News/Blog - About Greece

By Roger and Jonathan

In our last post, we talked about investors looking towards buying property in Greece instead of investing in stocks and shares.

We gave a few examples of how the current economic climate may affect the housing market on Skopelos Greece as sales slow down and prices weaken. We wrote that because in general houses on Skopelos can take an average of three years to sell, some Greek property owners were in no rush to reduce prices,  preferring to ‘wait the credit crunch out’. 

We also gave a few examples of some overseas holiday home owners reducing the price of their houses from EG: Euro 120,000 to Euro 95,000 for a quick sale as they feel the need to ‘cash in’ and supplement their incomes back home.

But what about investing in land on Skopelos? some people have asked us “has land also been affected by the current economic downturn?  are there also bargains to be had”?

There is an old saying which runs, “when times are hard, buy land – it is the one thing they cannot make more of”. This certainly holds true for today’s property market in Skopelos.

There are certainly bargains to be had in the housing market as sales slow down and prices weaken, but the main area of growth is the market for land. There are people out there with money to invest and they are reluctant to entrust it to the banks or the stock market.

We have seen private investors with cash to spend taking a strong interest in land on Skopelos. But not just any land – these buyers are being very particular. There must be wonderful views – a sea view is essential – and there must be good access. Size is becoming important too. Whereas most people opt for a property of 4,000 sq metres (the minimum required to build in the countryside) the trend is to go for larger pieces to ensure even greater privacy.

It is possible to snap up an 11,000 sq metre property with good views across rolling countryside to the sea beyond for as little as €82,000 whereas a similar size property with breathtaking 180 degree sea views can be had for around €150,000. And for those happy with 4,000 sq metres, bargains are there for the taking from €45,000.

Some of the good points about buying land are:

You can keep it as an investment and build your house on it whenever you choose.
You can build in the Skopelos style using the best local craftsmen or build a modern design.
You get to choose all the fixtures and fittings.
You build your dream Greek island home the way you would like it to be.

Remember: Your house would have to adhere to the legal Greek property laws and building requirements of Skopelos Island Greece. Please see:  Building and Legal information.

More and more people want to own a piece of heaven – the beautiful Greek island where Mamma Mia was filmed.

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By Jonathan - Angels Greek Island Homes

Due to the current global economic down turn some investors are looking towards buying property in Greece instead of investing in stocks and shares. The Greek property market has taken a slight dip and there are many opportunities attracting buyers to Greece.

“So, are houses prices falling thick and fast on the Greek Island of Skopelos?” potential buyers ask us. “If we buy now, can we get a great bargain?”

Well, the answer is a confusing yes and no.

On Skopelos Island for example, the Greek property owners are quite laid back and phlegmatic in their approach to this new economic climate. They know that selling their houses and land could take about three years and are in no rush to drop prices. Some property owners may just prefer to ‘wait it out’.

On the other hand, some overseas property owners who may be feeling the effects of the ‘Credit Crunch’ have decided to put in their own holiday homes on the market.

Here there are bargains to be picked up. Houses in Palio Klima Skopelos which would of fetched Euro 120,000 six months ago can now be bought for Euro 95,000. Land could also be had at bargain prices. A 4000 sq metre plot that you can build your dream Greek Island home on may be bought for as little as Euro 45,000. How about: Barbara’s House in Klima KH025 or Louise’s House Gloss KH027.

For more details on these bargains and property options please see the Glossa Houses link or price list on our property page.

Now is a great time to be a buyer on Skopelos Island Greece

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By: Roger Fox -Glossa Houses
Photograph by: Jonathan - Angels Greek Island Homes

As the bustle of high summer gives way to a more gentle, warm and relaxed October and November, people who can make themselves free of school holidays come house hunting in Skopleos.

Many buyers nowadays are not looking just for a summer holiday house. They want a home they can visit at anytime of the year and feel comfortable.

Skopelos, the greenest Greek island, does have real winters, albeit mild and gentle compared with the UK. The winter rains refresh the island and keep its forests sparkling. They also bring out the wild flowers which are such a feature of this island in the autumn and spring when the weather is perfect for long walks. And of course the sea is warm enough for swimming until at least the middle of October.

There are many houses on the market which are suitable for occupation at all seasons of the year. A two bedroomed house like this in good repair in Skopelos Town will cost from €150,000 to 200,000 and a similar sized property in Glossa a little less. Two bedroomed houses in Glossa needing a little tidying start at €120,000 and a real beauty can be had for €140,000.

But the Mamma Mia effect is already being felt. Having experienced at first hand the pine fringed beaches and the dramatic scenery; many visitors have decided that this is the Greek island for them.

Good plots of land are still available, but the best are starting to be snapped up by smart buyers getting ahead of the game. Prices start at around €60,000 for a 4,000 sq metres plot with good views.

Skopelos is protected from over-development by the short ferry hop from Skiathos, the nearest airport.

