LAND FOR SALE IN BALI: 5 COMMON MISTAKES FOREIGN BUYERS MAKE

Are you looking for the best land for sale in Bali for your family or future investment? Avoid these 5 mistakes if you want to buy land in Bali. Harcourt experts have the solution.

1. CHOOSING A GREEN ZONE WHILE LOOKING FOR LAND FOR SALE IN BALI

Land regulations in Bali have location zone regulations, and each district in Bali has its legal document, which can be revised and changed by the government if necessary.Most land buyers in Bali make Bali their second home and start an Airbnb business. So in both cases, you must find a suitable zone to ensure the villa you want to build has a legal business.

Land zoning has a very important mission: it balances the use of land in the country, and you need to know that there are three zoning in Bali for foreign investors:

1. Green zone – you are not allowed to build at all. You can only use this land for agricultural purposes.
2. Yellow zone – you can build a villa and live in it. But no business activities are allowed. 
3. Red zone – commercial zoning. You have legal permission to do business on this land. 

Many investors must learn about these regulations and often come to the green zone. In rare cases, some of these zoning areas are illegal and can be done through bribes (illicit and highly discouraged) or official land offices. From this, there is no transparency, or there are freelance agents that the landowner is cheating and risking your investment.

When you have chosen land for sale in Bali, ask and ask as much as possible for a zoning certificate from the land owner and ask your attorney to conduct a legal check on the land register for related information. However, if you are buying land for sale via Harcourts, you can rest assured – all land plots have already gone through all legal checks and are safe to buy.

2. NOT KNOWING THE REAL MARKET PRICE OF LAND FOR SALE IN BALI

The real estate market in Bali is highly competitive and fast-growing, and market prices are changing quarterly. Harcourt’s esports are familiar with market prices, and we price the land we sell according to some standards in the area. 

Do your research going through Airbnb demand in the area? real prices from agencies and direct landowners on OLX or Facebook, browse listings available online, and always leave room for negotiation. 

Alternatively, you can delegate it to a professional real estate agent familiar with the specific area in you’re buying the land. Land for sale in Bali goes for as low as USD 400 per 100 sq m per year in remote areas up to USD 2500 per 1 sq m and more in the most desirable tourist and expat locations.

The plot sizes are smaller in busy areas and will be around 2-10 areas (200 – 1000 sq m) and are much larger in less popular areas, going up to a few hectares.

3. LOOKING FOR A LOCAL NOMINEE TO BUY LAND IN BALI

Foreign investors and individual buyers often do not speak Indonesian or do not have a foreign-owned company established in Bali, as it requires large prepaid capital. Moreover, foreigners cannot own the land indefinitely in Bali, and they only lease it for years up to 80 years.

In the past, friends or locals recommended foreign buyers find a local nominee and buy the land for sale they like under a local citizen’s name to fully own it. 

Yet, both sides knew nothing about the legality of such an agreement and property ownership. It was soon discovered that such a transaction was illegal and left foreign investors unprotected while the local nominee just conveniently acquired a new piece of land. Today, this approach is absolute to be avoided.

4. NO DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING LAND IN BALI

Once you’ve found your perfect land for sale in Bali, give it some time and a close look. Do not rush. You will have to hire professional lawyers specializing in real estate to do a full legal check of the land, called due diligence.

Without exaggeration, this is the crucial step to safely and legally owning the land for sale in Bali and being able to build a villa, resell the land or do business. The thorough test will include the following, Confirmation of ownership and ownership identity, The identity of the owner, and Land zoning.

It will take about two weeks to a month and cost USD 400 to 10,000, depending on the law firm you use. And It may sound challenging, but when purchasing land for sale in Bali via a notorious and experienced property agency, this legal check is already done for each one of the properties listed. 

Harcourts Purba Bali goes the extra mile to make sure all the land for sale available on our website is safe and legal to buy for residential or commercial purposes. It saves our clients time and money and guarantees a stress-free deal. 

5. SIGNING ANYTHING WITHOUT A NOTARY

The final step to securing your land in Bali is to sign a contract and transfer ownership in your name or your company’s name in Bali.

However, the legal way to go is to attend a trusted notary. You will pay additional notary fees, but signing any document or making any deposit without a notary leaves you unprotected legally.

You must verify the draft contract and make it as private as possible. Afterward, go to the landlord and notary, carefully read and sign the contract. Ensure the notary signs it and puts an official stamp on the original contract. The notary must then register your agreement at the land office, which will mark the transfer of ownership of the land to you.

Also, ensure you have the original contract or a signed and stamped copy of the agreement.Choosing the ideal land for sale in Bali should be fun and stress free. Harcourts Bali will guide you through every step of the way to ensure you get a good deal in terms of location and investment in Bali.

Browse all the land plots available for sale in Bali in our selection. If you’re ready to start the process or still have questions, keep reading our blog or contact us directly to save time and get immediate answers.

Contact Harcourts Purba today for the Best Real Estate Experience!

Drop us a line:

Whatsapp:  +62 878 6273 1018

Telephone: (0361) 9091299 

Email: [email protected]

Or Visit Our Offices:

Address: Jl. Pemelisan Agung No.22, 

Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, 

Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351