backtobasics

Hi Kathryn,
So sorry to hear of your mums probs.
I was lucky as my estate agents gave me good advice on tradesmen, same advice as others have stated here in replies which does not help I know, but I can only hope that things will work out for you.

For those still considering buying in Hungary may I just mention what I did to avoid problems.
. obtain good estate agent
. Check out/visit the area/village that property is located before commiting
. Try and find someone in the area who can understand English. (The village we considered had a camp site so we stayed there for a few nights and built up a relationship with one of the secretaries who speaks english. We befriended her and she is now our Hungarian translator and organiser of tasks in our absence.)
Use locally recommended builders, (our estate agent had a list of customers willing to be contacted for passing on this information and more)

hope this helps
warm regards
John

OGSG

But there are alternatives e.g. if you prefer Stansted flights to Bratislava then transfer to Györ in Hungary (about an hour) and take a car from Fox Autorent who have very good deals.

Another member of this forum can give good tips for Luton to Budapest, then also a car from Fox Autorent or bus from there.

OSA

OGSG

[QUOTE=backtobasics;7235535]hi Trajan,
Might I also recommend the 'estate agent' that I found, they have a good selection of houses on their books, the prices are inclusive of fees etc

The estate agent should NOT, I repeat NOT, take any fees from you! The seller pays these costs. YOU pay the solicitor's costs (only one solicitor is involved). We paid 1% of the cost of the house.

One thing to watch out for the horrendous cost of stamp duty!

Hope this helps too!
Steve

trajan

Thanks BtoB and OSA, your thoughts much appreciated. Heartening to hear that us Brits are welcome. Checked out the estate agent and language site John, both look good. Found another called "byki" which has merit too.
See what you mean about stamp duty Steve....6% + outbuildings? Ouch!
Still amazing value though. What was your property site Steve?
Sorry for the delayed reply, been shoveling snow for a week. Ironic really, its been warmer in Hungary.

Mustin

Here's the latest on Fly Balaton airport (copied link this time MitzyBoy and not cut and pasted!)

http://www.realdeal.hu/20090206/fly-...e-for-survival

trajan

Not looking very promising is it?

OGSG

But various alternatives if you aren't relying on Stansted.

RyanAir ;-( Birmingham have a "new" route" ´to Bratislava.

Then there's EJ Luton to Budapest, then a bus/ rail route down to the Balaton.

Or we should start an ex-pats pick up service!

Steve

John Gilbert

I am UK citizen with house near Balaon who wants to retire out there. Would like to chat with somone about getting a Residents permit. Have you any email addresses of brit expats in Balaton area

Thanks

John

John Gilbert

Hi Notalab

Can you give me contacts for some of the 20 people from UK who now live round Balaton. I am to retire there & would like to chatwith some uk people who have already done it.

Regards

John ([email protected])

John Gilbert

Experienced UK people living in Hungary may be able to help?

I understand that to get residents permit to live in Hungary I need to show that I have arranged private health insurance ( I am 53, and not of retiring age, therfore Form E121 will not do the trick -yet)

Does anyone know an insurance provider in Hungary please

Regards

John

Notalab

John, Sorry for the delay, just been back to the UK and still catching up with emails etc., will email you asap.

Mustin

With the continuing uncertainty over Fly Balaton airport in Sarmellek, if you’re in need of alternative arrangements getting to the lake from the UK, I have been flying from Luton to Budapest as both EasyJet and Wizzair have regular flights. There are a number of public transport options to get to the lake from Ferihegy airport, but I’m in the lucky position of having a Hungarian brother-in-law that works as a taxi driver in Budapest! I can obviously recommend him, he is both reliable and trustworthy. So, if anybody would like to get a taxi ride from the airport direct to your destination at the lake or surrounding areas, or even if you need lifts around Budapest, then feel free to send me a message through the website and I can get in contact with him to arrange this for you and to agree a fee.

Thanks for reading

Notalab

Thanks for the info Mustin.....

OGSG

And if you need to get to Stansted rather than Luton there are National Express buses between these airports at very reasonable prices.
And to London there's Stelios's Easybus.

Notalab

Sill no information about resumption of flights from Balaton [SOB] except that there was an article in a Hungarian newspaper about flighs tresuming on april 4th but no details as to whom or where too.
Scuttlebutt rumor is that Thompson scheduled may be coming.

If anyone hears any news ref flights then please give this thread a 'heads up'

Regards, Notalab