Buying a Home in Greece As a Foreigner: A Case Study

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What is the process of buying a home if you do it with Elxis – At Home in Greece? In this case study, we’ll tell you how a Western European couple in their early 40s bought a property in Greece.

The Clients

Like many of our clients, they have fallen in love with Greece during their vacations and dreamed of owning a home there. They have no prior experience in the Greek real estate market or knowledge of the Greek language.

Challenges

The clients faced multiple barriers to purchasing their dream property in Greece: 

  • Language barrier preventing direct communication with local sellers and authorities. Because let’s be honest – Greek is a difficult language!
  • Unfamiliarity with Greek real estate procedures and legal requirements
  • Limited time to handle the complex documentation and negotiations
  • Geographic distance making property viewing and signing the deed difficult 
  • Need for trustworthy local representation to protect their interests 
  • Concerns about potential legal complications common when buying a Greek home
"Without Elxis we would not have managed to purchase the property!!"
Elxis Office
Members of the Elxis Team

Our Approach 

What happened when the client first reached out to Elxis – At Home in Greece?

Initial Consultation 

  • The client completed the detailed Dream Home Questionnaire on our website, giving essential information about their preferences, requirements, and desired locations 
  • They had an in-depth video consultation to explain their lifestyle needs, investment goals, and budget
  • The clients got detailed insights about different regions in Greece, including local market conditions, community characteristics, and investment potential

Property Selection 

  • We curated a carefully selected portfolio of properties matching the clients’ specifications 
  • We created detailed property information packages with comprehensive photos, floor plans, and area information 
  • We organized and scheduled an efficient viewing itinerary to maximize the clients’ short visit to Greece 
  • We assisted the clients during property inspections, offering guidance on matters related to the Greek language and cultural context 
  • Offered assessments of each property’s condition, possible issues, and renovation possibilities 
"All contacts we had from the very beginning, calls, video calls live from a plot, e-mails, personal meetings, All were friendly and just willed to help us."
Members of the Elxis Team
Member of the Elxis Team

Negotiation and Purchase 

  • We conducted thorough due diligence on the property to identify any potential legal issues 
  • We assisted in making a competitive offer based on detailed market analysis 
  • We made negotiations with the seller in Greek on behalf of the clients 
  • We secured favorable terms while protecting the clients’ interests 
  • We facilitated clear communication between all parties during the process 
  • We managed expectations and timelines to ensure a smooth transaction 

Legal and Administrative Management 

  • We conducted full due diligence with meticulous attention to detail 
  • We prepared all legal documents required for the transaction 
  • We managed the entire property transfer process through power of attorney 
  • We coordinated with tax authorities, notary, and other relevant parties 
  • We ensured complete compliance with all Greek regulations 
  • We supervised the final property transfer and registration
  • We provided regular updates to the clients throughout the process 
"Contract signing, Legal support, logistics on Tax payments, completing Cadaster procedure on Land ownership transfer, visa issuing process, etc. ALL went well."
Member of the Elxis Team

Results 

  • We successfully completed the property purchase with minimal client involvement 
  • We saved the clients multiple trips to Greece, reducing travel costs and time away from work 
  • We eliminated language and cultural barriers throughout the process 
  • We secured the property at a favorable price through effective negotiation 
  • We completed all legal requirements correctly and efficiently 
  • The clients had peace of mind through professional representation 
  • We resolved potential legal issues before they became problems 

Key Success Factors 

  • Single point of contact for all aspects of the purchase 
  • Comprehensive understanding of both international client needs and local market dynamics 
  • Professional network of local contacts and service providers 

  • Efficient handling of all documentation and legal requirements 

  • Clear communication throughout the entire process 

  • Trusted representation through power of attorney 

  • Multilingual support with staff who speak Greek, English, Dutch, German, and French

  • In-house legal department which represents you throughout the process, both before and after the deal is made
"The house purchase was handled very professionally and, with less than 6 months, it was record-breakingly fast."

Client Benefits 

  • Time and cost savings through efficient process management 
  • Eliminate purchase stress with our expert navigation of Greek bureaucracy
  • Professional representation of their interests in all negotiations with the seller
  • Complete transparency throughout the process with regular updates 
  • No language barrier issues during any stage of the transaction 
  • Minimal travel requirements with virtual consultations and local representation 
  • Confidence in legal compliance with all Greek property regulations 
  • Post-purchase support for moving into their new Greek property 
"I really could not have done this without them and I am extremely grateful for their expertise and services, particularly as a foreigner navigating a very complicated process."

Conclusion 

This case demonstrates our ability to manage complex international real estate transactions while providing a seamless experience for foreign buyers. By handling all parts of the property purchase process, from initial consultation to final registration, we enabled our clients to acquire their dream home in Greece without the usual challenges faced by international buyers.

Elxis makes purchasing property in Greece an enjoyable journey rather than a stressful experience, allowing our clients to focus on the excitement of their new Greek home while we handle the complexities.

Members of the Elxis Team
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