is it safe to buy a Villa in Northern Cyprus?

chrisjohn


Joined: 08/07/2010
Posts: 6

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:04

as Family we have been looking at the villas here in Northern Cyprus but hear some really bad things about it the blonde lady at Park Lane (sorry i have forgotten your name) is the only person i have meet who is positive about Northern Cyprus.

Can anyone tell me what it is like and why are so many people negative it not good as a holiday maker i have to say but as a holiday maker i am lucky i always look at it as if there is one negative there must be at least 2 positive.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:10

got no complaints you have to research and do your homework

but there is light at the end of the tunnel

i would still do the same if it was now not 4 years ago



to many moaners and not enough people with the bottle and gumption to give it a go

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:29

Have you read the contents of the HPBG website - if not, suggest you do, so that your future postings may be more specific in order that people can help you.



At present, it's hot and humid here in TRNC , and the whole subject is too vast and complicated to be answered in a few words.



Remember that there are hardly any buyers in TRNC now - only those types who are prepared to 'buy the vehicle without knowing, or caring, what goes on under the bonnet'!

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:29

as long as you stick to the NO KOCAN, NO MONEY! principal you should have no problems but any other way would be idiotic. Unlike cyprusairsoft, I would not do the same as I did 8 years ago. Giving money and getting nothing back in return is not sensible, it's a bit like going to a stall and being told, give me the money and I'll bring the goods next week. Would you do that?

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:32

agree in principle but had no problems apart from electricity debt by the builder and a good advocate is essential

karakum5c



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 1021

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:43

If you are going to buy.



Buy finished never off plan.



I made that mistake,its a lot of heartache and stress who needs that when you can buy finished.



Let some other smuch do all the crap.

rufus


Joined: 31/05/2010
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:43

I would agree with Msg 2 comment from Cyprusairsoft.......I bought 4 years ago and have no complaints with the way the buying process, solicitors or builders went.....when have you ever known everything to run smoothly in a house buy in the UK? For the price we paid for our Villa and the amount of fabulous holiday time we have spent in TRNC there is nothing to be unhappy about....People who have bought should appreciate what they have and take a look around them and see the glass as being half full rather than half empty all the time....

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 15:56

I assume that both of you, rufus and cyprusairsoft, are in possession of title deeds in your names without encumbrances listed on the back of them. Just checking.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 16:26

My glass is half full Rufus but unfortunately a bank now owns my house and I am waiting for an eviction order. I bought in 2004 and did tons of homework but no amount of homework can protect you from the lack of legal redress that currently exists in this country nor the bureaucratic nightmare involved in getting permission to purchase no matter whether your house is built or not.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 16:36

Like cyprusairsoft and rufus, we to had an easy buy, but we did buy a villa already built with the kochan in place by the villa owner.... Then this was tranfered onto another kochan with our name on.....My temper is not good enough to buy off plan or have dealings with electric etc etc...



Look up Sunbeams estate agents, they are very honest, as is the builder Tenas ltd, Ali Yemeneci who had actually built our villa. We then commissioned Tenas to build us our pool, patio etc after we had bought.



We are very happy with our villa, and the way our buying went. We too are so happy to get away to NC for our breaks as well as our family. Just love it ......

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 16:38

In a word ???



No.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 16:47

joandjelly, so sorry that you have had horrible dealings, think that we and others who have had no problems are just lucky in the draw as they say.



Was your home off plan? an appartment, or villa on its own with kochan? think if every one is aware of the problems the better, they can ask these questions.

Hope your horrible time soon gets sorted, my heart goes out to you..

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 16:51

I do hope that cyprusairsoft and rufus have title deeds and not just advocates saying they're on their way, they've gone a bit quiet. Like myself, Dizzycows has hold of a kocan with their name on and this qualifies us to give advice.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 17:04

malsancak, thanks for that, but it just makes me so sad to see every one being ripped off, and those that have..

I think the gentleman we bought from was honest, and in fact we didnt have an advacate doing our ptp, or getting our names onto another kochan, it was the estate agent, they did it all, we just used an advocate for the finer details and advise from them combined with advise from someone else who had already bought in NC with no problems...Money in stages, etc etc... as things were finalised.



Wouldnt dare give advise to any one as think you have to find out as much as pos about the seller, the land and of course now the builder....

walkerscott


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 901

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 17:07

Chris,



I have been looking a year now and will not be pressurised by anyone or the feeling that i may not get my dream property. Do not buy Off-Plan and do not buy property without clear and unencumbered Deeds!



No Deeds, No Money!



Do NOT trust anyone.

