Winter

This time of year is the time to be preparing for the hard months of winter!
Although we are currently enjoying an Indian summer here in Bulgaria, do not be fooled, it will be soon over and the extreme cold will be coming.
You should be making sure that your water metre is well insulated and if your not living here, turn off the water and leave all the taps open and flush the toilet.
If there is a heating system in your property either get it drained down or have anti freeze put into it. Loads of people will have burst pipes, and toilets cracking under the extra pressure of ice, so be organised, it's far cheaper than any repairs.
Plants outside should be brought in or covered over, with temperatures likely to drop to minus 20, outside valuables require protecting.
Winter tyres should be fitted on your car by now, also a good idea is to have it serviced and checked so you have no bad surprises to come.
If anyone requires help with anything to do with a property over here, please contact me vis email propertylocatorbulgaria@hotmail.com and I will do my best to assist you.

Company Reregistration

It was declared three years ago that all companies in Bulgaria MUST be reregistered before the end of December 2010.
Most of companies have been done, but I am sure there are also a lot still not been done.
The goverment will have any company not reregistered liquidated! The properties owned by the said company will be reposessed and sold.
Please make sure that your company is not one to be liquidated!
If you require help please contact me asap.

November Village Day

Every village and town here in Bulgaria celebrate thier own day. Resen, our village day was November 6th this year. I missed last years day as I was busy going to and fro to Sofia, but the previous year was dry and sunny with approx. 50 stalls selling a variety of goods and food etc.

This year there were at least 100 stalls there including a bar, candy floss, toffee apples and so much more. The sun shone, it was a very warm day and a lot of local people turned out in support, we also saw a lot of people from other villages there.

Resen is very lucky to have a lady Mayor, she really looks after the village and get's things done here. The centre has a lovely park with a seating area and a play area for the kids, it is quite a large centre and has grass, waterfall and paved footpaths.

I should aslo remind people living here that you should be driving 24/7 with headlights ON now until March next year.

Winter tyres should also be put on very soon in readiness for the bad weather, it is not a legal requirement, but it is advisable.

House Prices

I have seen a drop in the value of property here in Bulgaria this year, I think it is still due to the world wide economic crisis. There are more Russian buyers coming intot he country now, they can see the true value of buying here.
There are rumours around that prices will rise again next summer, a lot of estate agents are thinking that this is when many more people will have funds enough to be buying here. My advice is if you can buy now do it! Before the prices start to rise again.
The winter is coming, winter tyres should be put on the cars now, chains out ready and a shovel in the boot of the car in case you have to dig yourself out. It is also a legal requirement to drive with your headlights on all the time form November the 1st until March, be aware the police are stopping people to check tyres, lights and windscreen wipers this month.
Drive carefully.

Garden Maintainance

This year has seen a rise in the amount of gardens that we maintain for those of you who have holiday homes here in Bulgaria. It makes sense to have someone go around to the property on a monthly/weekly basis to check everything is alright and that there are no leaks or loose tiles at the property that could prove costly later on if left.
Services on offer are a choice of
1/ Weekly inspection.
2/ Monthly clean through and garden strim or cut with a lawnmower.
3/ Just a garden strim or lawnmowed.
4/ A twice yearly cut down of the weeds etc that grow so fast over here.
5/ Dust throughout the property the day before you arrive for your holiday so your not ploughing through dust when you first get here.
6/ Winter checks done weekly, turning off of water and draining down any heating system to prevent ice damage.
Fees are set per property and per requirements but are not expensive, if you have a property here and are interested in these services please email me at propertylocatorbulgaria@hotmail.com with your property location and size of plot, the services you require and I will be happy to go to look at the requirements and email you back with a quote.

2010 Summer

Firstly I would like to say how sorry I am that I have not updated my blog for sometime now, the truth is that this spring and summer has been very busy for me. I am finding there are more people looking to relocate to Bulgaria, others who have holiday homes here require garden maintance and I have even been project managing a house renovation!
I now know why project managers charge between 8 & 10% of the renovation costs, it is a nightmare trying to get different skilled workers to either work together or come in on time and budget. Still it was an experience.
House sales are better than last year, if anyone is looking for a genuine bargain then this is the year to be buying.
I also now know of a cheaper way to transport furniture or goods accross from the UK, or the other way for that matter. Email me your requirements and I will put you in touch.
The sun is shining and we are enjoying our life here, is it time for you to join us?

