So far in our quest to buy a property in Malta, we have had the initial meetings with banks to see if we're eligible and get quotes on repayments. We have searched the market, found a property we liked and signed the promise of sale. So now, the property is off the market whilst you apply for a bank loan and the bank, the notary and your architect do their work to ensure this sale can go through.

The process of buying a property in Malta is a little different from other countries, like Sweden or the UK and from the sounds of it, I much prefer how it's done on this little island. A Promise of Sale is something you don't have in the UK, but here it protects the buyer (they won't sell it to someone else for a higher price) and the seller (they can't back out at the last minute for no good reason).