Guide
Buying in Lebanon from abroad
Many buyers on Ahla Beit live outside Lebanon. Here is how to buy safely without flying in for every step.
1. Shortlist verified homes
Start with homes marked Verified: the agency took photos at the home and we checked they were taken there. Turn on alerts, and share the ones you like with family in one tap.
See verified homes2. Ask for a live video tour
Tap “Ask for a video tour” on a home. The broker walks you through it live on WhatsApp, and you can ask to see anything.
3. Send someone you trust
Before you commit, have family or a friend visit. Ask about power hours, water, the generator subscription, parking and building fees.
4. Check the papers
Ask a lawyer to check the title deed and get a recent Land Registry extract. It shows the owner and any mortgage or seizure on the home. Some requests can be made online at lrc.gov.lb.
5. Never pay before a verified visit
Never send a deposit by money transfer to hold a home that you, or someone you trust, has not seen. Pay through a contract signed at a notary, or through your lawyer.
6. Sign from abroad with a power of attorney
You can sign a power of attorney at a Lebanese embassy or consulate, or have it legalised where you live. Ask your lawyer for the exact wording.
7. Register the sale
The sale is final once it is registered at the Land Registry, which can take a few days. A notary contract gives you time to register, but do it right away.
What it costs to buy
On a $250,000 home, roughly:
| Registration fees and taxes | 3.4% | $8,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Notary | 0.7% | $1,750 |
| Broker commission | 2.5% | $6,250 |
| Lawyer or agent filing fee | $200 – $1,000 | |
| Total, home included | $266,500 |
Not Lebanese? Registration is 5% of the value, so add $5,000 on this example.
Renting? The broker fee is usually one month's rent.
Renting from abroad?
Fake rental ads ask for a deposit by money transfer before any visit. The ISF warned about them on 8 March 2026. Pay only after you, or someone you trust, has seen the home.
Not Lebanese?
Foreigners can usually buy up to 3,000 m² without a permit. Larger plots need a decree from the Council of Ministers and a few extra papers. A lawyer can tell you what applies to you.
Before you pay anything
- Someone you trust visited the home in person.
- You saw it yourself on a live video tour.
- A lawyer checked the title deed.
- A recent Land Registry extract shows no mortgage or seizure.
- The price, payment dates and handover date are in a notary contract.
- Your power of attorney says exactly what it allows.
- No deposit went out by money transfer before a visit.
- The sale is registered in your name at the Land Registry.
General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check with a lawyer or notary before you sign.