Buying Procedure In Bulgaria.

I am writing this post to help clarify the situation here in Bulgaria. Please read carefully.
No foreigner can own land in Bulgaria, so it is necessary to open a company. This can be achieved without too much effort if you know who to use. It does cost a bit and it also means you must submit yearly accounts just the same as if you had a company in the UK.
If you were to buy an apartment then as you do not own the land underneath there is no requirement to have a company.
All agents charge for thier services, some charge for transporting you around to view properties, this is something we are not used to in the UK, but if you look at it this way, in the UK you may be only a couple of miles from the agents office, here you might be gone all day and have to travel up to 100 miles in a broad sweep of the area. So they need to pay for the vehicle running cost's etc. Usually the fee is approx. 1 Lev (40p) per kilometre. Just be aware of this, not all agents charge, I do not!
When you find a property that you want to purchase please remember to add the agents fee. In Bulgaria the buyer pays the agent a fee, this can be a percentage of the value of the property, or if the value is low then it is usually a fixed amount. I suggest that you ask at the outset about commission charges as these vary. Again this is uncommon in the UK, but very normal here, unless your buying a new build then there may be no fee involved as the developer will pay. The vendor also pays the agent a commission for thier services. It is possible that you will visit properties that are not listed with your agent, unlikely, but possible. As they want to keep as much commission as possible to themselves. This is also why some do not like to negotiate too hard.
A deal can be closed within two weeks, sometimes shorter it depends on the paperwork.
Firstly you must open a company, I always suggest this is done asap after arriving in the country. It is required that you open a company bank account and deposit a nominal sum of 2 Lev (90p) into it, once the company is open this account is then closed. Open a personal bank account so you can transfer funds over into it, for things like buying the property you find and then daily living etc.
A company can take up to two weeks to open, but I have had it done in two days, it depends on the work load at the office at the time of your application.
Next, you sign a prelimary contract and leave a 10% deposit, if you pull out of the deal you loose your deposit, however if the vendor withdraws they must repay you twice the deposit amount.
A vendor is required to get a new "Skitza", this is a plan of the property and shows any buildings on the plot and also tells you that it is built legally etc etc, this comes from the council offices and is only valid for 6 months, so a vendor will wait until they have an offer on the table before odering one. This takes approx. a week to get.
The vendor also has to provide a statement on the day of the deal showing that there are no loans or mortgages attached to the property, they should also show the last electricity and water bills that have been paid.
It then takes approx. two weeks after the signing of the deal to get your deeds back from the court with your company ownership details on, but on the day of the deal you pay the money and take the keys to your new home.
All deals are done in cash, there are no cheques here, or electronic transfer of funds, someone must go to the bank and collect the money to pay the vendor.
So now we must look at costs, these are only approx. as different companies charge different rates.

1/ To open a company, between 500 and 650 Euros.
2/ A notary (solicitior) must comfirm your signature and confirm your ID. 20 Lev.
3/ Open a bank account for the company. 2 Lev (80p)
4/ You must have a company stamp, 40 Lev (£18)
5/ Writing of your deeds. 50 - 100 Euros
6/ Notary (solicitor) fees including taxes (stamp duty) this varies on the price of the property but is usually around 500 - 1000 Euros, always ask.
7/ Agents commission, 3 -6% of the property value, or a fixed price, again ask up front.
8/ Registering your new home into your company name, 50 - 100 Euros.
9/ Changing the utuilities into your company name, 50 - 100 Euros for both.

Now here is a thing! You must declare the cost of your new property when purchasing so they know how much tax to take, you CAN declare less than you pay! Saving you money, but it means that when you come to sell, if the new owner wants the real cost written you must pay 20% on the capital gains! Most sales (95%) are done at a lower cost as it saves everyone paying too much tax.

