Has anyone bought an old property in T.R.N.C.?

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
26/07/2008 19:42

Hi everyone, we are in the process of buying an old village house hopefully to renovate. Been scouring these boards to see if anyone else has done done anything similar - does everyone buy new property 'off plan'?

Trouble is we'd read that many horror stories about builders going bust or running off with our money that we thought an old Cypriot house would be a safer solution. Now I'm not so sure - turns out that no one seems to know what type of title this house has, the solicitor says there's no real way of knowing - surely this can't be right? I know the house is situated in what used to be a Greek Cypriot village pre 74. Can anyone give us any advice please - we have paid deposit and are now dithering but the pull of the hot sunshine and lovely T.R.N.C is still very strong!

bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
26/07/2008 20:29

Nothing straight forward in the TRNC. You could try getting more information from the land registry in the South (Nicosia) I assume you have researched title deeds and know the problems that exist both now and in the future with all TRNC properties? If you have all the information about whether the property is/was Greek Cypriot then this will help you make an informed choice which must be down to individual preference.

Chris


Joined: 26/03/2008
Posts: 454

Message Posted:
26/07/2008 20:32

Hi Maggie and Bernie



Dont know if this will help you, but if you go to the top of the page under flight and hotels, there is a google custom search, type in land registry and scroll down, I think this has been discussed before.



Also contact Marian Stokes of home buyers pressure group, she may be able to point you in the right direction, I think their e-mail address is there as well.



Good luck



Chris

turbo


Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 833

Message Posted:
26/07/2008 22:19

Maggi and Bernie, if youa re still looking for an old village house to restore contact me.. turboturk@aol.com

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
28/07/2008 10:59

hi maggi and bernie, we are restoring 4 village houses at the moment. you can check your title as we did at the district lands office in nicosia south cyprus. take the copy of the title deed and you need to know the greek name for your village, then they can check. don't buy any reclaim materials from the so called antique shops around girne. they are just a rip off. find a tc friend and get them to ask around the local villages, they will find what ever you need. the other thing is don't be in a hurry. the cost of materials has gone up a lot recently, so shop around, with someone who speaks turkish!

Laptalocal


Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 99

Message Posted:
28/07/2008 15:34

Hi Maggie and Bernie - I bought an old village house in Lapta 4 years ago (also thinking that it would be easier than a new build) and I also had it renovated. I've had a quite a few problems, particularly to do with the land, deeds and also previous bills on the property. My solicitor did not do the correct checks (nor did he do the contract correctly) and I ended up with the previous owners water bill of over 2200 ytl and their electric bill of over 900 gbp amongst other problems! If you want anymore info, let me know your email address and I will contact you.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
28/07/2008 17:02

Hi MaggieandBernie Chances are if the village was a Greek exchange Village then I'd say there was a strong possibility that the property is a former Greek Cypriot home. Who are you buying it from (the Vendor not the estate agent), they should know whether its an exchange property or not.

Karen

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
29/07/2008 13:08

Pulled this from Euro news. This might help you Maggie&Bernie





http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yIcATheov8U

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 05:25

Thanks for all the replies so far, very helpful. Think we are going to take a chance and 'go for it' We've now seen the copy of the title deed and done a sort of translation - seems to be in order. We are dealing with Naomi Mehmet who seems to think everything's ok but as Bradus pointed out 'nothing's straightforward in Northern Cyprus' But.... the sun shines on!! Hoping to be back there in late September, can't wait!

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 12:07

Yep, I restored an old Cyprus house. Don't touch any costly major project with a bargepole unless you are absolutely certain it has a pre-74 title deed.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 19:27

Friend and ex-colleague of mine has just bought an old miner's cottage

which she is renovating. She says it is her "dream house" between sea

& mountains. Having worked alongside her in E.M.C Famagusta I know

she speaks Turkish well & has longtime connections with the island which

helps.

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 20:11

Msg #11,



What's the legal ownership situation for the ex-CMC houses?

bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 20:19

What does CMC stand for?

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 20:30

a guess cyprus miner cottage...

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 20:58

jock1

a guess cyprus miner cottage... " Sorry, don't get it!?

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
01/08/2008 21:14

try cypriot mining cottage, i dont know just a guess.

Baspinar Bob


Joined: 15/02/2008
Posts: 618

Message Posted:
02/08/2008 11:27

Maggie and Bernie



We also moved from Lancaster to the TRNC four years ago and we also bought a Cypriot house if you need any advice my E mail addy is t.ben@superonline.com

We have no regrets Bob

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
02/08/2008 12:37

Hi Bob I have emailed you from not so sunny Lancaster!

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
02/08/2008 12:39

"What does CMC stand for?"



The US-owned Cyprus Mines Corporation which built most of the houses, shops and schools in the area. They pulled out after the 1974 Turkish invasion. It's now a heavily and dangerously polluted area, as Turkish Cypriot environmentalists have been pointing out for decades.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Mines_Corporation