Rory and Casey Jones built a villa in Bali for 2.287 billion Indonesian rupiah, or about $143,000. They wanted to invest in a tangible asset that would earn income and double as a retirement home. Prior to this, they had never traveled to Indonesia before. The couple, from Tasmania, Australia, dreamed of retiring early and spent a lot of time investing in the stock market. They wanted a tangible asset and after some research, they settled on the idea of building investment property overseas.
After considering various locations, the couple ultimately chose Bali because of its high return on investment and the ease for foreigners to build a home there. They spent time exploring different areas of Bali to find a peaceful but up-and-coming neighborhood that would be attractive to travelers. They eventually found a piece of land in the Bingin area near Uluwatu. Since foreigners are not allowed to own land in Bali, they obtained a 30-year lease for the land, with the option to renew for another 30 years. They paid 720 million Indonesian rupiah, about $44,700, for it.
The two-story villa, which sits on a 3,300-square-foot plot, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The entire build, including furniture and permits, cost 2.287 billion Indonesian rupiah, or about $143,000. The couple chose to build from scratch to ensure they could dictate the standards and design of the building. The villa has a mix of modern industrial and boho design with Balinese influences. The interiors are cozy with wood accents and furniture, all sourced locally. The build was slightly delayed due to a particularly bad rainy season.
The villa is available for short-term rentals on Airbnb, and has received positive reviews from guests. The couple initially planned to spend a couple of months a year in Bali, but due to the popularity of the villa, they may keep it rented out on Airbnb full-time. They hope to retire in the villa in five to six years. Rory Jones advises those looking to build in Bali to manage expectations as processes may run differently compared to their home country. Despite the challenges faced during the build, the couple is pleased with the end result and plans to build more investment properties in Bali in the future.
