As of nowadays Bulgaria is a stable emerging market economy with economic growth in average of 4,5%, yearly inflation of 3,8% and high tourist development. Thus the Bulgarian economy is presenting best opportunities for foreign investors.
If you need more information about this topic you can also visit www.buldom.com

the Bulgarian economy is presenting best opportunities for foreign investors.Are there any areas in Bulgaria you would suggest are NOT suitable for foreign investors?

I think that the safety of the Bulgarian market is assured by the prospect of the country joining the EU in 2007.

It's certainly the fact underpinning the current rise in property prices there.

Are there any areas in Bulgaria you would suggest are NOT suitable for foreign investors?

The reputable developers (Fort Nox et al) do tend to stick to the more popular locations (Sunny Beach, Bansko).

As a result, any development in or around these locations is pretty much assured of being a "safe bet".

for the bansko area, is it likely that you will get year round rental of the appartments?

im thinking of investing but now see that their are heaps of developments going on their at the minute whihc coiuld flood the market a bit in terms of 2 many appartments, not enough tenants.

i was recently at a home abroad exhibition at the excel centre in london which had a lot of firms representing bulgaria. most i spoke to advised on bansko. some also had said that their developments where being taken up by travel agents such as thomas cook which is a good sign and would probably get tenants for most of the winter season.

my worry is renting the appartment outside the winter season

anyone any thoughts?

anyone invested in bansko already?

cheers

chers folks

plan on taking a trip over and spending the new year there.

would all the introducers and agents still be working around that time?

gotta get in contact with a few but dont want to spend too much time appartment hunting as im squeezing in my yearly holiday aswell

I would like to give you personal advice about investing here in Bulgaria. If you want to live here you may take a new build apartment or something. But if you think of investment better buy something in a good area near the see or ski resort but on a reasonable prise. My advice is to buy a plot of land on a low price in good area which is near the see (at best). You can't go wrong with this because price of land is not going down it only goes up. So better just land or land with an old house on it. Because you can resell it later and make good profit. You don't need to rent it like holiday apartments etc.

Best wishes

Plamen

That’s excellent advice pachou.

One of the best investments anyone can make in a fast moving real estate market is to purchase a piece of land in a good location, because without the land there is no property. And an excellent way to make money in property is to add value to the end product, by constructing an apartment on the land, or building a house or villa or even a garden shed. As long as you add value to it. :)

Surrinder Ahitan
www.bulgarian-property-advice.com

I agree that Land is good investment, but if you find it on the right market price, not overpriced with 150% laki your plot in Topola, close to the golf!

Bulgaria is in the situation that any new emerging property market has been. I think a lot of us can remember Spain, France.... and how in the early days people were saying the same things. Now, if you asked them, they would say they wish at the early stages they had bought whole villages! It's not really any different here.

The key is to apply all the golden rules you would about buying anywhere with considerations given to :
- Do your research and then research again
- Don't fall for everything you read on the internet
- Purchase price - is it real or hiked just because you are a 'foreigner'
- for off plan - price per sq.m, payment schedule, etc....
- To mortgage or not - to mortgage in bg or UK..

And most importantly of all - location, location, location - this has never changed.

Just keep your wits about you as you would do in your home country. Leave the rose pink tinted specs at home and try to look through realistic eyes then you'll be ok.

All the best of luck to everyone thinking of buying here and if you'd like to see a free pdf version magazine or get a free printed version (which is independent of any agent, developer, builder, lawyer, etc...) then just go to our main web page and follow the links.

Best wishes
Quest Bulgaria Magazine

An update - August issue is out now - both printed right now; and online from 12th August, including 72 pages with

Mish Mash
- news, plus exclusive gossip on happenings from here in Bulgaria
- Reader discount coupon - save money on diy at Mr Bricolage

Property and Investment
- 2006 Property Market, the changes so far
- On the Hunt, following a British couple with their property purchase
- Investment, Sofia and surrounds

Area Focus
- The capital city - history; life today; exclusive walk through the sights of Sofia, you’ll never believe it; out and inside information about; eating, sleeping and drinking......

Legal and Financial
- Problems? Court or Arbitration, what to do if someone has broken their agreement with you in Bulgaria
- Capital Gains : follow our tips and don’t lose out

Lifestyle
- Inside Outside, furniture packs
- Readers Writes, funny highs and lows of life in BG
- Bulgarian Homes, preserving traditional properties
- Renovating an old Bulgarian house Part One
- A Word from the Dolphins, our omen to buy in Bulgaria
- Off the streets, helping home the stray dogs
- Rental Returns Part One, Finding your Customers
- Shock Treatment, dying to change your 3 pin plugs?

