Offshore Guidebook | Real Estate Investor Magazine Offshore Guidebook 2016 | Page 22

ACQUIRING Malta Pleasures And Pitfalls Know the tricks of the trade BY DR JEAN-PHILIPPE CHETCUTI I f you’re considering buying a property in Europe or the Mediterranean, there are a few things you really need to know beforehand. Buying a property offshore should be a pleasure, an absolute joy, but too often people come to their country of choice short on information. When you’re talking about the sort of serious money a house costs, of whatever size, it’s up to you to take due care. If you end up choosing a Maltese investment that has problems you’re the one who has to live with it. So how can you avoid the pitfalls? Know who stands for what: understand the transaction. Who are the parties involved in the contract and where do the other involved parties involved come in? What are their interests and what are yours? Who represents whom? 20 Offshore Handbook 2016 www.reimag.co.za