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Investing in a villa in Bali is always a good idea. With an influx of 5.7 million tourists a year, there is always a demand for accommodation that contributes to a market share of almost $140 million. However, when it comes to setting up a property business in Bali, things may be slightly more complex if you are a foreigner. While the legal procedures have become more streamlined today, foreigners must fulfill more requirements compared to locals – but this is typical anywhere in the world. Location, size, and amenities If you want to invest in a villa, you should spare no expense on three very crucial determinants to return on investment: the location, size and facilities included in the villa. Location The most important consideration before a potential customer chooses a villa, is the distance of the villa to the beach. Don’t worry about building your villa a little off the prime real estate, such as in Seminyak and Legian. Most tourists rent motorbikes to explore other towns, but a location within walking distance to the beach is a must. Size The villa should accommodate at least 3 bedrooms for 4 or 5 people. Most visitors are families who want to stay in Bali for at least a week, and find that it is much cheaper to rent villas than two hotel rooms. Amenities Your villa should include a swimming pool, WiFi and a garden. If you had to choose only one of these, opt for fast and reliable WiFi. Legal matters To operate a villa legally, you must purchase the land under either Hak Pakai or Hak Guna Bangunan titles. You cannot do business with Hak Sewa. Under Hak Sewa title and with permission from the landlord, you may set up an informal subletting to rent the villa out to a friend or family member, but it is not advisable to set up a homestay for regular rents under this title. Hak Pakai is obtainable by foreigners with a residency permit. These are people who must have lived in Indonesia for at least 5 years and have contributed to the country’s economic growth. This title is granted for 25 years and extendable up to 80 years maximum. However, to properly secure a lifetime, cross-generational property business, especially large villas up to a hotel scale, you may want to acquire Hak Guna Bangunan title. This is obtainable once you form a limited foreign investment company (in Indonesian, PT PMA). Building permit (in Indonesian, IMB) is another certificate that specifies how the land is specifically used. If the land IMB is specified to be a residency, you must update it to be a villa IMB. Furthermore, you need a license to lease villas (in Indonesian, Pondok Wisata). At a hotel scale, you need a hotel license. At Bali Coconut Living, we simplify legal procedures so that you can own or lease a villa or holiday home securely. Note that the article written here only covers the surface, and that it is NOT legal advice of any form. It is merely a guide to increase awareness of terms and keywords. If you need further assistance on legal matters, consult your trusted notary.

As we have mentioned numerous times before, the nominee structure as a means to obtain absolute ownership of land by a foreigner, is illegal.   However, when land ownership comes into question, and when it involves marriage between a local and a foreigner (even if the intentions are good), the law can make things complicated.   According to the Indonesian Marriage Law (1974), Article 1, mixed marriages can result in the Indonesian spouse losing his or her freehold land and the right to purchase more land under freehold title. The law’s intention is good - to prevent so-called marriages for the sake of owning land for foreigners under joint assets.   This is because of Article 35 of the same law, which states that unless stated otherwise, acquired property and other assets become joint marital property of the couple. So, if one of the spouses is a foreigner, the property cannot be counted as joint marital property, and in effect, cannot be owned by the couple.   However, this is a great disadvantage for many honest Indonesian citizens who are tied into an honest marital commitment with their non-Indonesian spouse.   To solve this problem, it is very important to form a prenuptial agreement which has the ability to separate the Indonesian citizen’s property assets from the joint asset agreement under the future marriage.   If you are recently married to a foreigner (or your spouse is Indonesian), and for some unfortunate reason, you have not been informed about Article 1 of the 1974 Marriage Law, then it is imperative you continue reading.   What is the consequence of not having set up a prenuptial agreement to separate assets? The Indonesian spouse must release their freehold property within one year of the marriage. The release can be done by selling or granting it.   If selling or granting the land is not possible, or if you or your spouse still consider buying a freehold property as a crucial part of one’s life, there is still hope. You can now make a postnuptial agreement to distinguish which asset belongs to the Indonesian spouse and is to be controlled indefinitely.   Due to the possibility of the postnuptial agreement, there has been revisions of the law that is, frankly, still unclear. Some parties have been able to own Hak Milik properties, even though one’s spouse is a foreigner. Some parties have claimed not to lose their freehold land after marrying the foreigner for many years.   The good thing about this uncertainty is that you can always hire a lawyer to clarify things for you. As a disclaimer, this article is NOT legal advice and should be taken with a grain of salt.   Bali Coconut Living is a property agent in Bali that specializes in leasehold and freehold properties. If you are a foreigner looking to find a hassle-free leasehold arrangement, visit our website to learn more. Browse through our portfolio of villas and land, for a secure and profitable investment.

