After 17 years of celebrating holidays in hotels in Crete, the idea came to us to investigate the possibilities of buying a house near Rethymnon. Then, in 2014, we decided to visit the Second Home Fair in Utrecht to, very cautiously by the way, look at the different possibilities and/or (have them) investigated.
After some searching we came to the stand of Elxis, where we met Vangelis and Giorgos. We were given detailed and extremely engaging answers to all the questions we had asked beforehand, and after that we both appeared to have been infected with the “Elxis virus”. The website was viewed three times a week, we subscribed to the newsletter, we went to the office in Utrecht with a new list of questions and that also caused a growing sense of enthusiasm to buy a house, because we had worked out, the children were in their place and actually nothing stopped us from taking such a step.
So in May 2015 we travelled to Crete again to look at ‘plots’ (because that’s what they’re called), but also to visit existing villas because we had quite a few notes to sing. It was nice that Giorgos accompanied us and this also showed that Elxis has built up an excellent name over the past few years. Nothing was too much for him, consultation with the contractor about our wishes, the extra drawing work to get the house to our liking, everything was possible. It was perfect and it gave us a very positive and trusted feeling.
We also went to look at a house in Agios Dimitrios. The English owners had to return to England due to circumstances. The reception and introduction was very warm and we fell for this house like a log. After a few days of negotiating, thanks to the efforts of Giorgos, we were able to agree fairly quickly and we were basically the owners of a dream house in Crete. Not knowing that the financial crisis could cause the necessary impact.
Back in the Netherlands we quickly paid the agreed 10% of the purchase price and agreed in principle that we would arrange the official settlement of the sale by mid-July… But the perils between Greece and the EU put not one but ten obstacles in the way. Turbulent times started, we could not open a bank account in Crete, the purchase price could not be transferred, mid-term elections and still… Still, we had rock-solid confidence in Elxis that everything would turn out all right, and it did. At the beginning of September, we were informed that the purchase agreement could be signed without running any risks, and so it was. The lawyer from Elxis who took care of our business was excellent and to the point, but that was no surprise by now.
And now, after having lived in our house for 6 weeks, we are back in the Netherlands to arrange some things, but we are looking forward to the beginning of 2016, because then we will go back “home”.
It may be clear that our experience with Elxis from the very beginning has been more than good. They just do what they say and say what they do, are always accessible and extremely knowledgeable, both in the field and administratively. Vangelis thanks for the administrative support, it was perfect! And Giorgos, without your support we would never have owned this dream house. You are a professional and also a good advisor on restaurants. You know Maria, the blue chairs at the harbour in Rethymnon, stew…!
