Please read these valuable tips on buying abroad:
I trust these tips if followed, will save you time, money and heartache so please read carefully.
(1) Use an AIPP member.
A sign of confidence in international property
The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) exists for one reason and one reason alone: to improve standards of professionalism in the international property market.
When you see that a company is a Member of the AIPP it means that they have been vetted and approved, and that they have voluntarily agreed to follow and be bound by the industry Code of Conduct.By using AIPP Members, you get:
REASSURANCE
…
that a Member must act professionally and
RECOURSE…
to the AIPP if problems occur
The badge of membership is a reminder to you, the buyer, that a company must follow professional standards, and act with honesty, integrity and transparency. As a Member of the AIPP, we have voluntarily committed ourselves to industry regulation. To verify our membership, to read the Code of Conduct, or to find out more about the AIPP, visit www.aipp.org.uk or www.aipp.ie.
As AIPP MEMBERS , Overseas Connections offers a comprehensive professional service for genuine people looking to buy property overseas. Our local agents are experienced, knowledgeable and can offer sound advice on buying property overseas together with an excellent after sales service including management and rentals if required. We work with trusted agents and developers throughout so that wherever your interest is, we can arrange viewing trips to a Country or area of your choice. If purchasing off plan, you will be kept informed of progress by email. If you should have any problem whatsoever, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
As part of our after sales service, our agents will ensure that all utilities are transferred into your name, assist you with furnishings and fittings if required, and go the extra mile to help you settle into your new property overseas.
With the choice of 1000's of properties available in many Countries, areas and all budgets, we strive to keep every client 100% satisfied with what we show them. If you are interested in an inspection trip, or are planning a visit to view property, please complete our enquiry form giving your requirements which will help us to provide that ideal place in the sun. If you require any further information on property, our inspection trips, or help with booking flights, please contact us.
Safeguard your interests use an AIPP member
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(2) Don’t take the short cut.
Wherever you go overseas, it is a good bet that as soon as you mention that you are looking to buy property, someone is picking up the phone to call their 'friend' who has some 'cheap property' for sale. These are not usually licensed Property agents but can be bar staff/waiters, shop keepers and so on looking for a quick sale. Don’t let it be you.
If you want to protect your money - steer clear!!
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(3) Use your Head.
A number of people decide not to use the advice or services of professional experienced agents, this is bad practice as there are many willing and able people taking advantage of the trusting, albeit perhaps novice buyer if you are not forewarned. You should only do this if you have a thorough knowledge of the area, the seller of your property of choice and the laws of the Country you are in.
If you want to protect your money – use an AIPP member
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(4) Bargains can be costly.
You get it cheaper if you buy direct from a developer/builder?
Bargain hunters, often the Brits, try to save money on their purchase by bypassing profession property agents with the aim of getting a keener price if they buy direct and won't appreciate an agent’s sound advice until they get their fingers burnt so don’t do it, unless you want to become a statistic. A good agent will know about the local area and builders/developers and be competent to give advice and to know the procedures and language to be absolutely certain you will be the legal owner of a property once you have paid for it. In addition would you know where the best place to get furniture without being ripped off? Or where do you go for legal advice, and when you move in, who will help organise the utilities, building insurance etc, without you paying through your nose.
If you want to protect your money – Don’t chase the bargains - use an AIPP member.
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(5) Beware of the friend with a cheap property.
Wherever you go, the minute property is mentioned, someone is phoning a so called ‘friend’ in the business, who has some very ‘cheap property for sale’, or even ushering you to some fantastic investment they know. Seems almost everyone has become an estate agent, but certainly not all are licensed.
If you want to protect your money - stay clear!!
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(6) Control those emotions.
You have read the brochures, been on the net and now you are there, overseas, excited, expectant and looking at property, my advice is ‘Take your brains with you’ and control those emotions. It is so very easy to get carried away with things so take it steady, remember ‘Buy in haste, regret at leisure’ and ‘buyer beware’ is worth remembering too, A professional agent knows how to suitably curb those impulsive straits and help guide you to that choice of property you won’t regret.
If you want to protect your money – keep calm and use an AIPP member.
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(7) Don’t drink and buy property.
It’s hot, been a long day and you are thirsty, take my advice and keep off the alcohol till the all the decision making has been done, please don’t cloud your judgment in this way as that’s a sure way of making that wrong decision. Keep the drinks for later when you can celebrate in style!!
If you want to protect your money – keep a clear head.
(8) Free Inspection Trips..............Or Are They??
When a Free Inspection Trip is offered, one should question the credibility of the offer. When an Agent or Developer pays for all the costs incurred, ie Flights, Transfer fees, Accommodation and food etc, a considerable amount of time and certainly money is being invested in you, and like all serious investors, they want a return on money invested, so the logical conclusion to this is the temptation created to apply undue sales pressure upon you, not only to recoup the money invested, but also to make a profit on the sale of a property.
I have no problem with making a profit as long as its fair, but Free Inspection Trips are to one sided for my liking and prefer offering subsidised trips instead, where typically you pay some and the developer or agent does likewise, to me that is more like a partnership being formed, both parties are showing good intent, financial commitment and a trust in each other to find that place in the sun, that you the client, are fully satisfied with.
Some companies offer totally free inspection trips but you can be sure that these costs are added to your purchase at some point.
If you want to protect yourself – use an AIPP member
On a final note - There is no such thing as a free lunch............is there?
Our Inspection Trips vary in cost dependent on Country, developer etc, please ask for further details but be assured that your contribution to the trip will be refunded on purchase.
