The location where you decide to buy land or a house
is all a matter of taste and budget. But there are still some important
practical considerations which should influence your choice. I have
listed a few below to encourage prospective buyers of property to
ask themselves the right questions and avoid mistakes.
Renovating an old house by the sea
On the whole, this is an idea that you can forget. These houses
just don't exist (outside of town). Of course, one of the very few
renovated traditional houses by the sea will come on the market from
time to time, at premium prices.
Buying that great ruin
There are still plenty of ruined houses to be found but be aware
of the fact that it is often more expensive to rebuild a ruin than
it is to build a house from scratch. Part of the high cost of renovation
is that anti-earthquake regulations need to be followed.
A plot far away from everything
It is possible to buy land in an isolated area (provided you buy
enough of it to get a building permit) but bringing in electricity
(and water) may cost a fortune. Make sure that you know how much
so that you can work out the total cost of building.
Want to live in Crete in winter?
It is surprising how many people decide to buy property in Crete
on the strength of what they experience during the summer months.
They then might cut corners and build a house for warm dry weather
and are in for a rude awakening when they spend their first winter
here. These can be wet, windy and cold and a house without heating,
good insulation and quality doors and windows will make for an uncomfortable
stay. Even if you don't plan to spend winters in Crete, your house
will need to be built well enough to last through these harsh months.
Want to retire in Crete?
Crete sounds like a good place to retire: good weather (apart from
the few miserable days that we get every year), lots of nature, almost
non-existent criminality. But don't just look at the positive aspects,
think long and hard about some less positive sides: Will you have
enough like-minded people around you? How far are you from medical
facilities? What happens if you cannot drive anymore? It doesn't
mean that you shouldn't come and retire in Crete but it might affect
the location you should choose.
A house with a view
Most people want a house with a sea view which means that they will
command a premium. If you can walk to the beach or are right on it
prices will be even higher. Assuming that you are able and willing
to pay more money for a great view, make sure that you are not in
danger of loosing it through other buildings in the future. Normally
an architect or civil engineer (an independent one, not someone employed
by the company selling the property!!!) should be able to assess
what the situation is.
If you still want a view but are on a limited budget, you can still
find plots and properties with sea views (and mountain views, these
are wonderful here as well) that are a little further away (5 or
10 minutes drive from the sea). Much better value and probably less
likely to be overdeveloped in the future. The same caveat applies
if you want to keep your view: get a house on a slope or make sure
that no one can build between you and your view.
What is already too pricey and what is still comparatively cheap?
It is difficult to assess what is already too pricey without knowing
what the future holds in store but it is generally accepted that
in West Crete parts of the Apokorona region (Plaka, Almyrida, Gavalochori
and surrounding areas) and the old town of Chania are getting overpriced.
Especially for prime locations with good sea views.
The area to the West of Chania (beyond Platanias) especially a little
away from the sea in the hills is much cheaper. Some parts in
the South of the island are also still very good value but this has
more to do with the fact that there is little new building going
on, very little buying and selling so not much speculation. But
you will be hard put to find anything in the South of Crete on an
estate agent's books.
What sort of place should you avoid?
Avoid anything that is too far from a village unless you are willing
to pay for the cost of bringing in water and electricity. In some
instances, this could be higher than the cost of the house itself.
Do not touch anything without a clean ownership title (a lawyer
will make sure that things are correct) and do not ever buy a plot
that has not been approved for building by the forestry department
(and in some instance by the archaeological department). In some
instances plots are offered before these surveys are made but the
sales contract should state clearly that your deposit will be refunded
in full if your building application is refused.
Only buy an old house for renovation if you are aware of the costs
of renovating it. Pay an independent civil engineer to survey the
house and give you a cost estimate.
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