So, after agreeing a price on your new house it can be yours within two weeks. No chains, no surveys, property is "sold as seen", no long solicitor's bills, just a quick purchase.
Any agent that takes you to a property should know about it, the legal issues and the ownership issues. It is often the case that a property is owned by more than one person, in this case it must have the full agreement of all the owners to sell. If one does not agree then the sale should not proceed, but ask about this when viewing.
Then it is time to start relaxing and enjoying the new lifestyle you desire.

Revival?

Today has been a good news day. I have heard from several sources that property sales are starting to improve here in Bulgaria. Myself, well I have had a few more enquiries this last week and am hopeful of a good summer.
I think we still need to see how the general election pans out in the UK, but I also think that anyone wanting to move abroad this year have already made up thier minds. Who ever gets into power in number 10 Downing St. will have to make huge cut backs to pay for the massive debts that the UK has.
Make your move soon, if the property sector does start moving it will only go one way from here.

New Life, New Career!

I have met many people who are saying they are estate agents or similar, they move from thier home country after have a life in a diferent career, and all of a sudden they are estate agents! With no training, no real idea how to solve potential problems or how to really negotiate a deal.
One such person came from Scotland where he was a DJ, he did not last too long though. As in almost every occupation there are years of training, coaching and problem solving, before you can consider your self as being competent.
Would trust someone who has no experience to service your car? Or maybe to rewire your home? I don't think so, so why would you trust someone who has no knowledge in property sales?
My best advice is to use only experienced sales people who know what they are doing and watch out for the "cowboys".

Visit To England.

I want to share a few observations with you.
We have just got back from a "holiday" in England, we have a house there so that is where we based ourselves.
Arriving at the airport, Gatwick, we had arranged a hire car, it took 10 minutes to lug our luggage up to the top floor of the car park to find the rental desk, after being given the car we were then handed a car park exit ticket, which we had to pay for! The cigerette lighter had been removed, not an issue as I do not smoke, but they also took out the fuse, so I could not use my Tom Tom all the holiday! Thanks Hertz......
Arriving in Swindon we had dinner with our daughter and her boyfriend at home, lovely. The next day was a shopping day, Omg! prices are so high there now, petrol £1.20 a litre, here it is £1, a bottle of Budwiser and 2 bottles of water in a bar was £5.20! I would pay no more than £1 here, everything was so pricey, you do forget. Our council tax here is approx. £25 per YEAR, Road tax for the car is £30 per YEAR, now I remember the many other reasons we left the UK. A car park ticket for £1.20 an HOUR, why do people put up with it?
In general the infrastructure etc is much better than Bulgaria, the roads are smoother, less pot holes, but it adds some sport to the day.
We visited, The Eden project, Warwick Castle, Stratford Upon Avon, Plymouth, Dartmoor and many other places.
Sally (my wife) and Veselina (our very good friend) enjoy shopping, that is an understatement! So the varied range of shops and the avalibility of goods there was good for them, not so good for ma as I end up carrying them! lol.
The amount of traffic on the roads, the rushing to and fro, was surprising, we live a much more relaxed life in Bulgaria. Travelling to Sofia from Veliko Tarnovo we saw approx 50 vehicles, we saw that many before leaving the airport!
After getting home to Resen, we noticed you can hear the birds, no car noises, just peace and tranquility.
We did enjoy our time there, but after about 10 days it felt like time to come home. Chatting with friends and relatives was good, seeing new build houses going up fast and so close together, was not so good.
On balance, I think we would prefer to be here in Bulgaria, it is hard leaving people behind again, but when you arrive back home and start to get back into your life, meeting your friends here, it all seems so natural again.
So if your wondering what life would be like here in Bulgaria, the only thing I can say is "It is great!"

