The first thing to check is what foreign buyers are actually allowed to own. Some countries permit freehold ownership of apartments while restricting cheap land in spain plots; in other places, the authorities ask for a local company or a leasehold arrangement in place of direct title. The requirements shift from time to time, so confirm them at the time of the deal, not from an old forum post.
What follows is due diligence on the nice property prices itself. An independent legal adviser should check the ownership record, existing charges, planning permissions and whether the seller can legally transfer it. In several jurisdictions, unpaid utility bills follow the alassio property for sale, not the previous owner.
Money needs planning of its own. Getting a local account tends to be necessary for the purchase, and compliance departments will ask for documented origin of the money. Moving money across borders can change the final figure by a meaningful margin, so compare providers before transferring.
The reservation agreement typically comes before anything binding: a modest payment takes the listing off the market while checks are completed. Look closely at what happens to that deposit if the inspection turns up something serious. A clear provision refunds the sum when the problem comes from the seller.
Completion normally takes place before a notary or a licensed conveyancer, depending on the country. The new title only becomes final once it is registered, and this can take days or months. Retain every document — the purchase deed, payment confirmations and registration certificates. You will need them for any future sale.
