Cyprus-Forum.com

[Aphrodite18]

Hmm all quiet on the Southern front - perhaps as it is Sunday everyone has taken the day off to relax....

[Diogenes]

The following site, it is supposedly the official site for the so
called "North Cyprus" :

http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/root.html

Notice the URL on the site? It says UK, in other words it is supported
by the Brits.

Also, notice in their link where it says "History", how conveniently
they do NOT mention the first and most lasting settlers of the island,
the Mycenaean Greeks, during the Bronze Age.

Also, the following tourist agency, for N. Cyprus, is also based in
London:

http://www.cyprusparadise.com/cyprusparadise.shtml

Aaaah, those Brits....working so hard against us, and we haven't woke up yet...

[Aphrodite18]

Hmm all quiet on the Southern front - perhaps as it is Sunday everyone has taken the day off to relax....

Or... it's a part time or 2 day week topic!!

[nhowarth]

Hi Moaninca,

I'm afraid there are many retired Brits (and others) operating as illegal estate agents in Cyprus. The Govt revised the law a couple of years ago, but having a law is one thing, enforcing it is something else!

I read the article in the newspaper - I can't comment.

Estate Agents practicing legally are required to be registered with the Cyprus Real Estate Agents Association. They must have professional indemnity insurance, which helps protect the customer and carry out appropriate checks on the property that's being sold.

But property here is big business, and it's not surprising that some people want to jump on the bandwaggon (legally and illegally)

There's also a Police investigation underway in Paphos into alleged fraud concerning a British property developer. I have been contacted by a number of buyers and the amount of money involved is estimated to be in excess of CY£ 3,000,000!

Cheers

[Aphrodite18]

They should extend the enquiry to look at Limassol too.. in fact not far from you nhowarth there is are 2 Brits operating who always say they aren't estate agents but have all the hall marks of one and allegedly have various local muktars in his pocket.. these are known by local Brits to be colluding in getting him\them old properties from locals for a song. They then tart them up very very cheaply thru a separate renovation company employing Brits desperate to get work.. they get then get sold at top money to Brits of course... Lots of the limassol estate agents know of or about him because he hampers their resales - but no one has has the bottle to report him even though he affects their local resale business.

Seems to me these illegal practices aren't discouraged (this one has been in business for years and is just getting bigger and more established long before it gets to the stage where fraud may be discovered and then they just dissapear! Websites can be shut down. Same as anywhere else - where there's a will there's a way.... without that effort it will continue - doesn't reflect well on the "respectable" market and eventually it adds to the collateral damage and everyone loses.. especially those who have bought the stories and the stuff..

Organisations that purport to represent legitimate agents either have no teeth or chooses not to be proactive otherwise why is an established agent having to plead his case via the press single handedly? chicken or egg for anyone? I did notice they are referred to but what are they doing to proect the public? Maybe it doesn't matter because they are Brits!!

[nhowarth]

Hi Aphrodite,

I'm aware of the property renovation company you mention - and I know of two couples who have fallen into the trap. Both have bought dilapidated village properties and very little work has been done to renovate them.

You're right, illegal practices are not discouraged - which only encourages others to jump on the property bandwaggon.

It's really up to the Cyprus Govt to take some assertive action. I believe something over CY£ 750,000,000 overseas investment comes from property sales each year. It only needs a few rotton apples and a bit of adverse publicity in the UK media and this investment will plummet!

But as we all know, the Cyprus Govt has more pressing 'property' issues to deal with. They've been trying to sort that out for 30 years without success. So what chance have they got of sorting out their internal problems.

Cheers,

[Peterc]

hi nigel, good to have eventually met you at the exhibition at the palm beach. keep up the good work

[Hazza]

Is there a website listing the "Legal" or "Reputable" estate agents/developers? I'd like to ask for the "illegal" ones, but obviously that will open up all kinds of worms, legalities etc.

[Peterc]

http://www.cyprusestateagents.com/

[Aphrodite18]

The safest way is of course to avoid the estate agents altogether and at 5% for a photo plus waiting for someone to want to buy your house - they are not exactly worth their hefty fee in my opinion. The lack of support and feedback is also worthy of note... I ahve friends who have been over and getting them to hear what you want and not what they want to sell you is the best deterrent they could have thought of in between flogging flats because they make more commission... (Yes been told that by some of them too!!)We can all wait it takes very little training! There are some (agents) who say that the list of registered ones is more of a club one joins for a fee... where have we heard that before? The various orgs in the UK come to mind who are little if any help to clients when something actually wants doing re a member.. The Guild of Master something comes to mind - no checks not training no qualifications no references - just a fat fee and you too can use the logo to justify crap work when you are touting for the job!! Best thing anyone can do over here or in fact anywhere is to deal directly with the owner(saves a wadge too!) and use your own eyes and ears and if uncertain - find a friend or non connected expert to take around for reassurance and a second opinion. No guarantees re anything anymore whatever the paperwork says... (except 4 Title Deeds) It's just hard to know where and how to start when you land here looking and these people are all over you like a rash and don't or rarely give you time to think and take stock - all they want is your bag of hard earned of cash.... you as a client (wasssat then???) are irrelevant!! STILL wanna buy a house??? I am trying to sell one too!!