"Add on Services"

A comment was made to me this week about my "add on services".
I want to clarify the situation on this site.
I locate properties for people to buy if they want a holiday home or a full time residence. I do not have these "add on services". Yes I do recommend other companies if I am asked, like satillite TV, heating instalations, mobile phone companies, car mechanics, accountants, even flights! However I am not working with, or for any other company.
No-one pays me any extra commision.
I am of course happy to suggest companies, if I am asked, and then only if I have had a good service from them myself or they have done good work for any previous clients of mine.
I hope this makes the situation clear.

When is the best time to buy?

I am often asked about buying here in Bulgaria. Some people are still holding off hoping the prices will drop a bit, well I must point out that in my opinion now is the best time to buy.
I am recieving a lot of enquires from the UK from those who are no longer happy to be living there and want to get away to a better way of life. So if you were a vendor here with increased viewings and more potential clients coming would you be dropping your price? No, i don't think so.
There are bargains to be had here, there are some owners who keen to sell but you must make a move and "go for it". No-one is going to be chasing you to make an offer. When I see a property that is what I feel good value I let my clients know by direct email, they then decide if they want to get involved. If you would like to be one of those people then email at:-
propertylocatorbulgaria@hotmail.com
I will then place you on my "Hot" list. However I would ask that you are able to purchase quickily as when these bargains do come up they tend to go fast. The last one was sold within three days! Completion can be held back by a month or two, but a 10% depsosit is required staright away. This is non-refundable.
More people are seeing the benefits of living in Bulgaria or even having a holiday home here. I have just heard of a holiday villa, (a small usually three roomed house) right next to (100 metres) a major river that is great for canoeing, fishing, swimming etc. The owner is keen to sell NOW. Also an apartment in Bansko, the all new ski resort that is the only one in western europe that guarentees snow! It also has activities all year round as well, such as golf tennis etc. This could be your winter get away and then rent it out for the rest of the year, you could make an income as well from it. As it is an apartment you do not even need to open a company to own it.
So, do not hold back, do not get left behind, get in and make your new life happen, do noy be a "Gonna" (Going to do it.......some when!).

Right Hand Drive Cars

If you bring a RHD car to Bulgaria you are required to change the headlamps as they shine to the wrong side of the road.
I have a Vauxhall Vectra which I brought over. I have been looking for new headlamos and they are £320 plus postage, a friend of mine suggested that I look on the German ebay site. Another friend came over for a flying visit, he made the comment that he has an old BMW that has a switch under the bonnet that changes the direction of the beam.
I decided to get my car manual out to see if there was anything in there. I was very pleased to see that there is a switch behind the headlamps that does indeed change the beams.
So I am very happy to report that I do not require new headlamps, also my advice to anyone else is, before buying new ones check your car handbook first!

BBC & ITV Channels

I now have the information everyone has been waiting for....FREE British TV.................
All you have to do is go to www.onlinetvr.com and download the information to your computor and away you go.
It is possible to connect your PC/laptop to the TV and watch the channels you remember from the UK for FREE!
More channels are being added all the time, so long as you can get the internet you can get these channels.
Good luck.

Yearly Accounts

It is coming to that time of year again where we have to submit our companies yearly accounts. Now in the past a lot of people have thought, and been told incorrectly, that if they do not live in Bulgaria they do not need to submit these accounts! WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As forigieners owning property in Bulgaria we must have a company, unless it is an apartment. This means that you MUST do your accounts. The paperwork is long and complicated and it must be filed by a registered accountant. Cost's vary, but the one I use and recommend charged 150 Euros last year, she tells me that it should be similar this year.
If required I can get your accounts done for you, you do not even need to go to the accountants office, we can get it done, all you need to do is sign off the paperwork, unless Vessie or I have power of atorney, if we do then we can sign off the accounts for you, all you need to do is pay the money.
If you do not do this, you will be liable for a fine of approx. 2000 Lev, for the first year, if you continue to not submit accounts, then the fine gets much greater the more years that go by.
Also, please remember to get your new "Vinetta", this is like a raod tax, last year it was 67 Lev, this year the Bulgarians have not printed them yet, so you have until the end of January to buy new ones. They are avalible from the Post Office or some petrol stations.
Hopefully you will have thought of these things already, but there is no harm in reminding you all.