» Our Services & FAQ's
• What services do you offer?
We offer a varied range of services aiming at facilitating your decision making process and the purchase of the property of your dreams. Our services include:
- Airport or ferry port pick up.
- Finding you temporary accommodation (rental) until you are ready to move into your own house.
- Showing you as many properties as you need until you decide on your dream property.
- Introducing you to reliable and reputable English speaking legal consultants to check all the documents presented by the sellers.
- Acting on your behalf to follow up on every stage of the purchasing process until you have the key in hand.
- Keeping you up to date with all developments of the deal on a regular basis.
- Arranging for property management if desired during your absence from Crete.
- Arranging for housekeeping, gardening and general maintenance of your property.
- Arranging for renting your property if you have bought it for investment.
- Helping in purchasing of reasonably-priced furniture and white goods.
- Our rental division will help you to find a house or a villa if you are looking to rent a place (minimum three-month rental).
- Introducing you to the best constructors in Crete in the event of your buying a plot to build on.
• Can foreigners buy property in Greece ?
Yes. Greece has been in EU since 1993, and the restrictions imposed for security purposes on foreigners owning property were lifted in 1992, except land, in close proximity to military bases, where a certificate will be acquired from the local military General.
• Is the purchase of property difficult in Greece ?
No, in fact the purchase process is simpler than in most of other European countries. In summary, having selected your property, you will appoint an English speaking Greek lawyer (we can arrange this for you on your request) to act on your behalf by giving him/her Power of Attorney. This is arranged through a Public Notary for a fee of approximately 50 Euros.
Your lawyer will obtain your local tax number on your behalf, required by the Greek law to be able to purchase your property.
Completion of this process normally takes about four to six weeks, depending on the readiness of the property sale documentation.
If you prefer, you can instruct the lawyer to sign the final contract on your behalf in front of the Public Notary (Government appointed body), who approves and records the transaction at the local Land Registry offices.
Alternatively, you may wish to return to Crete to sign the final contract yourself. In this case, the contract is translated word by word for you, in your own language in accordance with Greek law.
• If I decided to buy a property, how would I pay for it?
Your appointed lawyer can make all transactions for you through a bank account here, in Crete . Most of the times, there is a payment plan starting with a 10% non-refundable as a deposit for the purchase of your property.
(All prices are quoted in Euros.)
• Is there a Land Registry?
Yes. As mentioned in #2 above, your lawyer will take care of the land registration.
• What are the taxes and other expenses involved in the property purchase?
The total expenses are forecast around 8% of the buying price, this covering your lawyer's fees and purchase taxes, which in Greece are a one-off payment at time of land purchase.
• What other expenses apply if I live in Greece ?
If you are not working, your only cost will be utilities-electricity and water.
• What guarantees exist on new houses?
New houses are usually guaranteed for five years, while, depending from one builder to another, fittings are guaranteed from one to two years.
• Insurance?
We can put you in contact with a number of major insurance companies.
• Property management and rental?
We can also put you in contact with reputable management and rental companies.
• Furniture and white goods?
Most new houses are equipped with kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and fitted wardrobes in bedrooms. We can also introduce you to trusted local traditional furniture makers and whole sellers of white goods.