buying property in greece
Anybody who reads a newspaper, or surfs on the net, will be aware that the Greek economy is at crisis point and that the incoming government has to slash the country’s spending, immediately. Amidst a raft of measures designed to cut spending, increase taxation, and tackle the endemic corruption that has fuelled the black economy and reduced tax receipts, PASOK has announced that it is to shift the burden of Greek annual property taxes.
More on Greek Property Taxes – PASOK Implements Immediate Changes
For many people, wishing to live the dream and spend long summers in Greece, renovation and self-building are excellent ways of making your money go further. Unless you are prepared to live in rural areas, some distance away from the sea, buying property can be expensive. For those with less money to spend, building a holiday home in Greece is a great way of stretching out the budget to own the vacation home of your dreams, without having to compromise on location or size.
More on Building a Holiday Home in Greece – Financing and Building Plots
Self Building – Residential Property Investment in Greece.
The next stage of your self-build is to find a properly accredited architect or engineer, who will draw up plans for your dream home. This is probably the easiest part of the process, because there are very few dishonest architects in Greece. Working in an earthquake zone means that they are highly trained and heavily regulated, and a shoddy architect faces a jail term if they are found cutting corners. Greeks tend to translate the term ‘architect’ as a building mechanic, so do not be confused if they start talking about finding a mechanic – it has nothing to do with cars!
More on Self Building – Residential Property Investment in Greece.
Greek Property Investment Advice – The Safe Investment?
As the country emerges from a wet and cold winter, there has been little change in the Greek property markets. According to most of the Greek property investment advice, the market is fairly stagnant, with prices neither rising nor falling. Everything is still in a state of uncertainty, although builders are really starting to feel the pinch. Greece has never been a country for making a quick return on investments, but could property here serve another purpose, as a safe-haven for your savings?
More on Greek Property Investment Advice – The Safe Investment?
Greek Property Investment And Pensions
For many people, retiring to Greece is the only logical choice, a just reward for a lifetime of work and toil. Thousands of retirees look to Greek property investment as the chance to relax after long career. Greece offers the best quality of life in Europe, and the country has a wonderful laid-back attitude, perfect for enjoying the best years of your life.
Property Investment in Greece: Investing In Life
When I mention that I live in Greece, people become very jealous, automatically assuming that we are blessed with all-year sunshine and warm azure seas. The reality is that the weather in Greece is very cold and very wet for three months of the year. Winter in the Peloponnese was spent huddled around the wood-stove, wrapped in blankets.