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 17:27

Good advice from walkerscott and malsancak.



However...don't be fooled by developers and estate agents claiming their properties have "deeds ready"

This does not necessarily mean that YOU will get the deeds in your name.



Be very,very careful......the TRNC has its own peculiarities regarding property and these are slanted VERY heavily against buyers.....particularly foreign buyers.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 17:29

cronos, excellent advice!

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 17:34

take walkerscott advise, no deeds no money....



Still think we were lucky from what others have been caught out on.... But we still love NC, the weather, the quietness, just most things, we dont get involved with the pubs etc, we have that in England.....

rufus


Joined: 31/05/2010
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:07

Malsancak I've not gone quiet.....I just gave my comments as I have seen my experience of the TRNC and am not in the habit of making assumptions regarding other people.....If you do'nt like the TRNC, why are you living there and why have you bought a property there?....it's a free world you can live where you like!

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:16

Rufus....you are yet another one who tries to claim that us "detractors" don't like the TRNC,so why don't we all clear off !



Most of us DO like the TRNC....that's why we bought there in the first place.

However,this doesn't mean that we can't criticise and seek change in a particularly nasty area ie the corrupt,discriminatory,biased amd unworkable property legal system.



If you are one of the chosen few who had no problems,whether by luck or judgement,and now have a beautiful finished property with full title deeds in your name....then well done you.



However...don't criticise people who expected the same,paid their money in full,and haven't been so fortunate.



This affects thousands of people....stop burying your head in the sand.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:17

"to many moaners and not enough people with the bottle and gumption to give it a go"



To cyprusairsoft msg 2



Come to home buyers pressure group drop in on tuesday afternoon at Pia Bella, then I challenge you to use the phrase above to those present. If you had been at the auction where joandjelly lost their home you certainly would not use such arrogant terminology.



msg 1



Unfortunatley many of the builders and developers still do not understand that foreigners have had enough of the injustices here, no matter how hard you do your homework, and all of us have, you still stand to be ripped off big time.



Do not listen to any "PROMISE", it will be a lie. Do not hand any money over until you have kocan, electric water connected. Whatever you do, do not buy off plan.



If interested, go to Home Buyers Pressure Group web site http://www.hbpg-trnc.net and you will find a summary of our story. Also go to north Cyprus Free Press, malsancak will supply web address cos I cannot remember.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:34

rufus



If you think a qualification for living in TRNC is that you have to tell potential purchasers the lie that its safe to buy here,then you are the one that should leave.There are enough con artists coming out with that already and its an insult to all those that are trying to change the system and those who have lost so much.



As has been said before ,if you have your kocan then feel free to say' you' {{not to be confused with' we' ) had no problem and everything went fine . If you dont have your kocan then you are in no position to tell anyone anything of the sort.



Christjohn

If you think people are to negative about buying, then just ignore us and buy what you want.

rufus


Joined: 31/05/2010
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:38

Cronos - You sound like a Hindsight Manager...get a grip and don't take everything so personal.....No-one is suggesting you 'clear off' nor have I said there are no problems - I will just reiterate, the original question was 'is it safe to buy a Villa in Northern Cyrpus' and my answer is as Msg. 7.....hope that is helpful for you Chrisjohn.

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:53

well anyway rufus, NO KOCAN, NO MONEY! is the only way to go and don't listen to people who don't answer a straight question with a straight answer has always been my rule in life. I think Chrisjohn is getting an idea what he's up against buying here,

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:55

Rufus.....I don't think it is me who needs to get a grip.

Forget the I'm alright Jack attitude.....the honest answer to the original question 'is it safe to buy a Villa in Northern Cyrpus?' is a resounding NO.

It is not safe....victims are not a small minority...they are becoming a vocal majority and about time too.



And who is Chrisjohn?

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 18:57

Sorry...I now understand who Chrisjohn is....the phrasing of your retort to me gave the impression that you thought I was he !

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 19:13

I think Rufus msg is having a laugh, have just reread this -



"People who have bought should appreciate what they have and take a look around them and see the glass as being half full rather than half empty all the time"



I have not got a glass, the thing broke 4 years ago in frustration. Your sale may have gone well, have you got a kocan, you still have not answered??? But hundreds of us are in a living hell and clowns like you then come along taking the rise.



I suggest you take a reallity check, read Home Buyres Pressure Group web site and North Cyprus Free Press and then come back with you glib responses. Try talking to joandjelly face to face for example, yes Jo tries to put brave face on but think about fact that any day they WILL be evicted from their one and only home. Unlike you who has a home in England and building here is but a play thing.



