Looking out of my window as autumn approaches I just never know what kind of day I will wake up to: warm and sunny or wet and drizzly. The leaves are displaying their wonderful autumnal colours almost like the peacocks I watched in India…I love this time of the year.
Autumn in Greece means falling temperatures – approximately 24 degrees – not as cold as here in the UK. The really lovely thing is that in many parts of Greece a carpet of wildflowers signals autumn – almost as many as in spring. Anemones, golden crocus-like flowers and the Greek Cyclamen cling to rocks and grow in ancient temple sites, brightening up the day with their lovely colours.
The weather may be cooler, but a very warm sense of optimism is sweeping over Greece since the election of George Papandreou as Greece's new Prime Minister. Papandreou's surname may be reminiscent of the ‘old guard’, being the son and grandson of two former prime ministers, but in the five years he has headed the main opposition he has fought hard for the radical reform of the party.
US-born and educated, the Socialist Party leader has made reforming the faltering economy his government's top priority. He has also pledged to bring transparency into Greek politics and is credited with boosting ties with neighbouring Turkey when he was foreign minister in the 1990s, a position he holds now too. This was the time of the earthquakes in both countries, and the two nations rushed to one another’s aid during these terrible times. Bonds were formed then that Papandreou is still able to draw on.
Today Greece is one of the staunchest supporters of Turkey's EU membership bid and trade relations between the two countries have grown enormously. He believes in backing Turkey's EU entry on condition that it brings long-lasting peace in the area between Greece and Turkey and helps reunite the divided island of Cyprus, two of the thorniest issues that have plagued Greek foreign policy for years. If he can pull this off he will have really done a great job, one that others over the years have failed to do.
The other exciting news was that on the 21st October the Olympic torch was lit, thousands of kilometres away from its final destination in Canada, where the Winter Olympics will be held in 2010.
In Olympia, priestesses gathered in the Temple of Hera on Wednesday 21st October and used the sun's rays to light the Olympic flame. After the flame was lit, the torch began an eight-day journey around Greece. It will then be handed over to begin a 10-hour flight back to Victoria, where the first of 12,000 torchbearers will start the 106-day relay covering every province and territory, from west to north to east and finally to Vancouver.
Vassilis Dimitriadis - a Greek giant slalom star who participated in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Games - will be the first torchbearer. Toronto student Niki Georgiadou will be the last, carrying the torch into the Panathenian Stadium for the handover ceremony.
Right – what’s on offer this month? I am going to chat about investing in property in Greece – there are a few great changes taking place that is going to make this a really good option. Then I provide a property for your consideration and an article on the really important subject of moving all your possessions across the sea. A brief ‘What’s On’ overview is followed by a Top Tip for those brave drivers in Greece before parting for another month.
Halloween Night will have passed by the time you get my next newsletter, so I hope you have a great time.
Kind regards,
Karolina!
Carol Dunning
Greece Buying Guide Advisor
The Overseas Guides Company Limited. mailto:greece@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Phone 0207 898 0549
1, Lyric Square,
LondonW6 0NB
Investing in Greece
I am sure that I have said this before, but it bears repeating: when you buy property abroad, it needs to be a good investment. You just never know when you may want to sell. That being the case, you need a property that sells easily.
For a number of reasons, Greece is actually improving as an investment destination, and this is mainly down to a number of very smart moves made by the government.
For starters, it is now far easier to buy in Greece than it used to be, especially for residents of EU countries. The next very important fact is that the government has a stated plan to increase tourism by some 50% by 2013. In real terms this means that there will be far more holiday makers, and therefore far more people to either rent or buy your property should you decide to sell.
Then, in the past, developers were limited to the construction density on a site they developed, usually a very low 2 – 5% of the plot. Nowadays, in certain locations and in certain circumstances, developers can construct housing on up to 20% of the plot. If this strikes fear into your heart, you can relax. The Greek authorities will not allow a situation to develop such as the one that has evolved in Spain where up to 80% density is allowed – they are well aware of the problems this has caused and they wish to preserve the environmental and natural beauty of their country.
