Best Island Projects
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International Buyer Support

Buying land in Sumba from abroad is not a self-service transaction. Our international buyer desk gives you one calm, English-speaking point of contact who coordinates every step — from first shortlist to notaris signing and post-purchase caretaking — so nothing gets lost in translation, distance or local process.

Summary — what this service actually is

A single senior advisor manages your file end-to-end: shortlisting plots that match your brief, coordinating legal and technical due diligence with vetted Indonesian professionals, structuring the purchase (freehold via PT PMA, HGB, or long-lease), and staying on the file after signing.

You never deal directly with a village broker, a first-time notaris or a translator you didn't choose. Every document is prepared in Bahasa Indonesia and English, every meeting is either attended by us or recorded and summarised for you.

Who this is for

We work with a small number of serious buyers per quarter. This service is designed for:

  • International private buyers acquiring a villa or family plot in Sumba
  • Investors building a rental portfolio or a boutique resort
  • Developers pre-qualifying land banks for hospitality projects
  • Family offices deploying long-hold capital into Indonesian coastal land

What we handle for you

Shortlisting & viewings

We interpret your brief (use, budget, region, timeline) and only present plots that pass our internal filter for legal status, access and site quality. Remote viewings are recorded with GPS overlays; in-person viewings are structured around your travel window.

Due diligence coordination

We commission title verification (SHM/HGB/Girik), zoning (RTRW/RDTR), boundary surveys, environmental and access checks. You receive one consolidated file, not scattered PDFs in three languages.

Structuring & signing

We coordinate with your chosen notaris (or introduce a vetted one), align tax counsel where relevant, and prepare the ownership structure that matches your goal — freehold via PT PMA, HGB, or a long-lease with build rights.

After signing

Land in Sumba needs a caretaker. We can continue as your local operator — perimeter maintenance, community relations, permit follow-up, and construction oversight when you're ready to build.

How communication works

One WhatsApp thread with your lead advisor. One weekly written update while a file is active. All documents delivered via a secure shared folder with English summaries. Video calls scheduled to your timezone — we routinely work with buyers in Europe, Australia, Singapore and the US.

What it costs

There is no fee for the initial consultation or for shortlisting plots from our verified inventory. When a transaction proceeds, our compensation is transparent and disclosed upfront — either as a buyer-side advisory fee, a seller-side commission (fully disclosed to you), or a fixed project fee for development files. You always see the full economics before you commit.

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Why Best Island Projects

Local presence, international standards.

Best Island Projects operates from Bali and Sumba with a founding team that has bought, structured and built on Sumba themselves. We work only with notarises, surveyors and legal counsel we use for our own files — not the first name a village broker recommends. Every buyer file is reviewed by a second senior advisor before a purchase decision is signed off.

Frequently Asked

Questions from international buyers

For specific questions about a plot, area or process, request a private consultation.

  • Can a foreigner legally own land in Sumba?
    Not as personal freehold (SHM). Foreigners typically hold Sumba land via a PT PMA (Indonesian foreign-investment company) with HGB title, or via a long-lease structure. We walk you through the trade-offs before you sign anything.
  • Do I need to fly to Sumba to buy?
    Not for the shortlist or due diligence phases — those are handled remotely with recorded viewings and a full document file. Most buyers do fly in once before signing; we structure the trip so you see three to five qualified plots, meet the notaris, and inspect any critical site conditions in person.
  • Which languages do you work in?
    Primary working languages are English and Bahasa Indonesia. We regularly serve buyers in Dutch, French and German — briefings and summaries can be delivered in those languages on request, though legal documents remain bilingual (Indonesian + English).
  • How long does a typical purchase take?
    From signed engagement to notaris signing is usually 8–14 weeks: 2–4 weeks shortlisting, 4–6 weeks due diligence, 2–4 weeks structuring and signing. Complex development files or contested titles take longer — we tell you honestly at the file-opening stage.
  • What happens after I've bought?
    You keep the same advisor. We handle caretaking, community relations, permit renewals and — when you're ready — construction oversight. Buyers who don't yet want to build often ask us to maintain the plot and report quarterly.
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Ready to talk?

Send us a brief note — region of interest, intended use, timeline. We reply personally within one business day and, if there's a fit, schedule a confidential call.

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