Our Greek adventure came about by chance. But then again, what is coincidence…
It started on Father’s Day 2005, when our daughter had bought a Greece Magazine for Dad. On page 2 there was an advertisement by Elxis from Utrecht: newly built bungalows on Crete. And more affordable than we had ever imagined: we had never thought that something like that would be within our financial reach!
Elxis turned out to be a company of two (Dutch) Greeks (lawyers and interpreters) who, among other things, mediate in the purchase of real estate in Greece. We visited their stand at a Second Home exhibition, and in October an information afternoon organised by them in Nieuwegein, where the Greek builder was also present. There we spoke to enthusiastic people, who had already bought a house on Crete.
The second coincidence was that Ruud had to go to Crete for a few days in February 2006 for his work. And you know what: then you go as a couple and add a few days. The gentlemen of Elxis, meanwhile, had not been idle and made an appointment for us with the construction company. We could take a look at some houses and building plots. You can guess what happened next: you get excited when, in the February sun at 20 degrees, you are standing on a hill full of olive trees, with a beautiful view of the sea (about 3 km away), where your house could be……. At first, however, we thought the plot was too small for our desired three-room bungalow, but the builder proved to be flexible as well: even during our stay in Crete, the plans were changed and we could get a larger plot, for not so much money anymore.
So on Saturday morning 25 March 2006 the moment was there: after long talks with Vangelis and Giorgos of Elxis and strict negotiations with the builder, the sale was closed (in Utrecht). We bought a bungalow Afroditi, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, on a plot of 600 m2, in Agia Triada, near Adele. On 9 April, after a festive dinner in Nieuwegein, the contract was signed. And then champagne!
The third coincidence: at the work of one of us Greek lessons were organised (weekly 1½ hours). We started it enthusiastically. (In the meantime, we are already in the third year, but it is not easy: Greek is a difficult language!)
In September 2006 the construction started, not entirely coincidentally in the week that we were on Crete. At the same time, we chose all the tiles, sanitary fittings and the kitchen. The next half year, we were regularly informed by the construction company about the progress of the construction, by means of pictures on their site. When we went back in June 2007, the house was almost finished! We went through the last details with the developer: a bit more terrace, an extra fence, and so on.
Exactly on the agreed date, 1 November 2007, our house was delivered. We were on Crete from 28 October to 14 November. The removal man (found through Elxis) had already picked up our belongings on 20 October; they would eventually be delivered to our house on Crete in two portions, on 3 and 8 November. We worked hard on the furnishing and after drilling 73 holes, unpacking 128 boxes and putting together four beds, three tables, a desk, picnic table, etc. etc., we could return to the Netherlands on 14 November, tired but very satisfied, with a furnished house on Crete!
During the whole period of purchase and construction, we have experienced the support of Vangelis and Giorgos of Elxis as very valuable. Without them we would never have dared to start this adventure (just think of all those awful foreign adventures you often see on TV…). Not only did they take care of all the paperwork and legal hassles, they also translated the relevant contracts and documents. Due to their knowledge of the Dutch and Greek culture, and especially the differences between them, they knew how to solve the problems we encountered time and time again. One phone call was usually enough! Moreover, their warm personal interest goes far beyond just the business side.
When we were young, we used to say to each other: “When we are old, we want to live in a white villa in Crete”. Now we are (not even very) old, and the bungalow is not white, but….
