Tips for Buying Propery in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

By candace7

A in-depth look of the real estate market in Coastal Uruguay with on-the-ground advice about best places to buy, the buying process, foreign property ownership and more.

Popular Areas in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay for Expats

Here in Uruguay there is not much of a diversity in where expats choose to live. Although we are an exception to the norm; most expats live on the coasts of Uruguay rather than the deep countryside as we do.

Uruguays capital, Montevideo, which isn't on the coast, is an expat hotspot; naturally, as it is the "big city" where jobs are prevalent. Also, taking advantage of public transportation and/or bike riding is more economical than owning a car, especially for those expats on a tight budget, so "big city" living is conducive for those types of lifestyles. For more wealthier expats or retirees, Punta del Este, Piriapolis, Maldonado, Rocha and the neighboring cities are all favorites.

Searching for a Property in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

The local real estate agent for your desired area(s) is the best source for finding homes and properties for sale. Most of the real estate agents are longtime locals or expats that are willing to listen and accommodate your needs. It might take a while but they will find what you are looking for according to your budget and wish list. Every town seems to have their own agents and simply walking into one starts your home and/or property buying process. You will be happily surprised to find there is always at least one English speaker.

What Your Budget Will Buy You in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

Depending on your desired location and budget (ranging from US $150,000 to US $1,000,000); an foreigner or expat can purchase a farm with lots of acres in the countryside to a beach front home. Typically a 3-4 bedroom nicely build coastal home ranges from US $300,000 to $1,000,000 and above. A home in the country with about 5-10 acres range from US $75,000-$250,000.

Before You Buy a Property in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

Before purchasing any home and/or property, anywhere for that matter, it's always important to do lots and lots of research. Talking to veteran expats is always helpful to get a perspective from your culture's eyes. Also, if time and finances allow, living in an desired area temporarily helps to get a feel of that areas specifics before taking the plunge. Small things like local services, food markets and schools are all make or break for some people, so it's best to check them out first.

Legal Assistance

It is quite common to hire a middle man, better know as an escribana, which is basically an attorney. Escibanas are very common in Uruguay and do all the technical paperwork or "compromiso" when purchasing properties, cars, or large items that require payments etc; they also help landlords, renters and small business transactions. The paperwork is recognized as legal when there are discrepancies or problems between the two parties. Getting a recommendation is the best way to find an escribana. In our area Claudia Garcia Odella is a reliable escribana who is trustworthy and thorough.

Costs Involved in Buying a Property

Fees that incur due to purchasing a property include the realtor fee (for the seller) and the escribana fees (split between both parties, most of the time). The realtor or agent gets a percentage of the selling price which ranges somewhere between 1-3.5%. Escribana fees all depend on the time, amount and complexity of paperwork involved and could add up to several hundred dollars. Property taxes need to be paid about 3 times a year to BPS and are very reasonable compared to the states.

Foreign Property Ownership

There does not seem to be my restrictions for purchasing or ownership of foreign property here in Uruguay. You do not need to be a citizen or resident to a purchase home or property, which makes the types of ownership diverse. However your pocketbook has to be a little deep as loans are not common and most large things purchased, including homes and land, need to be paid in full, or at least 2-3 installments within a year or so, depending on the compromiso written up by an escribana.

5 Best Places to Buy Real Estate in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

Through social media and speaking with fellow expats, I've established an opinion or two about where would be some good places to invest in real estate.

In my humble opinion the top 5 best places to purchase real estate in Uruguay include, but not limited to:

Punta del Este

Punta del Este is known as the St. Tropez of Uruguay due to its beautiful beaches, upscale resorts and swanky nightclubs. You can break from the surf & sand and saddle up with a local gaucho to ride horseback through the wild plains surrounding the city.

Piriapolis

One of the most important resorts in the south of Uruguay, Piriapolis is famous for its beautiful beaches. It is a safe and family-friendly resort town with many historical sights, fun outdoor activities and plenty of interesting tours to spend your days.

Maldonado

With mild weather all year long, Maldondo is definitely a favorite amongst retirees. Maldonado represents one of the most varied and beautiful geographies in Uruguay. There are surrounding woodlands, hills and the beautiful sea. There are also a sense of history when walking down its streets or watching its old cars and bicycles.

Rocha

Diverse nature in its purest form there are 180 km of coastline, ocean, sand, small fishing villages, old colonial buildings and over 200 thousand hectares of wetlands that have been declared a national reserve. Whale and dolphin watching is common on the coast.

Atlantida

About 45 minutes from Uruguays capital Montevideo, lies Atlandia full of rustic charm coupled with modern comforts. Atlantida boasts white sandy beaches and modern resort amenities filled with literature, poetry, history and architecture.

Steps in Buying Property in Coastal Uruguay, Uruguay

The main steps are quite simple and they include:

Finding a home and/or property: (This could be quite time consuming as the mentality here is a little lax)

- Purchasing and processing paperwork of home and/or property through an escribana: (This could take a little time and patience as well, as they are very detail-oriented when it comes to paperwork)

Transferring of funds: (This could get tricky and all depends on the banks involved and the amount of cash being transferred)