Purchasing property in another part of the country you live in or overseas should not be taken lightly as there are many additional factors to take into account than purchasing a property in your local area.  The following is a basic outline process that all prospective buyers of residential or commercial real estate should follow for a property that suits you.

Depending on the country you are looking to purchase property in will take you into contact with industry professionals and/or private sellers.  Assistance of architects, surveyors, lawyers, estate agents are invaluable services provided by professionals, although your own decision making and checks are also vital in choosing the right property.  However the way you choose your next property it is advisable to be in contact with more that one professional body through the decision and final buying process before signing the agreement to buy.

After deciding you wish a new condo, holiday home, apartment by the sea or town house in Tuscany there are many steps in a successful property buying process that should be followed.  After choosing what type of property you are looking for the search begins through as many sources you can.

1. Use the internet initially to locate prospective properties, although you can only so much from a few pictures on a computer screen
2. Employ the services of a property hunter, that will of course involve a fee
3. Real estate auctions
4. Contact estate agents in your prospective purchase area
5. Viewing trips to the area you intend to purchase real estate

Real Estate Search Process

Choosing to purchase land, a new home or vacation beach home 200 miles away or in another country should be your own personal or family decision, and not influenced by estate agents or real estate hunters.  Estate agents can help greatly in locating the property you are looking for, although you are the person that will be living or vacationing their.

Local Amenities and facilities

1. Transport
2. Traffic density
3. Shops
4. Entertainment
5. Emergency services
6. School
7. Employment
8. Parks and play areas

Culture

Relocating to other areas will no doubt bring culture differences, especially moving from a big city to a rural area or to another country.  Religious differences, alcohol and smoking laws, family values and other culture changes that may affect you when relocating could severely impact on your way of life.

Language Barrier

Moving to a country with a first language other than your mother tongue is challenging for people that have other language skills.  With no local language skills
integrating into the local community, employment and business opportunities could be affected.

Real Estate Location

Factors involving a real estate purchase depend on the location of the property.  Take into affect; rural location, village life, conservation area that effect planning permission, crime rate, accessibility, future development, investment opportunity, and of course the economic and political stability of the area.  Research the area by visiting and talking to local people, conducting searches on the internet and local libraries, news articles and local papers for helpful decision making information.

Finances to Purchase Your Real Estate

Arrange finance to purchase your potential real estate purchase preferably before you starting your search.  Fix your budget and search for properties around that price bracket.  We all would like to use our savings to purchase property out right without additional finance.  Mortgages, loans or a combination can in most cases be arranged from various sources.  Bear in mind in general obtaining overseas mortgages lenders request information on your salary, outgoings, credit reference check and other factors that affect the mortgage lenders decision to loan you the finance.  Overseas mortgages could cost more in interest and you will have to have a deposit of 30% plus as you will not get a 100%.

Good idea to over estimate a budget for renovating property as many people run out of money before finishing renovation projects in Europe and around the world.

Each country property buying process is different in the way of regulations, fees and taxes to pay.  Property taxes are in general always payable at different rates depending on your location and regional local and national government policies.  Capital gains tax must be paid for commercial ventures, where property taxes are levied against all properties.

Right to Purchase and Own Real Estate

During you property research a must is to check if you can actually own a property in another county.  Many countries have restrictions on buying land, apartments, off plan homes due to buy out from foreign investors, and indeed some countries foreigners can not own real estate at all.

Finally, check all paper work related to the property with a lawyer to ascertain the person selling the property is the rightful owner and has full rights themselves to sell the property without another people’s permission.

Summary: Decide on what type of property you want and can afford and arrange finance.  Complete as many checks as possible into the area and the property while in consultation with surveyors and lawyers.

Ray Blanchett www.propertyworldwideplace.com