Croatia is one of the most expanding property markets in Europe, so what to buy in Croatia?

The most popular investments seem to be stone houses and one and two-bedroom apartments. Buying an apartment permits the buyer rapid returns if they decide to let it. In general, good-quality apartments in tourist areas are usually easy to rent out and can provide useful income on top of the capital growth.

Old stone houses require usually renovation and more paperwork to allow that renovation being implemented. The good point with this kind of property is the big potential they have for those looking for agro-tourism. An incredible amount of Europeans are looking anxiously for a very quite place to stay but at the same time it has to be half and hour drive to the Sea, beaches and the exciting night life. Only recently, for example, an article in The Sunday Times highlighted the shortage of villas that are available for rent in Istria when compared to the huge demand in the area, and it's this demand that is attracting more and more people to Croatia.

The islands like Korcula, Hvar, Brac etc are the right places in Croatia for those ones. Islands are easily accessed by ferries from the coast. Cheap air fares from Ryanair and Easyjet to adjacent airports for those coming from the Britain and Ireland.

So, to conclude, if you plan to obtain income from your property in Dalmatia, Croatia, regardless the type, bear in mind that the chances are very positive providing that you do it yourself or by getting a local letting agency to manage your property; who's writing have spent many years in Croatia and seen car plates from over the whole central and eastern Europe coming and staying in Istria. Visit www.croatiaproperty.org for a wide selection of villas, hotels and land plots on Adriatic, and soon www.korcula-property.com for the most interesting of Croatian islands - Korcula.

Dear Buyer, Croatia is the beautiful country with stunning coastline and the piece of property would be really good investment for the years to come. But before making the crucial decision and signing the contract, make sure you have done your homework!!
It is better to be cautious than regret afterwards. After all it is your savings you putting at the stake.
There is number of issues to consider here and I will outline just some:

1)Make sure that the property seller has a valid proof of ownership, and possibly the one that is older then 15 years. What this magic number got to do with anything? Well, there is number of properties in Croatia that belonged to peoples, and who, because of “the dark Croatian past” are not part of the newly established Croatia any more, but who will, once Croatia enters EU re-claim their rights on their private properties and the land all around Croatia. Here you can include nationals from other ex-YU states, Serbs, Hungarians, Germans, Italians and other minorities who lost their sovereign property rights either due to state/private nationalization (after IIWW or civil war in early 90-es). Please, do not believe the stories that these groups have had voluntarily given up their rights. There is no such a thing as a free lunch!!!

2)Make sure that the ownership of the property is legally registered at the local/district magistrate or municipality with archived original documents not copies

3)Make sure that the property and ownership is not under dual rights, shared family possession, under legal dispute, or different entitlements, and finally exists on planning and urbanism maps

4)Make sure that the seller has building license for the property and the property has legally installed electricity power supply, water rights, road access and traffic passages and sewage infrastructure

5)Make sure that you check new buildings plans next to your property under consideration, i.e. if you are buying the property with the view on the sea make sure you have the view on the sea for the periods to come. You do not want new building/s built next to yours to take that view away while you paid extra for it

6)Make sure that if you authorize the property agent to handle your property matters, he/she is licensed by the state and has a history of number of years in the property market operations and ex-buyers who will prove that

7)Make sure that you take independent legal representative who is authorized by the state (bar exam) to handle your case

8)In the case the legal representative has no business level proficiency in English, make sure you hire independent and state authorized interpreter or someone with bilingual capacities who you can trust in all business negotiations

9)After all do not rush, there is plenty of beautiful places along the coast and islands and sincere and genuine locals who will do everything to make your deal and stay as pleasant as possible

10)Finally, stay away from crooks and false businessmen. There are plenty of them around.

Should you require any further information or assistance please email to marcomarco011@hotmail.com. Do not hesitate to spread this message to others interested in Croatia. Thank you
Marco, BEconFin, MFinMgt
Good luck and see you there