Seminyak is a pleasant small town dotted with enticing restaurants, exciting beach bars, and boutique shops and spa centers. If you are a frequent visitor to Seminyak, wouldn’t it be cool to actually live in the town itself? For a month’s stay, you can opt for a comfortable, homey villa.   Knowing the Land   The town is accessible from Kuta via Sunset Road and Jl. Raya Seminyak. The town’s most popular commercial center lies around the point where the two roads meet. This is the prime location, besides the beach area.   From the north, if you are coming from Tanah Lot and Canggu, you’d be traveling via Jl. Kerobokan, which has plenty of boutique shops and restaurants lining the road. From Denpasar city, Jl. Batu Belig leads visitors to the beach. There are a plenty of beach bars at the end of this road (the beach), but less so going eastward.   Now finally, we get to the more upmarket area, which is the most popular spot after the town’s commercial center. Famous spots like the Colony Hotel, Mrs Sippy Bali, and Soham Wellness Center, all lie on Jl. Petitenget. The southern half, below Jl. Kayu Ayu, attracts even more crowds, where you will find beach clubs and elaborate restaurants to suit your taste.   Location, location, location   Choosing a villa in the town center is a better strategy than placing yourself in one of the crowded and popular places like the southern half of Seminyak. Even if you enjoy going to beach clubs, you don’t have to live next door to one.   The town center is a great place to start because it is relatively quieter, yet you can still access places of interest quickly, via the main streets.   Bali Coconut Living has a vast collection of villas for rent or sale. After much consideration, we’ve handpicked six villas that may suit your needs:   Villa Lexi This villa is within reach of La Favela and Metis, two fun and exquisite Mediterranean restaurants that are sought-after by Bali lovers. Villa Lexi lies next to Purpa Fine Art Gallery at Jl. Mertanadi.   Villa Gomez This villa is within reach of the uniquely famous WACKO Burger Cafe, Frankenstein Laboratory and BaliJoe Bar. Lapangan Banteng cultural hub is also close by. You can find this villa in Jl. Drupadi.   Flower Villa 2 At Jl. Mertapadi, right in the town center, you will find this villa within close proximity to the all-time favourite Gusto Gelato ice cream parlor, Naughty Nuri barbeque restaurant, and the healthy food restaurant, Ingka Restaurant.   Villa Pelikan 2 This villa sits right next to Dream Museum Zone Bali, one of Bali’s most creative and fun photo studios and museums that hosts incredible live optical illusions for you and your family to enjoy. It’s also close to Legian Art Shop and the very traditional morning market Pasar Pagi Desa Legian.   Villa Luke This villa is not in the town center, but it deserves some recognition. It sits very closely to the Double Six Beach, where you can access La Plancha and Champlung Bar and Restaurant at mere walking distance.   Alexandria Apartment For those who prefer living close to relaxation and rejuvenation houses, this apartment will suit you. It’s close to Jari Menari and Yoga Shala. You can also visit the local art gallery, Nyaman Galeri Art.   Visit Bali Coconut Living to browse more villas. Got any questions? Our sales team will be happy to help you find what you need among a thousand listed villas and holiday homes in our catalogue.

