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Post by londonhack on Mar 14, 2006 11:53:04 GMT 1
I am visiting istria in may to look at stone buildings, ideally with 3-bedrooms and land to build a swimming pool on. I'm looking at inland Istria - hillside with a sea view. Is this possible and what sort of price would I have to pay for this. I am happy to renovate.
Am I being a naive brit here - others' experiences and advice gratefully recieved
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Post by BrankoL on Mar 14, 2006 12:05:07 GMT 1
You should read Anna's report here: such farmhouses are expensive and there are only few of them available.
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Post by gmh on Mar 14, 2006 22:24:13 GMT 1
Ok so yesterday I posted 2 links to properties that fit exactly what londonhack was looking for and they got accidently deleted by the admin. It wouldn't be hard to google around for them again but I can't be bothered.
1 property was 60 000 euro and the other 65 000
They looked perfect for a renovation project.
Prices went up from there all the way to fully renovated or new stone houses for 500 000 euro.
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Post by mambo on Mar 14, 2006 23:07:45 GMT 1
Here in Istria old houses are difficult to get, prices are completely ridiculous (200,000 euro for a ruin in Pula !)
But, if you would forget about the sea view, simply go a bit further inland, around area Pazin (and further) the prices become more acceptable.
Unless you have of course money to burn, then by all means pay whatever they ask.
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Post by londonhack on Mar 15, 2006 14:32:32 GMT 1
Many thanks for your replies - of course I don't have money to burn!! But i do want to buy a home within my '(small) budget.
I'm interested in what local people think of foreign buyers coming in and buying up properties. I'm from Wales and I remember locals burning cottages bought by english investors in the 70s!!
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Post by Carol on Mar 15, 2006 21:41:53 GMT 1
I cover Dalmatia not Istria, so its possible that the situation in Istria is different from here, but I can honestly say that whilst Croats have a definite preference for selling their property to other Croats, they are nowhere near the militant type action which was going on in Wales (and to a lesser extent Scotland in the late 70's).
I don't really know why the Welsh did that so its difficult to say why it won't happen here but I really don't think its remotely likely! (if it was I wouldn't stay here with my two little children)
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Post by nikh on Mar 16, 2006 19:32:39 GMT 1
or move down the coast where their are still bargains and the locals are very friendly, even though theyll definitely try it on, if your smart you can sip a beer an sort it out and get something great.
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Post by londonhack on Mar 16, 2006 20:15:05 GMT 1
where down the coast do you recommend? Is istria the most expensive place to buy? I am looking there because that is the only area I have visited - but i am open to any suggestions. Around Split is another possible as easyjet are opening a direct london route.....what sort of difference in prices are there?
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Post by Ribaric on Mar 16, 2006 20:27:10 GMT 1
Is this an investment LH or are you intending to move here? The question is valid in that living in a stone cottage in the remote countryside a is fine...in the summer. Life is extremely quiet out of season. Heck, in the middle of Istria, it's always quiet.
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Post by nikh on Mar 16, 2006 21:22:31 GMT 1
As far as I can see the best buys are on Brac at the moment as thier is plenty of everyting. Lots of investment going in here including dare I say the word Golf, we wait in hope ! Ba fly their on Fridays in the summer , 12 ferries a day, great catamaran service also. You can also take a boat from teh airport direct. Stone houses villas land and new and old apts. Shop around look at all the websites as everyone is selling the same product. Lots of crooks all over so do your homework, get a surveyor to check your paperwork as alot of lawyers dont really and you cant rely on your agent they want a sale and alot of times will cut corners as a result. Even if they are lovely people they are probably not trained in real estate, so rely on your self .Check out who the local agent is for the freign agent and then check them out by getting references. Just because they are big doesnt mean they are straight, check them all out.Some have great marketing skills and will bamboozle you with flannel . Do not take a lawyer recommended by the agent look up the croatian bar and also contact the chamber of commerce or go on someones recommendation and then check them out for yourself. Websites easily available.Really good value here, I love Istri atruly beautiful but this is where you get the bargains right now and its really beautiful, actually its all beautiful, so shop around and know what you are buying for as this will help you decide.
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Post by londonhack on Mar 17, 2006 15:19:45 GMT 1
Thanks for your responses - especially NikH for all that detailed advice. I'm still at very early stages - the friend who wants to buy with me is visiting for the first time in may so we need to hav e a look around other places too.
The thing about istria is its accessibily to cheap flights from trieste. which is why we are going there.. but I'm interested in checking out other parts of croatia later in the year. in response to ribaric I guess we are looking at investment long term; but we both have busy jobs in London and are looking at a bolthole really - some where beautiful, peaceful where we can chill out.
What are prices like in brac then Nik?
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Post by nikh on Mar 17, 2006 15:54:01 GMT 1
Hi! If you pm me I will put you in touch with the agent I use for Brac, one of the partners is doing her finals for realestate agent a real novelty, but they havent let me down yet.Having said that , make up your own mind and interview potentials. They speak english and use email. Price range that I have seen from 52000 upwards.Although Idid see a stone house in need of serious refurbishment for 45000.
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