Realty Real

What Is Realty Real and Why Does It Matter for Mauritius Property?

Realty Real is a property search and advisory service focused on the Mauritius market, designed to help foreign buyers, investors, and relocating professionals find verified listings, understand local costs, and navigate the purchase process with confidence. Rather than presenting an overwhelming catalogue of properties, the platform organises listings by scheme type, location, and buyer eligibility, so you spend less time filtering noise and more time evaluating genuine options.

For anyone researching property in Mauritius from abroad, having a single, structured resource that covers both the search and the legal pathway is genuinely useful. This article explains how the service works, what it costs, and what you should expect at each stage.

---

How the Property Search Service Works

Finding Listings That Match Your Eligibility

Foreign nationals in Mauritius can only purchase property through specific government-approved schemes, primarily the Property Development Scheme (PDS), the Smart City Scheme, and a small number of legacy IRS and RES developments. Realty Real filters listings by these categories automatically, so you are not shown properties you are legally unable to buy.

Each listing includes the scheme type, surface area, price in Mauritian rupees and an approximate conversion to euros, pounds, or US dollars, the name of the developer or vendor, and the current availability status. Listings are updated regularly to reflect sales and price adjustments.

Requesting Property Information and Viewings

Once you identify a property of interest, you can submit an enquiry directly through the platform. A property adviser will respond, typically within one business day, with a full information pack, including the floor plan, site plan, developer background, and any applicable off-plan completion timeline. Virtual viewing options are available for buyers based outside Mauritius.

---

Understanding Realty Real Costs and Pricing

Is There a Fee to Use the Search Platform?

Accessing listings and submitting enquiries through Realty Real carries no fee for buyers. The platform operates on a model where developer partners and vendors pay a referral or listing fee when a transaction completes. You are not charged for browsing, shortlisting, or requesting information.

What Are the Actual Costs of Buying Property in Mauritius?

The costs you will encounter are those associated with the Mauritian property transaction itself, not with the search service. These are standard across the market:

• Registration duty: 5% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer at notarial deed registration.
• Notary fees: Approximately 1–1.5% of the purchase price, split between buyer and seller by convention, though this is negotiable.
• Land Transfer Tax: Applicable in resale transactions; the rate and applicability depend on the property type and seller status.
• Government processing fee for residency: If you are purchasing under a scheme that grants residency rights (properties priced at USD 375,000 or above under PDS), a government fee of USD 25,000 applies separately.
• Legal due diligence costs: If you engage an independent notary or lawyer to review the title and sale agreement, expect fees in the range of MUR 15,000–50,000 depending on the complexity.

Realty Real provides a cost estimate breakdown as part of the initial information pack for any property you enquire about, so you are not left calculating these figures yourself.

---

The Buying Process: Step by Step

Step 1, Property Search and Shortlisting

Use the platform to identify two or three properties that meet your criteria for location, size, scheme type, and budget. At this stage, you are gathering information, not making commitments.

Step 2, Due Diligence on the Developer or Vendor

For off-plan purchases, verify that the developer holds a valid PDS or Smart City approval from the Economic Development Board (EDB). Realty Real includes the EDB reference number in each listing. For resale properties, confirm that the title is clean and that there are no encumbrances registered against it.

Step 3, Reservation or Preliminary Agreement

Once you have selected a property, a reservation agreement or Contrat Préliminaire de Vente (preliminary sale contract) is signed. This document sets out the agreed price, payment schedule, and conditions. A deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price, is paid at this stage and held in escrow.

Step 4, Notarial Deed of Sale

The final Acte de Vente is prepared by a Mauritian notary and signed by both parties. If you are outside Mauritius, you can grant a Power of Attorney to a local representative to sign on your behalf. The deed is then registered with the Registrar-General, at which point ownership transfers legally.

Step 5, EDB Application for Residency (If Applicable)

If your purchase qualifies for a residence permit, your notary or a licensed agent submits the application to the EDB following registration of the deed. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks.

---

What Buyers Say About the Service

Feedback from buyers who have used Realty Real consistently highlights three things: the quality of the listing information (particularly the inclusion of scheme eligibility and EDB references), the response speed from advisers, and the transparency around total transaction costs. Buyers relocating from the United Kingdom and South Africa have noted that the cost breakdown provided upfront removed the uncertainty that often accompanies cross-border property purchases.

Critiques tend to focus on the current concentration of listings in the western and northern coastal regions of Mauritius, with fewer options in the east and south. The platform acknowledges this and notes that its developer network is expanding.

---

Who Should Use Realty Real?

The service is best suited to:

• Foreign nationals who are legally required to purchase through an approved scheme and want to search only eligible properties.
• Investors comparing yields and capital growth potential across PDS and Smart City developments.
• Relocating professionals who need to move quickly and want verified listings with clear documentation.
• Buyers at the research stage who want to understand costs and process before engaging a notary or developer directly.

If you are a Mauritian citizen or a holder of permanent residency looking to purchase outside the scheme framework, the platform's filtering may show fewer relevant results, as it is optimised for foreign-buyer eligibility rules.

---

Key Considerations Before You Enquire

• Confirm your budget includes all transaction costs, not just the listed price. A MUR 15 million property will cost closer to MUR 16.5–17 million all-in.
• Understand whether you want freehold or long-leasehold title. Most PDS properties are freehold; some Smart City units are offered on long lease.
• If you intend to rent the property when not in use, check whether the development's management rules permit short-term letting.
• Engage an independent Mauritian notary for the final deed, even if the developer's notary is handling the transaction. The cost is modest relative to the protection it provides.

---

FAQ

What is Realty Real?

Realty Real is a property search and advisory platform focused on the Mauritius market. It provides verified listings of properties available to foreign buyers under government-approved schemes, along with cost guidance and process support.

Does Realty Real charge buyers a fee?

No. Buyers can search listings, submit enquiries, and receive information packs at no charge. The platform earns referral or listing fees from developers and vendors when transactions complete.

What types of property can foreign nationals buy in Mauritius?

Foreign nationals may purchase property in Mauritius through approved schemes including the Property Development Scheme (PDS) and the Smart City Scheme. Direct purchase of land or non-scheme property is generally not permitted for non-citizens.

What are the main costs when buying property in Mauritius?

The primary costs are registration duty (5% of purchase price), notary fees (approximately 1–1.5%), and, where applicable, a USD 25,000 government fee for residency rights. Land Transfer Tax may also apply on resale transactions.

How long does the buying process take in Mauritius?

From signed reservation agreement to registered deed of sale, the process typically takes two to four months for resale properties and longer for off-plan purchases, depending on construction timelines.

Can I complete a Mauritius property purchase without travelling there?

Yes. You can grant a Power of Attorney to a local representative, usually a notary or lawyer, to sign the final deed on your behalf. Many buyers complete the entire process remotely.

Does buying property in Mauritius grant residency?

Purchasing a qualifying property priced at USD 375,000 or above under an approved scheme entitles the buyer and immediate family to a Mauritian residence permit, subject to EDB approval and payment of the applicable government fee.