Buying property overseas can hide many potential pitfalls, as property laws vary from country to country. It’s therefore crucial to get the advice of a lawyer who is well-versed in the subject-matter and familiar with the culture of the country you plan to invest in.
Though it may sound like a given, finding a lawyer who can fully represent your interests is vital to ensuring things go smoothly. Some of the things you should look out for:
• Lawyers should be certified in their profession and specialized field – this is a sine qua non.
• Lawyers should be certified in their profession and specialized field – this is a sine qua non.
• Preferably avoid in-house lawyers offered by estate agents, as their independence in drawing up contracts is not guaranteed.
• Lawyers should go over a contract, making sure everything is in order and then advise you to sign or not.
• You should never put your signature on a contract if you do not completely understand it; for example, if the document is drawn up in a language other than English, you should hire the services of a bilingual lawyer who will verify that the non-English text is correct.
• Is the lawyer from a reputable company, what sort of client references does he/she have?
• Competent lawyers provide their clients with regular updates – it’s always a bad sign if you haven’t heard from them in weeks.
If you like this article, click the Like button below so that your friends can get the chance to read it as well.
The devil lies in the details, as they say. Take nothing for granted. Look for a competent international property lawyer, establish his or her credentials. Make sure that your dream of living in a villa on a sun-bathed island does not turn into a nightmare.
› See all 1 articles in category Properties, Land, Real Estate Services and Renting
