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