The Spring 2008 launch of Istron Villas is under way with the development build close to completion. Istron Villas is an exceptional development of 24 luxury villas, situated in eastern Crete, on one of the most stunning cliff-edge locations in Greece. Set on the edge of a cape jutting out into the Gulf of Mirabello, close to the picturesque town of Aghios Nikolaos, these modern villas offer breathtaking and unobstructed sea views. (The coastline of the Gulf of Mirabello is peppered with some of the world’s most expensive and exclusive property and hotels – largely due to these world-class views.) Continue reading ‘Istron Villas, Crete:Launch’

Holiday makers and second homers have long enjoyed a deep and abiding love affair with the Greek islands but analysts are now suggesting that Greece, particularly the island of Crete, could be the next property hotspot in Europe, snatching the baton from the dwindling Spanish market as overseas property buyers start to eye up homes in Crete. One of Greece’s largest islands, Crete has proved its worth as a popular alternative to Spanish Costas and offers the purchaser a diverse range of property options, ranging from tourist-driven resort accommodation to rural idylls in the middle of nowhere. The birthplace of Nana Mouskouri, the Olympic Games and European civilisation itself, the island’s year-round sunshine, 93 Blue Flag beaches and dramatic coastline, have enticed investors, who have flocked to its shores, eager to follow the tried and tested route of buying a home in a location you love. 16 million tourists visit Greece and its islands each year, 3 million of those heading to Crete, some of whom, will naturally love island living enough to search for second homes in Crete. With buyers benefiting from a smooth purchase process and the security of freehold ownership unattached from expiry dates (which means that the investment can be passed on to descendants), the Creten property market has seen strong capital growth of 15 per cent year on year since 2000. Homes on Crete range from boutique Cretan developments which tend to be small and discreet, constructed sympathetically in keeping with the local surroundings and hold special appeal as new developments in Crete are restricted by both height and size guidelines.

Continue reading ‘Homes in Crete to gain from newbie ‘hotspot’ status’