Zero Commission, Maximum ROI: Why Early Investors Are Seeing Double-Digit Returns

I’ve been in this business long enough to notice the shift. A few years ago, most people I met in Saranda and Ksamil were just curious tourists. They’d come for the clear Ionian waters, maybe rent a small apartment for a week, and that was it.

Now? More than half of them are asking about buying. And not just buying a holiday flat—they’re looking at long-term investments, asking about rental yields, tax advantages, and whether Albania really is the last affordable stretch of the Mediterranean.

And honestly? I believe it is.

A Different System, A Better Starting Point

Buying property in Albania feels refreshingly simple compared to Italy, Greece, or Spain. In many parts of the Mediterranean, you’re dealing with endless notary fees, hidden agency commissions, and a bureaucracy that eats into your margins before you even get the keys.

Here, things are leaner. Especially with new constructions—there’s no property transfer tax, and many agencies (ours included) offer zero commission for buyers. That means when you see a price tag, that’s the price. No layers of hidden costs, no awkward surprises at the notary’s office.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients from France or Germany raise an eyebrow when I explain this. One German investor told me, “In Mallorca, I paid more in fees than for my kitchen upgrade. Here, it feels like I’m not being punished for investing.” He wasn’t wrong.

The ROI That’s Turning Heads

Here’s the real hook: double-digit returns.

If you’ve spent time in Saranda or Ksamil in July and August, you’ll know what I mean. Apartments that cost €120,000 can generate €12,000 or more per season in rental income. The demand is insane—families from Poland, couples from Italy, groups of friends from the Nordics. Everyone wants a piece of the Riviera in peak season.

Of course, location matters. A Saranda apartment for sale with direct seaview will rent out ten times faster than one tucked away in the hills. Same with Ksamil—if you’re within walking distance of the beach, you’re already winning.

Just last week, I walked through a new apartment with a couple from the Netherlands. They weren’t sure at first—it was in a quiet neighborhood of Ksamil, about a 7-minute walk to the beach. But when they saw the private pool for residents, the brand-new finishes (the building was literally completed in 2025), their entire attitude shifted. “This feels like something we’d see in Crete, but for half the price,” they said. That’s when I pointed them here: White Residence in Ksamil. Luxury apartments, just delivered, in a quiet pocket of Ksamil where the neighborhood still feels fresh and unspoiled. Quiet luxury, without the fuss.

What Locals Know (and Outsiders Miss)

There are details you only notice if you’ve lived here a while. Like how the sun hits the Saranda promenade around 6:30 p.m., when the cafes start filling with locals for their evening xhiro (the Albanian custom of strolling by the sea). Or how in Borsh, there’s a small family-run taverna right off the main road—tourists rarely stop there, but I always bring clients. Nothing sells the dream of owning a villa with seaview better than grilled fresh fish under olive trees, with the sea stretching endlessly below.

Speaking of Borsh, that’s where I’ve seen some of the most ambitious projects. Take the White Residence Villas in Borsh. Four villas, each with its own private pool, tucked inside a gated residence. To me, this is the definition of long-term vision. Borsh is still undervalued compared to Ksamil or Saranda. But give it a few years—when the word spreads, those who bought early will be sitting on serious equity growth.

Albania vs. The Rest of the Mediterranean

Let’s be honest. You can’t compare Albania today to Spain or France in terms of infrastructure. But that’s exactly the opportunity.

In Spain, rental yields hover around 3–5%. In the French Riviera, you’re lucky if you cover costs. Here in the Albanian Riviera, we’re talking 8–12% returns annually if managed well.

And unlike Montenegro, where certain coastal areas have already hit saturation, Albania still feels young. Still hungry. Prices in Ksamil and Saranda average €1800–€2200 per m² for seaview apartments. Compare that with Corfu across the water—it’s two, sometimes three times higher.

It reminds me of a saying my grandfather used to repeat: “Buy land where the roads are still dusty. By the time they’re paved, you’ll already be rich.”

Stories From the Ground

One moment that sticks with me: a young couple from Sweden came to view an apartment in Saranda. They were nervous—buying in a foreign country isn’t easy, and Albania can feel unfamiliar at first. But when I showed them how the building was only 5 minutes from Mango Beach, with a balcony that practically hangs over the Ionian, their doubt melted away.

We sat for coffee afterward. They asked me if Albanians really drink raki at 10 a.m. I laughed and said, “Yes, but don’t worry, it’s usually homemade and part of the ritual.” By the end of that day, they’d reserved their first seaview apartment. It wasn’t just about numbers—it was about feeling part of something authentic.

Tangents and Truths

Sometimes I drift into side thoughts when talking about property. Like how the ferry ride to Corfu takes just 30 minutes—yet the price gap between the two markets feels like a whole century. Or how you can still find fresh mussels sold by fishermen on the side of the road near Butrint. Little details, but they matter. They remind me why people fall in love with this region.

And they remind me why I believe—truly—that Saranda and the Albanian Riviera offer the best value left on the Mediterranean coast.

A Final Word on Timing

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that timing matters. Early investors here are already enjoying double-digit ROI. They bought when Ksamil was just starting to buzz, when Borsh was still a whisper.

Now, with every summer season breaking new records for tourist arrivals, the math gets easier to explain. More tourists = higher rental demand. Higher demand = better yields.

For anyone serious about exploring, I’d suggest starting here: our current projects in the Riviera. Browse around casually—you’ll see the mix of beachfront property, seaview apartments, and even larger developments. Some are quiet luxury, some are more affordable properties, but all share one thing: location on the coast, in a market that’s only just waking up.

And if you ever make it down here, maybe I’ll take you for a coffee on the Saranda promenade. No commission, no pressure. Just a chat by the sea, and maybe a glimpse into why I’ve built my life in this corner of Albania.