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If you’re looking for a lucrative investment in Bali, your safest bet is in property. The increasing influx of tourists encourages higher development of the tourism industry, giving visitors a diverse choice of vacation experiences. Bank of Indonesia quotes an incredible growth of wealth from Bali’s tourism in the past five years from 9.3% of Indonesia’s GDP to 15% this year. Indonesia as a whole is gearing up towards a bright future in tourism.   Before you get into the property business, you need to know the two types of property ownership style: freehold and leasehold.   Freehold property   This is just a fancy term for property that you truly own, land and building. Even if you’re still paying off your mortgage, you essentially have the property ownership certificate (even if the mortgage institution is holding it as collateral). You have absolute control over your property because you are the freeholder of this freehold property.   There is no time limit to your ownership, and you are entitled to make any improvements to the property as you see fit, provided you have a permit. You are entitled to lend the property to a tenant for a periodic ground rent and for a specific purpose, also provided you have a permit. Be aware that the freeholder’s certificate is only granted to Indonesian citizens or to those who have a spouse that holds Indonesian citizenship.   Rented property   Before we move on to defining the term “leasehold property”, it is important to note the difference between renting and leasing. When you rent a property, you are given the right to use the property as a place to live or conduct business. But you are not entitled to use the property as a product of a business itself, in other words you can’t rent it out to a sub-tenant. The freeholder is given the greatest responsibility for the maintenance of the property.   Ground rent is due daily, monthly, or yearly, as written in a contract agreed between tenant and landlord, but there is no definite agreed time period for that contract. If the tenant decides to stop renting, the contract “expires”, and the last ground rent is settled.   Leasehold property   You can’t make money from rented property. But in a leasehold property, a freeholder arranges a contract to the lessee to essentially own the property temporarily for a set amount of years. The lessee has the right to make improvements to the property as well as renting it to sub-tenants. Of course, not being the original owner of the land (and the property which sits on the land), the lessee will give up control and right of the property, once the contract expires.   There is also a caveat to this type of agreement. The contract does not expire before its due date, and therefore the freeholder must receive ground rent as long as the contract holds. You are entitled to “sell” a leasehold property at any time, and transfer the burden of the contract to another buyer. Be warned however, that the price for leasehold properties will depreciate over time, since fewer people are willing to buy homes on a short lease.   Considering the risks of owning a leasehold property, the benefits outweigh the cost. It is much cheaper to lease than to buy full ownership of a property. It relieves you of the long-term commitment, but you’d immediately receive steady cash flow from visitors. If you wish to browse through potential assets, go ahead and visit Bali Coconut Living. We are more than happy to guide you through the ins and outs of property management in Bali.  

One of the challenges faced by digital nomads is obtaining that ideal work-life balance. How can that be? The very reason for someone to become a freelancing traveler in the first place, is to explore an alternative to traditional working cultures. However, in the pursuit of becoming independent of full-time employment contracts, one might forget how to relax. This is particularly true for new digital nomads. If you are one of these people, a good solution is to find a coworking space. While it’s true that you can simply work at your long-stay villa without spending an additional cent, working in a coworking space has amazing benefits to your work and well-being. It might be worth your investment, and you might decide to come back again.   1. District Canggu – Restaurant, cafe and coworking space One important element of good work-life balance is diet. Your quality of work and performance depend on your health, and that is greatly impacted by what you eat. If you love your body, then have some refreshing high-quality organic foods at District Canggu. Enjoy lightning speed internet and, while you work, munch on their selection of healthy snacks. Since District Canggu is a restaurant with a dedicated coworking space, you won’t find any accommodation or hosted activities (like surfing lessons and yoga) here. However, if you came here to work, expect healthy productivity ahead.   