The most expensive mistake is using the agent’s recommended lawyer. The agent gets buy a villa in portugal commission on completion, which is not the same as looking after your interests. An independent lawyer represents a fraction of what is at stake and is money well spent.
Signing documents you cannot read is nearly as costly. A certified translation costs little compared with what is at stake. Assurances given by the agent mean nothing if the written contract says otherwise — the contract is what counts.
Purchasing off-plan on trust has ruined a great many buyers. Before paying anything, look at what the company has already delivered, tremithousa real estate the construction licences, and whether payments are held in escrow. Delays are normal even with reputable builders; unfinished projects are rarer but much more damaging.
Thinking only about the purchase is less obvious but just as costly. Every purchase has to be sold or passed on at some point, and the pool of future buyers decides what you get back. A property for sale in nicosia with no local demand takes longer to sell when conditions change.
Finally, a lot of buyers fail to plan for the ongoing obligations. Local tax returns are often required even in years with no rental income, and overlooked notices generate fines that accumulate quietly. Arranging a local tax adviser from the first year prevents most of these problems.