Step one remains which ownership rules apply to foreign buyers. A number of countries permit outright ownership of apartments but restrict land; elsewhere, governments demand a locally registered company or a long lease instead. The requirements are revised from time to time, so check them at the time of the deal, rather than from a dated article.

What follows concerns the legal status of the property. A local lawyer you hire yourself should check the registered title, existing charges, building permits and whether the vendor can legally transfer it. In a number of countries, outstanding service charges attach to the property, not the previous owner.

The payment side deserves its own planning. Setting up a local account tends to be a precondition for paying taxes afterwards, and banks will ask for documented origin of the money. Moving money across borders can shift the total cost significantly, broward real estate so it is worth comparing providers.

The reservation agreement typically comes before anything binding: a modest payment reserves the unit for an agreed window. Look closely at the refund conditions if due diligence reveals an issue. A clear provision gives back the sum when the problem lies with the property for sale in protaras.

Completion usually happens before a public notary or an equivalent official, depending on the legal system. The change of ownership is only complete after registration, a step that can take weeks in some countries. Store all the paperwork — the purchase deed, tax receipts and the registry extract. They will be needed when you sell.