Buying property in North Cyprus is the hot topic amongst those wanting to buy their own place in the sun, but which type of North Cyprus property is right for you?
Here's our guide to the types of property for sale in Northern Cyprus – and why they might be just right for you.
Holiday homes in North Cyprus
First of all, consider what you looking for when buying a property in North Cyprus. Do you want a low-maintenance property with lots of amenities, or a private home from home, or something in between?
North Cyprus Apartments
North Cyprus holiday apartments are a great option for those who like to holiday in North Cyprus, and then "lock and leave". Modern apartment blocks offer North Cyprus holiday properties built to the highest standards and with full amenities including a communal pool, often in good locations. Of course, when you're not enjoying your property in Northern Cyprus, someone else can, and there is ample opportunity to rent your apartment to other holidaymakers throughout the year. Many holidaymakers are looking for somewhere that's easy to live in for their relaxing North Cyprus holiday – and your apartment could be just their ticket! Northern Cyprus apartments are available with up top three bedrooms, so there is plenty of space for everyone to relax.
Top Apartment Developments in North Cyprus
Looking to buy a North Cyprus apartment, but don't know where to start? Explore our independent North Cyprus Property Reviews and save yourself hours of internet searching! Categorised by area, price and features, you'll see at a glance what developments offer the type of apartment you are looking for, and at the right price.
Bungalows in Northern Cyprus
North Cyprus bungalows are worlds away from the British expectation of small rooms and dated décor. North Cyprus bungalows are cool and airy, designed to keep cool in the summer months, and giving easy access to the grounds at all times. No wonder many North Cypriots live in bungalows themselves – if it was good enough for a Roman villa, why change a good design idea!
North Cyprus Villas
When only your own little palace will do, your ideal property is a Northern Cyprus villa. These range in size from modest £70,000 properties for sale in North Cyprus to £500,000 villas that would make any footballer's wife proud! Your North Cyprus villa really can be your castle, and such a property is ideal for those planning to stay more than a couple of weeks at a time. Villas will require more maintenance than other types of North Cyprus property investment, but there are plenty of management companies willing to take this burden from you – for a reasonable fee. North Cyprus property is also much in demand on the holiday rental market, so you can fill the weeks you are not in residence with rental clients.
Off-plan properties in North Cyprus
If you want to customise your North Cyprus holiday home, buying off-plan gives you that opportunity. Working with your North Cyprus property developer, you can chose your favourite property on luxury development, complete with everything needed to make an great holiday location. There are no builders to hire, no contractors to chase, and you can simply sit back and wait for your dream Northern Cyprus apartment or villa to be completed. There are some great deals to be had from developers, including two-year guaranteed rental agreements and buy-back options, so off-plan really can provide you with a cheap property in North Cyprus.
Renovating properties
For those who love a challenge, and the chance to really create something special, you can't beat a North Cyprus renovation property. From traditional Cypriot houses to villas that need some dedicated TLC, your North Cyprus estate agent will be able to show you a range of renovation projects to really set the pulse racing. This is another good way to get a cheap property in North Cyprus.
Land for sale in North Cyprus
It's not just property for sale in North Cyprus, you can also purchase and plot of land and build your own dream home yourself. Remember, you're the boss, so you'll need to keep on top of the process, even if it is from the comfort of a chair while your North Cyprus building firm do the hard work!
Commercial properties
For anyone wishing to set up their own business in North Cyprus, or to buy an investment property in North Cyprus, a commercial property could be the answer. It may not be very glamorous, but commercial property investment in North Cyprus could be very lucrative...
Re-Sale properties in Northern Cyprus
Finally, why not let someone else do the hard work? Many North Cyprus property purchasers sell their properties and move on the next, allowing you to come into a ready-made, ready to rent property with a proven track record. OK, so the décor may not be 100% to your taste, but with so much to see and do in North Cyprus, you won't spend much time looking at it!
There are very good economic reasons for buying property in North Cyprus, for all ages and types of property investor. What, you mean, apart from the near year round glorious, the beautiful unspoilt countryside, the dramatic coastline and glorious beaches,
the rich historical heritage that began with Trojan War veterans and includes the Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians? Not to mention the friendly people, 90% of whom speak English?
Northern Cyprus: a stress-free home
North Cyprus does not have the chilly cold climate of Britain in the winter, but it does share some of Britain's better features! Turkish Cypriots drive on the left, the electricity supply is virtually the same, the telecommunications system is modern and efficient, the legal system is based on British law, and 90% of Cypriots speak English. Furthermore, if you transfer your British pension to Northern Cyprus, you are not taxed on it.
With the hectic pace of city life in the UK, it's refreshing to find a country where crime levels are low, vandalism is virtually unknown, and air and noise pollution simply not an issue. Traffic congestion is unheard of in the countryside, although just like any popular towns, Nicosia and Kyrenia can get crowded around rush hours. Kids will love the outdoor life of sun, sea and sand, and Turkish Cypriots love children in return. North Cyprus has no less than five universities, so the population is generally well educated, and proud of their country's heritage and historic sites.
North Cyprus: great value for money
A simple visit to a village market shows you just how much more you get for your money in North Cyprus. Since the country grows so much of its own produce, you can buy vegetables and fruit, fresh from the fields, for the equivalent of just a few UK pence. Alcohol is also cheap, including the famous local brandy, or locally-brewed refreshing beers and surprisingly high quality wines.
North Cyprus sunshine: not just for sunbathing
Did we mention the 300+ days of sunshine in North Cyprus? No wonder most North Cyprus homes have solar panels, which not only heat their water but also provide electricity to power the home. On average, all utility bills on a moderate sized property will be less than £200 – per annum. Leaving you more cash to spend on eating out in local restaurants, which are of course, much cheaper than their UK equivalents!
