There’s a timeless magic to Greece.
The way the light hits the whitewashed walls of a hilltop village at dusk…the scent of wild herbs on a sun-warmed breeze…the clink of ice in a glass of ouzo, sipped slowly as the Aegean turns gold beneath the setting sun.
Like many an Irish student, I worked in bars on several Greek islands back in the day. My memories of times spent on the island of Santorini are among my fondest.
The popular island of Santorini holds fond memories for me…but my team and I are looking elsewhere in Greece for opportunities this summer.
From the myth-draped ruins of Athens to the glamour of Mykonos, from Crete’s sun-baked charm to the quiet, undiscovered villages of the Peloponnese…Greece offers endless variety and, I’m hoping, some real estate opportunities (my scout Eoin Bassett is hopping on a plane next week to explore a hidden corner of the Greek mainland…I’ll have more details on that tomorrow, stay tuned).
Long a favorite vacation destination for Europeans, Greece has been entertaining and wowing foreigners for decades.
And one such person is Leena, who swapped the foothills of Boulder, Colorado for life on the Greek island of Corfu.
Below, Leena shares how she found her dream home and the processes she had to go through to buy that home.
Read on…
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. Exploring new destinations, and seeking out opportunities, is at the heart of what my Real Estate Trend Alert team and I do. At the end of August, I’ll be heading to Portland, Oregon, for the International Living Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp. There, I’ll be hosting a special “event within an event,” sharing the best opportunities and discoveries my team and I have uncovered this year. Book your place now to get a huge $250 discount. But you only have until midnight tonight to avail of this special offer.
How I Bought My Dream Home in Greece
By Leena Horner
Finding a home in Greece was an adventure I won’t soon forget. Leaving the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, I set my sights on Corfu, a jewel of the Ionian Islands. I expected the process to mirror house-hunting in the U.S., but I quickly discovered that things work a little differently here.
Without a centralized MLS system, navigating the local market was a challenge. Many listings on sites like Spitogatos.gr were outdated, and with many Greeks holding tightly to family properties, inventory was limited.
Eventually, I connected with a local builder who offered a beautiful sea-view lot in an olive grove, just a short walk from the village center. The plan was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with sunset views from every room. But after a year of waiting, I learned the builder couldn’t clear the land’s title due to Greece’s notorious bureaucracy. Luckily, no money had exchanged hands, but I had to start my search over.
Through a local real estate agent, I found a stunning three-bedroom, three-bathroom home perched on a hill with sweeping sea views. I toured it the same day and immediately made an offer, which was accepted. The fully furnished home became my sanctuary and qualified me for Greece’s Golden Visa.
The purchasing process, handled by my lawyer and notary, was surprisingly straightforward—easier than any property transaction I’d completed in the U.S. Within two months, I had the keys to my new home and was settling into Corfu’s vibrant expat community.
From mainland Greece to the many islands jotting the Aegean and Ionian seas, Greece offers a wide variety of apartments and houses.
Greece offers a wide range of housing options to suit every budget and lifestyle.
In Athens, you can find spacious apartments in lively neighborhoods at prices far lower than in other European capitals like Paris or London. Even on the islands, it’s possible to secure charming homes without breaking the bank. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning property under the Mediterranean sun, Greece is an enticing option.
Mainland Greece and smaller cities offer some of the most affordable choices. Traditional stone houses in historic villages and sleek modern apartments are widely available. The islands, while more popular, can feel remote, and demand often pushes up property prices.
Still, incredible deals can be found. Friends of mine purchased three charming village homes for under $100,000 each. Though they required some restoration, the results were beautiful, and the value only increased with time.
The real estate market in Greece is on the rise, rebounding after years of economic difficulty. More expats are investing here, and with property values climbing, it’s an excellent time to buy.
Long-term rentals are also an attractive option, providing flexibility for those who want to experience life in different regions before committing. During my house hunt, I rented a lovely two-bedroom home with a covered terrace and sunset sea views for just $800 a month. Renting allowed me to explore Corfu without the immediate pressure of buying.
Buying property in Greece is relatively straightforward for foreigners, thanks to regulations designed to simplify the process. A knowledgeable local real estate agent can help navigate the legalities, ensuring a smooth transaction. Greece’s affordability and expat-friendly market make it an attractive destination for those seeking a new home or investment opportunity.
Whether you prefer the vibrant urban energy of Athens or the tranquility of a seaside village, Greece offers a unique blend of affordability, culture, and beauty. For those dreaming of Mediterranean living, it’s a place where you can thrive and truly feel at home.
Ronan says: As I said earlier, Greece is just one of the places the RETA team will be scouting for opportunity over the next few weeks. We’re also hitting France, Panama, and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. My team and I are constantly on the move. We spend more than a million dollars on travel and research each year, all to find the next destinations and incredible, off-market deals.
This means that in-person meetups are rare…difficult to organize. But at the end of August, I’m bringing key members of my RETA team and a host of my real estate contacts with me to Portland, Oregon for the International Living Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp. Over 100 live-overseas experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance on moving, living, and buying overseas.
Within Bootcamp, I’m hosting a special real estate event, with presentations, discussions, and workshops with me and insiders from our global network of contacts. This means you can stay hyper-focused on real estate during the event. And I’ll be sharing the latest and hottest opportunities on my international real estate beat.
Book your seat here today and you can avail of a limited-time $250 discount. But don’t wait, this discount expires at midnight tonight. Reserve your spot here and join my team and I in Portland this August.
