You're travelling in a foreign country and you get arrested for something that you didn't even know was against
law. The potential fine is huge, more than you earn in 10 years. Would you represent yourself in front of judges who might not even speak your language? Not if you had any sense you wouldn't. You'd probably hire a lawyer.Let's think about that. Most people are not willing to risk 10 years salary when they're in front of
judge, yet those same people are willing to risk that same amount of money, or more, whenever they buy real estate in a foreign country.
What's
risk? There are plenty.
Not being fully aware of
laws that affect
ownership of real estate for starters. In some cases, you're not only subject to
laws of real estate ownership which affect any property owner in that country, but there may be special laws which affect only foreign owners as well as local laws which differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Perhaps you're not an expert at reading
language that
purchase and sale agreement is written in. Maybe you'll overlook terms or conditions that would be a deal-breaker if you were aware of their presence.
And then there are all of
considerations which affect any buyer whether they are a foreign national or not. Things like zoning or permitted use laws, neighborhood or condo association by-laws, environmental restrictions, tax issues, and all of
other little gremlins that can pop up and turn a great deal into a great deal of misery.
Those are
kinds of things that a Real Estate lawyer is trained to handle. It's not good enough to have your family lawyer or corporate lawyer review
deal. If you want an iron-clad real estate purchase and sales agreement which addresses all of
unique and common issues that you face as a real estate buyer in a foreign country, then you need to hire a real estate lawyer who is licensed to practice in that country. Nothing else is "good enough".