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My only experience with Bulgarian Property Finders was contacting them a few years back about a house on their site I was interested in- no reply! That house is still listed.

One thing I note that raises a red flag for me - most of the properties on that site have been listed there for some time. Some of those photos have been there for at least six years.

Given the age of the photos and how fast unlived-in property deteriorates, I would be wary of buying remotely from this seller without getting someone to have a look and take some recent photos for you. There are a couple of people on ebay offering inspection services, or you may be able to find someone via the FB groups.

I'm currently buying a house sight-unseen through Bulgaria Direct. They've been very helpful, and when I asked for more photos of the side of the house that weren't shown in the initial batch of pics, Bill took a load more for me next time he was in the area including showing the less pretty aspects. But I know I am buying a wreck and not expecting a habitable house. "Camp-able" at best.

- @janemulberry

Which area are you buying in, Suzi?

- @janemulberr

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I bought with Bulgaria Direct who as far as I know only advertise on ebay UK. The house needed more work than expected (true of most Bulgarian properties, especially in the lower price range!) but I've found them good to work with and would recommend them. Danislava, their admin support person, is superbly helpful. 

Mowlem /Paul Hawtin/ Emerge have a good reputation, they specialise in properties in the area between Veliko Tarnovo and Ruse. They have their own website and also advertise on ebay UK.

Bulgarian Properties are a Bulagrain estate agent that covers the entire country, their fees are higher, they also have a good reputation.

Unfortunately a lot of the property sites online are just scraping other agents or sites listings and don't actually know anything about the properties.

I have a question that comes to mind. If you have a property number/code, can you buy that property through any estate agent?

I will be over in May to look at what houses are available and if suitable, to buy there and then.

I have seen a lot of houses that I would be interested in but hate the idea of putting a £500 deposit on a house that I have never seen.

I was going to start with the estate agents in the VT area. I am looking for a very low priced rural house that I can buy as a fixerupper. The ones that I have been interested in by photographs etc. have been in the Popovo and Konak areas.

@derekhandyman

I think the property number would be specific to the estate agent, so wouldn't work with a different agent. If you have an address or show them a photo, that might help.

Some of the properties on ebay, especially the pay monthly ones, are likely to be owned by the selling agent (Bulgaria Direct and Mowlem both work this way) so another agent wouldn't be able to sell their properties.

There are a number of good, reputable estate agents in VT so it's likely you'll be able to find something suitable in the area.  If you're specifically interested in the Popovo area, Bulgarian Property Experts (not the same agents as Bulgarian Property Finder mentioned earlier in the thread!) is a Brit-owned Popovo-based agent who might be able to help. Their FaceBook page shows their current listings (prices in leva). I didn't end up buying from them but they were helpful when I was looking at houses in that area.

@Elexxa1234

bulgaria direct have been above and beyond amazing with me. nothing has been to much trouble so far and im at the end of the process.

if your looking to buy outright (not pay monthly) am will be putting mine on the market later on. i bought it unseen and its to small for my amount of kids and animals. beautiful house in a beautiful village (Tatari near Belene).

@Dave W J H I am wondering if you could help replace I am looking for a property 500 pounds deposit and 250 pound every month to appeared the property off I am wondering if we could help me please thank you

@derekhandyman

If you like VT area, please have a look at IdealHomes-BG (dot com). I have friends who purchased from them, and are very happy.

@gwynj Thanks for the info. Its getting closer to my house searching visit. I have been on their website before. I don't know where I got it from. I did notice that one of the houses that I had an interest in has sold since I last went on there.

We've finally got our BG house ,,45 mins from Vratsa ,, haven't been in a plane for 5 years,,is it true you have to have your fingerprints taken and your face scanned for biometric ID to fly to  Europe now ?

    We've finally got our BG house ,,45 mins from Vratsa ,, haven't been in a plane for 5 years,,is it true you have to have your fingerprints taken and your face scanned for biometric ID to fly to  Europe now ?         -@georgewheelwright

Not yet, it's called and won't happen until mid-2025. Will you be moving permanently to Bulgaria and have it as your main residence?

If so, you will be exempt from needing it. If it will be a holiday home then you will need to apply.

@georgewheelwright

Not currently, as far as I know. Although I suppose one could say that your passport includes a "face scan". :-)

Yeah Graham I hear you mate ! I know the fingerprints and facial scan have come around post brexit ! Were so looking fwd to moving to BG so we will just have to suck it up !!

PS,, do you know if its possible to renew your residency etc in Vratsa to save trips to Sofia ?

Congratulations on finding a house, George! I hope it all works out well for you.

@Suzi Masterson Hey Suzie,,we used Zack and the guy was brilliant,,helped us any time of day , arranged inside toilet plumbing from a trusted builder .He earned his very reasonable commission 3 times over with our endless questions lol.cheers.

@janemulberry Thanks Jane, sorry for the belated reply , we were all BG,d out after months of searching 😢 .Busy turning the dream into reality just now ,,things are beciming pretty bad in the dis United kingdom so we would like to move sooner than later ,cheers George

I'm so glad it's all moving forward successfully for you, George.