The first thing to check is which ownership rules apply to foreign buyers. Certain jurisdictions permit freehold ownership of flats yet limit agricultural land; elsewhere, governments ask for a corporate vehicle or a long-term lease real estate in lucca italy place of direct title. These rules change from time to time, so check them houses for sale in catania the current year, rather than from a dated article.

What follows is due diligence on the property itself. An independent lawyer should verify the ownership record, debts secured on the property, planning permissions and whether the seller has the right to sell. In a number of countries, outstanding service charges attach to the property, not the person who ran them up.

Money requires its own planning. Setting up a local account is often necessary for the transfer, and banks typically ask where the funds came from. Currency conversion can shift the amount you actually pay noticeably, so treat it as a sisli real estate line item.

The preliminary agreement generally comes first: a modest payment reserves the unit for a set period. Check carefully what happens to that deposit if due diligence uncovers an issue. A clear provision returns the money when the defect is on the seller's side.

Closing usually happens before a public notary or a registered conveyancing agent, depending on the country. The new title only becomes final once it is registered, and this can take anywhere from days to months. Retain every document — the signed agreements, payment confirmations and the registry extract. You will need them when you sell.