Apartment purchase in Poland

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Edited by: Administrator Oct 15, 06, 02:53 / #

I had done a search on buying property on the board, but not found as much useable info as I had hoped, therefore can I ask people who have experience of buying an apartment in Poland to relay their experiences to the board on the template format below?

I am particularly interested in non-Polish purchasers, given that we don't really speak the language and this makes the experience so much more difficult!

Overview - this should consist of, your gut feeling as to how the process went from start to finish, who you had to deal with and how things have finally turned out, and would you do it it again!

Where you bought - exactly where, why, advantages/disadvantages.

Price you paid - for the property, agents, solicitors, other parties

Who did you buy from - was it a private sale, via an estate agent, or notary - again advantages/disadvantages. Which is safest for non Polish speaking buyers.

Time scale - from initial search, arranging appointments, getting papers signed, delays, reasons for same.

What to look out for - this basically means, that there are certain golden rules you must be aware of through the whole buying experience, ie what to check, what to look for, what not to do any other nuggets of information only insiders would know about!

Finally, if you have links of use, please post them at the end.

Many thanks for your help in advance!

serpicoThreads: 3 Posts: 23 Joined: Oct 1, 06	Oct 15, 06, 04:39 / #
excellent idea.... im going in january with the same intention.... might i also add, does anyone know if you have property auctions in poland? if so, please give details. serpico

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 15, 06, 04:46 / #
All house sales go through a notary. If they don't then something is wrong.

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 06:21 / #
Wroclaw, so you can cut out the estate agent, whats their status legally in the whole process, fees, etc? What percentage go for straight private deals?

spiritus	Oct 15, 06, 07:58 / #
I know they do have property auctions but am not aware of any specific details. You could start with two of Poland's biggest internet auction sites allegro.pl ebay.pl Ebay is still quite new in Poland so the listings aren't that comprehensive. Allegro is more established and has many more listings. Obviously both sites are not dedicated to property but Allegro has a very active property section that's worth having a look at. Frank, As Wroclaw said all sales must go through a notary. They have to be involved in order to put a "legal stamp" on any transaction whether it is a private sale or through an estate agents. Typical estate agents fees are about 2.5 % - 4.5%. Every office is different. There is an english speaking website dedicated to the Polish property market called mamdom.com. Personally I'm not to ofond of the idea that they charge you for full access but each to their own. Where are you thinking of buying ?

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 08:11 / #
Wroclaw itself, some where around the Rynek, or in one or two selected areas just north of the centre....ie within a five minute walk. Whilst in the city itself , I don't believe I saw an estate agents office along the lines we have here in UK/Ireland. I have the allegro site you've listed, thanks. Any other thoughts, info, again personal experiences are best.

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 15, 06, 09:34 / #
Frank, We do have estate agents here. Not quite the same as the UK but they are here. Do you want some addresses ? Also, I'm on the north side of the river. Unless you go into the suburbs you will only get a flat, if you want to be within five or ten minutes of the centre. Please bare in mind that a lot of apartments are for first time buyers and are therefore small by some standards. I don't know if you are familiar with this: Property here is described by the square metre and not by the number of bedrooms [English style] A big flat in the city area would be about 150 sq metres I'll look in the paper tomorrow and give you an update for the Wroclaw area.

jasiu	Oct 15, 06, 10:19 / #
Frank I am in the TriCity at the moment buying property - I have extensive Polish connections and am working directly with a Polish partner which moves things from being bl**dy difficult to actually quite easy... he does all the tricky things and I put up the money... works for both of us... We are buying and converting attics in what are called kamianicas... tennement blocks... the one i signed for yesterday is about 300 sqm and we hope to convert to two or three appartments... it is potentially a lengthy and complicated process but the ROI makes it worth the investments...and it would not be possible for me as a Brit without my Polish contacts... Buying in Poland as a member of the EU is fairly straight forward - there are some restrictions impossed mainly concerning agricultural and forest land but this is wonderful Poland and many things become possible if you know the right people... if you get my drift... My property adventures are based around the TriCity - firstly because I know people here and secondly because I like the place - great fun to be had year round! Property prices vary greatly and the sqm rate for Sopot can be anything upto 14000 Zl. Saying that, there are still plenty of bargains around - I saw a large house by the Uni in Wrzeszcz this weekend for about 300K Zl - ideal for conversion of to let to local students... another in the centre of Gdansk for 250Zl and hope to buy a place by the nearest lake to the city for about the same price... I posted loads of links the other day for a similar question somewhere - will try to track them down and post them here

jasiu	Oct 15, 06, 10:24 / #
Channel 4 Buying proporty abroad forum community.channel4.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/186602047/m/1150009635 Wroclaw nieruchomosciwroclaw.pl bnfasada.pl kruk.net.pl The following might help but most will have English translation... nieruchomosci - estate agent wynajem - rent sprzedaz - sale pokoje - room domy - house mieszkania - flat dzialki - land Anyone who speaks Polish better than me is welcome to correct... TriCity gnp.pl The following sites will lead you all over the place anonse.pl yellowpages.pl gumtree.pl

