Guides
How it actually works, market by market
The registry that holds the title, the tax and its rate, the permit and who issues it, the escrow rule that protects a deposit, and the frauds run in each city. Named specifics, not general advice.
Before you choose a market
Whether property beats the alternatives, what the jargon means, and how two markets compare head to head.
Why invest here
The case for a city, with the numbers behind it and the risks that come with it.
Data centre development
Grid capacity, power cost, cable landings and the permits that decide whether a site is viable.
BangkokBangkok Data Centre Development: Power Grid, Land Titles and Statutory PermitsCairoData Centre Development in Cairo: Power Allocation, Regulatory Licences and Land RightsCasablancaData Centre Development in Casablanca: Power Tariffs, Permits and InfrastructureDohaData Centre Development in Doha: Power Tariffs, Grid Connections, Permits and Operating MarketDubaiData Centre Development in Dubai: Power Tariffs, Land Registration and Permitting FrameworksLondonData Centre Development in London: Grid Connections, Power Tariffs and Planning FrameworksSydneyData Centre Development in Sydney: Power Grid Capacity, Planning Approvals and Fiber RoutesTorontoData Centre Development in Toronto: Power Connection Timelines, Electricity Rates and Planning PermitsAccraData centre development in Accra: power, land registration and regulatory permitsBerlinData centre development in Berlin: grid capacity, land planning and permitting rulesCape TownData centre development in Cape Town: power grid constraints, planning approvals and subsea infrastructureKigaliData centre development in Kigali: grid connections, industrial tariffs and site licensingLagosData centre development in Lagos: power, permits and land requirementsMexico CityData centre development in Mexico City: power grid wait times, CFE tariffs, permitting and operatorsNairobiNairobi Data Centre Development Guide: Power Tariffs, Permits and Fibre InfrastructureTokyoTokyo Data Centre Development: Power Grid Lead Times, Zoning Laws and Regulatory Compliance
Buying as a foreign national
Whether foreign nationals may own, and the steps from offer to registered title.
TokyoBuying Real Estate in Tokyo as a Foreign Buyer: Legal Rights, Process and Title RegistrationLondonForeign Buyer Rules, Legal Process, Taxes and Registration for London Property PurchasesCairoForeign Property Acquisition and Title Registration in CairoBangkokForeign Property Acquisition in Bangkok: Regulations, Process and RegistrationLagosForeign Property Acquisition in Lagos: Laws, Process and Title RegistrationCasablancaForeign Property Ownership and Acquisition in CasablancaDohaForeign Property Ownership and Title Registration in Doha, QatarJohannesburgForeign Property Ownership in Johannesburg: Legal Rules, Transfer Steps, and Tax ObligationsNairobiForeign Property Ownership in Nairobi: Legal Framework, Requirements, and Conveyancing ProcessRiyadhForeign Property Ownership in Riyadh: Regulations, Taxes and Step-by-Step RegistrationCape TownForeign Property Purchases in Cape Town: Legal Ownership, Transfer Sequence and RegistrationAccraGhana Real Estate Guide: Foreign Buyer Ownership Rules and Registration in AccraLisbonHow Foreign Nationals Buy Real Estate in Lisbon: Legal Framework and ExecutionMumbaiProperty Acquisition Regulations and Registration Process in Mumbai for Non-Resident BuyersKigaliProperty Acquisition in Kigali: Foreign Ownership Rules and Registration Process
Checking a developer
What is independently verifiable about a developer, and where to check it.
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi Property Developer Due Diligence: Registries, Land Ownership and Escrow VerificationRiyadhHow to Conduct Developer Due Diligence for Riyadh Real EstateMiamiHow to Conduct Independent Due Diligence on Miami Real Estate DevelopersVancouverHow to Independently Verify a Property Developer in VancouverNairobiHow to Verify Property Developers and Off-Plan Projects in NairobiDohaHow to Verify Real Estate Developers and Off-Plan Projects in DohaBangkokHow to Verify a Property Developer and Off-Plan Project in BangkokDubaiHow to Verify a Real Estate Developer in Dubai Before PurchaseMexico CityHow to Verify a Real Estate Developer in Mexico City Before BuyingCape TownHow to independently check a property developer in Cape Town before buyingHong KongHow to verify a Hong Kong property developer before buying off-planBerlinHow to verify a property developer in Berlin before buyingMumbaiHow to verify a property developer in MumbaiSão PauloHow to verify a property developer in São Paulo before signing a contractTokyoHow to verify a property developer in Tokyo before purchasingTorontoHow to verify a property developer in TorontoJohannesburgVerifying a Property Developer in Johannesburg: A Step-by-Step Public Record AuditLagosVerifying a Real Estate Developer in Lagos: Official Registries, Title Checks and Planning Permits
Scams and fraud
The frauds actually run in each market, and what recourse a buyer has.
