Buying a house or property in MENA

[Tasha and Abdou 0]

Hey VJ folks!! My fiance lives in Morocco and I think it as beautiful country. I would love to someday purchase a house there for us to go to for holidays and vacations. I was just wondering if any of you have had the same feelings about your SO's country. I would like to hear about some of your personal experiences. Moroccans especially but MENA as a whole. Any and all responses will be appreciated. Edited December 16, 2008 by Tasha and Abdou

[Y's_habibitk 2]

We definately plan on it in the future.

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

I thought I wanted to own property in Egypt, now, I don't think so... When I met my husband I was actually thinking of buying property there for retirement. (I'm 50). My last trip I stayed 2 months. That was when I changed my mind about buying there. As I get older I like the comforts of home... Home in America... pillow top mattresses, parking in my garage, parking spaces when I go shopping, and central heat and a/c. Just to name a FEW of the things I missed when I was there.

It didn't matter to me on shorter trips, or when I was younger. I have many American/Canadian girlfriends in Egypt and some are happy there and some are "stuck" there. I also met an American from my OWN town while I was there who lives there 6 months of the year and here 6 months. Her husband is Egyptian, but lived in the US for the last 35 years and is now retired from Boeing and they decided to live in Alexandria part time to save money and enjoy the culture change while they pursue some hobbies they can do anywhere.

One thing is that the prices in Egypt have skyrocketed in the last 5 years. Partially because of the change in landlord tennant laws (no more rent control...) which made it much more profitable to rent than sell, and then the Iraq war brought in alot more foreign buyers which also drove up the prices.

I might change my mind again someday, because I really really crave having my OWN Place when I go there, but for now it seems out of reach and only something to consider some time down the road. Right now I'm just hoping my husband learns to like it here...

Average price of a flat that I would find suitable for long term living in Alexandria is over $100,000 USD. A rather LARGE committment financially...

K

[sara535 15]

we'd love to do it sometime when the kids are older, and when we can afford it . To use as more of a vacation home than a permanent residence.

[prince+angel 3]

Hello - nice to meet you both!

Yes, we talked about buying property in Tunisia - prices & rental income from tourist are both very good. However, right now were working on getting him here. One day in the future once we get settled, we'll check more into it.

Has anyone here actually bought property in there SO's country, other than what they might have already owned? How was the process for you?

[Staashi 371]

We will buy in Argentina for a vacation home and retirement too.

[Henia 11]

Esalaams/Hello!

We live in my husband's country ... we have a house. Buuut legally I am allowed to own property here as a foreigner. Upon my husband's death his property goes to our son ... but if we had no children together ... then legally they could not kick me out from the home, but I would never be able to own it.

Something to think on for everyone thinking to buy property in the SO's country.

BTW Sara: your baby is beautiful as usual!

[Aymsgirl 0]

Currently, my husband owns a building already but when times are better we have thought about having our own flat built in Alex or the Sinai area. We almost purchased one about 6 months or so in Alex...kind of like a condo plan but decided it wouldn't be in our best interest and I am glad we made that decision. Work hasn't come easy and it would be one more bill to pay.

[amal 4]

We have discussed purchasing a vacation home in Jordan. We don't want to live there full time though as even my hubster has admitted to growing quite fond of the easy ways here (ie running water, heat, air conditioning, parking spaces, less litter, and stuff of that nature). We would love to have our own place there though so when we do visit, we could have our own privacy. I want to wait until my son is a bit older before I uproot him from America. He already has enough of an issue learning as it is...

amal

[CasandraYounes 0]

My husband and I are definately considering it because the prices of property in Morocco are great. At one time I considered relocating there, but my husband wanted me to focus on school first. Now the thought is buying property to stay in for the holidays or vacations. Really think about it because you get your privacy and don't have to worry about finding a place to stay.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Yes!

As soon as we get some $$ saved, inchallah... would be great if we could purchase a place or some land or a start a small business in Maghreb.

Inchallah...

Until then, still dreaming..

hz

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I've owned property in Morocco for decades. We also plan to buy a new house for his parents near ours when we move back.

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

Currently, my husband owns a building already but when times are better we have thought about having our own flat built in Alex or the Sinai area. We almost purchased one about 6 months or so in Alex...kind of like a condo plan but decided it wouldn't be in our best interest and I am glad we made that decision. Work hasn't come easy and it would be one more bill to pay.

Hi Tasha, Where in Alex were you thinking of buying? What kind of prices did you find? And what's a "condo plan" that you can build yourself???? All I ever see are high rise buildings. I know there were "villas" in the past but not any more...

Where is your husband's building? I really want a small place where we can stay when we visit near Cleopatra, Ibrahemia, or Semoha if we could afford it... but prices seem to have gone sky high!

Just be sure if you buy there to have it in YOUR name. You can own property there as an American but if it isn't in your name if something happens to Ayman you're going to have a mess on your hands. But he's a lawyer so hopefully he can prevent that. Of course they always say "the cobbler's children have no shoes"... so make him lawyer up and find a way to protect your interest in the property...

I think we need to be neighbors... We can build a duplex. tehehehehehehehehehe

K

[Aymsgirl 0]

Currently, my husband owns a building already but when times are better we have thought about having our own flat built in Alex or the Sinai area. We almost purchased one about 6 months or so in Alex...kind of like a condo plan but decided it wouldn't be in our best interest and I am glad we made that decision. Work hasn't come easy and it would be one more bill to pay.

Hi Tasha, Where in Alex were you thinking of buying? What kind of prices did you find? And what's a "condo plan" that you can build yourself???? All I ever see are high rise buildings. I know there were "villas" in the past but not any more...

Where is your husband's building? I really want a small place where we can stay when we visit near Cleopatra, Ibrahemia, or Semoha if we could afford it... but prices seem to have gone sky high!

Just be sure if you buy there to have it in YOUR name. You can own property there as an American but if it isn't in your name if something happens to Ayman you're going to have a mess on your hands. But he's a lawyer so hopefully he can prevent that. Of course they always say "the cobbler's children have no shoes"... so make him lawyer up and find a way to protect your interest in the property...

I think we need to be neighbors... We can build a duplex. tehehehehehehehehehe

K

I will have him to send me the site of the condos they were building and email it to you. They were very nice, near the sea, had a playground for the kids. It wasn't too bad of a price either.

I will most definately make him have my rights protected.