Types of Property Available

Because the property market in Northern Cyprus is young and fairly undiscovered there are a wealth of opportunities available here for property investors, those looking for a holiday home in the sun as well as those seeking to up sticks and move lock stock and barrel to this beautiful island.

The years between 1974 and 2004 were hard for the Turkish Cypriot people as they lived with embargoes and no political recognition, but the years were kind to the face of Cyprus and meant that much of the land, buildings and scenery has remained unchanged, untouched and unspoilt.

Globally architects, town planners and governments learnt from the mistakes made during the 1970s when hideous massive concrete carbuncles were the order of the day on every beautiful beach front around the world. Because no major development took place in Northern Cyprus during these years there is no need for regeneration and redevelopment...this means that the development that’s happening today is fresh, sympathetic and not spoiling the environment around it.

You won’t find new hotel complexes being built on the beaches the turtles lay their eggs on, you won’t find a building higher than three floors being built anywhere are you won’t find tatty apartment complexes springing up all across the island.

If you’re looking to move to Northern Cyprus or just spend a few weeks of the year here you want to be assured that you’re not moving onto a massive building site and that the beauty you see now will not be destroyed over the next 5 - 10 years. There may be few guarantees in life but one thing is for sure, the Turkish Cypriot government are keen to limit development, restrict speculation and protect this beautiful island for all of its inhabitants to enjoy. At the same time they are aware of how much of a gem North Cyprus is and are allowing a certain amount of careful development to go on here which frees up properties for those who want to come and live here.

If you are not interested in a new build villa then you can choose from land on which you can build your own dream property, a ruin or rural retreat, a retirement property or a town apartment...whatever type of property you’re seeking you’ll find choice in Northern Cyprus but on the whole you won’t find over developed areas, poorly built structures, ugly concrete buildings and houses packed in like you do in other Mediterranean destinations.

So, let’s examine the types of property that are available for purchase and the advantages of each: -

Villas

When most of us talk about our dream home in the sun we’re talking about a villa by the ocean...in this case it would be a villa by the beautiful Mediterranean. In Northern Cyprus the majority of new building that’s taking place is villa development. It’s what people want and luckily it’s what suits the landscape best!

The best developers are intertwining attractively traditional Cypriot style villas around the olive and carob groves here and are blending their villas into the natural countryside. You can choose from 3 - 4 bedroom well proportioned homes on a decent sized plot, with or without pool and with plenty of terraced outside space for the summer when people in Cyprus tend to spend all of their day and most of their night outside enjoying the unrivalled weather.

Villas are available on developments or stand alone, they are available on the coast, in the mountains and occasionally in the small and pretty Northern Cypriot towns where a little brown-field development has been allowed. Alternatively if you want to build your very own eight bedroom luxury mansion, you can find a plot, employ an architect, get planning permission and away you go!

Apartments & Penthouses

From holiday flats to beautiful city living apartments, from manageable maisonettes to well proportioned penthouses with stunning sea views - if you’re into apartment living there are a good number of already established developments in Northern Cyprus to fulfil and match your expectations.

Occasionally an apartment will become available overlooking Kyrenia harbour, expect these properties to go for high sums of money because of their rarity. Also available occasionally are apartments in lower Kyrenia close to the main facilities, with sea views, their own shared pool...these are always resale as most development that can happen in the lower part of the town has happened already!

If you can’t wait for such a gem to become available then look a little further afield and you will be afforded a fair degree of choice. A lot of the new build apartments come with a shared pool which can make the property fantastic for holiday letting purposes.

Land

Depending on where you want to buy the sizes and quality of the plots will vary as of course will the price! Technically speaking as a foreign national you are only allowed to own up to 1 donum of land in Northern Cyprus - this is usually more than enough for a private individual seeking to build his own home on the island. But if you desire more land for development or just for space and freedom then with a carefully formed company structure it is possible to purchase more land.

You will be able to choose from plots high in the mountains or low on the plains or close to the beaches, plots in amongst olive groves and occasionally a plot in a pretty little village or town. Because development is not taking over the island and there are no greedy property developers here trying to buy up the whole island it’s still possible for the individual to capture a truly fantastic piece of land in Northern Cyprus.

Ruin

Many people dream of rebuilding a ruin and transforming it back to its former glory, there are a few such opportunities available here...and they are far more affordable opportunities than one might find in Tuscany or Province for example! You have to be careful that the property you are seeking to buy and renovate has a clean title deed attached to it and that you are not about to purchase a Greek Cypriot’s home accidentally. Seek good independent legal advice and you won’t go far wrong.

The properties available range from remote farm houses with land...sometimes including a small citrus or olive grove...to abandoned town houses ripe for rejuvenation and perfectly positioned for the owner to take maximum advantage of the infrastructure that has built up around the ruin.

If you want to truly escape the rat race though, the rural properties available might be more the property type you’re after. Some come with their own well and generator, some will need a lot of money spending on infrastructure as well as physical structure! Whatever your budgetary and lifestyle possibilities and aims you should be able to find exactly what you’re looking for!

Cottages and Retirement Bungalows

In amongst the pretty Cypriot towns you’ll occasionally come across a perfectly preserved cottage for sale with established gardens burgeoning with the colourful plans and flowers associated with the Mediterranean, these houses are rarely for sale, but when they do come on the market they are snapped up by buyers who spot their potential for offering the ultimate idealistic lifestyle.

If you set your heart on finding such a property you will need patience, but that patience will be rewarded when you capture your beautiful dream property.

Some people choose to retire to Cyprus because of the quality of life available here, the affordability of the island and also the healthy lifestyle, weather, food and friendly people and environment...who can blame them? If you are after a purpose built retirement bungalow there are some developers who will build exactly what you’re after, they’ll build in every appliance and feature you require and make sure your property is within easy reach of all the essential local facilities, amenities and services.

Hopefully this article has demonstrated the property types available here in Northern Cyprus for the interested buyer: to find out exactly what’s available to suit your own dreams and finances you must take some time out of your day to day hectic schedule and come to the island, bask in the relaxed pace of life, the beautiful surroundings and the fantastic weather and seek out the property of your dreams. There are many people willing to help you - from the professionally appointed estate agent to the friends you will make when you arrive. Just one word of warning, you’ll have far too much choice and making your selection will be hard as you’ll just have too many fantastic opportunities to select from!