scorpio:
Houses which are located on plots of land not equal to or greater than 1 hectare aren't much of a problem to purchase without a permit.
Yes, but you can only buy one as a foreigner. I bought such a property and needed to get a resident card before completion, i was also not allowed to rent the property and had to base myself there permanently.
I remember reading something somewhere about 2009, for lifting the restrictions on buying houses not located on plots over 1 hectare. But then again i have read lots of different stats on this subject and no body seems to know the answers for sure, not even solicitors or legal advisors.