Just Purchased a house in TRNC

blinky



Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 18:41

I was wondering if anyone can help?

We have just purchased a villa (sevilla, Elgance, Catalkoy), and are looking to se if there are anyother users on this site who have done the same, or if anyone knows about the area?

we reciently went for a weeks holiday and liked it a lot, so much so we purchased this house, knowing nothing about the area, apart from what we saw in the weeks holiday, were not having regrets at all and are looking forward to having many happy years holidays there.

Is it mainly Brits over there or a mix of europeans?

Is the dispute between the two sides of cyprus close to being rectified?

I have asked a lot of questions i know, but i would like to hear it from people such as youeselves instead of reading newspapers or housebuilders / estate agents etc.



kind regards

Soothsayer


Joined: 19/11/2008
Posts: 134

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 19:22

mainly brits as you can see. cyprus sollution: NO, knowing nothing abot the area: wish you much luck an patience. for myself: would not have buyed off plan as sevilla is. Its not turkish tite aswell.. But good price for the house. 135 000 its was in summer.. hope they finish..

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 19:24

Hello Blinky and welcome to the madhouse good luck with you purchase and I hope everything runs smoothly for you.

You are a very brave man to buy a villa in North Cyprus only holidaying for one week and knowing nothing about the political climate.

My best advice to you now you are home is to take your sunglasses off and due as much research on North Cyprus as you can, there is lots of information on this forum and other forums about the problems, the hard part is deciphering the truth from heresy and peoples opinions which differs from person to person. I’m sure someone will be along who knows where your development is and will be able to fill you in about the builders, and pro’s and con’s of your location.



Good Luck

Graham

stewy


Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 279

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 19:37

I guess this post is a wind up.

If it is not. I give you a 50/50 chance of ever receiving your villa.

Things here have got much worse. Huge financial crisis.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 19:46

Blinky,



Buying off plan in the worst housing crisis in living memory in a banana republic....



"yow'll learn" as my old Grandad used to say.





Nick

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 19:47

Stewy,



that's a really nice positive posting as a response to a new member.... 8¬)

fatboy



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 244

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:11

do not listen to ex pats.doom &gloom.go your own way .It's your time.hang loose an chill.

WAZ-24-7



Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 695

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:12

Blinkey,

welcome to contact me off forum and I will hapily assist you with getting over the hurdles that you will come accross whilst your project progresses.

stewy


Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 279

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:15

The post must be a wind up !!!

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:17

sure wound me up....

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:20

Msg 8, How exactly will he be able to contact you off forum?

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:28

britvic, take a look at the member profile!!!!!!!!



Just checked, you are a neighbour of wynyardman!!!!



Bet you thought nobody would know where Thorpe Thewles is???



Afraid I got to agree with stewy on this one - a wind up post.

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:33

Been to Thorpe Thewels lately? Wyn knows me!!!

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:34

Got to agree with people here, it's not looking good is it?

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:35

We bought off plan no problems so far.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:36

Viki,

God help you lol

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:40

Could the mackaosy be back again. V



Very similar start to his entertaining short stint on the forum!

stewy


Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 279

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:44

You do not have to be sherlock holmes.....

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:48

Paul, what do you mean? the other bb had a nasty character on last night, gone this morning!

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:48

Shall we all stay very quiet just in case.

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:53

Blinky please ignore the jokers on this site they are paranoid about new members joining. Just ask any questions that you think could be answered and most genuine members will try to help.



Graham



ps from your email address i can see your from where you say

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:55

"Shall we all stay very quiet just in case."



Wot this lot, you kidding?

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 21:57

Even genuine members can have a joke now and then Graham.

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 22:14

Hi Hattikins I think you must be wearing Blinky's sunglasses and no be able to see your monitor because nowhere in my post did I say genuine members can not have a joke.



Graham

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 22:20

Well now that "Fred West" from Gloucester has joined it doesn't take a genius to work out that the board vandals are back...



"I could murder some tenants..." was his motto.. and it wasn't anything to do with beer ;¬(

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 22:54

BTW Vicki I always thought it was Thorpe Thewles, County Durham where is Thorpe Thewels?

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 22:59

TS21 Groucho, near Wynyard, just outside of Stockton-On-Tees

blinky



Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 23:29

bloody hell guys, what have i joined here and more to the point looks like ive made a mistake, reading comments from most of you???

i take it all of you read and looked up every aspect of purchasing in such a place before you parted with your cash?

I am prepaired to carry on and cant take off the glasses just yet as it's a fantastic part of the world.

