Newbie...6 months Bali...6 months Perth...

[homeinbali]

As an introduction I’d just like to say I’ve been reading for a while, using the search function to check on a few things and now as a newbie I was wondering if any of you have an opinion good or otherwise on an idea we have that maybe many more have done before.

The plan is to purchase a block of land in Bali and build 2 villas/pool/gardens on for us and another couple to spend 6 months of the year in Bali and 6 months back here in Australia. The planned 6 months turnaround won’t be for another 5-6 years yet but we holiday frequently, at least 3 times a year.

Now lets see if I’ve got it right, if we can find a suitable block of land and it is freehold we will still need a Balinese to be our nominee and providing we go through a reputable firm of lawyers we should have no problems?

To build is best to be onsite as often as possible or use someone independent of the builder/supplier to keep an eye on things. Or use a reputable builder that ‘does the lot’.

Would it be appropriate to have a separate house built on the block of land for a Balinese family that maybe can be our driver/gardener/poolboy/housekeeper/cook?…AND if appropriate would it be free board and lodging plus wage and how much? Saying it was a husband and wife team or family.

What is availability like for say a block of land within an hour of Denpasar or Kuta? We don’t want ocean views or to be in the city itself, preferring the jungle look. For this sort of setup what size block of land would be most suitable? AND what sort of purchase price should we be looking at?

AND what about real estate agents? Anyone know of a couple of good ones?

To spend 6 months in Bali, we will have to use social visa’s, apply in Perth for 2 months before travelling and then extend twice whilst in Bali?

I think that might be enough to go on for now, remember I did ask for opinions good or otherwise so I’m prepared for the “tell her she’s dreaming” answers!

BTW when I registered and picked out my user name all was good and then the next time I came online there was an ad for homeinbali...must be a sign I think!

[BaliLife]

hi hib,

ok, well my thoughts...

fristly - congrats on reaching this decision - it's a big one but am sure you'll find it fruitfull and rewarding..

Now lets see if I’ve got it right, if we can find a suitable block of land and it is freehold we will still need a Balinese to be our nominee and providing we go through a reputable firm of lawyers we should have no problems?

I can't comment on this - (i was given the name of two firms run by expats just 2 wks ago but unfortunately deleted them from my pda) that ensure clear title.. in fact i think you can work with them in your entirety to find a piece of land.. they're well known so i'm sure someone else on this forum will be able to help with their names (once I hear their names I'll remember.. we didn't use them as my father in laws good friend is a local senior notaris.. but in most cases it would make sense for non-locals to.. GETTING CLEAR TITLE to land in Bali is in my opinion the most critical and difficult thing to achieve.. many parts have duplicate certificates and disputes - it's unlike australia and canada where the torrens land system makes the name on the registry absolute (unless registered by fraud).. watch yourself on this.. if it looks too good to be true, then it probably is..

To build is best to be onsite as often as possible or use someone independent of the builder/supplier to keep an eye on things. Or use a reputable builder that ‘does the lot’.

If you can't be there and u can find someone you trust to supervise progress then absolutely... be careful paying in advance for contracting services as it's not unheard of for people to lose their money with 'contractors' running off..

Would it be appropriate to have a separate house built on the block of land for a Balinese family that maybe can be our driver/gardener/poolboy/housekeeper/cook?…AND if appropriate would it be free board and lodging plus wage and how much? Saying it was a husband and wife team or family.

Seperate house would be 'above the norm' but nice if u wanted to do that.. it would be above the norm by local standards.. usually they get a room or two separated from the main living residences with their own bathroom facilities, etc.. definitely free lodging.. not too sure about bali, but in surabaya the standard is 500,000rph each per month, but that's full time.. i've read here some pay less and the generous ones pay more... gardener doesn't usually need to be full time... not sure what the pay is for non-live in maids..

What is availability like for say a block of land within an hour of Denpasar or Kuta? We don’t want ocean views or to be in the city itself, preferring the jungle look. For this sort of setup what size block of land would be most suitable? AND what sort of purchase price should we be looking at?

Plenty - but again, be careful of duplicate certificates.. the price can vary greatly.. i would think that you'd need at least 5are (500m2) - expect to pay anywhere from 20,000,000rph to USD $20,000 per 100m2.. but given you're not looking for ocean view and you don't mind 'jungle' you should definitely find something under 90,000,000rph range per 100m2 (that's about $10,000 US per 100m2 - $12,000 per 100m2) - but as I said you can definitely find stuff cheaper - as cheap as $3,000 per 'are' - again... make sure the title is clean!

AND what about real estate agents? Anyone know of a couple of good ones?

a good realtor there is more important than one in australia and canada (i'm from perth, but live in canada).. it is so because realtor's don't have an official structure for cooperation there unlike in australia and canada where there are outlined agreements that dictate how much the buyers agent and sellers agent will each retain.. it's common in bali to be shown a piece of land by an agent that's got another 10 agents between them... i.e. the owner's asking for 50million rph per 100m2 - you're being shown it for 115million rph but they make out like they're directly representing the owner! the other 65million rph is to 'juice' the other 10 agents and themselves.. we worked with a guy and really liked him (referred to us in Jan from the notaris).. private msg me if u want his contact details..

To spend 6 months in Bali, we will have to use social visa’s, apply in Perth for 2 months before travelling and then extend twice whilst in Bali?

Not sure, but others here def will know...

hth..

ct