Another factor that really put buyers off was the lack of a centralised land registry. This made it very difficult sometimes to ascertain exactly who owned the property, especially as many Greeks live abroad. Now however there is a national project well underway to centralise all land transactions, and this should be online by 2010.
Finally, the high purchase fees and taxes associated with purchasing property in Greece are being addressed. This will really be very welcome and indeed we may well see considerable growth in the property market.
For more information on buying or investing in a Greece property, buy the Greece Buying Guide (if you haven’t done so already!). Click the link to order today:
Creating a strategy to minimise loses on your future international payments is VERY important. After all, who wants to unnecessarily lose £1,000 or £5,000 or £10,000 or more?
This year has been a particularly bad one for sterling – every newspaper stand and TV programme harps on about it over and over. But actually how bad has it really been? Here are some figures that may really shock you. Let’s consider the best and worse case scenario for 2009:
Based on buying £100,000 GBP in 2009, the euro rate against sterling was:
BEST for the year: 1.19
WORST for the year: 1.03.
A difference of €16,000. Put another way, you would get €16,000 less for your £100,000 had you bought at the worst rather than at the best rate.
So – the key question is how to create a strategy to buy closer to the best time rather than the worst!? What the Smart Team will do for you is to discuss your requirements, determine how much time you have and offer various options that will allow for ways to reduce risks and ultimately save money.
You can buy currency today and pay for it later or request an ‘Order to Buy’ where your Smart Trader will buy currency on your behalf once the rate hits the budgeted amount you desire (if possible). And no matter what option you decided, the rates offered by Smart are better than those quoted by the high street banks! There are many options available and the more time you give yourself to use those options, the better!
It’s often the people that wait until the last minute that are forced into buying at the worst times – don’t let that be you. Request a Quote from Smart Currency Exchange below or give a ring today to discuss your options!
This lovely detached villa, completed in 2008, with its quality design and excellent finish, consists of an open plan ground floor with a fireplace and toilet, and every woman’s dream kitchen, fully fitted in a beautiful modern style and containing all electrical appliances.
The two bedrooms and a bathroom are on the first floor and a wrap-around terrace provides good views of the surrounding countryside. Additional extras are solar water heating and a private septic tank plus installation for central heating and air conditioning.
The large plot of land is fully fenced and features a beautiful stone wall at the front of the property.
The villa is just 3 km from the village of Afandou, which was founded in the days where pirates used to overrun the islands of the Mediterranean. Because of this, many of the island villages were built slightly inland, hidden from sight. The village takes its name form the word "afandos", which in Greek means "invisible", for this very reason - because it could not be seen from the sea.
Afandou has the longest beach on the island of Rhodes - you will find sun beds and umbrellas awaiting and numerous tavernas and restaurants lining the shore. The crystal clear waters, in combination with the superb pebbly beach, plus the Afandou Golf Course, attract thousands of visitors from all over the world…
Oh, hadn’t I mentioned the golf course? If you are a golf addict, Rhodes Golf Afandou is a championship 18 holes (par 73) golf course, situated 18 km south of Rhodes town on the road to Lindos. It is the only one on Rhodes, and is situated almost at the beach. The golf club has good facilities, with changing rooms and a bar, plus you can hire caddies, caddy carts and golf equipment.
Faliraki, one of the largest and oldest villages on the island of Rhodes, is just 8kms away is. It has a population of about 7,500 people and, with shops of every kind, almost anything you need can be found here.
Considering all the above, and that Afandou is only 30 kms from the airport, not only would this be a wonderful holiday home but it would make a great investment property, both in terms of rental or in case you want to sell it at any time in the future.
If you are interested in this property, call the OGC Resource Team and they’ll put you in touch with the vendor (0207 898 0549) or if you’d like help locating an agent…again the OGC Team can help you out. Give them a ring or fill out the following property form:
Travel to Greece in November may not be the warmest time of year but you certainly will get rebated travel and hotel rates. Islands such as Rhodes, Crete and Santorini have hotels that are open all year round but it is best to check for connections to the islands and make sure of accommodation before you set out.
Cultural events for Greek audiences pick up in the winter months, and many of them are well worth seeing. I don’t know about you, but the less touristy the event is, the more I like it!