Bali is one of the best places in the world for retirement. It is always sunny here, with a constant 30°C climate, perfect for year-round outdoor activities. The beach is just a few minutes’ motorcycle ride, there are places to hike in the highland regions and the food tastes great with brilliant tropical flavors.   You can get all of this for only a fraction of the cost, so it’s not surprising that many people choose Bali as their retirement playground. Here are the things you need to know before retiring in Bali.   The Accommodation   Since it is not possible for foreigners to own freehold land, taking a long-term lease is the easiest solution available. It is very straightforward – you pay upfront, and get to lease the property for a long number of years.   Are you planning to spend less than 5 years in Bali, but worry that the price for short-term lease is higher than long-term lease? Don’t worry! As a general rule, leasehold properties are much cheaper when they are near their due date. You can enjoy the property for 2 to 3 more years before the leasehold certificate expires and the property reverts back to its original owner.   One of the surprising things about applying for a retirement visa (more details below) is that there is a minimum rent requirement of US$380 a month. This is to set a standard baseline of the quality of your accommodation.   As it is beneficial for the Indonesian economy, you are required to hire at least one worker – whether a gardener, a housemaid, or a driver.   The Paperwork   Finding properties for retirement is usually not so difficult. What is more challenging is to apply for the retirement visa. If you are at least 55 years old and planning to retire in Bali sometime in the future, apply now. It’s a time-consuming process that is best started once you reach the minimum age requirement.   The next few requirements are standard. To accommodate your living expenses in Bali, you need proof of health and life insurance, and proof of pension, with a lump sum of US$18,270 per year in income from savings or other sources.   Unfortunately, Bali isn’t known for large hospitals with state-of-the-art medical technology. If you have a chronic medical issue, you may need to reconsider your decision to retire in Bali.   Other Benefits   The paperwork might seem demanding, but the initial investment can have a return in the quality of life you will receive. You are eligible to open a local bank account, get a driver’s license and travel around quite easily and cheaply. You can enjoy rejuvenation centers, spa or yoga studios, join classes and do what you absolutely love, at half the price that you’re used to back home.   We recommend Villa Uma Sita as an ideal model for your retirement villa. It is located in Sanur, and is very close to Taman Inspirasi Mertasari Park, Mertasari Beach, Power of Now Oasis Yoga Retreat and Seawalker Conservation, where you can snorkel and perform sea walks!   Get Started Today   When you are set with your paperwork, Bali Coconut Living will be more than happy to greet you. We are a local business that caters to buyers and sellers of property. We also help holiday-goers find the best accommodation that fits their needs. An easy-going relaxing life is waiting for you here in Bali.

A villa is perfect accommodation for a family on holiday, because it is typically spacious and private. At best, it includes a swimming pool and is centrally located to popular spots. At worst, it’s a holiday home to share the joy of vacationing together as a family.   Checklist for A Family-Friendly Villa   When searching for family villas, you must also consider whether or not the location is family-friendly. If you have small children, it is best not to rent villas that are too close, or even directly on, the main street. Bali can be hot, so the area should have a great abundance of greenery, and not many cars passing by. Also, to avoid a lot of noise at night, it is best to find villas that are not too close to bars and big restaurants.   Villas located near the beach can be a treat for older children. Bali’s shorelines are relatively safe. You only need to make sure that your children respect the safe boundaries, and don’t swim too far out to sea. Canggu   Canggu is one of the most family-friendly places in southwestern Bali. Terraced rice fields that gently roll from Mengwi, are sought-after natural features for the location of yoga retreats and restaurants.   The roads are not too busy for families to cross safely. Even the main road, Jl Pantai Berawa, is not crowded with vehicles, so families can enjoy a healthy morning walk on most of the roads in Canggu.   On Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, you can find Tarukan Equestrian Center where you can take your children to ride horses, and Taman Segara Madu Water Park – something you can all look forward to! For your parents, The Canggu Studio offers relaxing yoga for the elderly. Seminyak   Although Seminyak has attracted an increasing number of crowds over the years, it is a very friendly place for families. The area surrounding Seminyak Square and Seminyak Village shopping centers, has crowds that are typical when locals and foreigners congregate to find family entertainment here.   Even at night, it is unlikely to find bars with heart-pumping music and drunken people in Jl. Petitenget and Jl. Kayu Jati. In fact, most people come here to spend an evening with a positive vibe, and perhaps to try out some gelatos, like Gelato Secrets. Uluwatu   Uluwatu is the destination for cultural lovers and surfers. While the area is not as developed as Kuta or Seminyak, it attracts a different, calmer crowd altogether. You might not see a great collection of bars and fancy restaurants, but this location is just perfect if you want to settle down in a quiet villa with nothing but a brilliant view of the sunset from the famous Uluwatu clifftops. Jimbaran   There is a good reason why the Intercontinental Resort was built in this area. The quiet atmosphere, coupled with a beautiful beach, is exactly what you need for precious shared moments at a family barbeque, with swimming by the sea.   If there is one place closely associated with family gathering, it’s seafood restaurant. Especially in Asian cultures, seafood restaurants are known to be a hub for family gatherings. Jimbaran has an abundance of these, so you always have many options to choose from.   Bali Coconut Living is a property agent in Bali that specializes in leasehold and freehold properties. If you are a foreigner looking for a hassle-free leasehold arrangement, visit our website to learn more. Browse through our portfolio of villas and land, for a secure and profitable investment.

