House agents

[Pippa]

I have a house in the mountains, away from the usual Ex-pat buying area which I want to sell. I know this is not a good time to even contemplate selling but needs must. However I have had no luck finding an agent who deals with the mountain area, let alone one who advertises in local Cypriot papers or to potential Cypriot buyers. I have done the usual websites and have a banner outside the house, but the house is off the main road and gets few passers by. Are there recommended agents I could contact?
Your in hope (rather than expectation!!!)

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi Pippa

There are very few people buying property at the moment.

You can find lists of registered estate agents at http://skekcyprus.com/en/estate-agent-search/ .

You could also look on the web for agents who specialise in village properties - and place advertisements in the Greek and English language newspapers.

Regards,

[Pippa]

While Nigel's email was very informative and helpful, of the 15 agents on the list of many, only two has the courtesy to actually respond to either a phone call or e-mail. So I am still desperate for a recommendation of an agent that will actually do some work for the 5% of the sale price they seem to expect. It seems that only one of the agents we have spoken to actually knows any thing about selling houses at a difficult time. I, as always, live in hope!

[peter]

Hi Pippa. I am sorry that you have had such a bad response from the list of 'registered' agents that Nigel sent you. This is always a difficult subject as I myself am a successful agent marketing property in the Paphos and Polis area, and always looking to add good properties to our portfolio. I say difficult because I was a surveyor in England, and also sold property from there, as well as previously in the USA, but you need a license to operate here in Cyprus and as a rule this is granted to only Cypriots. Under EU law I can operate a business here as I am qualified in the UK, but I still cannot obtain a license here !! My case will be contested in the Supreme court shortly.

it is sad that I am considered an 'illegal' agent as I have been here nearly 9 years and without any client complaints. It should also be pointed out that it is people like myself who spend a lot of money advertising in the UK and across Europe, through websites like Rightmove - although done through my office in Cambridgeshire. Very few licensed agents spend much time promoting through the internet - which is where the bulk of clients come from. In fact a substantial number of licensed agents do not even have a web site !!

Maybe Nigel can give you my contact details, and we will try and promote your property for you.

[Pantheman]

Peter,

with regards to ' ... My case will be contested in the Supreme court shortly.' please do let us know what the outcome is.

And I agree with all that you said regarding licences.

Good Luck.

Pan