Buyer's Guide

Northern Cyprus’s Premier Estate Agents

Today it seems that the average real estate customer has as many estate agents to choose from as they have properties, with more and more estate agents springing up every day. Each Real Estate Agent in North Cyprus or elsewhere is offering “the best service” or “care and attention second to none”. As the list of catchphrases and logos continues, it is now apparent that the Cyprus Island is a goldmine, as everyone jumps on the bandwagon to cater for this boom. Realisation is dawning on many that the hardest choice customers now face, even before choosing a new property in North Cyprus is finding a reputable and experienced Northern Cyprus estate agent among the many sudden born and inexperienced that have appeared. If an agent’s capabilities and service could be judged by the size or grandeur of their bright and colourful road signs, the decision would be easy.

The North Cyprus real estate business, however, is not as cutthroat as many would make out. Many of the English agents and older respectable ones all have good working relations and correspondence, despite what the rumours or whispers may say. On the whole the respectable and established real estate agents of the island do its beauty and culture justice. With more and more people making the move from Britain, or wherever home is, to Northern Cyprus, only forty miles south of Turkey. It is easy to understand why Cyprus Island is fast becoming a retreat for those wanting to change to a more secluded and relaxed way of life. It is a Mediterranean island steeped in history dating further back than the Romans, dotted with rocky mountain ranges and slender slopes covered with Cypress trees, olive groves and plains bustling with citrus plantations. The natural beauty of North Cyprus, unlike many places, it is not marred by towering hotels and high rise buildings, and strict planning laws and procedures restrict contractors from destroying this natural beauty that so many have appreciated for so long.

The move for many is a good one, and worth the effort. Northern Cyprus real estate companies established for those making the transition are as reliable and resourceful as can be, trying their utmost to keep everything as easy and stress-free for those concerned. There is no denying the fact that making such a huge relocation is daunting and stressful. Choosing the right representation is incredibly important in a foreign country, and with so many North Cyprus estate agents to choose from it is more and more important that the customer chooses correctly.

STRINGER ESTATES offer that service. A family-run business with more than 25 years’ joint experience in the competitive real estates business in England, now established in Northern Cyprus for over five years, with a bilingual staff and connections throughout the Cyprus island, our services range from short-term letting to luxury villa, house, apartments, land and commercial sales, organisation and overseeing of construction and development, as well as directing and liaising with shipping, customs and insurance companies. We have a wide knowledge of Northern Cyprus and its legalities. All the information a newcomer or prospective client would desire. With a large number of satisfied customers and an undisputable reputation, we hope selecting us is an easy choice when buying property.

WALK THROUGH OF THE PURCHASING PROCEDURE, FREEHOLD:

While buying a property of any kind in the Northern Cyprus, there are specific regulations to be followed, for the title deed (or “kocan”, in Turkish) to be transferred into the buyer’s name. The formalities enforced on all foreign buyers include checks on the person or persons applying to buy property. These checks are carried out by the Ministry of Interior. However, compared to a few years ago, the increase in the foreign population moving to or buying property in the T.R.N.C. (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) has forced this procedure to be become slow which inevitably means delays. The transfer of title deeds now is taking approximately one and half years to two and half years. However this does not prevent the buyer from moving into or taking possession of property in North Cyprus.

WALK THROUGH OF THE PURCHASING PROCEDURE, LEASEHOLD:

There is a small number of leasehold properties in Northern Cyprus dotted around the island. The process for buying a leasehold property is very similar to that of buying a freehold, the only noticeable difference being that the client’s application to buy a property is submitted by the solicitor to the authorities at the North Cyprus Ministry of Tourism and not the Ministry of Interior.