2. Outpost – Co-living and coworking space Outpost is geared towards co-living and accommodations, but their coworking space is up to standard with many of Bali’s coworking spaces. Co-living guests require fast internet, community, and positive working environment, which Outpost is excellent at providing. With complete facilities, like private Skype call-rooms, meeting rooms, and even private offices, Outpost provides an increase in productivity. Hosted activities are uncommon here, but you can find communities (and befriend staff) in the hopes they’ll organise road trips.   3. Matra Bali Coliving – Stay and work in comfort Digital nomadism doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. You don’t have to be a backpacker who boasts experience of living out of your comfort zone. In fact, if you want to be more productive and earn more money, then comfort at work is key. At Matra Bali Coliving, experience a more easy-going vibe where you can work for hours without disturbance. When you feel like calling it a day, they offer surfing activities as well. Take off the stress work by going to the beach or learning about the unique Pranava yoga.   4. Dojo Bali – Unleash your creativity With many digital nomad gigs centered around providing creative solutions to problems fast, being stuck and having no work-flow can be daunting and outright scary for some people. Luckily the vibe at Dojo Bali can loosen that creative block, because this coworking space has a reputation. This reputation brings in hundreds of brilliant entrepreneurs every year, and the coworking space is notorious for hosting many events that revolve around networking and knowledge sharing. Many new digital nomads enjoy the benefit of convenience that Dojo Bali offers, from airport pickups and 10GB data package, to welcome surprises for those who’d like to stay with them for a few days. With excellent service and great reviews from many, it’s a highly recommended coworking space around Canggu.   You can visit these coworking spaces if you feel like meeting new people and learning something new. Of course, renting a long-term villa is much cheaper than staying in accommodations offered by these places. If you’d like to get started on your digital nomad adventure, find the perfect villa for you at Bali Coconut Living, a property agency dedicated to connecting the right home owners to the right home hunters.

There are many valid reasons to rent a property in Bali for extended periods of time. Maybe you and your family feel Bali has become a second home, or perhaps you visit the island regularly for work or leisure. Perhaps you’ve been very lucky and assigned to a startup project in Bali, and decided it’s a good idea to rent a house for an entire year. Whatever the reason, there is no shortage of property solutions for anyone looking for long term rentals in Bali.   One way to choose the right accommodation and feel perfectly at home, with no hidden costs or possible future legal problems, is to choose a good real estate agent to help you. If you are not careful, your money could go to the hands of a sleazy side-hustler who cares little about your needs. In principle, real estate agencies are 95% human-to-human interaction and 5% paperwork. The quality of the agent can influence how happy you feel about the accommodation you’ve chosen, sometimes far more than the location.   A good real estate agent makes you feel at ease. They find ways to be in tune to smooth out the line of communication between you two. They want to understand your needs, really listen and give their fullest attention to the service. Look out for one who naturally does this. It’s easy for them because honesty, service and openness are their strongest core values.   Authentic confidence is a good sign. It implies that the agent is convinced he or she is giving you all the information you need, with nothing important to hide. They’ll tell you upfront about any risks and possible problems with your accommodation. A good agent will not be afraid to provide you with referrals from past clients.   An agent has a reputation on the line. Yes, there are dishonest agents that hide behind friendly smiles and false confidence, who possess psychological abilities to trick you into liking them, but trust your instincts. You will see the inconsistency and lies by omission, through the seemingly caring gestures. A reputable agent does not squander his or her chances of satisfying another client. They closely maintain their track record and their future successes depend heavily on their past performances.   All the best property agents that you find on the Internet in Bali have, with very high probability, a central office from which they operate and provide further customer service. But this doesn’t mean all agencies are perfect. A good agency can have poor agents, and vice versa. The trick is to first decide whether or not you like the property agent, and then see whether he or she has full support from their central agency. If yes, then you’ve found yourself a good agent that’s good value for your money and time. If not, figure out whether or not the agent is likely to help you in spite of this.   Whatever type of rental you’re looking for, Bali Coconut Living has you covered. We are a villa management firm that is committed to bringing the right villas to the right people. Stay a month or longer, in one of our reputable villas. Find the right accommodation here.