Many young foreigners have opted to become digital nomads. This alternative lifestyle is geared towards adventure, exploration, and creativity. Their jobs range from writing and media, to technology and design. But the most important characteristic that all digital nomads share is that they are mobile and independent of location.   Why do Digital Nomads love Bali? Bali has become an increasingly popular hub for digital nomads. The tropical paradise offers everything that digital nomads could possibly ask for: natural scenery and waves to surf on, interesting food and many experiences associated with a tropical island holiday. The island also offers additional value. The laid-back life and relatively cheaper housing makes Bali a more preferable destination for digital nomads compared to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (although these three cities have their share of freelance travelers and solopreneurs). Being the number one tourist destination of Indonesia, Bali offers opportunities for digital nomads to meet new people from all over the world. So not only does the island provide a positive environment in which digital nomads can work comfortably, these people are also able to create substantial income from networking efforts here in Bali.   What’s happening in Canggu? Addressing the problem of rising prices of property in Seminyak and Kuta, early investors built restaurants, villas, and resorts in Canggu, what used to be a lonely seaside town about 20 minute’s drive north of Seminyak. Now Canggu is becoming more like its popular neighbors in the south. To those who regret not investing in Seminyak earlier, there is still a chance to penetrate the emerging market in Canggu. Coffee shops, healthy food cafes, boutique shops, and upmarket bars have already settled there. But there is still room for more to come. Property prices have not yet reached insane levels. Several property agents quote an average cost of US$300,000 for 2 bedrooms villas (250 square meters) as opposed to Seminyak’s US$500,000 for the same property. Furthermore, access to Canggu is getting better. New roads and sea side developments along the distance between Seminyak and Canggu are being built, so if you are looking for a decade of prosperity, the location is definitely set here. With slightly lower prices for housing, yet offering about the same natural scenery and activities in Seminyak, Canggu is becoming a new hub where digital nomads flock. And they do flock in great numbers to a particular location, once the location has received excellent reputation.   What now? The greatest factor of success is timing. Now is the time to diversify your investment portfolio in Canggu. Consult Bali Coconut Living to discover properties at their best prices! We simplify the normally arduous process of buying properties, so that you waste no time to get your business started.

As a foreigner, establishing a business on a property that you can’t secure, will add to the baseline anxiety of owning a business. A few sources have suggested to use the nominee structure, to name the property under a trusted entity’s name, on your behalf. Let’s be honest though – that would add even more anxiety, as the property is not only not yours but that entity may one day lose their trustworthiness and may potentially stab you in the back.   The safer alternatives are Hak Sewa (Right of Lease), Hak Pakai (Right of Use) and Hak Guna Bangun (Right to Build). Note that the English translation is only rough, and each has its own terms and agreement that are not successfully translated by the keywords alone. Different rights to property   Hak Sewa is a simple contractual agreement between tenant and landlord. While the terms are flexible (as it depends on your relations with the landlord), and you may secure a rented property, it’s unlikely that you can create a profitable business with this title deed. It is subject to a typical yearly ground rent.   Hak Pakai is more common for commercial or residential purposes. It is applicable to foreigners domiciled in Indonesia (i.e. a resident who works in and pays tax to the country), and only one foreigner can hold one Hak Pakai title deed. Unlike Hak Sewa, Hak Pakai is not transferrable. This is because Hak Pakai holds more power and control over the property. It holds for 25 years since it is first issued, and is extendable for 70 more years – effectively a lifetime ownership of the property, although it is not inheritable.   Hak Guna Bangunan is dubbed as the title deed whereby a foreigner is as close to having complete ownership to a property as possible. Hak Guna Bangunan is reserved for local companies and foreign investment companies (penanaman modal asing, or PMA). The PMA can be fully owned by foreigners, so in effect, the land is controlled by foreign individuals as a company. It holds for 30 years since first issue, and is extendable for 20 years and a further 50 years.   Investment options and their appropriate title deeds   Private villa   Renting a villa long term is technically not an investment, but it can save you a lot of money from booking hotels. If you are lucky, and the landlord grants permission to sublet your villa, you can make small amounts of extra money from informal rents, say through an online accommodation market. If your only intention is to have a place to stay in Bali, then Hak Sewa is more appropriate. It is only an arrangement mediated by a public notary.   If you are looking into having a villa rental service with more freedom to modify the buildings, apply for Hak Pakai. Not only is this a stronger claim, but you may potentially have a more solid and certified villa rental business for your entire life.   Small restaurants, warungs, cafes   Hak Pakai is again one of the most appropriate ways to establish a small business with low startup costs and with absolutely no shares to sell. You may, however, need to organize more paperwork and apply for a “CV” – a company title much smaller than a limited venture, perseroan terbatas (PT).   Hotel, resorts and large restaurants   Obviously Hak Guna Bangunan is more appropriate. You have the company and the capital to apply for nearly complete control of the property. The advantage is that you have the right to build anything you want that meets your company’s needs. Hak Pakai is only limited to very small changes, and this depends on very stringent regulations. Hak Guna Bangunan is the most secure way to control a property that acts as a foundation to your large business.   If you are looking for a property agent in Bali, look no further than Bali Coconut Living. We specialize in villas and holiday homes for people willing to sell or lease. Just tell us your budget and your prospective location, and we will lead you to our trusty clients on the other side of the table.

