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Post by onetoten on Apr 4, 2006 22:59:03 GMT 1
Stop press. Since my first posting. We have had 30 viewers. One came with a agent. A wink wink, nudge nudge agent. Nothing like the UK Estate Agents. I get the impression these Croat agents are all tyre kickers. All Croat viewers. Many who probably don't have the money. We have had 3 offers showing a fair profit. But, as I don't really wanna go and the wife does. But, despite the sun now, I can't see me making it here, especially under the circumstances. Another 10 bags of sand (Euros), and, reluctantly, I am outer here. Possibly never to return. At some time in the future this place will be rockin and rollin. Not now. I'd like to stick around and see it, but, too old.......Work on ten years. That would be my advice. And MAKE SURE you are both, if there is a partner, are up for the long haul.
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Post by gmh on Apr 5, 2006 9:47:20 GMT 1
Could be you're looking in the wrong place. Check this out www.apscroatia.com/index.php?ln=2&id=0&p_flag=1&general_location=5&PID=115Try finding a similar house in Italy 30 min from the sea for 87 000 euro. That company has some of the best prices for agencies in Croatia. The news paper today had a report on real estate and said prices had gone up 15% since last year. Apparently it's cheaper per square mtr to build a new house than to buy an existing apartment. If 1 person is interested in the figures of the article I'll post them. I suppose that information is based on the real estate conference just held in Zagreb. Ultimately though I would only recommend buying in Croatia if you like, and want to be in Croatia for some or all of your time. If you have no preference to where you want to be then it's best you find the cheapest palce that is suitable for your personal needs. Bezbrian forgot to mention that the owner of this site is a good friend of his, welcome to Croatia, that is how it works here Actually david I've only met Karl 5 times in my life. Not exactly what I'd call a good friend. He's a good guy and his company has some of the most reasonable prices in the market here. So what ? We can't make recommendations now ? I guess you shouldn't be recommending your wife for english lessons then. Or your friends holiday apartment.
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Post by Ribaric on Apr 5, 2006 11:25:38 GMT 1
Atavus? David? OK! As you two seem keen on "outing" each other..... To some extent, Isn't that the point of these boards? To give advice about what you think is a good answer to a question? Whoever gets the advice will always have to apply "buyer beware". I've asked a bunch of questions here (being the resident thickie) and have always been glad of those I've taken up. So, for what it's worth, I've developed a level of trust in irac, Bosmere, 1-to-10, Brightside, Bezbrizan as a result of good advice/suggestions they've given me. In the end, it's down to me. There are plenty of others here who appear to be good people too.
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Post by irac on Apr 5, 2006 11:37:18 GMT 1
Thank you Ribaric, I know that Cockney wit can make that a right cutting put down, but I'll take it as a nice compliment. It's like anything, you can get acres of advice on a topic or what to do, but ultimately you make your own decision. Last week one of my colleagues spent 2 days with a local Primary school Headmistress and advised her against making a deal with the town to "hand over" a meadow, even though one of our joint projects would benefit from it. The main reason being is that the Ministry are about to pass an order to develop playgrounds for students in schools where there are limited facilities, which she knew nothing of. While it would have been easy to put in a playing field for our own use, it would have meant that a better set up for the local kids would have been missed out on, so ultimately it's win win.
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Post by gmh on Apr 5, 2006 12:38:23 GMT 1
ahh the old hippy line I remember it well. You can challenge me to anything you like and you shall see I am no hippy. So I guess this finally proves that you came on here as atavus pretending to be croatian just so you could post those insults that Anna kindly deleted. You're such a big man dave.
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Post by gmh on Apr 5, 2006 13:59:38 GMT 1
You know very well what you wrote and that Anna deleted it. Thankfully only a few people read it before it got deleted.
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Post by Ribaric on Apr 5, 2006 14:03:19 GMT 1
Ah irac, if only I had the wit, c0ckney or otherwise! I'm one of those people who always thinks of the perfect repartee - but about 5 minutes too late and the moment is lost !
I guess it's a compliment to the people on here but only inasmuch as wrote what I've found to be true. I also love elaine's humour, pity we don't hear too much from her.
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Post by sarah1 on Apr 5, 2006 14:34:07 GMT 1
Oh no it is like last summer with all the insults....and not just on this posting.
Surely as Ribaric says the point of these boards is to ask questions, share ideas and give advice. There always seems to be this suspicion that someone is touting for business when they write something, and [to put the cat amongst the pigeons] I get the impression that there is some strange competition over who knows the most about Croatia. What qualifies someone to offer a point? Is it not the case that everyone has a different level of expertise, or area of knowledge about something related to Croatia? And also that they come to these boards for different reasons? I don't see what the problem is with this. And surely the person who is receiving the advice has a brain and will work out whether it is being given with vested interests or not.
I have met some very good people through this board, who have given excellent advice and help. It seems a shame that it has to become an exchange of insults.
