How to Buy Real Estate on Bora Bora

Bora Bora is famous for its beauty and the romantic tales associated with the island. Over the past few decades tourism and property values have dramatically risen. If you want to acquire real estate on the island follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Know exactly what you want. With the opening of major luxury hotels on the island (where room rates hover around $1,000 a night), property values on Bora Bora have skyrocketed. If you're looking to buy property on the island, you should have very clear aims and a very strict, if large, budget so you don't end up entangled in an expensive property disaster.
2. Begin in Vaitape. Vaitape is Bora Bora's largest settlement and will help you gain a context for life and real estate on the island. Check prices of homes and plots in Vaitape so you can get a standard for prices elsewhere on the island.
3. Work with a realtor who has local knowledge. As with many of the islands of French Polynesia, Bora Bora's land is often held by multiple owners. Further, many of the owners have important family and cultural ties to the land and have no interest in selling, regardless of spectacular sums of money. Use a realtor to help guide you to the right properties.
4. Find a partner or representative who speaks French. At the end of the day, all processes, permits and transfer of monies and deeds will be conducted in French. Find someone who can interpret both real time conversations and documents so you stay on top of each detail and regulation.
5. Visit the island. Taking a trip to the island can open your eyes. You might find that much of the property is similar to other Society Islands properties though, conversely, you might also fall in love with Bora Bora. There is no substitute for seeing the island with your own eyes so make the trip before you buy.