Articles
Background articles from Area Before Property, published periodically.
Sumba Between Poverty and Authenticity
An estate agent on Sumba told me why local people sell their land, and why he thinks that helps. It made me think about how a poor, authentic island can develop without losing what makes it special.
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Sumba: The Island and the People Behind It
During my research on Sumba I spent time with a taxi driver who has lived on the island for 17 years. His stories were not about real estate but about how people live there. What stayed with me most is how the people are.
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Two Sides of Growth
A villa never stands apart from the area around it. Using Bali, Lombok and Sumba, I show how I assess property for its social value: through tourism, the economy, the living environment, infrastructure and local interests.
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My Bali Investment: Why I Chose Bingin and What to Watch For
I bought an off-plan villa in Bingin myself. In this article I share why I chose this area, how the buying process works, and what I always make sure is in the contract.
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Bali's Short-Term Rental Rules Are Changing on 31 March 2026: What Investors Need to Know
From 31 March 2026, new rules govern short-term villa rentals on Bali — foreign investors will no longer be able to operate their own PT PMA to list on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Here's what's changing and what it means for your investment.
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