Top 5 Mistakes Diaspora Buyers Make When Purchasing Property in Guyana

# Top 5 Mistakes Diaspora Buyers Make When Purchasing Property in Guyana

*By Guyana HomeHub Team*

Every month, diaspora buyers lose money on property deals in Guyana. Not because the market is bad. Not because there aren't good opportunities. But because they made avoidable mistakes.

We've seen the same errors come up again and again. Here are the top five — and how to avoid them.

## Mistake #1: Trusting Family or Friends to Handle Everything

This is the most common mistake, and it hurts the most because it involves people you love.

Here's what happens: You want to buy property in Guyana, but you live in New York or Toronto. You ask a cousin, uncle, or family friend back home to find something for you. They agree to help. You send money. Then things go wrong.

Maybe they meant well but didn't know what they were doing. Maybe they got scammed themselves. Maybe — and this is painful — they took advantage of your trust.

We're not saying don't involve family. But don't outsource everything to someone who isn't qualified to handle a real estate transaction.

**How to avoid it:**

- Use family for local support (visiting properties, providing feedback) — not for handling money or legal matters
- Hire a licensed attorney to handle the legal side
- Work with a licensed real estate agent who has accountability
- Stay involved in every step, even from abroad

Your cousin can help you visit a property. Your cousin should not be signing documents on your behalf unless they're a qualified professional.

## Mistake #2: Sending Money Without Verifying Ownership

This mistake costs people thousands of dollars.

Someone shows you a property. It looks good. They pressure you to move fast because "other buyers are interested." You wire a deposit. Then you find out the seller doesn't own the property. Or it's already sold to someone else. Or it doesn't exist at all.

Guyana has a system for verifying property ownership. It's called the Deeds Registry (for Transport properties) or Land Registry (for Certificate of Title properties). Your attorney can search the records and confirm exactly who owns the property.

But many diaspora buyers skip this step. They trust the seller's word. They accept a photocopy of a document as proof. They send money first and verify later — or never.

**How to avoid it:**

- Never send money until your attorney has conducted a title search
- Verify ownership at the Deeds Registry or Land Registry — not from documents the seller provides
- Be suspicious of anyone who discourages verification or says it's unnecessary
- Use escrow (through your attorney) so funds are protected until the transaction is complete

No verification, no money. Period.

## Mistake #3: Buying Without a Guyanese Attorney

Some buyers try to save money by not hiring an attorney. Others rely on the seller's attorney to handle everything. Both are mistakes.

A property transaction in Guyana involves legal documents, title searches, government fees, and a formal transfer process. Without your own attorney:

- You have no one verifying that the property is legitimate
- You have no one protecting your interests in the contract
- You have no one catching problems before they become expensive disasters

And if you use the seller's attorney? Their job is to protect the seller, not you. You need your own representation.

**How to avoid it:**

- Budget for legal fees (1-2% of property value) from the start
- Hire your own attorney — one who specializes in property transactions
- If you don't have a referral, ask the Guyana Bar Association or a reputable real estate agent

The cost of an attorney is tiny compared to the cost of losing your entire investment to fraud or legal problems.

## Mistake #4: Not Visiting the Property (Or Having Someone You Trust Visit)

You found a listing online. The photos look great. The price is right. You're ready to buy.

But have you actually seen the property? Has anyone you trust walked the land, checked the boundaries, looked at the neighborhood?

Photos can be misleading. They can be old. They can be of a different property entirely. Descriptions can exaggerate or lie.

Buying property you've never seen — and that no one you trust has verified in person — is a gamble you shouldn't take.

**How to avoid it:**

- If you can travel to Guyana before buying, do it
- If you can't travel, send someone you trust absolutely — not a friend of a friend, but someone you would trust with your life savings
- Have them take photos and videos, verify the address, check the condition, and talk to neighbors
- Never buy based solely on online listings and phone conversations

Yes, this takes more effort. Yes, it might delay your purchase. But it protects you from buying something that doesn't match what you were promised.

## Mistake #5: Relying on Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is where many diaspora buyers start their property search. It's also where many of them get scammed.

The problem with Facebook is that anyone can post anything. There's no verification that the person posting actually owns the property. There's no accountability if something goes wrong. There's no protection for you.

Legitimate properties do appear on Facebook. But so do scams. And from abroad, you can't tell the difference just by looking at a post.

**How to avoid it:**

- Treat every Facebook listing with extreme skepticism
- If you find something interesting on Facebook, verify it through proper channels (licensed agent, attorney, title search)
- Better yet, start your search on a platform where listings are connected to licensed agents — like Guyana HomeHub
- Never send money to someone you connected with only through Facebook

Facebook is a starting point, not a transaction platform. Do your verification through professional channels.

## The Common Thread

Notice what all five mistakes have in common?

They're all about skipping steps. Trusting too easily. Moving too fast. Trying to save money in ways that end up costing more.

Buying property in Guyana from abroad is absolutely possible to do safely. Thousands of diaspora members do it successfully. But they protect themselves by:

- Working with licensed professionals (attorneys and agents)
- Verifying everything through official channels
- Never sending money without proper safeguards
- Taking the time to do it right

Don't learn these lessons the hard way. Learn from others' mistakes.

## Ready to Buy Property the Right Way?

Guyana HomeHub was built for diaspora buyers who want a professional, trustworthy way to find property in Guyana.

Every listing is connected to a licensed agent. You can browse with confidence, verify through proper channels, and work with professionals who are accountable.

Read our [complete guide to buying property in Guyana from abroad](/guides/buying-from-abroad) for the full process. And when you're ready, [browse our listings](/properties/buy) to find your next investment.

*Have questions? [Contact a licensed agent](https://wa.me/5927629797) through Guyana HomeHub.*