Hi,

I'm new to forum and also new as a buyer.

I'm stuck whether to buy in Bulgaria or Hungray!

What are your pro's & cons in buying in either country please?

Neil

Hi Neil
Its a difficult question for anyone to answer without knowing both countries – also difficult to comment without some insight as to why you want to buy in either country. What is planned? Investment in property, looking to retire, need to work to support lifestyle (either remote or local working), existing ties to an area in either country, do you need to be near an expat community, what do you feel about learning a new language (Hungarian is recognised as ‘difficult’), - the list goes on.

I have no experience of Bulgaria however from my experience in Hungary
Houses are cheap – relative to the UK - , it is currently a bit of a buyers market at the moment with a falling population and a stressed economy however there are not many forced sales and quite a lot of sellers are content to wait until they get the price they feel the property is worth.

There is some tendency to up the price when a foreigner shows interest. Hungary does not have the number of estate agents that bedevil the UK, the internet is the main advertising tool, otherwise local papers or select the village you want and drive around looking for the hand written ‘for sale’ sign with the telephone number of the owner.

A lot of the properties will need upgrading to bring to a standard that someone from the UK would normally expect, especially if you buy outside of a town (village or rural). But the cost of upgrades is much cheaper than the UK and there are no supply constraints on fittings, fixtures or building materials.

As with buying anywhere there are good areas and otherwise. As is often said the 3 most important things about buying property is location, location and after those – location. Hungary has its share of problem areas, so ask (here?) before committing to an area or village (I am sure Bulgaria is no different)

The title to a property is registered in the local Land Office and the law actually states that in cases of dispute what is registered in Land Office is taken as fact. So you can be sure of your purchase – after your solicitor has checked the title. The information contained in the Land Office is a matter of public record and as such is free to view, but they charge for a print out of any title documents. Any one can have a copy or view the title to any property.

As a non-Hungarian you can buy a house together with the plot on which it sits, however there are restrictions on foreigners buying agricultural land – they can’t – until 2014 but the exact circumstances that will pertain in 2014 will not be known until early 2013. Renting agricultural land is allowed.

Taxes are higher than the UK but pensions paid to UK citizen resident in Hungary are not taxed (except public service pensions which are taxed in the UK).

Hungary has some lovely areas.

I don’t know if this covers some of what you want to know, respond with your thoughts and/or questions

I looked at both countries and opted for Hungary. To be fair, when I looked at Bulgaria I was thinking in terms of a holiday home which would also be suitable for retirement in 15 or so years time. When I looked at Hungary the plan was to relocate straight away and retire early.
I rejected Bulgaria for several reasons:
1) Poor infrastructure
2) Too hot in the summer
3) Too much crime
4) Too much corruption
5) Most areas can be depressing with all the derelict houses, abandoned half built factories etc.

Bulgaria does have a proper coast whereas Hungary has the very highly commercialised rip-off Balaton area but it depends on your proposed lifestyle whether these factors are significant.

"Taxes are higher than the UK but pensions paid to UK citizen resident in Hungary are not taxed"

Is this right? Just because it is defined as a pension (including private pensions) it isn't taxable in Hungary?

Sounds good

Hi Neil and welcome to the forum, as concierge for the Hungarian section, feel free to contact me should you need any help.

Feel free to elaborate on your plans and we can hopefully help you further.

One thing to watch out for is Bulgarian agents thinking Hungary is the next "big thing" and selling properties at inflated prices whilst making some quite outlandish claims!

Probably not on here as there might be forum users living in those areas who would be offended.

