This checklist is designed to be used, not just read. Each item is a point to confirm: if you cannot confirm it, it needs clarifying before you sign. For the full buying process, see the guide on how to buy a home in Cape Verde; to organise viewings on the island, see the one on the exploratory trip.
1. Goal and budget
- I know whether I am looking for a home to use often or an investment with delegated management.
- I have decided whether I want to manage the property myself or entrust it to an operator.
- I have an approximate budget, including the purchase costs, which I will ask the professional about.
- I have read the comparison between an apartment and an Apart-Hotel.
On Boa Vista there are options from €50,000 to over €500,000. For a concrete idea, look at the properties for sale.
2. The area
- I have seen the area in person, or at least on a live video call.
- I know how close the sea is and whether I can walk there.
- I know which amenities are nearby: shops, restaurants, pharmacy.
- I understand what the area is like in different seasons.
- I have also assessed the area from the point of view of someone who might rent it, if I am considering letting.
To find your way around the areas, read the pages on Sal Rei and Praia Cabral.
3. The property
- I have seen the exterior, interior and communal areas.
- I have checked the systems, windows and doors, and bathrooms, and any signs of damp or salt damage.
- I know exactly what is included in the price (furniture, parking space, storage room).
- I know what the running costs are (service charges, utilities, maintenance) and who sets them.
- For a property under construction: I have seen the plans, I know who is building it and what the expected timescales are.
4. The seller and the people supporting you
- I know who is selling and how long they have been working on the island.
- I have been able to see projects already completed by the same group.
- I know whether there is an agency commission or whether it is a direct sale.
- I know who will be my point of contact after the purchase.
The questions for assessing the people supporting you are collected in how to choose who to rely on.
5. Documents and legal checks
- A professional qualified in Cape Verde (lawyer or notary) has checked the ownership and the situation in the registers.
- I have written confirmation that there are no mortgages, encumbrances or debts on the property, or I know how they will be dealt with.
- I have a translation of the documents I need to sign.
- The contract states the price, timescales, payment terms and what happens if something goes wrong.
- I know which personal documents I need.
Legal matters should always be checked with a professional. To find out more, read the guide documents and checks for buying a home on Boavista2000.com.
6. Payments
- Every payment is made by traceable bank transfer.
- The receiving account is in the name of whoever is entitled to receive the payment.
- Every payment corresponds to a deadline in the contract.
- I have spoken to my bank about the timescales and procedures for transfers abroad.
Find out more in the guide on how to pay for a property abroad.
7. Management after the purchase
- I know who checks on the home when I am back home.
- I know who handles maintenance and minor faults.
- If I want to let it, I have a realistic plan for marketing, check-in and cleaning.
- If I do not want to deal with it, I have considered a format with professional management, such as The View.
8. Your home country
- I have spoken to my accountant about the obligations linked to owning a property abroad.
- I have thought about inheritance and heirs, if relevant to me.
When the checklist is complete
If you can confirm every item, you are ready to make an informed decision. If some points are still open, that is fine: it is the reason a checklist exists. We can help you close them one by one. Book a consultation or request the presentation of The View.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use this checklist?
From the start. The first two sections are for before you choose the property, the others for before you sign any document. Read it again during your exploratory trip, too.
Can I do the legal checks myself?
No, it is better not to. Checks on ownership, encumbrances and the contract should be entrusted to a professional qualified in Cape Verde, who knows the local registers and rules.
What else should I check for a property under construction?
Who is building it and what they have already completed, the approved plans, the expected handover dates and the safeguards the contract provides in the event of delays. These points, too, should be checked by a professional.
Does it also apply to a suite in an Apart-Hotel?
Largely, yes. In addition, ask how the management and personal use work, and exactly what the contract with the operator provides for.
Would you like to talk it through with a person?
Book a video call or message us on WhatsApp: we will answer your questions about Boa Vista and The View.
