fidobsa

I suppose Budapest airport is part of the problem as it seems to be working beyond full capacity already so boosting tourism would increase that pressure. I had to go to UK for a funeral a few weeks ago and the airport was just a madhouse with massive queues everywhere. Most of those people are not staying at campsites though so tourism adverts aimed at the motorhome crowd would be the way to go.

Pollypaprika

There are a British couple running a successful campsite in Tolna. Look up Hungarian Country Camping on Facebook. I am sure they will be able to help with any questions you have. Good luck!

wolfi

A bit OT:

The Hévíz-Balaton Airport at Sármellék (as it is now called, code SOB) was quite lively several years ago - Ryan Air had several flights a week to London (which me and my English family used ...) but it's almost deserted now - there's athread on this, nobody seems to know why ...

But generally tourism changed - the cheap facilities of Socialist times are no longer wanted and the season at the Balaton is too short.

Another problem is the lack of qualified personnel - too many people have left for the West where they make much more money!

stevenotlob

Pollypaprika - Yes I have come across their site, it looks very nice and peaceful and is similar to what I had planned :-)

stevenotlob

This is what I mentioned earlier about the younger generations moving abroad for better cash. Very sad but you cannot blame them for doing so. At the end of the day it is down to their own government to entice them to stay...

Also, why is balaton season so short? I would imagine the weather similar to hilly areas in neighbouring countries but they have extended seasons by introducing hiking parties, mountain bike & horse riding trails, quad biking (for the 'wet' seasons!), etc. Is there none of this in Balaton area? Maybe it is something for the entrepreneurs should consider..

stevenotlob

So, I now have a shortlist of 5 sites to consider. I will be flying out in September to view them. I have 2 'favourites' but I am willing to compromise on the others, for the right price!
One of them, the agent states everything is included in purchase price (solicitors, agent fees, translation, land registry, etc) but wants a deposit of 33% if I decide to make an offer. I thought the normal deposit was around 10% or has this changed?
I am definitely going to get my own solicitor to double check everything and also a surveyors report, can anyone give me a ball park figure for a survey and recommend a good surveyor in Central / North Zala?

stevenotlob

OK, I have this short list. My next question is how difficult or hard is it to get financial help (loans). I live in Malta at the moment and have a 100% perfect record with the bank but because I have lived here less than 5 years (for Permanent Residency) then loans are difficult to come by and are expensive (best quote is 13% - If i had permanent residency then it would be around 5%) . Is it easier in Hungary? I have a minimum 40% deposit for the right property plus I can secure car on loan, would this help?

wolfi

Loans are difficult in Hungary, maybe you should try for paying for the object in installments, that might be easier!

Good luck!

PS re the short season:

This is maybe a kind of Mass effect - everybody is packing up and closing down - so what good is it if you're the only open place inan empty village?

It just looks depressing ...

The situation is of course different in the spa towns, there business is slower in winter (and spring and autumn), some places are closed - but there ist still some life.

So don't just look at the places you'te interested in, but also at the surroundings - in September many are closing down and you might see who/what remains after the summer season!

From my experience, resrtaurants, bars etc often open for one season - and if business wasn't good enough, they close down - sometimes leaving everything, not even cleaning up - a kind of ghostly experinece if you look through the window and see stuff still on the tables. It happened to us in Sümeg rearly this summer - there was a big sign "for sale/for rent" and the place was obviously empty since last autumn.

PS and rather OT:

I often joke with friends that Mr Elado must be the richest man in Hungary (followed by his brother Kiado) because there are so many establishments bearing his name ...

PPS:
Elado = for sale
Kiado = for rent