The Biggest Mistake International Buyers Make When Buying Property Abroad

One of the biggest mistakes international buyers make when purchasing property abroad is relying on what I call “packaged with a bow” deals.

These are development sites or property opportunities that have already been on the market for some time.

Large agencies often invest in extensive due diligence — planning studies, feasibility reports, architectural concepts — to de-risk the project and make it more attractive to international investors who don’t know the local market.

At first glance, this can look reassuring.

But in reality, the cost of all that preparation is often already priced into the deal.

By the time a project is fully packaged and widely marketed internationally, the real opportunity has usually been diluted.

The most interesting opportunities are rarely the ones already wrapped and presented.

They are typically sourced earlier in the process, before they become widely marketed.

This is where local knowledge and trusted networks become essential.

At SOLANDSEAS, part of our work is sourcing land and property opportunities through our network in Israel, Portugal, and the United Kingdom — often before they reach the broader market.

Because the best opportunities are rarely the ones already “packaged with a bow.”