DubaiDubai Property Fraud Prevention and Verification ProtocolMilanMilan Property Scams: Legal Verification and Buyer Protection ProtocolsMumbaiMumbai Property Scam Mechanics, Verification Protocol, and Legal RemediesJohannesburgProperty Fraud in Johannesburg: Scam Schemes, Verification Requirements, and Statutory ProtectionsLondonProperty Fraud in London: Common Scams, Registry Defences, and Buyer RecourseAbu DhabiProperty Scams in Abu Dhabi: Fraud Patterns, Verification Systems and Buyer ProtectionCasablancaProperty Scams in Casablanca: Detection, Prevention and Legal RecourseNairobiProperty Scams in Nairobi: Verification Controls, Legal Protections and Fraud RecourseNew YorkProperty Scams in New York: Identifying Tactics and Securing Real Estate TransactionsRiyadhProperty Scams in Riyadh: Frauds, Escrow Rules and Legal RecourseSão PauloProperty Scams in São Paulo: Fraud Patterns and Buyer ProtectionsSydneySydney Property Fraud: Scam Tactics, Land Registry Safeguards and Compensation MechanismsTokyoTokyo Property Scams: Land Fraud Tactics, Regulatory Safeguards and Buyer Recourse
Costs, taxes and fees
The all-in number, including the costs nobody quotes upfront.
NairobiBuying Property in Nairobi: Mandatory Taxes, Legal Fees and Ancillary CostsJohannesburgProperty Acquisition Costs in Johannesburg: Taxes, Legal Fees, and Regulatory RequirementsRiyadhProperty Buyer Cost Guide for Riyadh: Taxes, Fees and Regulatory ComplianceAccraProperty Purchase Costs in Accra: Stamp Duty, Legal Fees, Registration and TaxesCasablancaProperty purchase costs and taxes in Casablanca: 2026 reference guideDubaiProperty purchase costs in Dubai: fee structures and non-resident regulationsTokyoThe True Cost of Purchasing Tokyo Property: Taxes, Fees and Regulatory ObligationsAbu DhabiThe actual cost of buying property in Abu Dhabi
Off-plan and escrow
What protects your deposit when you pay before a building exists.
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi Off-Plan Buyer Protection: Escrow Laws, Handover Rights and Registry ChecksBangkokBangkok off-plan property purchases: buyer money protections and developer obligationsDohaBuying Off-Plan Property in Doha: Escrow Rules, Registration, and Buyer ProtectionsLagosBuying Off-Plan Property in Lagos: Legal Safeguards, Escrow Rules, and Buyer RemediesMadridBuying Off-Plan Property in Madrid: Financial Safeguards and Legal ProtectionsMumbaiBuying Off-Plan Property in Mumbai: Legal Protections, Escrow Rules and Buyer RightsCairoCairo Off-Plan Property Purchases: Legal Protections and Buyer RightsDubaiDubai Off-Plan Property Buyer Protections: Escrow Rules, Oqood Registration and Legal RemediesMiamiFlorida off-plan property deposit rules, statutory escrow controls and contract default remediesNairobiLegal Rights and Protections for Off-Plan Property Buyers in NairobiSão PauloOff-Plan Property Buyer Protections and Legal Remedies in São PauloRiyadhOff-Plan Property Funds and Escrow Rules in Saudi ArabiaAccraOff-Plan Property Purchases in Accra: Legal Protections, Registries and Refund MechanismsJohannesburgOff-Plan Property Purchases in Johannesburg: Legal Safeguards, Escrow Rules and Buyer RightsParisOff-Plan Property Purchases in Paris: VEFA Financial Safeguards and Buyer RightsCape TownOff-plan property purchases in Cape Town: buyer protections, escrow rules and developer regulationKigaliOff-plan property purchases in Kigali: legal safeguards, payment structures and risk managementNew YorkOff-plan property purchases in New York: legal protections and escrow rulesSingaporeSingapore Off-Plan Property Protection: Project Accounts, Progressive Payment Rules and Buyer RightsSydneySydney off-plan property buyer protections and legal deposit rules explainedTokyoTokyo Off-Plan Property Buyer Protection and Deposit Rules
Financing
Whether local lending is open to non-residents, and on what terms.
ParisFinancing Paris Real Estate as a Non-Resident: LTV Ratios, Affordability Caps, and French Mortgage TermsLondonLondon Mortgages for Overseas Buyers: LTV Limits, Rates and FCA RegulationsKigaliMortgage Financing for Non-Resident Property Buyers in KigaliLagosNon-Resident Mortgage Financing for Residential Property in LagosNew YorkNon-Resident Mortgages in New York: Loan Terms, Rules and Financing Requirements
Development and planning
The permits, in the order they are obtained, and who issues them.
