How to buy property (tips for a buyer)

If you have decided to buy a property, there are many legal obstacles awaiting you. Do you know how to overcome those obstacles?
If you are conducting the transaction with a member of family or a friend, you will manage by yourself. If not - get in touch with us.

If you are a foreigner, in many cases you will have to obtain permission from the minister of internal affairs. The principles of buying properties by foreigners are mainly governed by the Act on foreigners buying properties, dated 24 March 1920.
There are however cases, when such a permit is not required, i.e. when buying an independent residential property or if you have been residing in Poland for 5 years from the date of obtain-ing permanent residence permit at least.

When buying an apartment or a house you must remember:

Consider the area. See how far away is the nearest shop, a school, bus stop or an underground station. Is the area green and will the children be able to play outside. Will you be able to park your car?

Look at the property in daytime. Then you can better assess all its advantages and disadvan-tages. Discovering various imperfections makes a good argument to bring the price down.

When looking at the flat / house imagine yourself living there. Walls can be painted and furni-ture replaced. Consider however whether the flat / house is adaptable.

Don't be afraid of the price. Even when the amount asked by the owner is within your reach and corresponds to the flat's value - offer a slightly lower amount. To start with sellers ask more than they expect to get. As a rule, they are willing to come down on the price. Usually, the final price is 5-10% lower than the calling price.

How to get the owner to lower price?

Buyers often complain about various actual or imagined disadvantages of the property or quote sky-high repairs costs and so on. It does not always work: the owner can get upset. If you are complaining so much, why do you want to buy?

This does not mean that you cannot talk about the drawbacks. On the contrary: an unpleasant area, poor sunlight or a bad state of a kitchen or bathroom - those are good reasons to get a lower than the average market price. But be moderate.

Think about your advantages. What can you offer the owner? In what ways are you better than other buyers are? If, for example, you have the money available, you are a perfect buyer for the owner. If you are ready to close the transaction quickly you can ask for a lower price in return.

If the seller is looking for a new flat to move there, patience is your asset. Promise that you will move in three to four month only. However, you are entitled to expect something in re-turn: both that you will pay at that time only (and in the meantime your money can be gaining interest at the bank) or a lower price.