The holiday property in Northern Cyprus
For a year-round destination with maximum appeal, friendly locals, great beaches, fabulous water sports and a stunning new golf course, North Cyprus is fast becoming a holiday hotspot in the Mediterranean. You can buy a holiday home in North Cyprus confident that while you are back home, our management department will take care of your property in your absence, and even manage the rental of your North Cyprus villa or apartment if you wish.
Choosing Your Ideal Property in North Cyprus
Save yourself hours of internet searches by finding your ideal new property development with our North Cyprus Property Reviews. View the top current developments by region, property type and price, then just click for more details – it's that easy!
The investment property in North Cyprus
Investing in North Cyprus property is a smart move for those looking for a rental property with year-round rental potential. Holidaymakers come to North Cyprus all year round. Older holiday-makers tend to come for longer, to escape the gloom of the north European winter in the sunshine of Northern Cyprus, and these guests can rent your property for months at a time.
In addition, those who are retiring to North Cyprus do not always wish to buy a property, preferring to rent and leave the maintenance of the property to someone else.
If your Northern Cyprus investment property is a romantic hideaway, you might wish to market it to those getting married. You can get married in North Cyprus from the moment you arrive – there is no pre-residency requirement in North Cyprus.
When you come to offer your property for sale in North Cyprus, you'll soon discover that with prices rising by an average of 20% per year, you'll probably pocket a healthy profit too!
The retirement property in North Cyprus
Bringing your pension to North Cyprus not only means you are not taxed on your pension income (unlike the UK), but your money goes a lot further too. The low cost of living in North Cyprus is perfectly balanced by a high standard of living in terms of climate, environment and sheer peace and tranquillity! You can buy a villa in the hills, or a modern apartment in a smart complex where all facilities are laid on. You can also build your own dream property, or buy off-plan and ensure your dream retirement property in Northern Cyprus is exactly how you want it.
It is always important when investing in North Cyprus property – as anywhere – to get the property title deeds. The current situation between North Cyprus and south Cyprus means that many people are confused over this issue.
The events of 1974 divided the island, and hence this year is vitally important in deciding property ownership. Here is a quick guide to current North Cyprus property title deeds, to help you secure the North Cyprus property of your dreams.
The only title you will need...
The only North Cyprus property title that you should consider, and indeed the only property title you should be offered, is a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) freehold. This title comes in four formats.
1. Pre 1974 Turkish Freehold Title
This is the title for land or property owned by a Turkish Cypriot before 1974.
2. Pre 1974 Foreign Freehold Title
This is the title for land or property owned by a foreign national (i.e. non Turkish Cypriot) before 1974. These titles are recognised internationally.
3. TRNC Exchange Title
This is the title for land or property given to a Turkish Cypriot in exchange for land and property they owned in south Cyprus before 1974, and which they were forced to leave behind on moving to the North. The government assessed the value of both land and goods left behind, and allocated the land or property in the North, in exchange for the waiving of the rights to their land in the south. The original pre-1974 owner of the land or property would have been Greek Cypriot. This is also known as the Esdeger (pronounced Esh-day-air).
4. TRNC TMD Title
This is the title for land given to Turkish Cypriots for military or government service, or to Turkish settlers to encourage economic growth in certain parts of the North, after 1974. As with the Esdeger, the original pre-1974 owner of the land or property would have been Greek Cypriot, who abandoned the land or property after 1974.
Which Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Title Deed to consider
It is generally considered safe to purchase any North Cyprus property or land, which has any of the above title deeds. However, as with all Northern Cyprus property purchases, whether for enjoyment or investment, you should always employ an independent solicitor to check that the deeds are indeed legal and above board.
Some properties are offered without title deeds. There are also leasehold properties, which are government owned and have a lease for 49 years with an option for a second 49 year extension. In theory, leasehold properties could be handed back if the whole island agrees on a settlement deal between north and south. Again, if you are in any doubt as to the status of the title deeds on a property in North Cyprus, always employ an independent solicitor to examine the deeds and check the property's history.
Take a warm climate, friendly people, beautiful surroundings, historic sites, and surround them with the warm Mediterranean sea. Add a newly refurbished airport,
brand new golf course, fabulous water sports, and golden beaches, not to mention the pending EU membership and increased foreign investment. Now watch the price of property investments rise at up to 35% per annum, and you'll see why a North Cyprus property investment is a lot more than just buying a place in the sun.
What property investment types are on offer?
Northern Cyprus offers a wide range of property investment opportunities, from smart city apartments to seaside villas, traditional houses with character to modern villas with every luxury. You can buy off-plan and book guests your new North Cyprus investment property with nothing extra to add or decorate, or take on the renovation of a tired property to bring it back to its former glory. The choice is yours.
The growth potential in North Cyprus Property Investments
North Cyprus property prices have already risen by around 25% over the last to years, but it is certainly not too late to secure a great deal, and some wonderful investment properties in North Cyprus. In addition, property prices in Northern Cyprus are about a third of those in the south of the island, and 25% of the rest of the Mediterranean area.
Rental returns on North Cyprus investment properties
On average, rental returns have risen at around 10% per annum in recent years, as the numbers of tourists visiting North Cyprus increase.
Other benefits of North Cyprus property investments
The whole process of buying a property in North Cyprus is based on the British model, so it is easy to understand. It's this very British-ness, too, that attracts another growth market, those retiring to North Cyprus for the climate and low cost of living. Not every retiring couple want to buy a North Cyprus property, however. Instead, many prefer to rent their property, giving the smart North Cyprus property investor who buys with this market in mind potential long-term rental income with minimal hassle.
