Are you thinking of Purchasing an older property
If you are thinking of moving to Bulgaria, then you are probably also considering purchasing a property in Bulgaria. Unless you have already lived here for a while and are familiar with the process, it can feel quite daunting.
Newer homes are available at much lower prices than in most parts of Europe, but many people prefer the charm and character of older properties. One of your main concerns will likely be ensuring that the property is structurally sound and free from major defects. You will also want to know how much refurbishment work might be required.
You can often find a large house with outbuildings and a generous garden for a very reasonable price, depending on location and age. However, older homes often lack modern facilities such as internal bathrooms or functional kitchens. Many have not been well maintained, simply because Bulgaria has historically been a poorer country.
Although it’s possible to find real bargains, some properties may prove too costly to refurbish once the work begins. It can also be difficult to find someone trustworthy who can assess whether a property is viable and explain exactly what needs to be done. This challenge is compounded by the language barrier if you are not a native speaker.
The process can be particularly stressful for those who don’t yet live in Bulgaria permanently but are planning to do so in the future. Travelling back and forth to view potential homes can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.
Why we set up this service to help individuals who are thinking of purchasing a property in Bulgaria
We are an English couple who have owned property in Bulgaria for over 20 years. Over that time, we have met countless people who have found themselves in difficult situations after purchasing a property in Bulgaria, unaware of how complex and costly refurbishment can be.
Some have unfortunately been unable to complete their renovations due to escalating costs and have had to leave their homes uninhabited — which is truly heartbreaking.
After seeing this happen so often, we decided to create a service for people who lack the expertise to properly assess how much work — and expense — might be involved in purchasing and restoring an older property in Bulgaria. Our aim is to make the process smoother and far less stressful for anyone without construction experience.
Who we are
Before explaining what we offer, let me introduce us properly. Our names are Susan and Jeff. I am a retired social worker and I love to write. I have helped create this blog and I do hope that you will explore some of our other posts about this beautiful country.
This post, however, is to introduce my husband, Jeff. Jeff is a retired construction professional with over 40 years of experience. He originally trained and qualified as a Building Surveyor, later progressing into Site Management, and became an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (ACIOB).
Jeff’s career has spanned house building and major construction projects. He has built thousands of homes in England, as well as schools, hospitals, MOD projects, banks, and building societies. He has also undertaken extensive historic restoration work, including project and financial management, client liaison, and overall supervision.
Here in Bulgaria, Jeff has personally renovated three of our own properties — so he truly understands both the rewards and challenges of working with older Bulgarian homes.
These are just a few of his many projects
Images from left to right from the top:
- Refurbished Iron Foundry in Cornwall
- Refurbished Iron Foundry in Cornwall
- Refurbished Iron Foundry in Cornwall
- Refurbished Iron Foundry in Cornwall
- New regional centre for the RSPCA
- Refurbished Customs House in Falmouth
- Repairs and refurbishment of house
- Refurbishment of old building to apartments
- Refurbishment of old Manor House
- Refurbished Customs House in Falmouth
- 36 new Timber frame houses in St.Austell
- Extension and refurbishment of hotel
- Extension and refurbishment of hotel
- New build apartments in Gosport marina
- Refurbishment of old Manor House
- we have also renovated two of our own homes here in Bulgaria
What we can provide if you are thinking of purchasing a property in Bulgaria
- A property survey including video footage and photographs
- A written report with professional observations and recommendations
- For clients who cannot visit in person, we can also provide information about the surrounding area, which can be vital in deciding whether to purchase
- For properties within the Karlovo district, we can offer local advice and recommendations for reliable workmen and tradespeople
- If you have already hired a builder, we can carry out site visits, take progress photographs, and notify you of any issues
- Our service is flexible and can be adapted to suit individual requirements.
How much does it cost?
Charges are as follows:
- For a survey report, including video footage, photographs, and notes €100 plus travel expenses (see below).
- For additional video footage of the surrounding area €50
An additional charge of 1 Euros per mile and for travel expenses will be applied. We can give you a quotation of how far away the property you are interested in is from us on request.
Both travel expenses and the cost of the survey to be paid upfront. We can provide bank account details on request.
Email us by copying and pasting this address:
pleasantplacesbulgaria@gmail.com
Or ring for an initial chat: 00359 895719001 (this is a Bulgarian number) if you are thinking of purchasing a property in Bulgaria.
📧 Email: pleasantplacesbulgaria@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 00359 895719001 (Bulgarian number)
If you are thinking of purchasing a property in Bulgaria, we would be delighted to help you make an informed and confident decision.