23.10.2025
Presentation matters. In a market where international buyers are making decisions based primarily on online listings, often before ever visiting Greece, the way a property looks and feels in photos and viewings can be the difference between a quick sale and a prolonged one. This guide covers the practical steps sellers can take to present their property at its best.
According to an Elxis survey of over 600 home seekers, terraces are the most important feature for buyers in Greece, with 54% rating them as "very important." Sea views come second at 47%, followed by swimming pools. Privacy, easy parking, and good accessibility have become standard expectations among international buyers rather than optional extras.
Beyond specific features, buyers are increasingly selective. They expect legal transparency, complete documentation, and realistic pricing. A well-presented property that is also legally in order and correctly priced will always outperform a visually appealing property with documentation gaps or an inflated asking price.
Buyers notice everything. A cracked tile, peeling paint, or a loose door handle may seem minor in isolation, but together they create doubt about how well the property has been maintained overall. And once doubt sets in, it is difficult to recover.
Before any staging begins, address the basics. Fresh paint where needed, repaired fixtures, clean grout, functioning appliances, and tidy outdoor areas all send the same message: this property has been looked after. A home does not need to be perfect to sell well, but it should feel cared for.
Outdoor spaces deserve particular attention. Terraces, gardens, and pool areas are among the most valued features for international buyers, so these should be clean, tidy, and presented at their best. Pergolas and exterior woodwork benefit from regular treatment given the strong sun and, in coastal areas, exposure to salt air.
Greek properties sell a lifestyle as much as a physical space. Outdoor terraces, sea views, and private pools are the features that consistently drive buyer interest. Make sure these areas are clearly visible and well presented, set up outdoor dining areas simply, keep terrace furniture clean, and ensure that views are unobstructed.
Create clear sightlines between indoor and outdoor areas where possible. Open terrace doors, arrange furniture to draw the eye toward views, and let natural light flow through the property. Mediterranean living is associated with brightness and openness, and the presentation should reflect this.
Professional photography is one of the most impactful investments a seller can make. Poor quality photos, dark, blurry, or badly framed, cause most buyers to scroll past without clicking. A property that looks well-photographed immediately reads as more credible and desirable.
Schedule photography when the light is at its best. Early morning and late afternoon light tends to be warmer and more flattering than harsh midday sun. Capture outdoor spaces from multiple angles, include shots that show the relationship between indoor and outdoor areas, and make sure the property is clean and tidy before the photographer arrives.
Remove personal items, family photographs, highly specific décor, and personal memorabilia, so that buyers can imagine themselves in the space rather than feeling like visitors in someone else's home. This is not about stripping the property of character, but about creating a neutral canvas that buyers can project onto.
Keep the property clean to a high standard, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. These are the areas buyers scrutinise most closely, and spotless tiles, clean fixtures, and organised surfaces signal that the property has been well maintained throughout.
Subtle touches that reinforce the property's character, ceramic pottery, local olive wood accessories, fresh herbs in terracotta pots, can add warmth without overwhelming the space.
Staging is not only about aesthetics. Serious buyers want to see floor plans, understand the legal status of the property, and have confidence that the documentation is in order. Missing paperwork stalls sales and creates doubt.
Resolve any building irregularities, ensure permits reflect the property's actual condition, and have the Electronic Building Identity prepared. A property that is legally ready to transfer is far easier to sell than one where buyers have to wait for issues to be resolved mid-process.
Having everything prepared from the start builds buyer confidence and keeps the sale moving smoothly.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For matters specific to your situation, we recommend consulting a lawyer, accountant, or notary as appropriate.
10.08.2026
For many people, the idea of owning a home in Greece starts with a feeling. The sunny days, the sea, a slower pace of life. What often follows is a more practical question: “How does buying a house here actually work?”
For this very reason, we created the following guide so that you can have a clear overview of how the process of buying a house in Greece works.
07.08.2026
Buying a home in Greece from abroad raises a fair question. Can the paperwork be handled with a digital signature, so you never have to fly in to sign in person? For some documents, the answer is yes. For the ones that actually transfer ownership, it is not. A Greek purchase deed is signed before a notary, and that step cannot be done digitally.
In short: digital signatures are accepted in Greece for private documents, such as certain agreements and declarations. They are not accepted for public documents. That includes the notarial purchase deed and the power of attorney. You cannot become the owner of a Greek property by signing a document digitally. The transfer is always completed before a notary, either with you present or through a power of attorney that was signed in person.
03.08.2026
If you plan to buy a home in Greece, you have probably given some thought to how you will pay for it. Depending on your home country, a mortgage may be one option. Getting a mortgage in Greece as a non-resident is not always straightforward, so it helps to understand how the process works before you begin. The general process is broadly similar from bank to bank, though the details differ and can change from year to year.
Rates depend on the bank you approach and on your own profile. As a rule, non-resident buyers pay a little more than residents. The sections below walk through what to expect. You do not need to be a Greek resident to apply for a mortgage. Most Greek banks do apply stricter rules to people living abroad. For some banks, though not all, you will need to be a Greek taxpayer, meaning your tax residency must be in Greece to be eligible for a loan.
22.06.2026
Every home in Greece is now meant to have its own digital file. It is called the Electronic Building Identity, or E-ID (Ηλεκτρονική Ταυτότητα Κτιρίου). The Electronic Building Identity gathers the key facts about a property in one secure online record. It sets out the building's current condition, its permits and plans, and any changes made to it over the years. For anyone buying or selling a home in Greece, it has become one of the most important documents to understand. This guide explains what the E-ID is, what it contains, who prepares it, and why it matters at the moment a property changes hands.
12.06.2026
Selling a property in Greece involves a number of professional fees, taxes, and administrative costs that vary depending on your circumstances. Knowing what to expect before you list helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises later in the process.
10.06.2026
If you own a property in Greece and are thinking about selling, one of the first things on your mind is probably a practical one: what do I pay to the estate agent? It's a sensible question to ask early, and the answer shapes how you budget for the sale and what you can expect from the agency representing you.
10.06.2026
If you have bought or sold property in the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, or most other Western European countries, you are probably used to a clear setup: the seller has their agent, the buyer has theirs, and each represents their respective client. In Greece, things work differently, and it is very important to have a clear overview before you decide to move forward with a property transaction.
04.06.2026
In Greece, the inheritance tax on an inherited property usually has to be paid in full before the property can be sold. How much is owed depends on how closely the heir was related to the deceased, and on the value of the share inherited. Close family members fall into the most favourable category and benefit from a significant tax-free allowance. The tax is calculated on the official objective value set by the tax authorities, not the market price. Because payment usually comes before the sale completes, the timing is worth planning for in advance.
Inheriting a property in Greece often brings a practical question with it. What happens on the tax side once you decide to sell? The two are linked in one important way. Before an inherited property can change hands, the inheritance tax on it commonly has to be settled first. That affects your timing, and it affects the proceeds you eventually receive. The amount depends on your relationship to the person you inherited from, and on the value of your share. Close family members are treated far more favourably than distant relatives. Knowing how this works makes selling an inherited home in Greece much easier to plan.
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