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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