Key things you need to know if you are thinking about buying real estate in the paradise country of Croatia. 

You have decided to take a big step and become the owner of a property on the magical Adriatic coast. Congratulations, the quality of your life will surely improve and your investment will pay off. 

If you are buying a house in Croatia for the first time, we believe you have many questions. 

That's why we've put together a list of tips and recommendations that can help you make a purchase decision. Also, we will warn you about some details that you should pay attention to when buying a house in Croatia.

Let's go!

Basic steps for buying a house in Croatia

Before you start looking for houses in Croatia, you need to consider a few things. 

The first step to buying a home is to ask yourself where do you want to live. What is important to you and your family? Do you want to be close to the beach or city facilities? Do peace, privacy and the sound of the sea mean more than the proximity of fancy restaurants, shops and museums? Or maybe you want to a compromise between the two?

The choice is yours, and the possibilities are huge – when you have the right real estate agent! Consult with your agent and express your needs, wishes and expectations. Write at least five places where you see yourself living on the Croatian coast or islands. 

Else, define your budget. Property prices on the Croatian coast are rising as we speak (but are still more affordable than in some other Mediterranean countries like Spain). 

Croatia is in trend, therefore it is important to be aware of your possibilities as well as your desires. Once you've defined your budget, you can explore what you could get for your money (and in which locations).

When thinking about finances, be aware of some other expenses that await you if you are buying real estate. For example, property tax of 3% (unless you are buying the property directly from the investor), agency commission, costs of the purchase agreement, notary and legal translators.

Third, hire high-quality people who mean (and know) the business.

 We cannot stress enough how important it is to have the right people to lead you throughout the process. And, what is equally important – take most of the bureaucratic burden for you. 

A professional and reliable real estate agent will help you get a better deal and connect you with other service providers. A real estate attorney will review all real estate documents and make sure everything is legal. 
Find out more about the process of buying real estate in our a guide to investing in real estate on the Croatian coast.

Basic checklist for buying a house in Croatia 

Who can buy real estate in Croatia and what will you need for that? 

If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you will have no problems buying a house in Croatia. Third world citizens can also buy real estate in Croatia. only different rules apply.

As an EU/EEA citizen, you will need: 

• To get an OIB (personal identification number). This is something that can easily be done, and your real estate agent can help you with it. 

• To check the condition of the property. Before buying, make sure it is built legally and there are no financial burdens. This is also something your real estate agent can help you with. You have to do this because certain properties in Croatia have been built illegally. Needless to say, the consequences of illegally built properties can be severe. 

• Sign a purchase contract if you want to insure your property. You will also need to put down a deposit, usually around 10% of the property price. 

• After the deal is closed, you will have to sign a sales contract, created by your lawyer. That contract should be certified by a notary public. Please note that you will need an official court translator for the notary public as this is required by law. 

• To register your name as the new owner of the property in the land register. You will also need to transfer accounts into your name – something your estate agent can help you with. 

These are important things, especially when you are buying a home for the first time. 

5 red flags to pay attention to when buying a house in Croatia

Red flags bring fun from the house hunting but may indicate serious problems. Since buying a home is also a pretty serious issue, we bring you some of the reddest red flags you should pay attention to!

Cracks or doors that won't close? Structural and foundation problems are in sight!

If you notice cracks in the wall or foundation, uneven floors, visibly sagging ceilings, or doors that don't close properly, pause your shopping enthusiasm. These things can indicate structural and foundation problems, which can be very expensive to repair.

Mold and mildew? It could be water damage

Stains on ceilings or walls, a musty smell, and a damaged floor can indicate water damage. This is not good because it can lead to mold growth as well as serious structural problems in the future. 

Pest problems

Who wants pests in their home? No one, so if you see nests, droppings or damaged wood, run as far as you can. Not only can pests be harmful to your health, they can also affect the foundation of a building. 

Painting the walls and avoiding answering your questions

Freshly painted walls can sometimes be an indication that something is not right. Owners may be masking or concealing certain damages. If you notice some inconsistency in color or the owner's answers to your questions, there may be something behind it. Be sure to get to the bottom of the problem.

Neighborhood

Neighborhood is more important than most people think. Croatia has low crime rates and is considered a safe country. However, you may sometimes encounter poorly maintained neighboring properties or a lack of amenities nearby. All of this can affect the value of the property and ultimately the quality of your life.

Also, if it is the price of the property is significantly lower from those surrounding him, be sure to explore why. 

Finally, it's safe to say that you're not likely to find any of these red flags in the newly built property on the Croatian coast.  

However, it is always wise to inspect the property before buying. Especially when it comes to ownership status as well as other legal documentation. 

Do you need help finding real estate on the Croatian coast and a flawless client-agent relationship, contact us. We will do our best to provide you with the top service you deserve!  

Photography: Marijana from Pixabay, Filip Neumann from Pixabay, if 11 ok from Pixabay, Picture of the author Ma_Frank from Pixabay, Paul Brennan from Pixabay.