Cape TownCape Town Property Development Approval Process: Land Use, Building Permits, and OccupancyBangkokProperty Development Approval Process and Permit Timeline in BangkokMumbaiProperty Development Approval Process and Permits in MumbaiMilanProperty Development Approval Process and Planning Framework in Milan, ItalyCairoProperty Development Approval Process and Timeline in Cairo, EgyptAbu DhabiProperty Development Approval Process in Abu Dhabi: Real Timelines and Statutory RequirementsAccraProperty Development Approval Process in Accra, GhanaCasablancaProperty Development Approval Process in Casablanca and MoroccoKigaliProperty Development Approval Process in Kigali: Sequence, Authorities, and TimelinesParisProperty Development Approval Process in Paris: Permits, Zoning and TimelinesDohaProperty Development Approval Process in Qatar: Statutory Permits, Authorities and TimelinesSingaporeProperty Development Approval Process in Singapore: Regulatory Steps and TimelinesTorontoProperty Development Approval Process in Toronto: Sequence, Permits and TimelinesDubaiProperty Development Approval Sequence and Regulations in Dubai, UAEMiamiProperty Development Approvals and Permitting Timeline in Miami, FloridaRiyadhProperty Development Approvals and Permitting in RiyadhSydneyProperty Development Approvals in Sydney: Stages, Authorities and TimelinesJohannesburgProperty development approval process and timelines in JohannesburgSão PauloSão Paulo Property Development Approval Process and PermitsLondonUK Property Development Approval: Planning Consent, Building Regulations and Registration
Land and tear-downs
Demolition, heritage limits and how buildable area is calculated.
Mexico CityA guide to site acquisitions, demolitions and planning approvals in Mexico CityAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi Site Redevelopment: Demolition Permits, Urban Planning and RegulationsAccraAccra Site Redevelopment, Demolition Permits, and Land-Use RegulationsBangkokBangkok Site Redevelopment: Permitting, Heritage Controls and Buildable Area RulesCairoCairo Redevelopment and Demolition: Legal Requirements and Permitting ProceduresRiyadhDemolition and Redevelopment Regulations for Land Buyers in RiyadhJohannesburgDemolition and Redevelopment Regulatory Framework in JohannesburgDubaiDubai Site Redevelopment: Demolition Approvals, Zoning Rules and Tenant RightsKigaliKigali Redevelopment Guide: Demolition Permits, Zoning Ratios, and Site Acquisition RulesCape TownLand, Tear-Downs and Redevelopment in Cape Town: Rules, Permitting and Statutory RegulationsLondonLondon Site Redevelopment, Demolition Permits and Planning RegulationsMumbaiMumbai Site Redevelopment: Demolition Permits, FSI Rules and Tenant RightsNairobiNairobi Site Development: Approvals, Tear-Downs and Building Ratio RulesParisParis Land, Demolition and Redevelopment Regulations and TimeframesLagosRedevelopment Standards, Demolition Rules and Planning Permits in LagosHong KongSite Acquisition, Demolition and Redevelopment Regulations in Hong Kong SARSão PauloSite Redevelopment and Demolition Framework in São PauloTorontoSite Redevelopment, Demolition Regulations, and Land Planning Rules in TorontoMilanSite acquisition, demolition permits and redevelopment rules in MilanSydneySydney Redevelopment and Demolition: Permits, Heritage and Planning Controls
Letting and yields
What you keep after tax, regulation and management.
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi Rental Property Investment: Regulations, Taxes, Fees and Eviction RulesBerlinBerlin Property Letting: Yields, Rent Control and Non-Resident Tax ObligationsCasablancaCasablanca Residential Letting: Yields, Taxation and Legal FrameworkHong KongHong Kong Residential Property Letting: Net Yields, Tax Obligations and Statutory RulesKigaliLetting Property in Kigali: Net Yields, Tax Rates and Landlord RegulationsSão PauloLetting Property in São Paulo: Yields, Taxes, Regulations and EvictionsRiyadhLetting property in Riyadh: rental caps, landlord tax duties and tenant eviction rulesNairobiNairobi Residential Letting: Taxes, TRA Licences, Management Fees and Eviction RulesParisParis Buy-To-Let Investment: Rent Controls, Tax Regimes and Possession Rules
Selling and capital gains
What leaves the sale price before it reaches you.
VancouverCapital Gains, Fees and Taxes when Selling Real Estate in VancouverCairoEgypt Property Disposal Tax, Selling Costs and Foreign Repatriation RulesMilanMilan Real Estate Resale Costs: Capital Gains Tax, Fees and Repatriation RulesAccraProperty Sale Taxes, Deductions and Transfer Fees in Accra, GhanaCape TownProperty Sales in Cape Town: Tax Rates, Seller Fees, and Cash RepatriationSingaporeProperty seller costs, taxes and net proceeds calculation in SingaporeMumbaiSelling Immovable Property in Mumbai: Tax Rates, Transaction Fees and Capital RepatriationAbu DhabiSelling Property in Abu Dhabi: Taxes, Fees, Timelines and Capital RealisationHong KongSelling Property in Hong Kong: Tax Rules, Professional Fees and Proceed TransfersKigaliSelling property in Kigali: capital gains, notary fees and repatriationTorontoSelling property in Toronto: capital gains tax, seller fees and non-resident withholdingMexico CityTax rules, notary withholding and fees when selling property in Mexico City
Guides state the rules as we could verify them, with the sources on each page. Rules change and enforcement varies; nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. How these are compiled is in methodology.