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The process of buying real estate evokes different emotions for each person. For some, it is an exciting task, while for others, it brings stress and worries. Each buyer also has their own wishes and circumstances that they bring to the process of selecting and purchasing their desired property.
Many people rely on past experiences, either their own or those of acquaintances, and try to avoid unpleasant moments and unnecessary expenses during the search and acquisition of real estate.
Unfortunately, these negative experiences are often associated with the presence of intermediaries between the seller and the buyer, namely agencies or private brokers.
There are other reasons why someone might want to buy a house, apartment, or plot without intermediaries:
- Good knowledge of the real estate market in Montenegro and the ability to get necessary answers directly from the municipal authorities.
- The desire to understand the structure and nuances of the market for future professional activities in the real estate field.
- The intention to purchase a specific property despite potential risks.
A general personal aversion to the profession of intermediary (realtor), regardless of what it is called.
Whatever the reasons, the decision is made – and the question arises, how to do this?
Buying real estate directly from the owner in Montenegro is available to everyone and is not restricted by law. If a buyer is firmly determined to purchase a particular property, is familiar with all its nuances, and is in direct contact with its owner, often it is sufficient to sign a contract with a notary – and the deal is done.
For those who choose this path, let’s outline the main and not-so-obvious nuances when searching for and purchasing a property in Montenegro.
Location Features:
- Is there a road to the property and are utilities connected, as well as their legal status.
- If the property is in the central or northern part of the country – is the road to the property cleared of snow in winter.
- If the property has a view (of the sea, mountains, etc.) – what are the prospects that this view will not be blocked by new construction in the coming years.
- Proximity to infrastructure (cafes, schools, bus stops, etc.) and its seasonality: off-season some amenities might not operate, and in season access might be complicated by traffic and parked cars.
Property Features:
- Presence of restrictions and third-party rights – the right of way, access through the plot.
- Possible violations during construction that have led or could lead to disputes with neighbors and enforcement measures by regulatory authorities.
- Structural features of the property, considering wind, snow, seismic loads, climatic conditions, and safety requirements.
Legal Nuances:
- Clean ownership rights of the owner.
- Absence of legal claims by third parties regarding the property.
- Existing encumbrances and associated risks.
- Legality of utility connections and services (electricity, water supply, sewage, garbage collection) and absence of debts.
- Payment of all due taxes by the previous owner up to the point of sale.
- In certain cases, the consent of the spouse for the alienation of the property.
- Proper division of shares in cases of joint ownership.
- Clarity of plot boundaries, matching the actual area of the property to the documentation, and the legal status and risks of areas not included in the ownership documentation.
- In certain cases – compliance with legal inheritance requirements and absence of disputes.
For specific properties, this checklist may be supplemented with individual questions. And of course, we do not describe here the features related to individual preferences in terms of design, living comfort, and personal wishes.
If the buyer has studied and clarified all the above nuances, their process of purchasing real estate directly from the owner has a good chance of success and a positive outcome.