Category: News

SHOULD YOU BUY PROPERTY IN GREECE DIRECTLY FROM THE OWNER?

Nowadays, information is easily accessible on the Internet and a simple search gives us millions of search results, related to the search key words. This is also the case in the real estate market, where the internet is now taking the major part of the sales pie. Anyone wishing to buy, or sell a property, begins his research through his smartphone, while enjoying his coffee break, thousands of miles away from the location of his dream home, and can immediately access numerous web sites offering properties. He can also contact the property owner or a local estate agent and arrange a property viewing. If things are so simple to approach and having the possibility to reach a property owner and thus avoid paying the agent’s commission.

Taking into account that buying or building a house is for the most of people an one time venture, and especially when it occurs in taking this major step overseas, the question that arise is : Is this safe, or could it be turned to an adventure ?

 Avoid problems by choosing to work along with a local professional real estate agent.

Here are some reasons why a buyer should choose to work with an experienced, qualified estate agent:

1)SAVING TIME

An estate agent is offering a wide range of properties matching the category, the region and the price range in turn, and is presenting these properties online through his website, portals, social media, so  you may spot the ideal properties straight forward, inquire for more information and make arrangements to view the chosen properties within a limited time and ask you questions in English , (some agencies offer their services in other European languages, as well), and get all the accurate, additional information needed in a professional manner, regardless of the property you will choose to go ahead with. On the contrary, viewing arrangements directly with different property owners in Greece who advertise their property online, can be turned to an adventure, in terms of luck of language communication and meeting time and place arrangements could be a time wasting and create problems.

2)CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS

An agent always knows the possibility of negotiation limits and has the knowledge and ability to achieve the best price on the benefit of the buyer. Especially in the case the agent can speak the Greek language, or even better the Cretan dialect in the case of a Cretan owner, he can achieve the best results, avoiding harming the seller’s pride, which is an essential factor on this island. Even some sincere comments, often have an emotional impact on the owner and can lead to a successful result and achieve a fruitful and beneficial deal for both sides. The professional agent, as an objective party of good will, can guarantee and secure the best interest of both seller and the buyer and protect, their best interests.

3)PAPER WORK AND BUREAUCRACY

Since buying a property, for the most people, is a onetime venture in their life time, buying a home in Crete-Greece, is not a simple procedure. There are technical and legal issues, which should be clarified before the sale completion, which only a professional can facilitate in collaboration with experienced lawyers and civil engineers, in cooperation with the property owner and the Notary public. Your estate agent will guide you, step by step, in order to avoid any problems and delays and complete the financial transaction and sale procedure smoothly. avoiding bureaucracy complications.

4)PROMOTE YOUR PROPERTY SALE THROUGH AN AGENT

In the first place comes an experienced estimation in relation to the selling price.A professional estate agent, is aware of the market trends and will be able to provide an accurate, realistic, and just consults, concerning the asking price, which is a major factor, that will ease a quick sale and will avoid any capital loss, which could occur by a direct sale.Since Today’s life rhythms do not allow life stopping when you decide to sell a house, and it is something that takes time, effort, and promotion activity.The agent has a professional purpose, which is to promote property sales and complete each procedure smoothly and fast. In this case, you save time and create circumstances for a quick and fair property transaction.

Crete is the largest and most populated of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the 5th in the Mediterranean Sea.

Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music).
The total population of the island is around 650.000. There is no heavy industry on the island and, apart from tourism, locals engage in livestock rearing (predominantly sheep and goats) and produce high quality olive oil from the ubiquitous olives.

At the Travelers’ choice awards by TripAdvisor, Crete took the 5th place, as one of the most popular touristic destinations in the world, after Paris, London and Rome. So, let’s look at some points that make Crete such a popular place for tourists and investors.

History background

Crete is an island with a historic background and civilization which goes 5,000 years back to history, preceding the Minoan civilization which was the first civilization in Europe and the first in Europe where a palace was built (Knossos Palace), using sophisticated architectural techniques, water supply and drainage systems. After the Minoan civilization was devastated by the Thera eruption, Crete developed an Ancient Greece-influenced organization of city states, then successively became part of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic, the Ottoman Empire, autonomous state, and the modern state of Greece.

Climate

The climate of Crete is generally described as mild Mediterranean. At its’ high mountains the climate has continental characteristics. The yearly temperatures fluctuate between 14 and 45 degrees Celsius, the mainland has generally warmer summers and colder winters, while the southern coasts are warmer both in winter and summer in relation to the northern coasts. The sun shines almost around the whole year, with its higher intensity and frequency from April to October.

