As with any solution, you first
need to define the requirements. Lets start by discussing the first question you need to ask, as it will shape how you
will plan to continue. What type
of property am I looking for?
A holiday vacation villa or a home for permanent
living or retirement?
Of course your answer to that question greatly defines the
type of property you are searching for. If the
property is for a holiday home, then you may be looking for aspects such as a
swimming pool, rentability, location, ease of maintenance. Where as a property
for permanent living, will have the emphasis on livability such as the
kitchen, practicality, the location (in respect to others living nearby), access,
amenities and local
community. A house high up in the hills in a remote location, offering stunning
panoramas may be a perfect choice for a two week summer vacation hideaway, but may prove too isolated and cutoff for all year round
living.
Once you have decided the type of property that you are looking for,
there is another very important decision to be made, which is not a easy to
answer at this stage.
Should I build
from scratch, or purchase an existing property?
Many
immediately opt for the later only to review their answer once they start
searching. Purchasing an existing property, can further be broken down into:
Buy an existing property that can be moved straight into; contract a ready built
so called 'turn key' property; or renovate an older neglected building.
The romantic thoughts of converting an old beachside
'olive
press' into a holiday home attracts many - but how realistic is that dream? Many
imagine that there are numerous abandoned olive presses by the waters edge with
a small private beach, an old disused press inside with stone huge wheels that will make a feature of the
living room and all this with a budget of 20,000 Euros. The reality is they do not exist.
Those properties that look abandoned on the waters edge often have generation
long disputes over ownership. You may stumble across an empty abandoned
property - its roof caving in making it seem unwanted, and yet it is very
very much fought over by the owners.
The problem often goes back many years.
Many parents simply did not have a legal will. The property would be left to the children.
Those days the property had very little value - and anyway 'its right on the
beach - who wants it!' Many locals after the harsh second world war, moved to
America or Australia seeking a better life. In time they
forgot about their family home. Gradually they have returned (often ironically
seeking a better life!) Property values of course have
greatly increased and the number of entitled owners grown. Often a family feud
has started over who should now claim ownership of the property. Some houses
have been divided but as time goes by and the generations get bigger, 10-20
people can easily be come the 'owner' and yet it only takes one to disagree to
what should be done and the deal is off. A lesson indeed to make sure that the
property you intend to buy is indeed owned by the alleged seller.
A dream home on Corfu can be
yours, but you need patience. Especially as it will not be until next month that
I will add another chapter to this guide!
|
Where to
Start when planning to own a property on Corfu.
Owning A Corfu
Property
|
With the distances and language barriers, you
will need local help.
People you will need |
We offer a selection of Corfu
properties and plots of land for sale:
Corfu
Real Estate |
|
|
Yearly Costs
Involved when Owning a property on Corfu
|
|
|
Planning to
move to Corfu for retirement or to live and
work?
|
|