Property is a unique kind of business because you can treat it as either an active or passive income generator. It is also considered more secure than investing in debt, shares, and forex (passive or active) because 1) you can physically maintain and claim your property ownership, and 2) property prices in general always increase. Bali is not only an island paradise for holiday-goers. It is also an island paradise for investors.   Bali’s property investors: “It has worked before, and still works now”   Property investors have realized from many years ago that Bali’s growth in tourism was only going to have an uptrend. Investors saw an increase in their income as prices raised due to an increasing demand in a seemingly inelastic market.   The skyrocketing price was a spectacle. In 2011, the average land prices increased by 34% when other places across the archipelago only received an 8 to 16% price increase. Near the west coast of Bali, the shoreline prime real estate of Seminyak, Legian, and Batu Belig experienced a staggering 50% to 87% surge of freehold property prices.   Stringent regulations for foreigners willing to invest in property in Bali do not stop them from purchasing land, even today. This is a sure sign that property business on this beautiful volcanic vacation island still has potential for many years to come.   Bali is a safe nest for your investment   Unlike most places across Indonesia, Bali attracts many foreign visitors for the very reason that the island is a safe and friendly place. Some say the Balinese’s strong belief in the concept of karma is an incentive for the low crime rate. Others suggest that it has become a long-standing norm to accept foreigners in their land, because, after all, they bring wealth to their pockets.   If you place your investment in Bali, and follow the written (and unwritten) regulations, and have trusted local friends that genuinely want to help you, the risk of a complete loss is considerably low.   Even the dangers of natural disasters are rare; the recent volcanic eruption from Mt Agung may have dampened tourism for a while, but that’s only a short speed bump for the growth of tourism.   The island’s local governmental body encourages legislation that makes it easier for foreign investments to enter the country – through Bali as the gateway. Corruption, demonstrations and protests rarely happen in Bali, so one can say that local politics is relatively more stable compared to other places in Indonesia.   New tourist hubs are developing outside the prime real estate   If the skyrocketing land prices in Seminyak and its neighbors are making you nervous, fear not! There are many other places that are beginning to gain traction in tourism. Places like Uluwatu, Canggu, and the northern coasts of Menjangan are real estate late bloomers. Prices are increasing, but there is still a chance to penetrate the market.   Here’s more good news: A new airport in Buleleng, north Bali, will begin construction in 2020. This could be your chance to be one of the first to own a property in what will be a new prime real estate – the next Seminyak and Kuta. Not only is this area going to be more accessible, the north of Bali has other interesting offers as well: coral reefs and sought-after diving spots.   If you are looking for properties to buy or lease, Bali Coconut Living is one of the top property agents that can help you with this. We ensure that the transaction is hassle-free and will point out all the fine prints so that you are satisfied with your investment. To browse through our catalogue of villas, visit Bali Coconut Living.

