Before you buy
A short guide to the property area, notarial deed, maintenance fees and building status.
Why Bulgaria?
Bulgaria combines a warm Black Sea coast, sandy beaches, mountains, nature and cultural heritage. Its property market offers a broad choice of locations, standards and prices.
Purchase process
We guide you through the purchase process and present the expected transaction costs.
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01
Needs and budget
We establish your expectations for the location, purpose, area and budget. We also discuss property maintenance and transaction costs.
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02
Selection and viewing
Before a reservation agreement is signed and funds are paid, we view the property, its surroundings, actual technical condition and access. We compare the facts with the offer.
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03
Document review
We check ownership, the building status, property identification, possible liabilities and the documents required for the transaction.
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04
Terms and reservation
Before the reservation agreement is signed, we present the price, deadlines and payment schedule. We also establish the equipment and other purchase terms.
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05
Notarial deed and handover
We help complete the purchase at a notary office with the required participants, such as the notary, lawyer and interpreter. At handover, the keys, water and electricity meters and the actual condition are checked.
What to know before buying
What is a "common area"?
The total area of most apartments in Bulgaria is not the net area. It includes so-called common square metres: staircases, corridors, reception, lifts and all parts of the building that are jointly owned. The wider the corridors and the more common area there is, the smaller the apartment's actual area will probably be. Apartment area also includes balconies, interior walls and part of the walls enclosing the apartment.
What language is the notarial deed in?
Because the investment is in Bulgaria, the notarial deed is in Bulgarian. A sworn interpreter who accompanies the transaction translates it into Polish. We do not receive the notarial deed immediately after the transaction, but a few days later. This is what Bulgarian law provides.
Annual maintenance fee for the apartment.
For apartments in so-called complexes with pools, recreational areas and a reception, an annual maintenance fee is paid, usually calculated per square metre. Its usual amount is around a dozen euros per square metre, but it may be higher depending on the additional services provided by the complex. This fee is not fixed and its amount may increase due to inflation and general price increases. What does it cover? Care of all common areas in the complex, cleaning them, cleaning and disinfecting pools, possible repairs, salaries for reception and security staff, maintenance of lifts and other equipment and places that form part of the common areas of the complex.
An apartment without a maintenance fee?
This means an ordinary apartment in a residential building without a reception or pool, where most owners live permanently. Apart from electricity and water, which in Bulgaria are paid according to consumption, the only charges are for a person or company cleaning the staircases and corridors and co-financing minor repairs (for example, a lift repair).
What is Act 16?
Act 16 is an official document issued by a state commission and constitutes the final permit to use the building. In other words, Act 16 is the permit to occupy the building.
Have a property in mind?
Send us the offer number or ask about the points that matter to you.