Greek Property Investment and ABBA

Often, Hollywood is a great friend to Greece, and films shot in the Greek Islands give the country a lot of free publicity. Zorba the Greek made Crete into the most desirable location in Greece, Shirley Valentine promoted Mykonos, and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin boosted tourism in Kefalonia for many years afterwards. Recently, the film Mamma Mia, based upon the works of ABBA, filmed on the island of Skopelos, promises to have the same effect. This small island, lying near its better known neighbour, Skiathos, is set to become a major tourist destination, despite the one hour ferry journey.

This hidden gem is unspoilt by development, and is a green gem nestled amongst the azure waters of the Aegean. The traditional houses, clustered around the sheltered harbour, are of the typically Greek white-wash style. There is little sign of hotel development, and there are signs that a small property boom is starting, fuelled by the Hollywood interest.

For those who fell in love with the film, Skopelos is a perfect location to buy into the Greek dream. Most of the real estate agents offer properties from the 150 000 Euro mark upwards, and the island is becoming popular with second home owners. It is certainly worth a look, if the Greek islands are your dream location, although it may be a good idea to rent for a while first. This will allow you to sample the life, and attempt to find better deals, cutting out expensive estate agents with fancy websites and big advertising budgets.

Buying a house on the island is no different than investing in property anywhere in Greece, so following the correct procedures is essential. If you manage to find a house on the island of Skopelos, it is a wonderful opportunity to invest, in the Greek dream as well as financially.