Acquiring immovable property is always an exciting prospect, and while it can be a stressful and expensive enterprise, being prepared and involving the right people will help ensure that you achieve what you set out to do as comfortably and expediently as possible.
Property Profile
It’s easy to get carried away with the idea of buying property as a means to diversify your investment portfolio, but it’s vital to understand what type of property suits your expectations before setting your heart on anything.
Malta’s has developed thorough property acquisition laws and policies to both attract interested investors as well safeguard the rights of eligible Maltese and EU nationals who are properly established in the county.
One must understand the relative restrictions associated with any given property, be they from purely a planning or designated use perspective.
Finding your ideal Property in Malta
Once you know the parameters and your budget, you can comfortably set about looking for your ideal property.
There are various options on how to search for a property, either through the use of online and print media, or through a sensar or through a real estate agent.
The key is to building a relationship with the best consultants you can to ensure you get the best property for your money.
Buying Your Property in Malta
Whether you are buying the property through an estate agent or not, there is no harm in negotiating the price. During this stage it would also be well worth involving an architect to give preliminary thoughts on the condition of the property, before proceed to entering into the Preliminary Agreement, known locally as a Promise of Sale or Konvenju. This agreement will bind both the purchaser and the seller to the transaction, and specifies a date by which everything must be completed, and may also be subject to a number of condition, including but not limited acquisition of permits, finance and detailed structural survey.
Upon singing the Promise of Sale before a Notary the buyer will be expected to pay 1% provisional stamp duty as part payment of the full 5% (the balance of which is due on signing of the final deed), and an agreed deposit, typically 10% of the agreed price for the property.
The notary will carry out all the necessary research to verify the legal title of the property and ensure that there are no outstanding debts, hypothecs or liens on the same.
Once all this has been completed, a the parties will be able to sign the Final Deed, which must be done within the time set out in the Promise of Sale agreement. At this point the balance of the selling price is given to the vendor, as well as the balance due to the Commissioner for Revenue for stamp duty and the notary fees to the Notary Public.
Once that is done you will be registered as the new owner of the property and can set about using it as intended.
Click here for further information on how Oathbound Consultancy can help you.