It can be very stressful when it comes to buying a house, as its one of the hardest decisions to make in life. The process of buying a home has the potential for bad decisions, resulting in undesirable circumstances. This also applies to buying a home in Bali. People say it's even more challenging to buy a house here than somewhere else, but that’s not entirely true. The horror stories you may have heard mostly occur because rules aren’t followed or there’s a misunderstanding around laws and regulations. Follow our guide to buying a house in Bali and make your experience more secure and memorable. Start your research It’s as easy as it sounds! Getting as much information as possible should be the first thing you do. There are plenty of ways to do this in Bali. There are adverts and classifieds found in local expatriate newspapers, and thousands of websites on Google. There are hundreds of groups on social media that are also an option, along with a choice of listings in real estate agents. Take notes This might sound easy, but people don’t usually take notes when they’re searching on Google. Writing things down and taking notes will make things crystal clear in the long term. You can compare areas and prices through your notes and they will give you a clear image of what you’re dealing with. Inspect the site Once you’ve gathered enough information, its time to go inspect. Using an agent at this stage is super helpful as they have direct contact with the vendors and will save you the trouble of trying to do it yourself. Planning the inspections in advance is also a good idea. Need to buy a property through an agent? Then Bali Coconut Living will happily assist you in choosing any villa or property in the popular towns of Bali. Contact us now and make Bali your home!

Ah, Canggu. There’s nowhere quite as hip and as trendy as this once quiet fishing & farming town with stellar surf breaks. Canggu has its own edgy vibe; a mix between hippie, bohemian and fashionable. It’s a place where you can find unique shops and boutiques each with their own authentic appeal selling items like one-of-a-kind designs for both humans and animals, cool-looking neon-lit salons, extremely Instagrammable vegan cafes, health and wellness retreats, bars and clubs with parties that go on all night, and to stay - quirky hostels, hotels and gorgeous tropical villas. If this is your first time looking for a place to stay in Canggu, then you’re going to need some help. Canggu itself is wide and varied, some areas are more crowded and developed while further north, you will still find acres of rice fields as far as the eye can see – which may change very soon. Here’s a simple guide to the main areas of Canggu to help you get started: Berawa The most developed part of Canggu with quite a lot of traffic and home to the best beach clubs like Finns and Café Del Mar, a slew of really good vegan and non-vegan restaurants, salons and spas, coffee shops, boutiques and exciting after-dark possibilities. The beach itself is action-packed with loads of beach bars and beach shacks. Choosing a place to stay here is easy – you’re spoilt for choice! There are beautiful and luxurious villas on acres of tropical land like Villa Dewi Sri and Imperial Villa as well as apartments like Alvaro Residence available for both yearly and monthly rent. Batu Bolong This is one of the coolest places in South Bali, and it comes with its very own genuine chic beach vibe. The street towards Batu Bolong Beach is lined with the trendiest restaurants, shops, hangouts and boutiques. Some of the most impressive, creative and most authentic restaurants can be found here like Billy Ho and Ji Terrace By The Sea as well popular hangouts that are always crowded like The Lawn, Old Man’s and Deus Ex Machina. If you’re planning to stay here, look up Joglo Lux, Villa Esencia and Candra Guesthouse. Padonan and Babakan Definitely the quieter areas of Canggu that are just 10 minutes away to all the hottest and most happening spots. These neighborhoods are definitely most suitable for long-term stays, with plenty of gorgeous villas, residences, apartments and guesthouses that will suit your needs and budgets like Villa Mahakam, Villa Tole 2 and Aura Residence. Canggu is an all-time funky corner of Bali favorite among surfers. Contact Bali Coconut Living and we can make these top Canggu spots as your home.

If you plan on staying in Bali long-term, specifically work-related, renting a villa is the recommended option. Not only is renting a villa cheaper compared to paying for a hotel, but its also much more comfortable with more space for you to feel at home. Luckily, there is something for every budget in Bali, whether it’s long or short term stay. Here is a guide to renting a long-term villa in Bali. Reach out to anyone you know Whether its someone you know, a travel blogger or anyone else. It's always a good idea to ask people who have experience in Bali apartment renting beforehand. Anyone you ask will be happy to assist you and surprisingly friendly, so don’t hesitate to get their help! Check the properties in person before you commit Say you’ve found the perfect villa online, with amazing pictures and even a private pool, it’s also within your price range. All your boxes have been ticked and you are sold by the photos. However, once you actually visit the property, its location may be next to a construction site, the kitchen might be messy and the furniture might smell like hell, the landlord may not care less about his property. In the end, you have to question yourself, will you be able to stay there for a few months? Checklist the things you want Find a place that ticks all your required boxes. For example, if strong internet is essential, add it to your list. Perhaps a private villa with at least one bedroom and separate workspace is your ideal stay – add it to your list. You may also want the villa to be in the center of the town, close to the beach and with a private pool – add it to your list. If you choose the right place to stay, living long term in Bali can be a quiet paradise where you enjoy your workplace and can relax at the same time. Need assistance finding a long term rental in Bali? Contact Bali Coconut Living for some long and short-term villa rentals, and we’ll get you your dream property in Bali!

