Anyone who presents an investment to you as risk-free is not telling you the whole truth. Every property purchase involves risks, and abroad some of them are different from the ones you know at home. The good news is that almost all of them can be reduced by making the right choices.
The main risks, one by one
Distance
You cannot pop round to check on the home whenever you like. If nobody looks after it, small problems become big ones.
How to reduce it: make sure there is a person or an organisation you can rely on on the island. In the Apart-Hotel format management is entrusted to professionals; with a traditional apartment you have to organise it yourself. Find out more in managing a holiday let from a distance.
Management
A badly managed holiday property loses value and guests. Cleaning, maintenance, bookings: it all takes time and expertise.
How to reduce it: ask who manages the property, under what contract and with what results. Visit properties that are already operating, such as the White Hotel.
A project under construction
Buying off-plan lets you get in early, but carries the risk of delays or of differences from what was promised.
How to reduce it: check who the developer is and what they have already built, read how the payments are linked to the progress of the works and what safeguards the contract provides. Follow the building site: for The View the foundation stone was laid on 4 July 2026 and handover is expected at the end of 2028; updates are on the The View building site page. Also read buying off-plan: what you need to know.
Local rules
Buying procedures, taxes and obligations are different from those at home. Relying on hearsay is a common mistake.
How to reduce it: tax and legal matters must be checked with a professional. For initial practical guidance on documents, costs and checks, read the guide documents and checks for buying a home on Boavista2000.com. Before signing, use the checklist for buying on Boa Vista.
The wrong seller or partner
This is the risk that weighs most heavily, because it magnifies all the others.
How to reduce it: ask how long they have been operating on the island, how many properties they have built and whether you can speak to clients who have already bought. Our group has been present on Boa Vista for more than 25 years and has built and sold more than 350 properties. Other useful criteria are in how to choose who to trust.
Resale
A property cannot be sold overnight. If one day you need the money, it may take longer than you hope.
How to reduce it: invest only money you will not need in the short term and favour sought-after locations, close to the sea and to services. Find out more in selling a property in Cape Verde.
The wrong expectations
Many disappointments stem from unverified promises or over-optimistic calculations made on your own.
How to reduce it: rely only on what is written in the contract. Be wary of figures given verbally and not documented. For the Apart-Hotel, the terms are set out on the The View page and in the comparison between the formats.
What about currency risk?
In Cape Verde this risk weighs less than in other countries outside the eurozone: the Cape Verdean escudo is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate. That does not mean there is no currency risk at all, but it reduces fluctuations. We cover this in the guide on the Cape Verdean escudo and the euro.
A simple rule
Before signing, ask yourself: “If this investment went worse than expected, would my life change?” If the answer is yes, you are investing too much or too quickly.
How we help you
We support you from the first consultation through to the deed and beyond, with staff on the island. We organise exploratory trips so you can see the projects in person. If you want to analyse the risks of your specific situation, book a consultation or request the presentation of The View.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most underestimated risk for people buying in Cape Verde?
Management after the purchase. Many people focus on the price and overlook who will look after the property when they are not there. Good management protects its value over time.
Does a project already completed by the same group reduce the risk?
It helps a great deal, because you can see the quality and how it works with your own eyes. The White Hotel, with 69 suites sold and fully operating, is the concrete precedent from which The View was born.
How do I protect myself if I buy a property under construction?
Read carefully how the payments are linked to the progress of the works and what safeguards the contract provides. Have the documents checked by a professional before signing.
Is there a way to eliminate risk altogether?
No, no investment is risk-free. Risks can, however, be greatly reduced with a reliable partner, professional checks and a sum invested in proportion to your savings.
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.