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Post by Anna on Apr 5, 2006 17:38:40 GMT 1
Good post, sarah1. I've always thought that the majority of people can make their own conclusions from any advice given. And advice given doesn't mean that everyone - anyone, indeed - will act on it.
Let's get back on topic, please. And boys, take it outside.
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Post by Ribaric on Apr 5, 2006 19:47:57 GMT 1
See how the women stick together? All is forgiven valiant
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Post by mark2 on Apr 5, 2006 20:20:59 GMT 1
The wife and I live here summer, spring, winter, Burra. We bought a house, don't think about the profit. As I say to Clients "This is the property for sale, This is Croatia......Take it or leave it!" Take a risk or buy somewhere else, Bulgaria's cheaper but when it becomes the new Benidorm, don't blame me for not advising you against it......... At least I have the peace of mind to know that when I am 60 years old, I don't have the " would've, could've, should've" retrospective.
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Post by Embridge on Apr 6, 2006 17:43:40 GMT 1
I believe there is still profit to be had in Croatia and mainly in Zagreb and Dalmatia. You need to buy well, preferably off market, add value effectively and sell on market. Sourcing the properties is diificult from Uk and a reliable local contact is vital. I have been thrilled with the growth and renatl income achieved over the last 3 years.
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Post by lojalnost on Apr 8, 2006 15:42:50 GMT 1
Bezbrizan - you beat me to it! Obviously I agree - I have no problem being criticised for performing a poor service but I believe the service we offer is both highly professional and actually pretty good value for money. If someone wants to get on a plane and search long and hard in a range of places to find suitable properties, then check at the casdastre and land registry that the ownership is clear, ensure that the all relevant permissions have been obtained, set-up a company if desired on their own, liasing with notaries, the commercial court, local banks and accountants, negotiate with owners seeing a foreign buyers interest, draw up multi-lingual contracts....the list goes on then, they are completely free and entitled to do so. No-one has any obligation to use my company's services and I will stand or fall on the quality and integrity of the service I provide. It's a consumer-driven free market with no monopolies or even oligopolies - as the market develops there's nowhere to hide if you offer inadequate service (comments on this forum about the performance and reputation of other agencies is a small example). This country, which I have committed to for amny positive reasons, has many, many bigger problems than a number of dishonest estate agents taking a slice of dodgy transactions. I have nothing against estate agents per se, I would just like to point out that buying a house, even in Croatia (ALL THE POINTS YOU'VE STATED CAN BE DONE WITHOUT AN ESTATE AGENT), is not such a diffilcult process, and that people should ask whether or not the estate agent's slice of the buyers/sellers profit is actually worth it.
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Post by lojalnost on Apr 8, 2006 15:45:43 GMT 1
Lojalnost, I'm not an estate agent and I don't believe they're all the greedy crims you're trying to make them out to be. Sure some of them are, but most likely some people in what ever industry you are in are also. If you want someone to do some work for you, then you have to pay them for it. Everyone has the choice to do it themselves or pay someone else to do it. Simple. I am not trying to make out that they are all greedy, but it is a business and it is about profit, not about making cakes for old ladies.
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Post by mark2 on Apr 8, 2006 16:33:48 GMT 1
Estate Agents in the UK do less than many agents in Croatia. 1) they look at the house measure up, take 4 bad photos (no website), check a UK database for houses that have sold in the street over the last few years, and "value" yours. 2) They charge you a sign up fee and you sign a contract to say that even if you sell your house privately you still have to pay them. 3) They advertise your house in the local for 4 weeks (which you must pay for) 4) they have an interested party, they phone you up and you have to show them your own house, give them the walkthrough and the sales pitch. 5) Finally you sell your own house and still have to pay the agent.....................
In Croatia i pay for all of the advertising for properties, if the owner sells it first - Good luck to them. I pay any translators needed, we pick up from the airport and arrange accomodation, lawyers etc.
In my humble opinion, the Estate Agents in the UK are the real crooks (and believe me I have had enough dealings with them) and before anyone mentions the percentage difference, the UK agents are working on an ever revolving cycle of property, a medium town agent can sell 20 per week (average price say £150,000 at 2% commission = £60,000 per week) Plus backhanders!
It is actually easier to make money in the UK Real Estate business, much more money, but balance that against the quality of life in Croatia! I am the first to admit there are unscrupulous agents here, on one site we found two of our properties advertised at 30,000 Euros less than the owners actually require. External photos of the house and views from a different area of coastline.
Any house for sale in any country can be bought by anyone with the funds, the local so-called agents who sit in a bar all day or look out for someone asking about houses for sale do less for Croatia than those who are prepared to advertise to a worldwide market, in turn helping tourism and interest in a rejuvenating country.
For the ignorant that detract from the real work and results of an agent, turn the clock back 5 years. Look at the difference in this God-Given country.
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