I get this question almost every week.
Sometimes on WhatsApp at midnight. Sometimes over coffee on the Saranda promenade.
“How do I manage a property in Albania if I don’t live here?”
And I understand why people ask. Buying is one thing. Managing from abroad is another story entirely.
I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for years now. I’ve seen foreign buyers fall in love with this coast, buy a beautiful apartment or villa… and then worry about what happens when they fly back home. Who checks the apartment? Who hands over the keys? Who deals with guests in August when the city is packed and nothing goes as planned?
Let’s talk honestly about that.
Why Albania Attracts Buyers Who Live Abroad
Most of our clients don’t live in Albania full-time.
They come from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, even further.
They visit once. Sometimes twice.
They walk along the waterfront at sunset, see the light over the Ionian, have dinner late like we do here, and something clicks.
I remember recently showing a couple around Ksamil. We stepped onto a balcony just as the afternoon heat softened, and for a moment nobody said anything. Those quiet reactions say more than words. It’s usually at that moment they stop thinking like tourists and start thinking like owners.
But ownership from abroad brings questions.
The Real Challenge Isn’t Buying. It’s Managing
Buying Saranda apartments for sale, beachfront property, or seaview apartments along the Albanian Riviera is actually quite straightforward.
The real challenge begins after the keys are handed over.
Who cleans between guests?
What happens if the AC stops working in July?
Who deals with last-minute bookings during peak season?
And here’s something only locals really understand:
July and August in Saranda are not the months to “figure things out.” They’re intense. Busy. Beautiful. But intense.
If your property isn’t managed properly during those weeks, you lose money. And peace of mind.
Living Abroad Doesn’t Mean Losing Control
This is where many people get it wrong.
They assume managing from abroad means giving up control.
It doesn’t.
It means setting things up correctly.
Over the years, we’ve helped clients structure everything in a way that feels calm, predictable, and profitable. And now, we’re taking that one step further with a new project coming soon — VivaView Management, part of VivaView Real Estate.
The idea is simple.
Effortless, actually.
We manage properties during peak season so owners living abroad can fully benefit from summer demand — without being here physically. From guest communication to cleaning, check-ins, maintenance, and day-to-day coordination. Quietly. Professionally. Without noise.
I won’t oversell it.
But I truly believe this is what the Albanian market has been missing.
What Works Best for Owners Abroad
Let me be practical for a moment.
Not every property is ideal for management from abroad. Some perform better than others. The best ones usually have three things in common:
– Modern construction
– Privacy and calm
– Strong summer demand
Take, for example, a brand-new 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil, finished in summer 2025, located in a quiet new neighborhood with a shared private pool and only a short walk from the beach. Properties like this one are ideal. Not flashy. Just well done. Guests love them, and owners don’t get headaches.
Or consider a seaview apartment in Saranda, in a safe and quiet area, with uninterrupted views and a private pool inside the residence. Something like this Skënderbeu Street apartment. It works equally well as a home and as an investment — which is exactly what many buyers want.
A Small Local Detail That Matters
Here’s something you won’t read online.
Guests don’t just remember the apartment.
They remember the experience.
The smell of fresh bread early in the morning.
The café near the port where locals sit before 8am.
The quiet streets above the promenade where evenings stay peaceful even in August.
These details influence reviews. And reviews influence income.
Managing a property here isn’t just logistics. It’s understanding rhythm. And rhythm is local.
Ksamil: High Demand, High Expectations
Ksamil deserves special mention.
Social media brought it global attention, but management is what keeps returns strong. Guests expect more now. Better finishes. Better privacy. Better organization.
That’s why newer developments perform best. For example, modern duplexes built in 2025, with two swimming pools (one private, one shared), underground parking, strong security, and walking distance to both beach and center. Properties like this luxury duplex in Ksamil are not just beautiful — they’re practical. ROI up to 16% per year isn’t a coincidence. It’s the result of good design and proper management.
A Short Tangent (But an Important One)
Sometimes clients ask me if Albania will “change too much.”
I get it.
People worry that growth will erase character.
But honestly? I’ve seen Saranda grow without losing its soul. You still see neighbors greeting each other every morning. You still hear Albanian coffee spoons tapping against porcelain. Growth here feels human. Balanced.
And that balance is exactly why I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
Villas and Privacy for Families Abroad
Not everyone wants an apartment.
Some buyers want space. Silence. A gate that closes.
For families living abroad, villas in quiet neighborhoods are often the perfect solution. A place they can enjoy for themselves — and still rent selectively.
A private villa in Saranda, with a swimming pool, spacious layout, and real privacy, like this one in Surra, is rare. These don’t come often. They’re especially attractive to families who value calm and discretion.
Management here is different. Fewer guests. Higher quality. More control. But still — someone needs to be on the ground.
So How Do You Actually Manage From Abroad?
Let’s simplify it.
You need:
– A trusted local team
– Clear communication
– Seasonal strategy (especially summer)
This is exactly where VivaView Management fits in — quietly, without pressure.
We focus on peak season performance, because that’s where most of the value is created. Owners abroad don’t need to worry about calls, keys, cleaners, or coordination. They get updates. Transparency. Results.
And importantly — freedom.
Final Thoughts
Owning property in Albania while living abroad doesn’t have to feel risky or complicated.
If done right, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make — financially and personally.
I’ve seen clients start as cautious buyers and turn into long-term owners who return every summer like clockwork. They stop asking “Is everything okay?” and start asking “Can we block two weeks for ourselves in August?”
That’s when you know it’s working.
If you’re considering affordable properties along the Albanian Riviera, or already own one and wonder how to manage it better from abroad, this conversation is just beginning.
And like most good things here — it starts calmly. With the right people. And a long-term view.