What is it thats got worse, the relationship between north & south?

or is it the dreaded credit crunch affecting the market in cyprus?

its not a wind up, there are still a few mad people like me who have dreams about owning a nice place and enjoying the weather & who knows when all my kids are grown up, it maybe that we come over to live there.



Thanks for your comments some positive and some a little less positive, i think i'll still live the dream.



regards



Blinky

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 23:50

Blinky read everything on HBPG. Don't deviate from their guidelines and you should be ok. Chose your advocate carefully.

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
07/12/2008 23:51

Hi Blinky welcome again, good to have you aboard, if my freezer needs tlc I know who to call.



Graham

Jo Valentine


Joined: 10/02/2008
Posts: 508

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 03:23

Hello David

Welcome to the Forum - although your arrival was a little turbulent!

Keep asking questions and you'll find lots of help.

All the best

Jo Valentine

http://www.jamesvalentineremovals.co.uk

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 12:15

Dear Blinky,short term I thinkTRNC like everywhere else,but just returned from Kyrenia;and all in hotel were complaining about UK - taxes,bankrupt,cost of living and fuel bills,crime,number of immigrants entering UK,will I get my pension at 65 .... it went on and on. Comments about the South ... they are too arrogant,only want your brass and euro too strong.

Long term,I think it may end up like north and southern ireland - but I cant see it unifying before Turkey joins EU. Interesting chat with manager at Club Z - nice chap. Next time u are in cyprus,call in Mollies bar and buy the subsidised books by a british journalist and turkish cypriot nurse - interesting reads and will give u insight into the history + Bitter Lemons by Lawrence Durrell will confirm that this will roll on for a long time.

Can anyone please enlighten me why the South was allowed to join the EU/euro ?

Overall I have found the turkish cypriots very friendly and trusting - I hope that they do not lose this trait .

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 12:21

Blinky, you should have worn a crash helmet

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 12:21

Not sure about villas,but usual advice as UK - plenty of cowboys - builders ,soilicitors and probably snaggers etc. We found Naomi Mehmet(solicitor) very helpful + Stuart Hilliard as a Roger Cook type snagger. Pity I didnt find this site last year,would welcome balanced opinions from you guys and gals that have been to the north for some time - I've only just scratched the surface after about 15 months - pros and cons would be useful for all and blinky,kind regards to all(and Merry Chritmas),Steve

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 12:27

mess 35 - Ah Roger Cook now there was a bloke to put the fear into the crooks !



Nick

wynyardman



Joined: 15/12/2007
Posts: 4580

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 12:44

Blinkey,



Congratulations and welcome aboard. Like yourself we bought offplan, and are just nearing completion of our villa. Got there in the end best describes the experience. As they say.....

The show aint over till the fat lady sings. In my case I will settle for my Kocan.



I have learnt a lot. If I can help feel free to E mail me off board. Good luck!



wyn

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 13:52

STEVE1953: "Next time u are in cyprus,call in Mollies bar and buy the subsidised books by a british journalist and turkish cypriot nurse - interesting reads and will give u insight into the history + Bitter Lemons by Lawrence Durrell will confirm that this will roll on for a long time."



It's those books again. There's no point in a newcomer who wants the full picture to read books (Genocide Files/Death of Friendship) subsidised by Turkey. Anyone on their right mind recognises propaganda when they read it. The books were sunbsidised because nobody would publish them, and nobody would publish them because they are TRNC-politicised drivel. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence and free mindedness avoids these titles like the plague.



Bitter Lemons is a very good book, however.

ive@karsiyaka



Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 13:52

Hi,



My ADVISE TO YOU MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD LAWYER WHO ARE THE BUILDERS IF YOU DONT MIND ME ASKING HOW MANY OF THE OTHER HOUSES HAVE SOLD ON THE SITE AND HOW MANY PROPERTIES ARE THEY CONSTRUCING ON THE SITE HAS YOUR PERMISSION TO PURCHASE BEEN APPLIED FOR MAKE SURE YOUR SOLICITOR HAS DONE THIS AND YOU RECEIVE AN APPLICATION NUMBER SO YOU CAN TRACE ITS POSITION YOURSELF ITS VERY IMPORTANT IN CYPRUS THAT YOUR CONTRACT INCLUDES ANY EXTRAS YOU HAVE AGREED AND ANYTHING YOU WANTED ADDING TO THE CONTRACT AND BE PREPARED FOR YOUR DEVELOPER TO TRY IT ON I THINK THEY ALL DO BE FIRM WITH THEM BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO BE A LITTLE FLEXIBLE AS WELL NOT ALL DOME A GLOOM MY PROPERTY WAS HANDED OVER IN THE END HAD A FEW HEADACHES ALONG THE WAY BUT GOT THERE IN THE END IF I CAN BE OF ANY FURTHER HELP PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY REGARDS iVAN.

gates


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:14

hi we are a building maintainance co in northern cyprus established last 2 years we offer a full service witch also sees over new builders while you are away befor you hand over interrim pay ments also checking your snagging at the end of your build we we can also offer advise on extra you may need witch would be more costly at the end we can also offer advice in many other areas if you would like to contact me you can on 05338433001 or visit our web site witch is starting on saturday walcome to cyprus you will love it as long as you avouid the traps

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:19

I think anyone who buys a house anywhere without doing proper research especially in current climate needs to visit a psychiatrist.