As for telling Cronos to get a grip, well you are making an awful lot of "friends" You just have not got a clue.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 19:44

chrisjohn



Here is some free advice. Keep your money in your pocket. I'll say it again. Keep your money in YOUR pocket!



If you take heed I've just saved you many thousands of pounds and an awful lot of heartache and distress. If you want to holiday in the TRNC, have a look at all the empty villas that are available for holiday lets. Rent as and when you want to visit.

rufus


Joined: 31/05/2010
Posts: 76

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 20:28

What a lot of very sad individual's who I quite frankly won't want to make friends with !!!!.....(msg. 27)....You all have choices and options and not everyone has to agree with one another and if my experiences are not the same as everyone else's, that's hardly my fault, I can only say what I see and should not be told what to say !!...Your entitled to your views as am I.....



The forum is a platform to list individual views and I am sure Chrisjohn will take on board all the replies and be thankful he can make an informed choice....

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 20:47

rufus,

you still refuse to answer our question, have you got a kocan?? What are you hiding?? My guess is you are an estate agent or trying to sell your house now before the markey here totally collapse.



One thing for sure, keep away from several hundred people who are currently reading your inane garbage showing you have no idea what is happening on this island. I say Island because it is even worse in the south and down there you will get lynched if you started on this tack on cyprus-forum.



There is a programme on channel 4 I believe tonight, perhaps you would care to wathc it and then go and tell Linda & David orams they are moaning.



OK you listed your views and as soon as we had ours you started having a go, so right now you are public enemy number one!!!!

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 20:51

The TRNC is a lovely place but if you buy you must be prepared to gamble with your money. Don't take our word for it as all you have to do is research the buying process to discover that you are not guaranteed your PTP, the developer has no legal obligation to hand over the title deeds to you so although you will have paid in full he could still own the property.



Don't look at the success versus unsuccessful instead look at the laws of the country and ask yourself,



"Am I protected should something go wrong?"



Do this and you will reach your own conclusion. However do not use literature put together by the estate agents and advocates, it is biased and more often than not complete rubbish designed simply to make you buy.

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 20:52

Hector. I think everyone on Cyprus 44 should say Thank You Very Much for your sound advise , it is very comforting to know that nobody should buy a property in the TRNC because of your superior knowledge on this subject.



Measey.

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 20:54

Bradus . to much imfo fell a sleep.



Measey.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 21:10

Sorry Measey I forgot you had the concentration span of a gold fish!

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 21:38

BRADUS . Thank you for those kind comments.



Measey.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 21:40

Which comments were they? I wasn't concentrating!

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
08/07/2010 21:44

Bradus i find your comments totally uncalled for and insulting, gold fish have a far better concentration span they would have you believe )

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 20:07

Cooper . think your right had Gold Fish And Chips very nice. i think i ate them or did i.??????



Measey.

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 20:23

We bought and had no problems at all evrything went like clockwork and yes we would do it again

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 20:25

TheSaints, how long did it take you to get your title deeds?

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 20:26

theSaints



well that's so re-assuring for all of those who have lost everything. Smug comes to mind!

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
09/07/2010 20:47

Lets stick to the question which was is it safe to buy in the TRNC?



I am afraid the answer has to be no its not safe. Until PTP is processed before any contractual agreement is agreed you will always be at risk of paying for your property and then being refused and not getting your title deeds.In other words you will pay for your property but never own it. This situation leaves you very vulnerable.



The second reason why it is not safe relates to the fact that the developer is under no legal obligation to hand over the title deeds. Again until you have your title deeds you do not own your property, the builder does, even though you have paid in full. This allows memorandums to be put on your property. It can then be auctioned off to clear the builders debts.



Yes some will buy and have no problems but given the above how can it be safe? If you chose to buy then you must be aware that you have very few safeguards. Buy knowing that you are relying on luck rather than guaranteed sa

chrisjohn


Joined: 08/07/2010
Posts: 6

Message Posted:
10/07/2010 11:00

Thank you everyone for all your advise i have taken all the positive and all the negative advise on board and we will thing about it all first.

But i would like to thank Debbie at Park Lane for all the help she has given us and the family that has made our holiday one of the best we have had it is the first time we have been on holiday as a family and do not want to go home so sad that we do.

So Debbie a big Thank you from us all the children love you and we will be back soon and do hope you will still be there but we will keep in touch

xxx from us all

Debra-Jayne


Joined: 08/07/2010
Posts: 61

Message Posted:
10/07/2010 11:42

You are very very welcome safe journey see you all soon Debbie