Factfile
- Questions from readers and Answers from Bulgarian professionals
- Learning the Language; talking about your family and asking about others
- Checklist



On press to come in September edition, here are just a few of the mouthwatering goodies for you :

Market Trends - who’s buying, what they’re buying and where; shock answers!
From Greece to Bulgaria - why our new choice of home
Investment - what’s going on in spa towns
Area Focus - Sandanski, Melnik.. and south west Bulgaria
Legal - what you face when a shareholder of your Bulgarian company dies
Financial - setting up a BG company, does your agent or lawyer earn their money?
Get around Bulgaria - by train
Having your Baby in Bulgaria
A Home in Bulgaria - all the questions and answers

http://www.questbg.com

Hi to all, I am interested in purchasing a house with land in Vidin. Does anyone know the area and its potential.
To buy a house with land, according to Bulgarian law you need to set a Co Ltd first has anyone done this and is it safe having people acting on your behalf? How long does the procedure take and when will the house be legally owned by the new owner and keys in hand?

Thanks if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated
MD

I am travelling to Bulgaria next Saturday, 9th Sept. I have the money to buy and have decided (after several months of research) where and what type of property i am looking for.
The only concern I have at the moment is not the safety of the investment but the safety to my person. I have been reading more and more about gang wars, organised crime, Bulgarian Mafia, turf wars. hit men, road rage killings etc, the list goes on. This appears to be a major stumbling block to EU membership to the point where fears that Bulgarian crime will spill out across the rest of the EU.
Is it really as bad as i have been reading and if i do invest in the country with a view to starting a business am i committing a slow and enevitable suicide.

Hello r and j

Well, we've been visiting and doing business here for the last twenty years and have been living here full time for over two.

The crime and corruption which seems to get so much press is pretty much about those guys who are fighting between themselves over a smaller and smaller slice of the pie as the Government combats high level organised crime and corruption.

In the time we have been here we have never witnessed any crime or violence at all - and even the youngsters are polite and never seen drunk! I don't think you have anything to worry about - UK newspapers and media just seem to love these stories to sell more copies and get bigger advertising revenue.

All the best
Quest Bulgaria Team

I would recommend any area in the Varna county along the coast to buy an apartment or any property.
This is a prosperous area attracting thousands of tourists including many thousands of Bulgarians wanting a sun drenched cheap holiday.
Varna town is just like any afluent town in England with many department stores,restaurants, trendy bars and businesses.
With this sort of money nearby influenses the neighbouring towns in property and their stabilty in prices.
I returned from Bulgaria a few months back with a 2 bed, sea view apartment, 5 mins walk from the beach in St.Konstantin for £25,000. Off plan ready next May. The prices i have seen on the internet in that area for that apartment have nearly doubled already so a wise area to invest in.
I have aslo been told that i will be ableto aquire an all year round rentalfor this property as its near shops,bars and near the main route by bus into Varna town centre. This will no dought be rented by a professional Bulgarian family which will look after the property also.
I found my apartment through a site called http://www.cheap-bulgarianproperty.com Hope this has helped you, good luck!!

www.offplancollective.com has a whole section on Bulgaria for every single development. THat's the best place to chat with people that may have invested in the same complex.

Hello everyone

A very very free special reader offer for you all - everyone who emails us by 10 December will get the next three issues of Quest Bulgaria printed magazine delivered to their door free of charge (that is, Dec, Jan and Feb 2007 issues - 84 pages each packed with impartial and straightforward information to help you understand about property in Bulgaria, real life experiences...)

December issue also has free return flights offer with SkyEurope - don't miss it!

Along with the free flight tickets, other features for December include

WORLD EXCLUSIVE - world snooker superstar, Willie Thorne, arrives in Bulgaria to buy, we follow him through his unique viewing trip

Safe as Houses - bricks and mortar in Bulgaria for investment

Super snow - slopes aren't all downhill, they can make your money go up

Area Focus - 7 detailed pages on the Bulgarian ski resorts and what they have to offer

Declare the Price? the real risks. An emminent Bulgarian lawyer writes about this dangerous practice and we dispel the myths

New VAT Laws - what does it mean to you, particularly for land purchases

Xmas - two Christmas recipes and a traditional Bulgarian Christmas

Growing Pains - the differences between Bulgarian youngsters and those in Britain explored, you’ll be surprised

Viva Bulgaria - Spain 20 years on?