To say blinky has bought purely while on holiday is even worse.



If this is not a hoax post then I wish him much luck becuase he will deffo need it. This he will find by doing research on this and all the other forums here.

Steve1953



Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 298

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:44

Hi Pikey, when we went over in 2007,we had an open mind and met a chap in Sammys who hadn't been back since his Nat Service 50 years earlier - he confirmed the evidence of the books which I read on my return to the UK. He said - no problems with the Turks,they were our policeman. OK,so the books are slanted in the North's favour;and was vaguely aware of Makarious,but the BBC issued unbiased info on the atrocities of the South in a radio programme.Also,before chatting with local hoteliers, I was unaware that the yanks kept a close hold on the right of turkish politics,hence the human rights issues - the govt did not mature at the same level as the rest of europe. As usual its politics and religion that have caused the problems,but any other books/good reads you know about would be useful,kind regards,Steve

martinev


Joined: 24/10/2008
Posts: 320

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 15:27

Hi Blinky, welcome to TRNC. We also have bought through Sevilla and although they are a bit behind schedule on our site, we are well pleased with them. To give you some idea what they are like, when we arrived our villa was not ready and they paid our rent until it was, five months later !! Hope all goes well for you too.

ive@karsiyaka



Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 19:34

Blinkey,



J ust had a look at sevillas website all 12 villas have sold so if you got it wrong so have another 11 people the villa looks very similar to mine in design i would not worry to much just make sure your lawyer does his or her job the developers love extras and they all try it on so beware as the time will come and make sure you budget for reg your title and all of the other goverment taxes but these wont be payable for some time yet anyway take care.



Ivan

tracy


Joined: 08/09/2007
Posts: 390

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 19:38

Hi Blinky we too have bought off plan with Sevilla in Esenetepe.

We are very happy with them as well, the finish is excellent so far.

We are hoping to be finished early next year, its a little behind but very impressed with the build and the company!

Catalkoy is a very good choice we like it there as well.

If you have any queries just ask!

Regards Tracy

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 19:59

Steve1953,



Thanks for the background to your visit. British ex-servicemen from the EOKA days are mostly pro-Turkish, as they were our allies. Tragically, Britain as the colonial power exploited Turkish Cypriots as interrogators and torturers of Greek Cypriot terrorist suspects. The TCs spoke Greek, understood the mentality of the GCs and were opposed to Enosis (union with Greece which EOKA was fighting for). So of course when Britain pulled out in 1960 there was a lot of hatred between GCs and TCs which hadn't been as pronounced before. Classic divide and rule.



Your comments re the Yanks and political maturity are spot-on. Here are some good books I can recommend. I've used them for academic and journalistic references but they are very readable:



Hostage to History: Cyprus from the Ottomans to Kissinger (Hitchens)



Cyprus: Search For a Solution (Hannay)



A Business of Some Heat (Henn)



The Cyprus Conspiracy: America, Espionage and the Turkish Invasion (O'Malley/Craig)

blinky



Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
07/02/2009 02:28

hello all,



Does anyone know of any 'contracts managing company's, individuals who can visit the site for me who can take photos of our villa & forward on e-mail? (i will pay).

we have paid two stage payments and i would like to check progress, although builders have sent photos i would still like to have my own independant checks, as i am only over in April & i would imagine its due for stage three soon (last concrets stage).



regards



Dave

DONTY


Joined: 07/06/2007
Posts: 534

Message Posted:
07/02/2009 02:44

Another good book is '30 hot days' by Mehmet Ali Birand. It gives an insight into what happened during the negotiations after the Greek and GC coup in 74 and the following war.

tracy


Joined: 08/09/2007
Posts: 390

Message Posted:
07/02/2009 18:00

Hi Blinky , Sorry I dont know of any companies who will do this for you , but I am sure somebody will let you know if they do soon.

Will your estate agent not do this for you, every so often ours sent us photos of the stages and also we got to know others on the site who send them and keep us updated at different times.