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 11:02 / #
Guys, a big thanks so far, plus all the links will act as a part resource for future posters! Yes, Wroclaw am looking for an a apartment in your very own town.......! Ideally, I am looking for a recently renovated or good order apartment in a stylish building, 60-70 sq metres. But am interested in the ins and outs of the whole process, plus ideally they say you're best to go accompanied by a Polish person, if thinking at all about buying, makes it all so much more buyer friendly.

spiritus	Oct 15, 06, 12:33 / #
Jasiu, I have been exchanging emails with several would be investors in the Polish property market including a gent by the name of Peter who's doing exactly what you're doing in the Tri City (I'm assuming there's no connection). My girlfriend is also a licensed real estate broker in the Tri City so you and her probably know the same people. She was at the Gdansk exhibition this weekend I am in the lengthy process of trying to organise a property pool of investors who are willing to invest money in the market with the Tri City and Wroclaw being top of the list.

jasiu	Oct 15, 06, 13:41 / #
Spiritus... there is a connection... anytime you want to come on board let me know... you have my email id

spiritus	Oct 15, 06, 14:18 / #
It's a small world ! I have only been on this forum for 2 days and have met yourself and someone I have spoken to on the phone a few months back........not to mention a nice lady from Prestwich (which is just down the road from me)

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Edited by: Frank Oct 15, 06, 14:23 / #
Spiritus.......you wouldnt be in Manchester/Bury area are you?.........

bernadetem	Oct 15, 06, 14:36 / #
i am going to poland to buy apartment what is the best way to bring mony there cash, travel check or what

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 14:42 / #
You mean to make a payment to purchase? Ideally a bankers draft, or an electronic bank transfer is even safer. If its as a deposit, I believe you require 20% of price ( stand to be corrected), perhaps travellers cheques would be handier assuming they are widely accepted in Polish banks.

jasiu	Oct 15, 06, 15:01 / #
the mention of cash seems to get you a better price and will put you attractively at the top of the list if other interested parties have to get a mortgage

spiritus	Oct 15, 06, 15:58 / #
Frank, I'm in Bolton. Don't tell me we know each other as well !! lol If we do then I will give you the £ 20 I borrowed when I get paid......I promise ! lol Er....that applies to anyone else that may know me.

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 16:27 / #
Naw, very much doubt it, am in N Ireland, but know my way around Manchester, fav city in UK! Great win today! But I will pretend to know you , can you send me a virtual £20 note...that'll do nicely! Have you been to Wroclaw, or have contacts, recommendations there?

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 15, 06, 16:39 / #
Frank, I've sent you an e-mail. It's a serious offer if you need a translator and some help. Did you get it ?

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 16:48 / #
Just checked Wroclaw, no sign of it...some times things a re a bit slow between some mail accounts!

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 16:50 / #
Plus I sent one to you......1 min ago!.....

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 15, 06, 17:08 / #
Frank, check now.

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 17:23 / #
Got it, thanks for that! Will be in touch, Frank

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 15, 06, 17:25 / #
OK I'm off to bed, Goodnight.

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 15, 06, 17:26 / #
Nite!

lefThreads: 13 Posts: 564 Joined: Jun 27, 06	Oct 15, 06, 19:12 / #
Quoting: Frank, Post #10 Yes, Wroclaw am looking for an a apartment in your very own town.......! Going by real estate sites, properties are over priced... a shity looking apartment in a high rise flat was worth 350,000zl.....moma mia...overseas buyers beware...

bernadetem	Oct 15, 06, 19:17 / #
i am paying cash for the full price w/o agent and some body told me that if i want to cash t/c then the bank take 4-6% and electronic transfer from my bank (i am in usa) to bank in poland may take up to a month they can't guarante that i will have the money within a week

FrankThreads: 27 Posts: 1,342 Joined: Aug 14, 06	Oct 16, 06, 02:37 / #
Gee......dubious transaction in any country......wait and see what some of the locals say !!

WroclawThreads: 76 Posts: 7,418 Joined: Apr 1, 06 [Moderator]	Oct 16, 06, 08:38 / #
bernadetem, I can't tell you how to spend your money. But there are plenty of people here who will cheat you out of your fortune and spend it for you. One of the tricks here is to sell a house that actually belongs to someone else. [the owner is living in England/USA etc. Make sure you have a notary deal with your purchase, Otherwise it will mean nothing at all.