Overseas Buyers

Overseas buyers can either be foreigners or Australian expatriates.

As an overseas buyer, you can often be at the mercy of distance, time and opportunistic selling agents who are not working to protect your best interest.

Foreign buyers in particular often purchase properties without being fully informed simply because they are not aware of the market situation, local property practices and regulations or perhaps they have a language barrier which prevents them from asking detailed questions.

A recent example we have come across is of a foreign buyer who bought an ‘exclusive' apartment in Sydney CBD without conducting a Strata search. Had they done so, they may have found out that the building is in the midst of a costly litigation and also has a significant problem with illegal overcrowding.

At OH Property Group, we have first hand experience of being overseas buyers ourselves. We understand the challenges of buying a property far away and the importance of having someone on the ground to represent you and safeguard your interests. By making the most of technology, we can provide you with detailed photos of properties we inspect on your behalf, together with maps and satellite images of property and the surrounds, etc.

Please see our Australian Foreign Investment Policy page for a summary of rules applicable to overseas buyers.

Checklist

If you answer ‘yes' to any of the following, we can probably be of assistance to you:

• You are an Aussie expat who will be returning home to Sydney soon and would like a head start in locating a property from abroad.
• You are an Asia-based investor looking to find some great property deals in Sydney but do not have the time to conduct the search and worry that you don't have full market information.
• You are an Aussie expat who is looking to take advantage of lower interest rates abroad to buy in Sydney.
• You or your child are coming to work or study in Sydney soon and need to find a place quickly but without compromising on your requirements or price.
• You have been relocated by your overseas company to work in Sydney and now need to find a place before your family arrives to join you.
• You have been accepted as a new immigrant to Australia and would like to find a home quickly before your entire family and household items arrive.
• You want an independent, informed, unemotional and objective advocate to make sure that your interest is protected at all times.
• You know what you are looking for but cannot physically be present to attend inspections, conduct due diligence or bid at the auction.
• English is not your first language and you would be more comfortable being served in your own language.