Although buying in Cyprus is generally no more risky than buying anywhere else, it’s important to make sure that you get good quality, independent legal advice.

This means that your solicitor should not be linked in any way to the developer or agent you are buying from.

If you are buying a new build, make sure that the contract clearly states exactly what level of fit and finish your new home will have and make sure that when each staged payment is due, you or someone you can trust inspects the property to ensure it has met the required standard before releasing the next payment.

It’s a good idea to travel to Cyprus independently when you start looking for a property – that way you can look at properties being sold by several different agents and developers.

If you take an “inspection tour” you are likely to be tied to buying from the company who arranged your trip.

What About Buying In Northern (Turkish) Cyprus?

Buying in Northern Cyprus, which is under Turkish control, is a little more fraught with risk than buying in the south.

While property and the cost of living are still much cheaper, it does have some disadvantages.

At present, all flights to and from Northern Cyprus have to touch down in Turkey en route – which means adding an extra, time-consuming leg onto any journey to or from the UK.

On the other hand, the north has a fairly high standard of living and with the assistance of a good lawyer you should be able to buy an attractive property for less than you would pay in the South.

However be very careful about buying a property which was taken from a Greek Cypriot family during the Turkish invasion of the 1970’s.

The family might rightly be able to claim it back and you would probably have little recourse to compensation yourself.

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