Thessaloniki's Dimitria Festival runs through the early part of November and offers a wide variety of musical events, shadow theatre (Karaghiozi – which I adore) and other cultural delights. There is a wide range of music, theatre and dance and is the biggest event on the town's annual calendar.
Off the tourist track and again in Thessaloniki, the annual Film Festival takes over the city and temporarily fills it with glitterati. This year it's scheduled for November 13 - 22, with many other cultural events scheduled for the same time. Check their website at: http://www.filmfestival.gr/ later for a schedule of events; be aware the Greek version is usually more up-to-date than the English one
The Athens Marathon takes place in early November and follows the Olympic route, based on the ancient road run by Phidippides. You can participate, or just cheer on the runners.
November 8th is the festival and name day for both Michael and Gabriel and any church or monastery named for either of these angels will be holding a festival. The island of Symi, near Rhodes, has several major churches dedicated to Michael. The most famous is Moni Taxiarchi Michail Panormiti, which is filled with votive offerings from centuries of pilgrims
The 17th November is a solemn commemoration of the day that students at Athens' Polytechnic University protested governmental oppression, with the result that many were killed in the streets. Ultimately, their sacrifice was not in vain - public outrage eventually ousted the military Junta and a democratic government eventually took its place
I hope there is something here that catches your fancy…
Here are some helpful websites that can assist you with an autumn break:
I had written to this reader about the delights of driving in Greece, more specifically the narrow back roads of Crete! This was what he had to say – I am withholding his name!
Hi Carol,
I think your report is spot on... Driving in Greece is the time you should be on red alert! One more thing to note also when you drive on highways...
You have to monitor the traffic behind you by continually checking the mirrors(all the time). You have to spot the new mad people coming from behind and take all the precautions to avoid potential accidents. You can spot them as they normally have their headlights on…and by their enormous speeds during the hot summer days. They are lethal...
There are no cameras and very rarely do any of these people get caught for speeding… and then they almost certainly find a contact in the police to erase the fine… so that they never learn! Cheers
If you are still brave enough to drive in Greece after that, then contact Holiday Autos for really good prices!
Well…we have tonnes of feedback from people who have already used our services, so I’ll let them explain:
“…Let me say how happy Philip and I are with your [OGC Resource Centre] service. You have opened so many doors for us….I like to take things one step at a time, to fully take on board every situation, but I could never have been prepared for the multitude of options that you have presented us with. …You can be sure that we will be using your recommendations because we are gaining more and more confidence in your company and that is all down to the interest you take and the advice you give.”
~~~~
"Hi, Having found the forum, subscribed to the free newsletters & purchased the Guide to purchasing property, it was amazingly easy using the tips & suggestions, to define my requirements & establish my strategy for what I really wanted.
Then once introduced to the Guides Company's network of friendly, helpful associates, everything fell into place. And this despite some very attractive, but potentially risky, alternatives which I could have easily tempted into. However, I had a plan to keep me on track & knowledgeable friends to draw advice from. I have now successfully purchased a unique property, which I believe I will enjoy during my future retirement in a friendly to you, your colleagues & all your kind associates & their unique way of working. Best regards, Brian Dorey."
~~~
Just pick up the phone at 0207 898 0549 and the OGC Resource Team will be happy to help you. The team is available Mon-Fri from 9am to 6pm. You are under no obligation to use any of the recommendations and this service is absolutely free, so give them a ring today!
A Guide to Removals and Shipping
You may or may not have found your new home abroad yet. However, once the decision has been made to move to your home in the sun, the fun really begins! We all know that moving house can be fraught with problems; well, moving abroad can be a minefield if you don’t plan properly and use the professionals.
Ok, so where do you begin? Well, first of all, let’s hope you have plenty of time to organise your move. When I moved abroad we only had 11 weeks from start to finish moving lock, stock and barrel - hectic to say the least - but it can be done!
The first thing you need to do is find your removal company.
How do I choose a reputable removal company?
First and foremost, make sure you employ a professional removal company. Beware of the cowboys, because they are out there - and they disguise themselves very well!
What should you look for? Well, be very careful when you are obtaining remover’s details from the Internet as a great deal of these are not bona fide movers. A website that looks good doesn’t necessarily mean you will be working with companies who have a high professional standing. Some of these companies even ask for deposits online before they have even visited you!