Umalas was once Seminyak’s quieter, secluded sister. Located right in between Seminyak, Kerobokan and Canggu, it was a quiet little town filled with rolling ricefields and luxurious tropical private villas on acres of greenery. There was plenty of space for growth and grow it did! Slowly the ricefields are being replaced with even more villas, apartments, co-living spaces, spas and restaurants. There’s even a tennis centre now in Umalas! One of the best things about staying in Umalas is its great location – it is only minutes away to Seminyak and Canggu. So while you’re literally just a drive away to the hottest restaurants, beachclubs and bars, you can also be sure of some peace and quiet when you stay in Umalas, which is also home to some of the cutest cafes and quirky hangouts. Here are a few: Liga Tennis Centre & Academy This newly opened tennis academy sits on a bed of ricefields just off one of Bali’s most infamous shortcuts that connect Jalan Bumbak Dauh to Jalan Raya Canggu. Hit some balls and sweat it out for a fun afternoon of casual tennis or sign-up for lessons and learn to play like a pro! It’s a great place for some exercise if you’re staying in Umalas. Nook One of Bali’s most popular western-style “warungs”, Nook is a stunning eatery with ricefields views and charming rustic deco offering delicious and healthy vegan, vegetarian, Balinese and Indonesian fare. It’s a cute place that gives you a feeling of being outdoors but with all the comforts of being indoors! Definitely a convenient spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner when you’re staying in Umalas. Monsieur Spoon This family-run French bakery café is renowned throughout Bali for delicious, freshly baked warm bread and pastries that are just too good to resist! First opened in 2012, the owners came all the way from Paris, bringing with them all the Paris know-hows and techniques, so you can be sure that you’re getting the real thing when you indulge here! Go ahead and dig-in to handmade French pastries, cakes, artisan bread and savouries. Great place if you want quality nibbles in a friendly and quiet environment when you stay in Umalas. The Dog Club Located right next door to Nook, the Dog Club is a great way to spend the day with your furry best friend. The club doesn’t only offer a safe and secure space for the dogs to swim and play, there’s also a wide array of exclusive services including dog-friendly massages, clothes, accessories and cosmetics, outdoor activities, yoga and meditation, training agility and obedience. Monthly memberships are available too, perfect for those who are staying long-term in Umalas! Jungle Pool Club How about partying it up in a jungle-themed pool club amidst the ricefields of Umalas? Jungle was an overnight sensation, becoming one of the area’s most popular party spots thanks to a pumping atmosphere and unique outdoor setting. The party happens only on Friday nights and for the rest of the week, you can still come by for good food and great drinks. Jungle is just walking distance from Nook, so you can be sure of an awesome Friday night here when you stay in Umalas! Be sure to visit these awesome places in Umalas! Contact Bali Coconut Living and we can help you stay in our available villas and properties in this quieter corner of Bali.

Canggu was once a quiet, rural village filled with beautiful rice fields close to the coast with a long stretch of sparkling black sand beach and challenging waves, making it popular with surfers. Today, Canggu has evolved into Bali’s quirky boho town, a hippie haven with eccentric bars, clubs, boutiques and hangouts as well as the highest concentration of vegan cafes anywhere in South Bali. Although developing fast, Canggu is still a top favourite amongst the younger tourists or the digital nomads looking for that cool laid-back coastal vibe. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Canggu, you won’t ever run out of options. The area is fairly new to tourism so most guesthouses, villas and hotels are spanking new and modern but with that distinct tropical touch. From private lofts, studios, swanky apartments to luxurious villas, Canggu really has everything to suit your budget but before agreeing to anything, it is always best to do your research; and this is especially true if you have never stayed in Indonesia before. While short-term rentals can be as easy as walking into a guesthouse or clicking a few buttons and making a booking, long-term rentals can be a little more complicated. If you are planning to stay from a month to even a year or more, you really need to learn about the country’s general property and rental laws and learn not to trust just anybody who might be offering you what you think is a really good deal. Plus, some villa owners may not be fluent in your native language so communication might be a problem. If you’re coming to Bali and looking to rent a beautiful villa in Canggu, always go to a trusted and credible third-party with a wonderful track record and tons of positive customer reviews. Bali is small and word gets around – both good and bad! One of the more popular Canggu villa management companies is Bali Coconut Living, a company run by a team of passionate people who are always at the ready to give you a personalized villa experience. The company has a wide range of houses, studios, apartments, residences and villas in Canggu that are available for inspections. So whatever your budget, length of stay, location and other preferences, you can get it all sorted out with Bali Coconut Living. Setting up your new home in Bali will be easier when you are working together with people who know the property landscape with the know-how to eliminate scams, property laws and other bureaucracy. Why stress when you can get someone else to do it for you?