The hottest months are July and August, but generally because of the sea breeze, the summer is relatively cool. The rains increase as we move from the east to the west and from the coastline to the mainland. The changes from place to place are strong. On average the sun shines for 310 days a year, so the climate is one of the most common reasons why so many people from Central or Northern Europe choose Crete to buy or build a villa for a holiday home or a permanent residence.

Buying a property in Crete

The Cretan property market is very popular to the Europeans, but it is quite different when compared to most other European countries. The prices are on average lower than other Mediterranean islands similar to Crete, although in some regions it can be very expensive.

Many taxi drivers, taverna owners, or just “friends” have some property to propose to a non-Greek buyer, without necessary to want to benefit from it, but just from hospitality and will to help. It is highly recommended though to turn to the professionals, as established-estate agents, who have the knowledge to estimate an Objective price for the properties and collaborate with experienced lawyers and engineers that can secure all legal and technical aspects and avoid any possible ownership or legality faults.

Buying a property in Crete

The Cretan property market is very popular to the Europeans, but it is quite different when compared to most other European countries. The prices are on average lower than other Mediterranean islands similar to Crete, although in some regions it can be very expensive.

Many taxi drivers, taverna owners, or just “friends” have some property to propose to a non-Greek buyer, without necessary to want to benefit from it, but just from hospitality and will to help. It is highly recommended though to turn to the professionals, as established-estate agents, who have the knowledge to estimate an Objective price for the properties and collaborate with experienced lawyers and engineers that can secure all legal and technical aspects and avoid any possible ownership or legality faults.
Highest and Lowest Temperatures on Crete per month
Landscape, flora and fauna
Majestic mountains rise up in the center – the White Mountains, Psiloritis and Dikti. Its plateaus are split by deep gorges and end up in fertile valleys. The scenery is constantly changing. Its villages are surrounded by greenery, olive trees, orange groves, vineyards and early vegetable market gardens.

Old stone farm houses, monasteries and villages are perched on mountain ridges, castles and chapels forgotten on steep slopes. Shores, lined with forbidding rocks, often inaccessible, also endless sandy or pebbly beaches. Crete is renowned for the variety of its vegetation and wild-life in its chestnut, oak and cypress forests.

Not to mention its palm forests (at Vai and Preveli). Medical herbs and fragrant shrubs, laudanum, dittany, marjoram and thyme, grow in rocky areas and mountaintops, where it is also the home of the “Kri-kri” or Cretan goat.

Hospitality – Health Care system – Low Criminality

Crete has its own unique culture different from rest of Greece. Its own music, food, dress code and accent. People are very proud of being Cretan and their history. Hospitality is something amazing and its real, not set up for tourists. it comes from the heart and you can sense it.

Crete has also excellent health care facilities. The staff, the standard of service given, cleanliness and up-to-date facilities sometimes exceed those offered by other European countries health service. Regarding the crime rate on Crete, it is very low in comparison with other Mediterranean Touristic destinations.

Cretan cuisine

Diets adopted by the local population have been a subject of interest since antiquity, with more recent investigations demonstrating their numerous health benefits. The Rockefeller Foundation’s study in 1940s and the Seven Countries Study in 1950s both highlighted the Cretan diet as a palatable primarily plant based dietary pattern with distinct differences compared to the western-type diet and a strong link to the maintenance of good health.

The local diet of Crete Island is what we know today as the Mediterranean diet, acknowledged as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and proposed as one of the three major health promoting dietary patterns in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. So, the Cretan Cuisine is one important aspect for tourists and longtime residents.

Building your home on Crete

Building a house on Crete is an option that more and more people from all over Europe choose, mainly because they cannot find on the resale market the residence that covers their needs and preferences, but also because the designing and building costs are low comparing to other European countries.
Two of the most common questions people ask us when they contact us are:” How much does it cost to build a house in Greece” or “What is the process of building a house”? Regarding the building costs, is for sure that there is not one and only answer on that questions and the reason is that every custom-made home is different, and each client has his own special preferences.

The building process that is followed varies depending on the professional that undertakes the process. It is highly recommended to turn to established building companies who most of the times employ a qualified design and building team, consisting of architects and civil engineers and are capable of offering a detailed cost analysis, for your building project in advance , based on specific plans and material specifications, so you may know, ” where you are standing”, financially throughout the building process.