Visit Croatia - Property

About The Book
"How to Buy Property in Croatia" by Martin Westby, the definitive guide to the subject, is packed full of useful information. A full range of topics are covered, from area profiles to help on settling in; money and finance concerns to work permit issues. Written by the top expert on property matters in the country! Essential reading for anyone planning to purchase property in Croatia - this is the first and only book on this topic.

"How to Buy Property in Croatia" is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information available, on every step of the buying process: the property search, ensuring clean title, choosing intermediaries, careful analysis of the best purchase routes, land purchase, taxation and exit strategy.

The book was first published in February 2004 but the first print run quickly sold out. A fully revised version was published in February 2005

Whether you are looking for a Stone house, villa, townhouse or an apartment, a holiday or a permanent home, this book will help make your dreams come true.
Packed with over 200 pages of valuable information, it's designed to help you avoid costly mistakes and save time and money. If you're planning to buy a home in Croatia or even just thinking about it - this is the book for you.

The guide examines the best places to buy, from inland Croatia to the Dalmatian coast, with profiles of each County and chapters on settling in; analysis of forthcoming transport infrastructure developments and tourist trends, and there's all the specialist advice you need on Croatia as a Tax Haven, money transfer and currency management, the Croatian Privatisation Fund, surveys, raising finance, work permits and fees.

Having helped you with your purchase the book then concentrates on all aspects of living in Croatia, now you have the keys, and goes to offer advice on letting your property. Dealing in depth with the taxation and legal implications for foreign owners when letting their Croatian properties.

You will also find inside: practical information on transport and services; 6 pages of maps; directories of contacts and a dictionary of technical terms.

How To Order
The book is not available in bookshops. It is normally priced at £14.95 + p & p, BUT if you order via the Visit Croatia website, it is priced at ONLY £11.95 + p & p!

Please email propbook@visit-croatia.co.uk to find out how to order, and to receive your special promotional code.

Book Contents

Section 1 - Introduction to Croatia

Why buy in Croatia?
Landscape and Geography
Climate
Population
The Croatian People
Sport and Leisure
National Holidays
Croatian Food and Drink
Transportation Infrastructure inc. Airport Map
Politics and Economics
Croatia and the European Union
Tourism
Choosing a Region in which to buy
County Guide and Map
Getting There inc. Croatian National Parks Map

Section 2 - Property Search

Introduction - why is it so difficult to buy in Croatia?
Croatian Housing Market
Land Registration
The state of the cadastral in 2004
The civil war
Clean Title
Applying for permission
Corrupt and inefficient intermediaries
So is all this trouble worth it?
Commencing the Property search:

Do you have funds in place?
UK Finances
Currency Transfers & Bank Accounts
Finding a reliable intermediary
Is the property price realistic?
Finding properties:

Estate Agents
Solicitors
Internet
Private Sales
Croatian Privatisation Fund
What Type of Property/Land?

Section 3 - Buying the Property

Surveys
Clean Title
How can I check title from the UK?
Making an Offer
Methods of Purchase:

10% Pre Contract
Full Payment, immediate occupation - No permission yet
Croatian Company
Applying for Permission to own a property:

Speeding up the process
RETT

Section 4 - Now you have the Keys

Cost of living
Schools and Education
Health services
Speaking the Language
Childcare
Credit cards
Customs
Motoring in Croatia
Opening Hours
Internet
Permits and Visas
TV, Video and Satellite
Phone Area Codes inc. Map
Postal service
Security and Crime
Pets
Residence and personal taxation in Croatia
Tax-free yachting
Bringing your Boat from the UK
UK Pensioners living permanently in Croatia
Electricity Supply
Refurbishing your house
Architects and Builders/Refurbs/DIY
Removals
Fittings and Furnishings
Building and Contents Insurance
Starting a business
Selling your property
Inheritance Planning

Section 5 - Letting your Property

Access-The most important Factor in renting
Calculating the Yield
Pre-visit information pack
The Welcome
Equipping your Property
Furniture
Tourist Tax
Marketing
Property Management
Taxation implications for letting

Conclusion

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Recommended Estate Agents and Consultants
Appendix 2 - Permits and Visas
Appendix 3 - Croatian Chamber of Economy
Appendix 4 - Chartered Surveyors by County
Appendix 5 - Useful translations when house hunting
Appendix 6 - Cadastral Offices addresses
Appendix 7 - Croatian for travellers
Appendix 8 - Establishing a business in Croatia
Appendix 9 - How to Buy Land
Appendix 10 - Property Inspection Checklist
Appendix 11 - Building Consultancy Services
Appendix 12 - Package Holiday Providers 2005

Useful Addresses