Best Property Agent in Bali: 7 Tips to Choose the Right Agent

Living and working from Bali is a dream that can come true very easily. Whether you’re looking to find a remote jungle bungalow or build a splendid beachfront villa, you will have to get a very knowledgeable and trustworthy property agent in Bali. 

A good agent will save you an enormous amount of time and money simply by keeping you from common mistakes new investors make and helping you navigate a complex Balinese real estate market. 

If you’re looking for a property agent in Bali, it’s important to choose the right one. Here are 7 tips to help you make the weighted decision and an insider hint on the best property agent on the island.

7 tips to choose the right property agent in Bali

1. Do your research

When looking for a property agent in Bali, it’s important to do your research on the property market and ask around for agency recommendations. There are many agents out there in Bali, so take the time to compare and contrast their services to find the best one for you.

Check the reviews on Google Maps and their website, check their sales record and read agents’ profiles to get familiar with the team. Visit some property sites yourself to also get to know the market. Check the OLX website to see the market prices from both agencies and landowners, and talk to your friends or people living long-time in the area to get first-hand experience. 

The more you know about real estate in Bali, house prices, and different areas, the better will be your communication with agents and property owners. The less you know, the easier it is for you to miss something important and go over your budget.

2. Ask about experience and qualifications

It’s important to make sure your property agent is experienced and qualified to help you with your purchase. The property agent should be well experienced both in the type of property you’re looking for, ex. villas or resorts, and the budget threshold. 

The market varies depending on location, property type, land zoning, and many other factors, which the agency and their lawyers should clarify for you. Buying luxury villas in Bali or beachfront houses, you should find an agent focusing exactly on this type of property. 

As there is no mandatory license for property agents in Indonesia, there are some amateurs who are under-qualified for such long-term and expensive investments. Ask your future property agent about their track record in the industry and whether they have any relevant qualifications and certifications abroad or in Indonesia.

For instance, Harcourts Purba Bali is one of the very few property agents in Bali that are recognized by the official Indonesian Association of real estate brokers AREBI (Asosiasi Real Estate Broker Indonesia). 

What are Property Agents in Balis actually doing?

In fact, the scope of work a good property agent in Bali does is fairly large:

• Introducing you to the market and answering all your questions regarding legal ownership and market nuances.
• Setting the budget with you and negotiating the price with the property owner.
• Marketing your property if you’re selling or renting it.
• Keeping an active database of all listings in the area with accurate contacts.
• Arranging viewings and meetings. 
• Clearing the deal through the legal team to make sure the land or property can be purchased, legally owned, and has no tax or other issues. 
• Finalizing the transaction and handling all the paperwork. 

3. Language

If you’re working with a freelancing Indonesian property agent, make sure they understand and speak English on a good level. The Balinese culture is very welcoming and polite and some people will simply nod or agree with you even if they don’t quite understand what exactly you mean. Yet, a misunderstanding or translation error can cost you thousands of dollars.

Same, working with a foreign property agent in Bali, who will better understand your requirements and background, you need to make sure they speak Indonesian well and are aware of customs, market, and negotiation particularities in Bali. The Harcourts Purba Bali team is multinational and has a 20-year of experience in real estate across the globe and in Bali – our founder Siti was the first Indonesian to work with international clients.

4. Consider their customer service

The way an agent treats you even during the inquiry process can be indicative of their overall level of customer service. Are they professional and courteous? Do they seem interested in helping you find the right property? Are they providing value or immediately trying to sell you additional services? 

At last, are they responding quickly and respecting your time? If you have a meeting, did they show up in time or made you wait without prior notification?

A good property agent in Bali should be proactive and energetic, giving you solutions and bringing value without creating extra problems or letting you do all the work. At Harcourts Purba Bali we go an extra mile to provide all needed services and diverse properties for our clients to find an ideal option for a family or investor.

5. Ask about their fees

Different agents charge different fees, so it’s important to ask about this upfront. Make sure you understand all the costs involved before making a decision and the property agent is very transparent. 

Regarding fees and costs, it is also important that your agent does not agree on any prices with property owners without consulting you.

There is no standard fee applicable in Indonesia, even if some forums argue it is 5% of property value, it is still worth double-checking with your property agent. Once you’ve decided on an agent, be sure to get everything in writing. This includes the agent’s contact information, as well as the terms of your agreement. This will help protect you in case anything goes wrong.

6. Only hire property agents with local expertise

If you’re looking to buy property in a specific area, it’s important to choose an agent who knows the area well. The Bali property market is very versatile and a lot depends on location. Many factors are involved, starting with local government regulations and the prices or building permits possible. 

Your best property agent in Bali should be able to give you insights into different areas and help you find the right property for your needs or explain the potential pros and cons of the chosen property or area and evaluate how well it fits your lifestyle and needs.

A simple example is the regulations regarding building and zoning in two big regencies in Bali: Badung, where famous Canggu is, is more flexible in terms of permits yet is more expensive too, while Tabanan – a green, peaceful and beautiful region – is very strict about their cultural and agricultural heritage. You can easily end up owning land or property that is illegal. 

Harcourts Bali has 3 offices in Bali and Nusa Lembongan which helps us stay in touch with the real market. We are keeping profiles on all popular suburbs and constantly updating our listings and featured properties based on demand, area changes, and returns on investments. We have been working with property for over 20 years now and live and work in Bali to make sure we know the island better than anyone.

7. Ask for references

If you’re still not sure about an agent, ask for references from past clients or friends. This can give you some insights into their level of service and whether they’re the right fit for you.

Facebook expat communities are very strong in Bali and you should ask for recommendations or insights on a specific agent there. 

After you’ve met with each of the property agents you’ve preselected, talked to them, and asked all questions you had in mind, take some time to think about who you liked the most. Sometimes, the best decision is simply going with your gut feeling. 

The Best Property Agent in Bali – Harcourts Purba

After researching dozens of real estate agents in Bali, you’re probably feeling slightly overwhelmed. We can relate to that, especially, when all advertisements promote the same services. Harcourts Purba got you covered and established an award-winning property agency in Bali that helps people rent, sell or buy houses and land both for commercial and residential purposes stress-free. 

The Harcourts Bali is not only an award-winning property agency in Bali with in-house lawyers, property management, and local area experts with more than 20 years of experience. We are also highly rated by our happy clients and are officially recognized by the Indonesian Association of real estate brokers AREBI and supported by our partners at Panin Bank.

At Harcourts Purba, we preselected property for buyers, renters, and investors of any stage: from rental properties in Bali and surrounding islands to the freehold listings in the hottest areas of Bali. 

If you have any questions and wonder how to find your dream home in Bali, contact us directly or browse our hand-picked listings in the most popular Bali regions.