Regardless of land category, there is a restriction on the size of plot foreigners can purchase along with restrictions on certain weekend & vine houses - there are several post on the forum covering this & can be found using the search facility
The last I read was that Hungary intended on seeking a further extension

Apparently so

Ok lets see wether this your location Hungary, wiliest I agree to all the past post, then you will l need some sort of Help, relocate yes I been hear 4 years my first point is the best Location first Airport if you have to get back rembering the flights back, I have been in this situation, I was a Airplane with in 3 hours I live abought 60k from Airport, a lot of Brits are further down in Balton Area I am in Lake Valance area plenty of Properties at the right price we manged to reduce by 1m/fh so if you need help I am no aggent to sell property just to advice others see my other Blogs st

ADD To last Post
If time over xmas break take a look at www.ingatlan.com
My area is Féjer County if you whant some think under 20k this approx 6.5m/fh there is some good ones remeber a lot are Adbo Built that is dry brick construction bricks are of clay and not fired, walls up to 50cm halve meter thick mantance Lime Wash every other year make sure no water can get in to the walls they will last forever ok, you have to bring then up to your owen standouts but not expensive cost if you do the work yourself I DO ALL THE WORK owers when sold It will be a Adobo

Older houses in Hungary will be built of what was available locally, un-fired clay is common but around here (Tapolca area) there is little clay but being an area of volcanic soil and extinct volcanoes there is a lot of basalt rock thus the local traditionally built houses are stone, so the older houses are walls of facing stones both sides and rubble infill with walls anything from 50cm to 90cm thick.

Modern houses are typically fired clay honeycomb blocks or other light weight blocks. Cavity walls are unknown here. Todays building standards ensure a halfway reasonable level of insulation but majority of Hungarian houses have appalling insulation levels despite the colder winters and there has been no 1 GBP a roll insulation offers and such insulation grants that may be found are bogged down with bureaucracy to the point of being not worth the trouble. (IMO)

However there is much greater opportunity than in the UK to buy a plot (at a reasonable price as well!!!) and either build your own or have your own house built. Unconventional types of construction such as straw bale are possible and timber frame houses have a larger following than in the UK. (Probably due to the larger number of individually built houses). It is quite easy to find an architect who speaks good English, however finding a builder who speaks English is more difficult, although around here, due to historical baggage quite a few builders have a little German. As with builders everywhere if you step outside of their comfort zone with unknown (to them) techniques then careful monitoring is needed.

Perhaps try keep this on topic or the OP might get lost in the posts.

Bulgaria or Hungary? Maybe wait to see if the OP returns with more details as they haven't been back on since their original post.

Architect I no a very good one been in pratice hear in Hungary for 15 years and as gained greet respect for his Work and all so for his Teching Skills in the Unervisty in Budapest, I have many discussions in the past
1/ Strawbale House is as the same view over this my self, yes to Build but the Goverment Says Baild Straw is Catle Foder THAY are reluctatct to go away from that.
2 Building Control as Good there is, a appointed Clark of Works nothing gets past this inspecter the Insulaton is as Good as UK on New Buld
3 I suggest if any one whants to Build New first draw up a sketch and size
that search the net for Product Prices give
You never now that it may be more than 1 BRIT> NEEDS NEW HOUSE THEN JOIN TO GETHER AND BUILT TOGETHER
If you can price a procet up give me a shout, will give some think to do
all do at moument is down load films, when I am my plot, I isulated from the out side world

Can we please bring this back on topic and I don't remember it being about house building

I am also beginning to wonder about you digger as several posts are offering a "service" or advertising for somebody you know. I am taking it that you are simply being helpful but please note that advertising is not allowed on the forum.

Whilst on the subject, not aimed at you digger, neither is PMing or emailing users to offer services or products, whether your own or "a friends".

This forum is about helping and sharing, not drumming up business - let's keep it that way.

NO I reterd from the Costruction and Buiding Industary after 50 years hard, hard work and if my Wards of Widom fall on Deef Hears when I try to give advice to others then <snip> so kepp of Back

Sorry if you think that this is going off topic but the original post was about pros and cons of buying in Hungary or Bulgaria – Perhaps the opportunities of what you can buy or do may be helpful/relevant to someone trying to decide?