The Cyprus property boom has continued its upward surge since the turn of the millennium, but while investors during this period have been rewarded by soaring sale values, there remains a surprisingly wide range of property for buyers on a budget.
Studio apartments naturally make up the most prolific bank of properties available in the £80k or less price bracket, with the majority of these being featured in the resale market; the east coast in particular offers lower prices than its western coastal counterparts. Through Sold on Cyprus, a studio apartment in the heart of the famed party town Agia Napa boasts a veranda, air conditioning and communal pool; constructed in 1998, but still offering a distinctly modern style, the resale price of £48,849 makes for a wonderful holiday-home deal. By comparison, a newly finished studio with parking and communal pool that is only five minutes from the beach, a 15-minute drive from the centre of Larnaca, in striking distance of the village amenities of Kiti and three kilometres from a proposed golf course, provides the ultimate appeal for holiday rental, with a resale tag of £57,516, again through Sold on Cyprus.
Heading inland, the capital Nicosia naturally delivers higher property values, though by choosing to buy in the suburbs it’s still possible to snap up a bargain. For instance, a modern development completed in May 2006 in Latsia on the capital’s outskirts is ideal for permanent living, since shops, banks, schools and the new hospital are all within a five-minute drive, the motorway is nearby and the university only a ten-minute.
Built to the highest European standards, the Latsia development includes a lift, disabled access and allocated parking. Consisting of 15 studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments on three levels, studios cost a mere £54,799 through Alexanders.
Back to the coast and heading west, Paphos is one of the most prosperous settings for British buyers, making the number of properties for sale at £80k or less a very pleasant find, especially in the new-build market. Due for completion in April 2009, Orange Tree’s new project Pafos Riviera is conveniently situated in the prime investment area of Universal, at the heart of the tourist district. The complex comprises eight blocks of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments surrounded by an established green park. Studio apartments are priced at £80k, with attractive rental potential created by luxurious communal facilities including three kidney-shaped swimming pools with a winding lazy river nestled in the heart of the project, alongside an indoor Jacuzzi and sauna, changing facilities and fully equipped fitness room, a children’s playground, bowling green and club house. Again, drawing in the holiday crowd, Irene Heights in Paphos is in close proximity to shops, bars and restaurants, and is well served by public transport. This development of modern apartments offers the ideal bargain for a pied-à-terre in the sun, with a one-bedroom apartment through Parador Properties setting you back just £72,080, including private parking.
The outskirts of Paphos also offer a range of inexpensive studios, despite the suburbs having gained tremendous popularity in recent years. The staggeringly low purchase price of £48,732 will put you in the line for a studio pad in the hillside village of Peyia, a 15-minute drive from Paphos. Available through BuySell Real Estate the property boasts double glazing and provisions for air-conditioning, with all apartments accessed by elevators, sharing a communal pool and car port.
As one of the few remaining spots within walking distance from the village centre, the development is perfect for permanent living, while unobstructed views of the popular tourist hotspot, Coral Bay – which is just a five-minute drive away – attract excellent holiday rental. Built in two stages, phase A will comprise five two- and three-bedroom villas, with phase B consisting of 18 studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
If a scenic location ranks high on your agenda, look no further than the north-west tip of the island. This region has long been a favoured holiday haunt, both for Nicosians seeking a country escape and British buyers desiring a taste of old Cyprus. Situated in a prime location on the south edge of Polis, Evagoras Gardens is a carefully designed, aesthetically pleasing development comprising seven apartment blocks with communal pool and private landscaped gardens.
One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are available through Parador Properties, with prices for a one-bedroom apartment starting at £80,000.
The sleepy outskirts of Polis are equally appealing for buyers on a budget, with the traditional village of Prodromi being a prime example. The village contains its own collection of shops and restaurants, while Polis and Latchi marina are just a five-minute drive, as are this pretty area’s blue flag beaches. Through Parker Barnes, £79,716 currently buys a one-bedroom townhouse for resale within an established complex with mature landscaped gardens and communal swimming pool, or £80k will get you a more modern, one-bedroom resale apartment with communal pool.
The wealth of island-wide bargains is testament to the fact that Cyprus remains a formidable purchasing hotspot for budget property, with particular incentives for UK investors. Martin Pearce, the UK sales director for Aristo Developers states: “With Cyprus joining the euro currency zone in January 2008, local interest rates have been reduced from the slightly higher rates previously charged on borrowings in Cyprus pounds, and euro interest rates are lower than sterling. Coupled with the loosening of Central Bank lending restrictions, this makes Cyprus a cheaper and easier place to borrow than it was last year.” Chairman of Aristo, Theodoros Aristodemou, says that there are new lending restrictions for buyers, meaning that in order to obtain a loan in Cyprus buyers must make a minimum contribution of 20 per cent for a first property purchase (to be used as main residence), and a 30 per cent contribution for all other cases (for non-residents and for investment purposes).
The good news for bargain-hunters doesn’t stop at just studios and one-bedroom properties; the idyllic prospect of owning a slice of island history is also an affordable prospect. Proving that character-filled properties needn’t entail a hefty renovation project, a fully converted traditional stone-built chapel can be snapped up for £80,000 through Parker Barnes. Occupying a ofty position in the hillside village of Peristerona just ten minutes from Polis, the tardis-like property comprises one bedroom, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom, and comes fully furnished for immediate occupancy. Alternatively, for those willing to put in some hard renovation graft, it’s possible to take possession of a much larger property; for instance, BuySell is currently offering a three-bedroom, two-bathroom property built in 1850, located in the village of Lofou, 15 minutes from the island’s second largest city, Limassol. Though the asking price of £95,251 is slightly above the £80k limit, purchasing this property will reap significant saving funds further down the line, since the listed building is under a preservation order to be restored, with the government offering a £54,414 grant to pay for the work needed. Even more appealing for the future renovation, the property contains a basement with its own access from the road and has the necessary permission to be converted into a habitable space, with existing furniture, including many original pieces, included in the price.
Similarly spacious properties, both new-build and fully renovated, are far more difficult to source with an £80k budget. Indeed there are many who believe that for optimum investment rewards, buyers should look at a wider range of aspects than the initial purchasing price. Andreas Ioannou, managing director of Alpha Panareti Public Ltd, states: “Our experience shows that cheap properties are available now, and will be available in the future. But such property is not always the best solution. Buying a property abroad is a serious financial decision and buyers should bear in mind certain key criteria in choosing the most suitable property. I believe that in Cyprus the inexpensive properties will become in lesser demand as buyers realise the future investment potential of their purchase. Clients are now realising that the Cypriot market offers far greater future rewards than the UK, and are therefore not only looking at the purchase price, but prime location, quality of construction, architectural excellence, mortgage schemes, resale potential and much more in order to capitalise in the most productive way.”
