Would you buy off plan again?

Robbie


Joined: 20/02/2008
Posts: 36


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 02:31

Going through the motions of buying off plan can be quite a rollercoaster ride , for those that have done it can be quite rewarding , by getting a brand new apartment or villa , being able to choose tiles , bathrooms , kitchens etc, but there is always the negative side to it , when will this property be finished will i ever get it. If you are not in the country it can become a highly stressed situation by just communicating by email or phone. Alot of us have had different experiences in this , so would you do again , or once is enough?

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 1534


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 04:34

hi robbie , we bought off plan with no problems , choosing a good reputable company is paramount , yes we would do it again .

regards , simbas

suntanman



Joined: 18/04/2007
Posts: 355


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 07:36

Ask me the same question in 3 weeks time when (hopefully) have received keys to our pff plan purchase.

But at the moment I would say most deffinately not, due to all the hidden extra payments which have been added throughout the process, and not being told of them untill the bill arrived!

brian24001


Joined: 23/03/2008
Posts: 282


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 08:12

Yes, but remember, many of us are a lot wiser now and would know better who to use for construction, or at least where to find the info.

Bit of a "if I knew then what I know now"

Would I buy off plan from same builder - yes also.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 921


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 09:03

We didn't buy off plan but still had a lot of hidden extras. Things you took for granted in the UK are not part of the included costs out here ie. meter cupboard, electricity, water connections, telegaph pole(!!), boundary walls, gate, steps down to garden (!!!!) steps to attic and attic floor tiling. We had quite a surprise when we were presented with a bill for "extras". We thought the only extra would be the block paving to the drive as this was the only extra (oh and a barbecue) thing we had asked for. When we agreed a price with our builder we agreed a "key to the door" price which in our eyes meant move in price. In his eyes it was "watertight building".

Still wouldn't change any of it and have been exceptionally happy with the standard of construction.

Karen

Turtle



Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 201


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 10:19

Its certainly an experience buying off plan !!

We were recommended what is a good solicitor and a good builder but the last 12 months have been very disapointing.

Off plan in TRNC is not for me.

paulnicholas


Joined: 14/01/2007
Posts: 58


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 13:35

Most builders in trnc want to build property as quickly as they can but for a lot of reasons some out of their control take longer than we would all like,anyone buying off plan should take build times with a pinch of salt and not plan their lives around it.

Would i do it again?NEVER!

Paul.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 1534


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 17:51

hi paul , its such a shame you had a bad experience , but not all of us do , ours was quite painless ,

regards , simbas

Cyprus8


Joined: 07/10/2007
Posts: 12


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 18:08

We signed on the dotted line in Sept 2005 with 18 month completion.....been 'nearly' ready for last 10 months. Luckily we weren't in a major rush in the first place, and had already been advised about 'Cyprus Time' from previous purchasers. But we love our villa and the location, and we feel confident that it really is 'nearly' done. So in the scheme of things at this moment in time...Yes...we would buy off plan again.

Jarra



Joined: 07/08/2007
Posts: 45


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 19:05

Hi Robbie

in answer to your question I would I do exactly the same again,we found the location we would like to build a property on.

We then sought advice from many friends in Cyprus who directed us to the Archetect and in turn to the Builder.

It was great to be involved on each stage of construction, slightly tweaking the original design.

Local knowledge is priceless and from the time we first located the land to the property being completed to a very high standard and receiving the Kocan has took us 2.5 years.

Also at the time we bought the land I think the majority bought off plan, now there is a lot more completed properties for sale, so really it is a buyers market.

For me though as previously stated I would do the same again except probably also look at whats available on the market as if I found the right property in the right location then I would be tempted to purchase at the right price.

In saying that I would also want to check the person selling had there Kochan and that I would need convincing I wasn't buying someone else's nightmare.

I wish everyone purchasing a property a positive result and happiness and enjoy the hospitality of the Cypriot people.

Jarra

paulnicholas


Joined: 14/01/2007
Posts: 58


Message Posted:
06/04/2008 21:32

Hi simbas,

I have not had a bad experience,my house is nearly finished but its taken a lot longer than it should have,it has happened to a lot of people i have spoken to,i am not in a hurry so there is no pressure to finish it.

The question was would i do it again and the answer is no,there are a lot of properties for sale already built and i could buy one of the same standard cheaper than i paid for mine without the hassle.

Paul.

andre 514


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 129


Message Posted:
07/04/2008 11:13

hi everybody,



we bought off-plan when the project was nearly finished

so had a pretty good idea how it would be

developer and location first-rate, but the builder has had problems

recently leading to quite a few snagging and finishing quirks

which we are "gradually overcoming", huh!!!



because the market seems pretty slack at present

as paulnicholas says there is lots for sale...



there is obviously much to be said for avoiding off-plan buys

however if you want a particular site and a certain position

you may still need to buy off-plan

also our developer whacked three grand on the price

after we bought, since the project is nearly sold out



above really applies to holiday flats and apartments...



if you buy a villa off-plan I think you need nerves of steel

it can be worth it, despite endless difficulties and delays

you can have your unique corner of heaven

provided you remember that

yes doesn't always mean yes and no doesn't always mean no



andre

lesleyb


Joined: 27/02/2008
Posts: 27


Message Posted:
07/04/2008 11:45

We also bought off-plan and although everything went according to plan from beginning to end we would probably go for a re-sale if we decide to move in the future.



Lesleyb

Janann


Joined: 07/03/2008
Posts: 35


Message Posted:
07/04/2008 12:11

We have bought off-plan in both the UK and N Cyprus. Would we do it again - No Nay Never. Positive side - having everything new and to your taste. Negative side - growing old waiting.

Anvar


Joined: 08/04/2008
Posts: 3


Message Posted:
08/04/2008 20:43

You must be joking. I bought a villa from Santa fe in Emerald bay project in Lapta. Everything is included even white goods and a.c units.

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 17


Message Posted:
08/04/2008 21:46

No, on reflection we would never buy off plan again, anywhere. It has taken form October 04 to August 07 to take possession of our apartment. Pleased with end result though, but a long slow process. Quite a few teething problems afterwards, but all sorted now. Have never bought a new place before this one, doubt we would ever buy anything that hadn't already been loved and lived in.

Julie