Sometimes, gazing at properties online can make the buying process feel like a mere daydream. The next step to make that daydream a reality is to go on a Greece viewing trip and see properties in-person. Yes, that 2D image of a Greece home does have a 3D counterpart and it could truly be the ideal home for you. Here are our tips to going on a successful viewing trip…
Fly out to your Greece viewing trip!
Finding properties to see
Before you set off for your viewing trip, you are going to want to find a selection of properties that you want to see. On our property portal, you can use our filters to narrow down your search by area, property type and price.
Contacting an estate agent
A good estate agent will be a welcome asset to your Greece viewing trip.
Additionally, a few contacts are going to essential to your buying journey. A good estate agent will be able to give you insider knowledge about the area you are buying in and may even be able to show you homes that have yet to be put on the portal.
Getting legal advice
A reliable lawyer can give you up-to-date information on the buying process in Greece. Find a multilingual one who can take you through any important documents that you need to sign. Having a lawyer as part of your team early-on means that you won’t have to anxiously chase one when you’re ready to secure a property.
Reaching out to a currency specialist
Plus, you are going to want to set out a budget. This is not just the price of the property but additional fees too, like legal fees and local taxes. Unless you already live in the Eurozone, you are likely buying a home in a currency different from your own. This can be an added complication as currency markets fluctuate all the time. The exchange rate can move against you and alter your budget. For this reason, it is a good idea to reach out to a currency specialist, such as Smart Currency Exchange. They can arrange a Forward Contract for you, which allows you to lock in an exchange rate for up to twelve months.
It might feel a bit soon to think about financial planning. However, if you do see the property of your dreams, you want to be able to pay the deposit then and there. You don’t want to get on the flight home with regret…
Something to be wary of when buying in Greece…
Unfortunately, not all of Greece is easily accessed all year-round. Flights to islands such as Crete, Corfu and Rhodes tend to be seasonal. Roughly speaking, international flight schedules last from March to October. Outside of the season, you would need to get a flight to Athens and then either a connecting flight or a car with a ferry.
Of course, if you are buying a property in Greece to spend your summers in, then this may not be an issue. Still, it’s important to consider what the out-of-season route would be, should you need to get to your property. If you have a friend or family in Greece, you may want to give them a set of keys too.
If you are interested in purchasing a home in the East Aegean Islands, such as Lesbos or Chios, then you will most likely need to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki even at peak season. However, if you are hoping for some peace and quiet in your new Greek home, this might be ideal.
Alternatively, Thessaloniki does have winter flights, though these are reduced until spring. Moreover, you want to feel sure that you can get a flight with ease, whatever the time of year, then your best bet is looking for property in or around Athens.
Immerse yourself in local life
Once you are there, it might be tempting to check into a hotel, dive into the pool and order room service. But this isn’t a holiday. This is a Greece viewing trip! Aside from viewing properties, it is also a chance to immerse yourself in the local life. If you are buying an apartment in Athens, could you stay in someone else’s apartment in Athens? If you are looking at a large Cretan villa, stay in a similar one.
Try out the local restaurants. Chat to your neighbours. And have a go on the public transport. Maybe the neighbourhood you thought you liked is too noisy or you would prefer a larger property at the sacrifice of being so close to the beach. This is the chance to see what would truly suit you.
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