Making A Real Estate Investment in Bali, Indonesia

Property investment in Bali
Property investment in Bali
Image by Ralph Ravi Kayden.

So, you want to invest in real estate in Bali? How do you do that safely, enjoyably and without being hassled into buying something you’re not completely happy with? Buyer’s remorse is the last thing you want to be feeling.

Choose a professional agency

You might ask yourself where to begin, and where to start looking. The easiest answer is, go online and do your research, but there will come a point when you’re going to need more than a Google search for appropriate looking properties. You’re going to need a professional real estate agency. But there are so many to choose from, how do you know if you’re getting the best of the bunch?

Choose an agent who suits you best

Once you’ve identified an agency you feel comfortable with you’re going to have to deal with an agent. This could be good or it could be bad. It depends on the agency, but as a general rule of thumb, an agent is representative of the agency’s integrity, ethics, and standards.

But are they or the agency the best fit for you and your needs?

Don’t be pressured into making decisions you’re not 100% comfortable with. There are dozens of agencies in Bali to choose from and you shouldn’t feel bad about rejecting one because you just didn’t feel it- whatever it may be.

It’s critical you feel comfortable with the agent you’ve chosen to work with. There has to be synergy if you want to achieve the goal of finding what you’re looking for as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.

Look for agents and agencies that give you advise and point you in the right direction, especially when it comes to price ranges, locations, and ownership structures. They should be listening to your needs and concerns more than their craving the commission on a sale.

Ask friends about their experiences and feelings, follow blogs, join forums and ask questions. If everyone is saying the same thing about a particular agent or agency then the chances are there’s truth in the compliment or the complaint.

Do you feel welcome?

Google will deliver pages of results for “Bali property”,”Invest in Bali”,”Villa for sale Bali” and the like but the proof of the pudding is how these agencies respond: is it quickly?  is it automated? Is the email personal and not just a cut and paste? How does the receptionist answer your phone call? How are you dealt with when you walk in?  Do you feel welcome or not?

The bottom line is do you think they are professional enough to be trusted with your money?

Nobody wants a legal nightmare

Choosing a notary or lawyer is never easy, especially as some tend to operate in a decidedly grey area. Always double check, and then check again before engaging with a lawyer or notary to represent you. Again, talk to friends, read blogs and ask questions.

A lawyer can be used in any transaction to secure your rights as a buyer and it is recommended. However, it might not always be necessary, for example with the transaction of a normal lease transfer or smaller purchases, which can be handled by a notary. In any event, your real estate agency or agent should always offer you alternatives.

The transaction process 

Once you’ve chosen an agent which you’re happy with, and they’ve done their job to find your perfect property, and once the price has been agreed and payment terms have been established, you should always be presented with a Sale and Purchase Agreement (Akta Jual Beli) or a Letter of Intent/Offer to Purchase, which needs to be signed by both the seller and the buyer.

In these agreements, the conditions of sale should be clearly laid out and you should be able to understand them! For example, there should be clauses relating to the deposit and where it needs to be sent; are there any tax commitments that need to be paid?; do you need a land survey? If things aren’t clear ask questions and make changes.

The usual process in Bali is that the buyer secures the terms of the deal by depositing a down payment of the agreed purchase price to be held in an Escrow Account with either his or her notary or the real estate agency while the notary conducts Due Diligence. This down payment is often 10% of the price.

If Due Diligence is successful, the seller and buyer meet at the notary to sign a transfer agreement, at which time final payment is released. This is generally done 30 days after the deposit has been made, but time frames can vary and they need to be made clear. The notary will generate the official transfer agreement upon proof that final payment has been received.

Open the champagne!

Now you’re comfortably relaxing in your new villa it’s time to open the champagne and celebrate! You can relax in the knowledge that you’ve chosen the right agency, dealt with the right agent and the whole journey with them has been a truly memorable experience for all the right reasons.

If you’d like to learn more about investing in property in Bali and Indonesia get in touch with us today through hello@sevenstonesindonesia.com

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Andrzej Barski

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Andrzej is Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia. He was born in the UK to Polish parents and has been living in Indonesia for more than 33-years. He is a skilled writer, trainer and marketer with a deep understanding of Indonesia and its many cultures after spending many years travelling across the archipelago from North Sumatra to Irian Jaya.

