The appraisal of real estate is an important process that can significantly affect the promotion and, ultimately, the sale of a property. The process of valuation involves determining the market value of a property, taking into account various factors, some of which are location, size, age, condition, and the current state of the market.

For a property owner, the first and essential step towards successfully selling their property is a thorough determination of its value. The desired sale price should be in line with current market prices for properties with similar characteristics and reflect the value of the property in order to attract potential buyers. Overestimating the value will undoubtedly lead to a lack of interest from potential buyers. Conversely, if the desired price is lower than the property's market value, the seller will suffer a loss of profits. For this reason, working with an experienced real estate agent or property appraiser with specialized knowledge and experience in the real estate market would be particularly useful and substantial for the seller.

One more obstacle is added to the ability to construct buildings on off-plan plots. This time, the obstacle to the residential exploitation of this category of properties comes from a decision of the Greek Supreme Court (StE).

Specifically, according to decision 176/2023 of the Plenary Session of the StE, it was judged that in the off-plan area, and even within the Residential Control Zone (ZOE), the existence of a facade in a communal space (street) is required in addition to the minimum area to construct a property. With the above decision, the annulment of a building permit for a specific property was ratified, which did not have access to a registered communal road.

Naturally, the above decision caused enormous upheaval in the real estate market for this category of properties, with a "freeze" on their purchases and sales, the postponement of a significant number of investments, which are subject to the development law, and the probable delay in the approval of building permits by the competent building offices, until the issue is resolved with the issuance of clarifying circulars by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Significant development has recently taken place in the matter of building off-plan plots with an area of less than 4,000 square meters.

The new legal framework for the plots outside the city plans impacts several plots' possibility to build; the properties of interest are those with surfaces: 750, 1,200, 2,000, and up to 4,000 sqm.

Specifically, according to a press release by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (click here to see it), a one-year extension is given to plots outside the city plans that their size and access are not in compliance with the standard requirements and for which a building permit will not have been issued until 9 Dec 22.

Chania is known not only as a popular tourist destination but also as a place of great cultural identity with a permanent presence in cultural events.

 The cultural identity of Chania is the soul of a living society that, through cultural events, keeps the memories of the past, celebrates the present, and envisions the future.

In Chania, there are many events for all ages organized by the Municipality of Chania, the regional municipal theater of Crete, and the AMKE "Cultural Society of Crete." Many private organizations also have a strong presence in the area, such as the artistic society YOUCA, the theater stage SkinoPlokoi, which organizes and hosts theatrical performances, music concerts, dance events, film screenings, painting and photography exhibitions, and many more artistic and cultural events. Several collectives based in Chania support the spread of culture with their actions. The above organizations enable artists from all over the world to exhibit their works, usually in one of the great spaces of the old town or the Venetian port or the castles and monuments of the wider area, marrying the culture of today with the historical heritage of the city.

Plenty of wonderful old houses and cottages, built in an excellent traditional architectural style, are scattered in the Cretan countryside and the urban environment.

So, the dilemma of "renovation vs. rebuilding" arises quite often.

Several owners and potential buyers are wondering whether to spruce up an existing stone house or tear it down and start over. It's a complicated task to weigh the financial and practical implications of renovating over rebuilding. The answer to this quandary is a big decision that requires careful consideration.

Chania is a beautiful place! But you won't know the region well if you have not visited the impressive inland and the imposing high mountains. Ιf you have not hiked the natural scenic trails, revealing the incredible mountainous terrain and unique coastal landscape. Would you ever think that there are extensive and dense forests on this island, so south? The stunning beaches, with crystal clear waters, are only a part of the beautiful natural environment of this place.

After two tough years since the outbreak of the pandemic, a period of uncertainty and instability for the real estate market, we are entering a new period with many signs of recovery and optimism.

Abstracting the information from Spitogatos real estate platform, we have worth noting data for the price trends in the market of Chania.

Crete is a self-sufficient place in potable water. Freshwater is coming straight from the White Mountains and Psiloritis, two nature blessed mountain formations, assuring the water adequacy for the whole region.

The west part of the island is relatively wetter than the east side, and the mountains get more rainfalls over the year. The drinking water sources for the north side of Chania prefecture are groundwater, lakes, and natural springs at the foothills of the White Mountains. In the southern parts of Chania, drinking water originates from local groundwater wells.

In the Cretan countryside, wandering away from the big urban centers of the island always reserves pleasant surprises and unique experiences.

On the southern slopes of the White Mountains, we discover one of the few remaining ruined settlements of Sfakia, the village of Aradena. A settlement with a long history, whose name is associated with the Cretan vendetta.