Pothole Panic! - a light-hearted survival guide to driving in Bulgaria

FREE AIRLINE TICKETS!!! - Quest Bulgaria joins up with SkyEurope to give you a fantastic reader offer for free airline tickets to Bulgaria

Renovation Costs - detailed pricings on how much our renovation story cost so far

Rogue Removers - an international removals expert offers advice and tips to avoid rogue removal companies; plus a shocking real life experience

.... all this not to mention the usual Mish Mash section, Readers Questions and Answers, Language pages, Checklist (with the funny 10 best and 10 worst of Bulgaria!)

Don't forget to email us before 10 December to claim your three free issues of the printed magazine. Just email us at Quest Bulgaria on info@questbg.com with your address and quoting reference QBG0307

Hope to hear from you soon
All the best
Quest Bulgaria Team

I agree that Varna area is a better place for investment having in mind that many tourists come here every year.
When you buy a property first of all be very careful when choosing an estate agent. You may ask your friends or do your own research. I bought my house in Avren this summer. I found it through a site called www.housebulgaria.com. When buying in Bulgaria foreigners have to open a Bulgarian company on behalf of which the property is bought. The initial capital is 5000 leva, or at least 3500 leva which you deposit in a bank account and take back after the company is ready. Usually the estate agent helps with the company set up.

Hi guys,

I'll give u a little piece of advice on Bulgaria's social climate. Don't expect too profitable a return on your investment. We are still 50 years behind in every aspect. An average salary is euro 150 a month. Corruption and organized crime still have the word around. Have every deal doubble checked for its location, quality, price, origin and infrastructure. Don't buy old @ the price of new. Costs of production for new construction is still estimated at euro 250/sq.m.

Have in mind that the local picture reflects communism, both in society and in politics. The last act of the Parliament aimed to unfold the communistic national security agency's records was an absolute mockery with the modern notion of democracy. About who knows how many key agents and their criminal acts will be covered up forever after the introduction of this law. The same secret service and its "officials" that opposed capitalism and western communities had the national monetary reserve repartioned and 17 years later claim to be the present day "honourable" businessmen and politicians.

Bear in mind that more than 150 murders have occured in the past transitional years and almost none of them came to disclosure. A few weeks ago the chief of the archive was reported "to have commited suicide" by the national intelligence agency with a 24 hour delay. Those people have no conscience nor scruples, the obey the law of the jungle and will do whatever is needed to stay on top of the food chain. The Judicial system is a joke, full of corrupted relatives to some big shot x-communistic executives. So be very careful who you are doing business with and tell your friends that Bulgaria stil have a long way to go to overcome the cruelty of the russian and turkish influence that had our necks gripped for the past 200 years. I leave the conclusions open for your consideration.

Regards,

Kalcho.

Can you guys recommend me a good website where i can list my property for sale? I have an apartment in Varna and i want to advertise it online.

hi didko

i've already PM you a website where you can describe and add pictures to your property for sale. it's visited from many potential buyers. Good luck

Hi

I want just to tell you that you are absolutely right. Land is the best investment. Most of the foreigners are buying beautiful expensive apartments and what they doing with them after that. They rent during the summer and winter but what about the other seasons. They stuck with these apartments. I`m specializing in land sales and My focus is Rousse right now. I have more that 50 plot with Danube river view for price 4000- 8000 eur. So tell me how many plots you can buy for the price of one stuck apartment - 10-15 plot probably. The risk is spread. Not only Varna and Bansko are the places. Rousse is full with Romanians, all the big stores are full with them all time of the year. They are the end users. And look the other side - to whom you can resell the expensive apartments - again to foreigners. How dump must be the foreigner to invest in an apartment resold by another foreigner. Just think. In Rousse you can find land on main road for 1 eur/sqm. Where else you can find this. Where else you can find plot of land with small house for 4000 eur in developing area with Danube river view expected to be in the new regulation plan of the city. Why they planning to build 5 malls in Rousse. Because Buchurest is 50 km from Rousse, because For Romanian is 2 times cheaper to come to Rousse and do shopping here. It is so simple. You must just think more global. But the fact is one - the LAND is the best investment. You can never lose money. In the best case you can resell for the same price you bought. INVEST SMART is my advice !!!