His experience covers Marketing, Branding, Advertising, Publishing, Real Estate and Training for 5-Star Hotels and Resorts in Bali and Jakarta, which has given him a passion for the customer experience. He’s a published author and a regular contributor to local and regional publications. His interests include conservation, eco-conscious initiatives, spirituality and motorcycles. Andrzej speaks English and Indonesian.

Terje H. Nilsen

Director of Seven Stones Indonesia

Terje is from Norway and has been living in Indonesia for over 20-years. He first came to Indonesia as a child and after earning his degree in Business Administration from the University of Agder in Norway, he moved to Indonesia in 1993, where he has worked in leading positions in education and the fitness/ wellness industries all over Indonesia including Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Medan and Bali.

He was Co-owner and CEO of the Paradise Property Group for 10-years and led the company to great success. He is now Co-owner/ Founder and Director of Seven Stones Indonesia offering market entry services for foreign investors, legal advice, sourcing of investments and in particular real estate investments. He has a soft spot for eco-friendly and socially sustainable projects and investments, while his personal business strengths are in property law, tourism trends, macroeconomics, Indonesian government and regulations. His personal interests are in sport, adventure, history and spiritual experiences.

Terje’s leadership, drive and knowledge are recognised across many industries and his unrivalled network of high level contacts in government and business spans the globe. He believes you do good and do well but always in that order. Terje speaks English, Indonesian and Norwegian.

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Ridwan Jasin Zachrie

CFO of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Ridwan is one of Indonesia’s top executives with a long and illustrious career in the financial world. He holds several professional certifications including being a Certified Business Valuer (CBV) issued by the Australian Academy of Finance and Management; Broker-Dealer Representative (WPPE); and The Directorship Certification for Directors and Commissioners, issued by the Indonesian Institute of Commissioners and Directors.

His experience includes being the Managing Director at one of the top investment banking groups in the region, the Recapital Group, the CFO at State-owned enterprises in fishery industry and the CEO at Tanri Abeng & Son Holding. He’s also been an Independent Commissioner in several Financial Service companies and on the Audit and Risk Committee at Bank BTPN Tbk, Berau Coal Energy Tbk, Aetra Air Jakarta as well as working for Citibank, Bank Mandiri and HSBC. His last position was as CFO at PT Citra Putra Mandiri – OSO Group.

Ridwan has won a number of prestigious awards including the Best CFO Awards 2019 (Institute of Certified Management Accountant Australia-Indonesia); Asia Pacific Young Business Leader awarded by Asia 21 Network New York USA (Tokyo 2008); UK Alumni Business Awards 2008 awarded by the British Council; and The Most Inspiring Human Resources Practitioners’ version of Human Capital Magazine 2010.

He’s a member of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Trisakti University, Co-Founder of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute and actively writes books, publications and articles in the mass media. He co-authored “Korupsi Mengorupsi Indonesia” in 2009, which helps those with an interest in understanding governance in Indonesia and the critical issue of corruption. Ridwan speaks Indonesian and English.

Per Fredrik Ecker

Managing Director of Seven Stones Indonesia, Jakarta

Per is the Managing Director of the Seven Stones Indonesia (SSI) Jakarta office and has more than 25-years’ experience in Indonesia, China, and Western Europe. He previously worked in senior management positions with Q-Free ASA, Siemens AG, and other companies in the telecom sector. Over the last six years, he has been the Chairman of the Indonesia-Norway Business Council (INBC) and recently become elected to be on the board of EuroCham Indonesia.

His most recent experience is within Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS), Telecom, and other sectors within the Indonesian market. He is today through his position in SSI and by representing Norway Connect, promoting Nordic and European companies that would like to explore business opportunities in the Indonesian market. He’s also playing an active role to help create the Nordic House concept in Jakarta that will provide an excellent platform for Nordic companies entering Indonesia, where they’ll find a community that can offer support with trusted information and affordable services to enter this market.