Researching potential business locations and gathering your financial resources is only half the battle. If you’re a foreigner, Indonesia’s stringent regulations on property ownership require you to scrutinize all the fine print. Sometimes the fine print isn’t even there! To avoid trapping yourself in fraudulent deals, we offer you some basic guidance.   1. Understand basic property laws in Indonesia   It’s a no-brainer, but many foreigners surprisingly skimp on this crucial first step. You don’t have to take a night course in law, but it’s good to have very basic knowledge of the various certificates that exist for property ownership, and which ones you can and cannot have. Hak Milik is a freeholder’s certificate, and Indonesia’s Agrarian Law prevents foreigners (even with a temporary or permanent residential permit) to own land -- with the exception of those who are married to an Indonesian citizen. However, you are eligible to apply for Hak Pakai, a right to use and capitalize property on land that is not yours.   2. Do not be tempted to arrange a nominee-ownership agreement   A foreigner who is not married to an Indonesian citizen cannot be granted a freeholder’s certificate, so many foreigners have found a semi-legal loophole by naming the property to a trusted Indonesian citizen, and then arranging the agreement through a notary to secure the investment. We say it’s semi-legal because the intent is illegal (and quite frankly insecure), but the means of obtaining the control of property is legal. We don’t advise you do this, unless that nominee is your spouse -- in which case you would obtain Hak Milik in the most legitimate way possible.   3. Choose a property agent early on   Find trustworthy agents who have your best interest at heart. They know your particular needs as a foreigner and can make excellent recommendations on properties that belong to trustworthy owners. The last thing you want is a landlord who even thinks about scamming you, to make false claims against you. Cases like these are rare, but the risk is still there. Choose a property agent who is backed by a solid property management brand. These are the people who help prevent you from dealing with difficult landlords, and who will actually help you get good deals.   4. Hunt for properties!   Hunting for properties involves getting out there on the road and doing the survey yourself. Again, it’s a no-brainer, but, quite surprisingly, many people don’t do this. This is especially common with people who buy from property developers, who sell you promises for down payments. While not all property developers are less than honest about the investment prospects of the land and location, it’s a good idea to survey again the surrounding points of interest and potential troubles (even if you’ve done your market research), like water and electricity shortages, or sea erosions.   5. Back yourself up with a notary   A notary who knows the ins and outs of property ownership, taxes, and other legally binding agreements is your second line of defense against fraudulent property deals. A property agent can only try their best to filter out shady profiteers. But they do not have authority when it comes to legal disputes and lawsuits. Save yourself the trouble and hire a notary -- even if you’re certain that you’ve met all legal requirements.   If you are looking for a property agent in Bali, look no further than Bali Coconut Living. We specialise in villas and holiday homes from people willing to sell or lease. Just tell us your budget and your prospective location, and we will lead you to our trusty clients on the other side of the table.

A hotel is good for a few day’s stay, but when you’re planning to extend your stay beyond one week, you should consider renting a villa. Long term villa rentals in Bali come in all shapes and sizes, and are complete with various amenities and conveniences. They should, however, all have a couple of things in common: they should feel homey and have a better living space than hotels. Here are 5 tips on choosing and renting a villa in Bali.   1. Must-have facilities   The first thing you need is to list down all the facilities that are non-negotiable to you. If you must have a swimming pool, that will be your determining factor. If your villa must be air conditioned, filter all the selection of rentals to have air conditioning. This will greatly impact how comfortable your stay will be.   2. Location vs price   Conventional wisdom says that the further away from prime real estate you are, the cheaper the villa (possibly). Local advice will tell you that even within a prime real estate area, you can find affordable villas. Lacking in public transport, most people would rent a motorbike to get around anyway. However, it’s still important to determine how close you want to be to popular destinations: Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu, Ubud and Denpasar are all relatively close together. But if you want to live at diver’s paradise, the north eastern parts of Bali including Amed and Tulamben are your best bets.   3. Reach out to people   You can surf the web to find waves upon waves of information, but having good old social connections can do wonders for your search for that perfect villa. Social media offers a transparent way to browse for homes. Facebook groups are filled with like-minded individuals, owners and tenants who can help you. You may be surprised to find advertisements of (verified) villas at cafes and hotels in the touristy area.   4. Reviews are mostly honest   When you’ve found your villa of interest, you need to look for reviews. If you haven’t found any reviews, do a quick test and contact the villa owner. You should notice how the owner behaves and whether or not the owner has your interests at heart and is ready to serve you. They shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable; don’t feel bad about declining their offers. Even if you like your potential villa, a good relationship with the owner should be maintained so that you’re not faced with surprising surcharges or worse -- legal action against you for no apparent reason. A villa with reviews is always a safer bet, unless you are experienced enough to judge for yourself.   5. Agents are here to help   There’s nothing wrong with contacting a property agent that will help you find long-term rentals in Bali. Agents are there to help connect a villa owner with you. You won’t have to deal with shady landlords. Just pick a location and decide on your budget, and schedule a villa inspection to decide whether or not you like your prospective living space. Reviews are open, you can contact people who have rented before, to ensure you’re getting good value for your money.   Bali Coconut Living is a villa management firm that is committed to paying attention to your accommodation needs. Stay a month or longer, in one of our reputable villas. Find the right accommodation here.

If you’re looking for a lucrative investment in Bali Villas, 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 Bali 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.