The Orams - where do they go Now?

[Ian]

Like others we did consider for a very short time buying in Northern Cyprus but decided against it very quickly due to the political and moral issues.

This couple must be living on their nerves continually not living the dream.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8467478.stm

The end of the article states: It means the original decision, ordering the immediate demolition of the villa, pool and fencing, stands.

What a mess for so many people - not sure though how to judge their predicament???

Ian

[Scunner]

Sorry to say it but from as early as I was involved with property it was quite apparent that the original Greek owners were likely to return and claim their land back. Buying in a place not even recognised by your own Government was also never likely to be a clever move.

This was always going to be a huge gamble and in many cases one that didn't pay off.

[Ian]

I tend to agree - although I am sure there were some who just did not know what they were doing - I suspect the majority knew the potential problems but chose to ignore them for various reasons (the dream, the agent, the price etc)

Ian

[Sandrats]

Ian,

Believe the first line of your comment possibly sums it up, after 1974 vast swathes of land were seized and realocated, I have been told umpteen times that there is little chance that, even when you buy land through the correct process, you will own it.

You have to feel for the Orams though, they bought in all good faith, I have no doubt, but equally did they do no research?  Equally who have they bought from a reputable company or the ubiquitous waiter who knows . . . . .  

[Scunner]

After 7 years I have lost a fair amount of the sympathy I once held in abundance for people who spend tens of thousands of pounds in a foreign land but (to use your words) "didn't know what they were doing". I don't really know what I am doing when buying a 2 grand car but I find someone who does. 2k is a lot of money, it appears to me that 100k sometime isn't.

2009/2010 for me will be remembered as the time where people who showed no interest in me when they were buying showed great interest in me now they are selling their overpriced, poorly designed, crammed in, built cheaply rubbish.

The moral of the story is that people often only research or look for advice at the time it goes wrong - they felt no need to read up when they were throwing fortunes around.

[scorcher]

Sad but true...

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Scunner, I totally agree that you have got to do your homework and make sure of your legal position before purchase and not let the sunshine rule your head. Sometimes that still is not enough. I was just been reading about a couple in Spain who had all the appropriate paperwork and approval from the local authority. The regional government took the local authority to court on the basis of the LA was not acting in the best interests of caring for the countryside and won. So the regional government has now issued a demolition order and a number of expat villas are to be knocked down in the next 2 months.

Down the coast of Turkey we hear that over 1,000 houses and businesses are being knocked down. It would be interesting to know how many of these had the correct paperwork. If they had then the Local Authorities must have been aware of their existence at the time of purchase. I bet it did not stop the Local Authorities from collecting the purchase tax and all the other fees that go with building. Last year we had a well dug and the Zabita made our lives hell as wanted this piece of paper and that piece of paper. I had done my homework and knew I had everything I needed. I still had to spend 3 days chasing my tail around Fethiye. So why are the Zabita not monitoring these so called illegal builds and ensuring they have the appropriate paperwork.

Equally if you are buying from the two biggest builders in the area (e.g. Hanel and Nicholas)you should be able to buy with a degree of confidence.

[Scunner]

I think possibly where things go wrong is where projects start without correct paperwork but based on a nod and a wink from the old boy's network. A pat on the back to the builder and a relaxing word to get started, what could go wrong - the forestry commission or whoever won't be a problem.

Now the problem with that sort of situation is that people fall from grace regularly and swiftly, especially in Turkey - and once the importance has gone, so have the nodders and winkers.

[trainer]

has any one been caught out building on touristic land, seems to have gone quite on that front

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Scunner, I am getting worried as I am totally agreeing with you again. You could not have summarised the Olu Deniz problem any better.