Besides being a favorite travel destination, Bali attracts foreigners to invest and buy property around the island. However, buying property in Umalas or any other part of Bali, is not always safe for foreigners. In this article, find out how to buy a villa safely. Foreign Bali Property Ownership There are two types of rights stated in the property regulations and real estate ownership in Indonesia. They are the “Right to Own” (Hak Milik) and the “Right to Build” (Hak Guna Bangunan). There are a lot of foreign investors in Bali who think an Indonesian citizen can act on their behalf to acquire the Hak Milik Certificate. Note that this is an extremely risky practice, as no matter how close you are with the nominee, they have the potential to overtake the property, leaving you, as a foreigner, with no protection for your investment. Buying a Bali property safely Owning a legal entity (PT PMA) and acquiring the ‘Right to Build’ license in Indonesia, is the only way foreigners can safely invest in property or buy land in Bali. This will protect your investment and give you plenty of time to enjoy your property, bequeath it to a family member, or even resell the Hak Pakai to a local. There are a few notes for foreigners to consider about Hak Pakai, including that The Hak Pakai can only be held if the land already has a building on it. It’s also worth noting the minimum value of the property and that it must be located in a tourist, residential, or trading area, as acquiring land in Bali agricultural or greenbelt zones are prohibited. The process of buying a Bali property will involve acquiring the Hak Pakai and submitting a packet of completed forms to the Indonesian National Land Office (BPN). These include relevant and supporting documents, proof of land payment, and the condition of Hak Pakai. Once these conditions are met and built with the right building permit (IMB), the BPN will issue a Hak Pakai under you or your company’s name. This is the correct way of purchasing a property in Bali, and things you should avoid as a foreigner. Contact Bali Coconut Living for more information on the best villas in Bali, and we’ll help you make a decision on buying a property in the safest & most secure way.

It can be exciting to observe some properties and villas in Bali before you make the purchase, but essential details can easily be missed. Make sure you inspect a property with the right checklist as it is critically important for you to check out the property or villa with all the information you need before making the offer. There are a lot of things to consider when planning to buy a villa in Bali, we will guide you through the essential points here. Find the right location One of the first decisions to make when choosing your property is it’s location. Whether you would like it on the beachfront, on a clifftop or next to a supermarket, the choice is entirely up to you. Just be sure to check the development plans for the surrounding area and confirm it won’t impact the rentability of your property and lifestyle. Also consider the disadvantages of the location, for example the beach or cliff may be too breezy. Another point to note is the accessibility of your location. Your villa needs to be within reasonable driving distance to go shopping and for recreational activities. Be sure the access road leading to your villa is adequate and wide enough for cars to park along, as well as letting other vehicles pass by. Approved legal Once you have found your dream villa in your dream location, make sure you have the rights to own it! Check every document of the property and its location to make sure it matches the land certificate. Also, before purchasing the property, confirm the Building Permit of the land (IMB) is for the right zone and that there are no restrictions that compromise the building of your villa. Facilities you need After you have found the right villa in the best location, get deep within the property and find out if the facilities you need are all there too! For you, a swimming pool or free Wi-Fi might be important, and you’ll surely be disappointed if they’re not included. Other facilities to enquire about are the Water Supply and the existence of electricity. For water, you should check with the PDAM if it's available in the area. If not, it’s possible to install a deep well with a water truck to your villa’s storage tank. While ensuring electrical connection is provided by the National Electricity Company (PLN). When everything is available, you are ready to enjoy a great holiday in your villa. These are a few things to look out for before buying a villa in Bali. Contact Bali Coconut Living for a list of recommended villas to rent or buy in the best locations around the island.