I am sure you will find someone, I would be glad to take some for you however we are not due to go again for a couple of months but I will let you know when we are.

We are on the Esentepe site Golf Villas if you need to ask anything of us

Regards Tracy

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
07/02/2009 23:37

Watch out, there's a hoaxer about.

Mrwilson



Joined: 31/10/2008
Posts: 470

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 09:57

I was a construcation manager in the UK but are now living in Esentepe. We would be glad to go and take some photo's and give some details of the build for you.



Speak to me via my email address.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 10:01

mess 50 - it's hidden !



Construction manager buying a property in Esentepe ?



Rat 2 i wonder ??





Nick

Mrwilson



Joined: 31/10/2008
Posts: 470

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 10:10

We are renting in Esentepe actually. I am now retired.

Mrwilson



Joined: 31/10/2008
Posts: 470

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 10:12

Thanks Negative, Blinky you won't be able to see my email address so maybe give me yours and we can correspond that way.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 15:31

Blinky

Dont be offended, but shouldnt you have asked those questions before buying a place after only a week.Even those that can see no wrong in NC, would always say research , research ,research.and preferably rent first.



Or did you only hear of this site after purchasing?

Info on everything is here ,deeds,ptp , mortgages.just look in index.

Fingers


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 29

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 16:16

Hi all, we find ourselves in a similar situation. We bought two apartments off plan on TBB, we were dealing through a British Estate Agent who we knew, and so felt trusting through out. Last September we were told that the development was going to take another 12 months, so we transfered onto a Villa on escape 1 Alsancak, which was complete apart from snagging, which is now sorted. However after reading several postings on this forum I am concerned about land registration and title deeds. Is anyone reading this on escape 1?

DONTY


Joined: 07/06/2007
Posts: 534

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 17:39

Those that are complaining that they didn't know about the land situation and blame the estate agent for not bringing to the fore these issues, are you for real?



1. Did you just chance upon the TRNC or did you do research in which case how the hell can you claim you knew nothing of the issues?



2. Why would you expect a sales person to bring up anything negative whilst trying to sell you something? Do you expect the British Airways website to describe the potential of a fatal crash (as it can happen)? Does a car salesperson tell you that the car you are thinking of buying has a chance of breaking down, puncturing a tyre at speed or that no matter how safe you drive someone could crash into you and kill you?



Take responsibility for your own actions.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 19:20

Fingers I think these are questions you should direct to your Advocate.

blinky



Joined: 07/12/2008
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 21:36

For the positive comments thankyou to you all, those of you who seem to be wanting to be so negative...do one!!!

Girne 29 - maybe your right about renting, but if we all do things to the book no-one will get anywhere, i will do what i want, always have.

Eager - is this aimed at me??if so Get A Life!!!



mr.wilson my e-mail is: david@ccsltd.net



kind regards



Dave

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
08/02/2009 23:08

Dave - I sent you an email. We are going to Cyprus at the end of the week. I can nip over and take some photos for you - let me know details of the villa. Ignore the stupid, negative comments by some.



Kind regards Tony

Fingers


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 29

Message Posted:
09/02/2009 21:24

Blinky, I'm with you, only mild concerns at the moment and just asking question. Looking forward to spending plenty of quality times in TRNC.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 19:29

Blinky



"but if we all do things to the book no-one will get anywhere, i will do what i want, always have."



Sorry you are offended, but why ask questions if you only want information that backs your decision.

You could have titled your thread, "Positive reasons,please, why I have done the right thing".and that would have done the trick.



I wish years ago I had read a few more " negative comments "about off-plan,I would have waited ,rented ,learned and then bought an already built, with Kocan.

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 13:56

Hi Blinky gor for it and enjoy, dispell a lot of the negativity you read and pick up on the positive comments.

Like you we went over on holiday Dec/Jan for three weeks we loved the place and bought and it was our first visit to the island although we bought in a different local (Alsancak) from a reputable builder Fikri Terkan, we got an independent solicitor recommended by several expats we met and she has been very good and we went through an agent that everyone slated and said we should not have used but in our case they (UNWINS) have been excellent. We just completed last week and the keys are with our agent/solicitor.

I will be going back in a couple of weeks may be for a few months (work permitting) to get the utillities put on and start furnishing etc so if you would like me to check on developments and keep you informed over that period It would not be a problem. Don't get me wrong we looked at a lot and have read a lot, no rose coloured specs, but still done it. Don't Worry

Lancslass


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 145

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 15:28

Hi Blinky we like you bought off plan 2 years ago, villa should be completed by May and we also want to iive the dream.



Good luck.