Only an idiot buys a property - wherever it is located and whatever the type of property - without getting good and, above all else, INDEPENDENT legal advice.
Agents and developers will often tell you that this is not necessary.
They will tell you that 'in this country it works differently' or 'in this country we only have to get the title witnessed by a local notary'.
Well, they are wrong. If you do not take good legal advice the chances of your purchase 'going wrong' increase dramatically.
The consequences of this are usually very expensive.
Even if you speak the local language fluently - and most buyers do not - there will be many issues that you should discuss with your lawyer.
Even if you are buying in a country where a notary must (by law) be involved in the process, most of these issues will not be addressed by most notaries in most countries. They do not see it as part of their job to do so.
So, do yourself a favour. Take some INDEPENDENT legal advice.
'Independent' does not mean from the estate agent or developer’s lawyer! Insist on using someone who you know in working for you alone.
Insist on your advisers answering the key questions in writing and make sure that you understand the answers given.
What are the key questions? They will depend upon the country where you are buying and upon your personal circumstances.