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to call Bali your forever home? Bali receives millions of visitors a year including expats and travelers who fell in love with Bali and wish to move to the island permanently. Considering the exchange rates, living in Bali would be considered relatively cheap. This means many expats and foreigners wishing to purchase land and property in Bali should be able to do so easily… Unfortunately, owning assets in Indonesia, if you aren’t Indonesian, is almost impossible – don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. If you were looking at buying land to build your dream Bali property on, there are a few real estate and ownership options that you must know before you embark on a new and exciting journey of being a homeowner in Bali. Firstly, it is important to understand that there are different titles for both land and property in Bali and each title connotes a different meaning. The “freehold” title or “Hak Milik” means that only Indonesian citizens can hold this title. If you’re a foreigner and you’re tempting to hold a freehold land, it will automatically be deemed void, and therefore, the land will automatically belong to the government. A secondary title, known as “Right of Use” or “Hak Pakai” is the best option for a foreigner. With a built-in extension of 25 years, the title comes with renewal after 20 years with only a small tax implication. In addition, there is no mention anywhere in Indonesian law that these extensions or renewals cannot be continued as long as it is done on state-owned land. Some restrictions to this title would include the size of land and property and that you must hold a valid permit to stay in Indonesia such as a KITAP or a KITAS. The third title is a commercial title; “Hak Guna Bangunan”, which means “right to build”. This title is compulsory for both foreign and Indonesian companies buying, selling, or managing villas for commercial purposes. The good news is that there are no restrictions for a foreign PT PMA owning such a company 100% as long as it is a 4-star and up. Now that you’ve got your land titles all sorted out, you must obtain your accommodation license and Ijin Mendirikan Bangunan (IMB). All of this can be very confusing and stressful – the Indonesian property landscape is known to be a maze of red tape and bureaucracy, which are all in the Indonesian language. Some foreigners prefer to take the easy way out; they use the name of an Indonesian citizen to purchase the land and to build the villa. This may sound like a great option, but this will pose tons of problems for you in the future when it comes to taxes and reports. You’ll run into even more problems if the person you’re dealing with is untrustworthy. One of the very best and safest ways is to use the services of a trusted and credible third party. Bali Coconut Living has years of experience in this sector with hundreds of happy customers and an abundance of positive reviews. With experienced consultants helping you every step of the way, you won’t ever have to worry about property laws, paperwork, bureaucracy or getting scammed. Get started today!

Bali is a real life paradise when it comes to the stuff of vacations. Though you might be wondering, is it a good lifestyle fit for a long term homebase? There are many reasons why you should move to Bali. Bali is a haven for those who are working online and would like to call this tiny island home, as well as entrepreneurs, digital nomads, yoga lovers and families who live happily in Bali. Since the flights are afforadbale for Australians, Bali has become the playground for them. Much of the expats in Bali tend to choose the comfortable middle-class budget. Though for a more budget-friendly living cost and a fast-growing expat region of Ubud. There’s always an option for the length of stay on the island whether its 3 to 6 months or a full-time living on the island. Internet There’s internet in every corner of Bali including in its beach community and smaller towns, but don’t expect high-speed internet throughout the island. The best and most reliable connections would be in the main tourist areas and larger resorts such as Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta & Sanur. Satellite internet is another option in rural areas.   Child Friendliness Bali is considered very child-friendly, just like other places in Southeast Asia. There are several international schools offering varying degrees of intenational level education. It's best to do your research before you make a choice of living locations as the traffic in Bali can lead to long transit times between areas.   Currency The Indonesian Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia. If you are coming in from Australia the exchange rate is quite simple – simply remove the last four zeros for an approximate price in AUD. The USD is currently around IDR 14.000 to the dollar. The great thing about Bali is that it's a small island that you can explore on the weekend. If you live in Ubud, where most of the expats live, getting to the other areas can be only a coupld of hours away. While if you have a little more than the average budget, you can live in the more resort-like coastal towns. Contact Bali Coconut Living for a villa rental in a short or long stay and they will recommend the best stays anywhere around the island for your Bali expat experience!