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Three Greek of the whale

01.11.2011
Author: Marina SHONIA
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Among all the regions of Greece, Corfu, Crete and Halkidiki are most in demand among Russian tourists and buyers of real estate. The charm of each of the areas is so high that the choice is difficult to make heart - you will need to connect pragmatic considerations.
Corfu
The romantic Greek island of Corfu is washed by three seas – the Ionian, the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, from which a fresh wind blows even in the hottest months. The surf and rocks, in some places approaching directly to the water, have formed a complex coastline with many coves and wild beaches. Lush vegetation, mountains, the sea, perfectly preserved Venetian architecture and magnificent Orthodox churches and monasteries are the components of the amazing beauty of the local landscapes.
Corfu is one of the first Greek islands that foreign tourists began to visit, so its infrastructure is very developed. The island is considered a place of elite respectable rest, most of the hotels are four- and five-star. Tourists have most mastered the eastern coast, where the water is always two to three degrees warmer.
Popular water sports here are yachting, windsurfing and diving: off the coast of Corfu there are the best dive sites in all of Greece.
There are no regular flights between Corfu and Moscow, so you have to fly through Athens, but in high season the local airport accepts direct charter flights from Russia. In addition, Corfu occupies a special place among other Greek islands due to its proximity to Italy, where large ferries regularly go, so you can travel around Italy directly by car.
"Corfu is known to many Russians spiritually thanks to the relics of Saint Spyridon stored on the island," says Irina Glotova–Aleksaki, Sales Manager at Corfu Property. "Corfu is a place of intellectual, spiritual, physical and psychological recovery, as those who get the opportunity to stay here for a long time are convinced by their experience."
The local real estate market, according to Irina Glotova-Aleksaki, is diverse, but still offers of luxury properties prevail. According to the price range, the housing market, which is interesting for foreigners, in Corfu can be divided into three groups: economy class – 150,000 - 250,000 (up to 100 sq. m.), middle class – 300,000 - 600,000 euros (150-200 sq. m.), premium class - 1-15 million euros (200-400 sq. m.). The cost of objects in the upper price segment, in addition to the area, distance from the sea, and year of construction, is determined by such parameters as the presence of a private pier, access to the beach, and a helipad.
Apartments, maisonettes and houses in protected complexes with landscaped grounds, where the management company looks after the house in the absence of the owners, are of great interest to Russian buyers. Two-storey house with an area of 100 sq. m. accommodation in a similar complex in the resort of Barbati (in the north-eastern part of Corfu), on the seashore, will cost 235,000 euros.

Crete
Crete is the largest and most visited Greek island by foreigners. The mountains in the center of the island do not let the hot African winds to the north of Crete, in addition, a warm current runs along the northern coast, so most resorts originated in this part of the island.
Unlike other island resorts, Crete is provided with year-round transport links to the mainland, major Greek cities and all European capitals. There are two international airports and three seaports on the island.
Crete is divided into four nomes (regions) – these are Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. "The eastern regions of Crete are considered the most attractive for investment – prices for apartments and townhouses in new luxury complexes here grew by 14-16% per year before the crisis," says Anna Lysova, head of AG Properties.
"The Lasithi region is known for its mild climate, a large number of sunny days a year and minimal rainfall, which attracts a huge number of tourists here, adds Natalia Spikht, Nimax Invest company. If, according to statistics, the population in Agios Nikolaos is about 10,000 people, then during the tourist season this figure increases to 0.5 million people. Elounda resort is located on the coast of Mirabello Bay, with the most prestigious and elite hotels in Crete."
At the same time, today the western region of Chania has no less developed infrastructure and beautiful sandy beaches. It is not so crowded here and many natural corners have been preserved, untouched by civilization. "The main buyers of real estate here are the British, there are still few Russians in Chania, even among tourists," says Anna Lysova.
In Crete, the range of real estate offers is very wide, the same can be said about the price range. The cost of apartments starts from 100,000 euros, villas – from 150,000 euros. High-quality projects in prestigious locations are also relatively affordable. So, in the Aprodite complex (Chania), which became the winner of the Gold award Homes Overseas Awards 2010, the cost of apartments starts from 166 000 euros. And in the prestigious Elounda Blue Villas project, which won a Silver award, the cost of villas starts from 395,000 euros.
"There are serious restrictions on the square footage and height of buildings on the island. Even on large plots, it is allowed to build up only a small area, – says Natalia Spikht. – The total cost of land and construction is less than the cost of finished housing, especially in the case of villas with an area of more than 200 sq. m. Therefore, the service of selecting land plots with subsequent construction and maintenance of finished real estate can be very profitable."

