+31 (0)6-83773220
+30 6977175045
+31 (0)6-83773220
+30 6977175045
Are you looking to buy a house or land in Crete? The property market in Crete experienced a boom in the late 1990s and early 2000s with foreign (mostly British) buyers and this attracted quite a few builders, developers and estate agents who suddenly saw the opportunity to make a quick buck at the expense of buyers. As a result, it is easy to find a number of horror stories on the internet or in the media.
But let’s be realistic when buying a house in Crete: there are still scammers, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to take the necessary precautions to ensure you get what you want at the price you expected. The guidance of Real Estate Greece will help you with this.
Remember that Crete is an island where bad news travels fast, so anyone accused of bad practices (from poor build quality to poor customer service or just plain scamming) will not last long in Crete.
To avoid any problems when buying a house in Crete, it is best to follow the points below and seek the help of a guiding real estate agent in your own language in Crete.
Of course for all types of property a clean title and the correct permits are a must and a good lawyer will ensure this. It is generally best to use an independent lawyer when buying a house in Crete (as opposed to a recommended or working lawyer for the seller or selling agent).
Most houses for sale in Crete will be listed with more than one agent, so it is wise to shop around to see if it is being offered for sale at a lower price elsewhere. There is no statutory commission, so agents can charge whatever they wish for the transaction. Generally, the commission for buying a house in Crete is between 2% and 3%. See here for the range of houses offered by Real Estate Agency Greece.
Consider having an independent survey of the property done by a civil engineer (there are no surveyors in Crete). He will not be able to give you a formal opinion on the value of the property, but he will be able to point out any potential problems. If you then decide not to buy the house, you will lose the fee paid to the engineer. On the other hand, bear in mind that you could save money on expensive problems. You could also reduce the price of your property for sale in Crete because of the problems that are found.
Have the person doing the survey compare the property for sale in Crete with what is on the original building permit. It is not uncommon to find discrepancies (additions or changes made after the building permit was issued) and these can result in fines. This is especially important if you are thinking of renting out a property in Crete as a holiday home, as these will be inspected by the EOT (Greek Tourist Organization) to obtain a certificate.
A number of developers will sell houses in Crete that have not yet been built, but only exist on paper as a project. As a rule, you can be sure that the correct titles and rights have been obtained. What you need to look at here before parting with your money are the clauses of the contracts (how are the payments spread? Is the construction timescale clearly stated with any penalty clauses if completion is delayed? etc.) and you may be well advised to use the services of an independent lawyer to check the contract (and amend it if necessary).
Perhaps more important is to have an idea of the quality of construction and service that the company you are working with provides. Do they have a reputation for employing good builders and materials? Do they keep clients informed of the progress of their building? Have there been any known problems with the company in the past? Do your research, ask around, get some references from previous clients. TAKE YOUR TIME!
We are not saying that you are treading on dangerous ground, nor are we saying that every rumor is true or that unhappy clients always have good reasons to complain (clients can have completely unreasonable expectations), but it is wise to spend a few days checking the references (not just the official paperwork) of the company. Also ask to see previously built properties, talk to the owners. If a company feels good about the service they provide, they will not hesitate to provide you with references. Of course, Real Estate Greece in Crete works with reliable partners who can build your home.
First of all, you should check that all building permits have been obtained or can be obtained (clean title, clearance from the forestry service and sometimes from the archaeological service). It is advisable to obtain a document from the planning authorities stating the building regulations for the plot in question (Vevaiosi Artiotitas). This document will make clear how many m2 are allowed and if there are any restrictions.
Make sure you know the cost of getting electricity and water. This depends on the location of the plot and can be high if it is outside the village limits.
If you are buying land in an undeveloped area, try to find out if there are any future developments planned in your area. A sure sign would be if there were large plots of land recently purchased by a company. Also try to imagine what your house will look like if the adjacent land is built on. Will you keep your view? Will it affect you in any other way?
There is something appealing about designing the house you want and having it built. More choices, more control, a certain romance. But unless you live in Crete or are willing (and able) to travel often to check on the progress of the building I would not recommend it. Things will certainly go wrong and your presence and input is certainly needed when building a house in Crete. Can you do this if you do not live in Crete? If you have an architect in Crete who you can trust 100% and communicate well with then this is an option. Otherwise you may be much better off considering buying an existing house in Crete.