Are you buying a property, have been looking for a long time and can't find anything? It's time to define some guidelines that will make your search easier, help you understand what you're looking for, and ultimately save you time and money. Looking for real estate for living or vacationing is an important task. The property consists of several characteristics, the most important of which is the location.

If you are looking for something in an unknown area, you usually don't know the local customs and/or the local population, you probably don't know how much time you need to do everyday things like buying food, paying bills, etc. Just before buying a property, it is very useful to ask a few questions that would at the same time, it should facilitate the process of choosing an apartment and speed up the buying and selling process.

How long have you been looking for your home?

Do you have the feeling that you are searching and nothing suits you or you haven't started your search yet? Have you budgeted for buying or viewing properties outside of your budget? Have you been looking for a property for more than a year, viewed more than 10 different properties, and still nothing is what you expected? It would be good to redefine the basic guidelines you set when choosing a property for vacation or residence. Perhaps the proximity to a shopping center, school, kindergarten, airport, beach, hospital, etc. is important to you. When you define the basic needs of you and your family, explore the possibilities that the location offers and thereby guide you in narrowing your search.

How are you doing with cost planning?

Do you have the funds to buy a property or do you have to rely on co-financing the purchase with a bank loan? Do not forget that you must have enough money for the down payment, which in most cases will amount to 10% of the agreed purchase price. It is good to count on the broker's commission, the costs of drawing up the sales contract and legal fees, the real estate transfer tax (3%), and any additional costs that you might incur depending on your choice.

Do you know what you need from documentation?

Do not forget about the mandatory documentation that you must have when buying and selling. If you are a foreign citizen, you must obtain an OIB. Do you know what real estate documentation you must have? An orderly title deed, a use permit or a certificate of completion of works are the most important documents when purchasing. Title deed without encumbrances and seals for the real estate or status deed to verify the legality of the real estate. Make sure that the actual condition matches the one in the documentation. If you are researching loan options, familiarize yourself with the documentation you will need, or at least most of it.

Have you redefined your views yet?

You looked at a property and really liked it, but didn't buy it? If the decision was made by price, we understand. If it involves things like kitchen remodeling, space layout, or you couldn't come to an agreement with the seller, keep in mind that everything is solved when you have the right team of experts with you. Sometimes it takes a little effort to get what you want, so don't give up easily at the first hurdle.

Investing in real estate is never wrong. It is less risky than stock market investments, and you can always rent or sell the property if things don't go according to plan. Don't worry, trust us that we will find the desired property for you. Write to us in the comments how you are preparing to buy real estate or contact us at info@tstgroup.hr