Halkidiki
The "three-toed" peninsula of Halkidiki is no less famous and loved by Russians. There are many reasons for such popularity. These are spacious, clean sandy beaches, an abundance of greenery, including coniferous trees, and magnificent landscapes... Regular flights from Moscow to Thessaloniki play an equally important role at any time of the year. In high season, charters fly from a number of Russian cities and CIS countries.
"What makes this area unique is the proximity of Mount Athos, a place where Orthodox pilgrims from all over the world strive to get to. There are 20 Orthodox monasteries on Mount Athos, one of which is St. Panteleimon – Russian, - says the president of the company Greece.ru Property Development SA Vladimir Hanukaev. – The peninsula is very compact, you can get to any point of it in a maximum of an hour and a half."
The coast of the Kassandra Peninsula, facing the neighboring Sithonia Peninsula, is the most popular and developed in Halkidiki. There is a large selection of real estate and there is the infrastructure necessary for a permanent life. Russians especially love the elite resort of Sani. Among lovers of solitude and rocky landscapes, real estate on silent Sithonia is more in demand.
"Despite fluctuations in the global and Greek economies, prices for seaside real estate in Greece are not falling significantly," says Vladimir Hanukaev. – This indicates the stability of the country's resort real estate market. Nevertheless, you can periodically find objects with good discounts." For example, in a residential complex near the village of Ayia Paraskevi on Kassandra, where there is a spa center with healing springs, a townhouse with an area of 90 sq. m. m with a good view can now be bought for 115,000 euros, whereas the original price was 140,000 euros. In another complex located between the ancient towns of Nea Phokea and Afitos, a townhouse within walking distance from the sea costs 185 000 (starting price – 230 000 euros).
In general, the price level for Halkidiki is slightly lower compared to Crete – apartments can be bought from 80,000 euros, townhouses – from 125,000 euros.

And other Greece
To purchase real estate on the Halkidiki peninsula, Crete, Corfu and most of the other Greek islands, you need to obtain permission from the Ministry of Defense. This is usually handled by the buyer's lawyer, the registration procedure takes 8-10 months. "There are also positive aspects to this,– says Vladimir Hanukaev. – The buyer makes an advance payment when choosing an object and receives an installment payment until the moment of obtaining permission. It is convenient for many people."
In addition to the three named destinations, there are many other places in Greece that are interesting for tourists and foreign buyers of real estate.
In the north-east of the Peloponnese Peninsula, near the resort of Porto Heli, a large integrated complex project is being implemented, which promises to become one of the most luxurious in Southeastern Europe, with an Aman hotel and Aman Residences for sale. The place was chosen for a reason, the coast of the idyllic bay of Porto Heli has been built up with fashionable private villas over the past 30 years and is now considered a very prestigious area of Greece. The hotel and villas are built on top of a hill overlooking the bay and the neighboring islands. The extensive complex will have a beach club, a spa, a swimming pool, restaurants, tennis courts, a boutique with an art gallery and much more. The cost of the villas is about 1000 sq. m. m with private pools and plots with an average area of 8000 sq. m. The cost varies from 3 to 20 million euros. It is planned that the first residences will be commissioned simultaneously with the opening of the Aman Hotel, in early 2012.
For those buyers who intend to conduct their business in Greece, the most suitable options are apartments in Athens or Thessaloniki, which are the business centers of the country. Resort properties on numerous small islands – from Rhodes to Santorini, as well as on the already mentioned Peloponnese - also have their attractive sides. Greece is truly diverse, and giving backa tribute to the most popular destinations, you should not focus only on them.

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Discussion
A resident of Aghios Nikolaos
Hello!

What are 0.5 million inhabitants in Agios Nikolaos?

We live here - this is not here.

Maybe everyone who goes there for the entire year - 500,000
3 of Sep 2010, 12:19:42
Reply