+31 (0)6-83773220
+30 6977175045
+31 (0)6-83773220
+30 6977175045
Buying a property in Crete is a relatively simple procedure. Real Estate Greece guides its clients step by step in buying a house in Crete. The following five basic steps are followed.
In Greece it is highly recommended that the buyer hires his own independent lawyer. When buying a house in Crete, the lawyer will assist you during the purchase procedure of the house and he or she can represent you in all legal matters, as far as the purchase of a house in Crete is concerned. It is recommended that the buyer gives a power of attorney to the lawyer, so that he can act on his behalf when the buyer is not in Crete himself. If the buyer does not know a local lawyer, Real Estate Greece can recommend a selection of renowned multilingual lawyers. They have extensive experience in conveyancing real estate in Crete
In order to make a purchase agreement for real estate in Crete possible, a notary is required. The notary draws up the official purchase contract and it will be read, understood and signed in his or her presence by the buyer and the seller or their legal representatives. The notary does not represent the interests of the buyer, as this is the role of the buyer’s lawyer, but he is responsible for the verification and registration of the purchase transaction in the public registers. By doing so, the buyer acquires the official title to the property. Real Estate Greece can recommend a number of notaries for the buyer to select from, or assign the one responsible for the official purchase contracts of a specific project subject to the buyer’s approval.
The title deeds of the properties are held in the mortgage register. When buying a house in Crete, the seller will provide the buyer with a copy of the title deed of the property in question. This is often done with the help of the buyer’s lawyer. It is the lawyer’s job to examine the title deeds and titles to ensure that:
1. The seller is in possession of the absolute title to the property.
2. There are no claims or debts on the property.
3. The seller has paid his property taxes.
4. The property has been built strictly according to planning and building permits.
Only if the title does appear to be ‘clean’ will the lawyer of the buyer of the house in Crete advise to proceed with the signing of the official purchase contract.
When buying a house in Crete, a tax registration number (pronounced “a-fee-mee”) will be requested for the buyer in order to proceed with any transaction, including buying a house in Crete. The buyer’s lawyer can request a tax registration number, in the buyer’s absence, as long as the lawyer has a power of attorney from his client. The tax registration number is provided by the tax authorities when buying a house in Crete.
The transfer tax in Greece is around 3% of the value of the property. The lawyer will make sure this is paid.
The buyer’s lawyer will ensure that the title deed is issued in the buyer’s name by obtaining the relevant certificate from the Register of Mortgages.
Greek banks offer a wide range of financial services. We recommend that the buyer opens a bank account with a bank in Crete. This can be done with the help of the buyer’s lawyer. The money for the purchase of the property can then be transferred from abroad to this bank account. Withdrawals from the bank account can be made by the buyer’s lawyer on the instructions of the buyer.
The ownership of a property in Greece is secured by the government, the so-called “Register of Mortgages”. Titles of all properties are kept there, as well as all encumbrances on properties. The property is kept in the name of the owner and the lawyer has the right to check whether the property is owned by a person or a company. A title search is carried out to check whether there are claims, bonds or charges on the property. A title search will also show whether the property is clean. Buying a house in Crete? View the offer of Real Estate Agency Greece here.