Estate Agents Abroad
With soaring prices at home and the lure of sunnier skies abroad, more
and more people in the U.K are finding that buying a property overseas
to be an affordable and fun investment. But before you cash in your
Sterling for the first gorgeous little villa you set your eyes on, it
is essential that you find the right estate agent. Especially in a foreign
country, hiring the best agent you can will make a world of difference
in ensuring your purchase of the perfect home abroad be a trouble-free
pursuit.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
When possible, find an agent who is a member of some kind of industry
regulatory body like the European Confederation of Real Estate Agents.
When in comes to signing contracts, it is best to have it checked
out first with an English-speaking lawyer whom you trust.
Most UK buyers choose English-speaking agents or expatriates, who
specialize in overseas buyers- these agents can take care of the whole
process- from buying, to building, letting and moving in.
In France, agents hold licenses called a carte professionnelle, and
should be members of a regulatory body such as the Syndicat Nationales
des Professionels Immobilier and the Federation Nationale des Agents
Immobiliers et Mandataires.
In Spain, it is best to choose an agency who is linked to Agentes
de la Propiedad Immobiliaria or Asociacion Profesional de Gestores
Intermediarios en Promociones de Edificaciones.
In Italy, qualified estate agents are listed in a directory called
the “Ruoli”, found at local Chambers of Commerce.
In other locations, seek out agents who are part of the Federation
of Overseas Property Developers and Agents.
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