Recommended Realty Company to Assist You in Montenegro

Discover how AMM Realty, co-owned by ex-pat Liezl, solves your real estate questions. Trust someone who’s been through it all – both personally and for clients.

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Why I have suggested AMM Realty is that Liezl the owner is an ex-pat herself and has gone through the majority of problems and concerns you will be experiencing. Her mainstream clients are also ex-pats, so the variety of issues each individual has would more than likely have been previously encountered.

Questions to ask your Estate Agent in Montenegro

Being new in Montenegro and certainly not an expert in property, never mind renting and selling, I had many questions. Likewise, I had to learn what other questions to ask, that I wouldn’t even think of normally asking. Don’t assume, know!

Prior to purchasing property in Montenegro, come spend some time here. Learn as much as you can about the country and areas, therefore read my article on Montenegro – Crna Gora – “Black Mountain”. Another one you should read to give you further insight into Herceg Novi in Montenegro: living like a local.

AMM Realty does have a website, so you can look and contact them, then meet with them and discuss your concerns and understanding.

Estate Agent

Which Estate Agent can I use that understands English? I needed my concerns and preferences to be understood and taken seriously.

Lawyer or Attorney

Do I need to get my own lawyer or attorney if I want to buy a property? Who can I use that will do everything correctly? If renting, is there a lease agreement hence what are the real estate customs of Montenegro? At the same time, find out if you can get residency if you purchase a property.

New property development

For new properties, you need to find out what development that company built previously. Do they have a reputable history and simultaneously make sure all construction is done legally? Don’t take any shortcuts. If you do, you may never be able to complete your construction.

Rentals

How long is a standard lease period in Montenegro? If something goes wrong, who pays for the repair? For example, need a plumber or electrician, following which the tradesperson wants to be paid in cash, can I deduct the expense from my rent at the end of the month?

Who pays for the monthly utilities? How can I keep an eye on the amount that is being charged is the actual amount the owner is being charged? Make sure both sides understand who will cover costs. Always take a photograph of the readings on the electricity metre, which you can keep a record of, and send it through to the owner.

Garbage Bins

This is very different to what we are used to. In South Africa, our garbage was collected outside our house each week. In Montenegro, you need to take your garbage down to the communal garbage collection area where it is collected.

If you rent a place far from this collection area, down steep hills, it can prove to be a bit of an irritation getting it there. Each time we organised a taxi to go shopping or to meet people, we asked the taxi driver if we could stop and throw our “smeće” away. They are all very accommodating.

Your budget

If a property is being sold for a certain amount and the amount fits into your budget that you think you can afford, take into account other expenses. What are the unforeseen costs? Estate agent fees, title deed costs, attorney fees?

View

Montenegro has the most exquisite views. If you purchase a property with open ground in front of you and the view is magnificent because of it, find out if any developer has plans to develop that land which would obscure your stunning view. What are the possibilities of that land being developed in the future?

Repairs or Expansions

Making repairs to your new property can sometimes be a lengthy process. Tradesmen are short-staffed and there are not many qualified in Montenegro and with the tourist season, sometimes things are delayed. I would advise getting expert advice on this one, especially if you would like to expand on the home you are looking at buying.

Renting out your property

Are there laws that prevent or hinder you from renting out the property you are purchasing? If you are not based in Montenegro, who will keep an eye on your property? Who will manage your rentals and repairs?

Sewage system

We have found that the sewage system in the houses is different to what we had in South Africa. Make enquiries about problems that could incur in the house, due to this.

10 Advice Tips from AMM Realty in Montenegro

If you would like to know more about the properties AMM Realty has on their books, look at their website and Facebook page. You will also find their contact details so you can personally get hold of them. (I have no affiliate link to AMM Realty)

1. Research the Areas

Research the areas which you are considering very well before coming.  This would involve looking at the temperatures of the various regions in summer and winter.  Be aware that Montenegro gets very hot in summer even if the temperatures do not reflect this. Factor in the humidity as well as the wind conditions in winter. Winters are cold and the houses need to be heated – central heating is very uncommon, so Inverter ACs and electric heaters or wood burners are good.

2. Coastal Areas

The coastal areas get incredibly busy and congested in summer.  Traffic can come to a standstill from early in the morning, so if you would like to get to the beach, know that it may take some time and sometimes it would be quicker to walk!  Try to factor this into your choice of property. Also, try and get a parking space with your property – parking is a rarity in public spaces!

3. Social Networks

Join as many Facebook groups as you can and connect with ex-pats in the areas you are considering.  Set up a couple of chats with people you connect with on Facebook to talk through the joys and challenges in the area they live in.

4. Competent and Active Estate Agent

Choose a competent and active Estate Agent. Consider having this Estate Agent connect with the agents who are selling the properties in which you are interested in your agency does not already have ones you like.  This is common practice in Montenegro and makes all of the information available from only one person instead of many.

5. Distance from Beach

If the property states it is situated 500 metres from the beach it most often means that this is “as the crow flies” and not necessarily the real amount of distance you will have to travel to get to the beach.

6. Manage Expectations

Manage your expectations.  Montenegro has a very slow pace of life and sometimes things take longer to get accomplished.  This is part of the beauty of living in Montenegro!! Embrace it.

7. Take a Serbian/Montenegrin Language Course

Consider taking a Serbian/Montenegrin language course.  There are many excellent facilities and teachers.  It will go a long way if you are capable of saying a couple of words in the language.

8. Fixing Up and Renovating

If you are considering fixing up and renovating, understand there are only a small number of tradespeople here and it can be very frustrating. It is definitely worth it in the long run but be prepared for lots of missed appointments and late deliveries.

9. Use Estate Agent

Use your Estate Agent to ensure your property is legal and has 1:1 ownership. Believe it or not, a lot of properties here are not registered and thus need to be legalised – this can be very time-consuming and costly.

10. Mortgages (bonds)

Mortgages (bonds) are not common at all but some banks will finance up to 50% for foreigners.

If you have had any personal experiences in purchasing or renting a property in Montenegro, please share those with us in the comments section. I am sure the readers can only benefit.