Your safety net is to look for bona fide professional memberships, which you can check out yourself.
BAR (British Association of Removers) have a Code of Practice, which is the only code in the moving industry that’s approved and monitored by the Office of Fair Trading under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.
All members abide by the Code that dictates the standard of service you will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and best of all – what will happen if something goes wrong!
Most importantly, the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with you in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. You also have financial protection, which I will talk about later under the insurance section.
The other memberships to look for are FIDI, a network of International Quality Removers. Most BAR members are members of FIDI, and often also members of FAIM (part of the FIDI group), HHGFAA (Household Goods Forwarders Association of America), EURA (European Relocation Association) and ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals).
OK, so I’ve found quite a few professional companies, what do I do now?
Don’t wait until your house is sold before telephoning - this is a big mistake and can cause unnecessary delays. Contacting your removal company early is particularly important when moving abroad. They will need to book your container (which will hold all your possessions) and also the ship that will carry it. If you can give as much notice as possible, then the chances are you will have a choice of sailings.
It’s always best to telephone quite a few reputable removal companies and ask them to visit your home. They will come along and conduct a survey. These surveys are always free. If you are asked to pay for a survey, then walk away from the company concerned because that’s your first alarm bell ringing. It’s a really good idea to obtain several quotations as they do vary quite a bit for more or less the same service.
A comprehensive survey of all your household possessions – including any buried in the garage and the loft – will be conducted. An accurate cost will then be sent to you along with advice on all aspects of your move, including packing, wrapping and dealing with precious or delicate items.
Always ask the representative when the quotation will be received. If, after a reasonable time, you have not received your quotation and you have to chase the company, perhaps this is the first indication that they are not as efficient as they could be and this may help you in the decision making process for choosing your removal firm.
I have masses more information for you in order to ensure that your experience with Removals companies is a safe and happy one. I am going to outline a few points here that I discuss in some considerable detail - if you want my full report discussing the whole process from start to finish, all you need do is email the OGC Resource Centre at: Greece@overseasguidescompany.com, put A Guide to Removals and Shipping in the subject line and someone will email you the full document.
The subjects discussed are many and varied: here are a few examples:
There are usually several different options for your move overseas:
Deep-sea shipping
Groupage
Full containers
Airfreight
I discuss these in some detail. I also talk about:
What are my goods shipped in?
Where is my container being loaded – at my home or somewhere else?
How do I know my possessions are safe in the container?
How long does it take to pack and load the container?
What about packing and unpacking?
How many staff will come to pack and load?
Who is responsible for the necessary paperwork?
What about security?
Do I really need insurance?
What are the benefits of using an FSA authorised removal company?
Are there any other reasons why I should have marine insurance?
I answer a lot of questions that I have been frequently asked by people moving abroad:
I’m renting a property before I buy, so I want my possessions to be put into storage first, can I do this?
What do I do if I want to take my car?
What should I be doing 3 months before the move? Here UI give you a comprehensive list of what you should be looking at.
What should I be doing 1 month before the move?
What should I be doing 2 weeks before the move?
What should I be doing during the last week?
What do I do on the day?
When and where do my goods arrive?
What about customs
What happens when my container is delivered?
Which handling company is used?
What if I ever need to move back?
Email: Greece@overseasguidescompany.com, put A Guide to Removals and Shipping in the subject line and someone at the OGC Resource Centre will email you the full document if you want it.
As you can see, this is a very comprehensive look at the whole Removal process and I would be delighted to share all the knowledge that I picked up the hard way. I am sure it will save you much valuable time, so just drop me that email and I will be delighted to help with YOUR move. That’s what it’s all about – sharing what we have learnt to help others. Any information you have that you think could be of help please just email us or phone the OGC Resource Team and I can perhaps include it in my next newsletter.
Bye for now!
I really enjoy writing to you each month about the country we love, but I just want to make sure that, in doing so, I am really being of assistance to you.
Would you mind taking just a second to let me know your thoughts on my monthly newsletters? Which are the things that you find the most interesting or the most helpful? What would you like to see more of, what do you think could be improved, is there anything you would like added?
