovered to their cost.


• As mentioned in the previous post, it is crucial to ensure that your lawyer is someone you can trust and someone you can communicate with. (Don't accept a lawyer recommended by the estate agent - find your own.) This becomes especially important when checking title to the property. Many have found when it was too late that they were not in fact legal owners of the property. Again, the authorities can and will evict you without compensation if this is found to be the case. Sometimes people have mistaken the initial permit for the legal title - a good lawyer should never allow this to happen.

More tips on how to buy property in Spain in the next post, and do add your experiences and tips. Plenty of super Spanish properties at http://www.bizwrite.co.uk/realestate/propertyabroad.html - plus help and advice at every stage, including help in avoiding the pitfalls!