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By Roger Fox - Glossa Houses.
Photographs are by Jonathan of Angels Greek Island Homes.

Skopelos, the greenest Greek island, is becoming the place of choice for those in the know. Last summer’s filming of Mamma Mia The Movie has put the island with its dramatic scenery and lovely beaches in the spotlight.

Skopelos Town is a lovely place to have a holiday home. It has small tranquil squares, quaint churches and a waterfront with taverns, bars, restaurants, upmarket antique and jewellery shops. The old town is a designated preservation area as its traditional architecture is unique amongst Greek islands. New buildings must retain the old style.

For those who love the idea of owning a house in a year-round working Greek village, Glossa may be ideal. Plenty of opportunities exist to renovate traditional houses or to buy fast disappearing plots of land for building inside the town plan. There are also houses for sale that are ready to live in; some are furnished, some sell with household items.

The architectural style of the village is similar to that found in northern Greece, white-washed buildings with wooden balconies and terracotta roof tiles. Around 1400 people live here throughout the year with the usual amenities open to serve the local population. You can get quite breathless walking the steep pathways and stairs but the magnificent views make it all worthwhile!

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By Jonathan - Angels Greek Island Homes

Cafe Frappe is an ice chilled ’shaken’ coffee with foam on top. It is very popular in Greece especially in the hot summer months. It is very easy to prepare (just add water and shake!).

In Greece, Frappe means ’shaken’. It was invented by chance in 1957 at the International Trade Fair in Thessoloniki. Nestle was demonstrating a new chocolate drink mixed with water in a plastic shaker for children. When an employee wanted a cup of coffee and finding no hot water, he put a spoon of instant coffee in the shaker with some cold water and milk and shook it all up. Frappe was born!

It is made with spay dried instant coffee and contains nearly no oil. When dissolved in water, it forms simple but stable foam similar to the crema found on espresso.

Like Greek Coffee it is available in plain, medium or sweet. It is always shaken, never stirred.

How to make Greek Cafe Frappe

1. Add one or two teaspoons of instant coffee to a plastic sports shaker, depending on the strength you want. Cocktail shakers can also be used!
2. Add about three tablespoons of cold water
3. Add sugar to taste. (Two spoons for medium, four spoons for sweet.)
4. Close shaker tightly.
5. Shake like the devil for at least 30 seconds or until the mixture becomes all foam – the more you shake the better.
6. Pour foam into a glass
7. Top up with water, add milk, ice cubes and stir.
8. Serve naked (optional) with a straw.

 In many Greek islands like Skopelos for example, you can buy ready made frappe coffee shakers and all you need to do is add water.

Happy shaking!

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I would like to add quick word about the collapse of XL holiday company and airlines this morning. Many of you would have booked holidays to Skiathos and Skopelos. Some of you may also be going to Skopelos to look for your dream holiday home or, would have made appointments for viewing houses and land through us or with Glossa Houses.

We understand the stress you must be going through by having your fights cancelled, your plans in chaos and a possible long uphill battle to claim back the money you paid for your flights to Skiathos. Some of you may also be stranded at Skiathos airport waiting for a flight home.

UK customers that have booked air holiday packages with other tour operators using XL Airlines are advised to contact their tour operator or in-resort representative about alternative travel arrangements back to the UK. The CAA will be operating repatriation flights for tour operator customers. They are talking about chartering dozens of planes to airlift people home, this may last about two weeks.

If you booked a flight from the UK direct with XL Airways (XLA) you are not protected by ATOL. If you have paid by credit card or have travel insurance then you can make a claim. People who paid by debit card or in cash are unfortunately not protected.

You may also need to make your own arrangements to fly home. It may be possible to purchase seats on these flights if spare capacity is available. You will be asked to pay a fee; be aware that prices for these fights may be higher than normal. These details will be available to passengers at airports overseas.

We would like to ask you who have booked appointments to view houses with us to keep in touch and inform us of your plans.

Travellers to Skopelos can switch to routes via Athens or Thessaloniki. Please see the Travel section on our site for further details.

All the Best

Jonathan

Angels Greek Island Homes

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Skopelos, the greenest Greek island, is becoming the place of choice for those in the know. Last summer’s filming of Mama Mia has put the island with its dramatic scenery and lovely beaches in the spotlight.

Skopelos Town is a lovely place to have a holiday home, but the real undiscovered gem is Glossa on the other end of the island, sitting above the port of Loutraki – only 15 minutes by Flying Dolphin hydrofoil from Skiathos and its airport.

For those who love the idea of owning a house in a year-round working Greek village, Glossa may be ideal. Plenty of opportunities exist to renovate traditional houses or to buy fast disappearing plots of land for building inside the town plan. There are also houses for sale that are ready to live in, some are furnished some sell with household items.

The architectural style of the village is similar to that found in northern Greece, white-washed buildings with wooden balconies and terracotta roof tiles. Around 1400 people live here throughout the year with the usual amenities open to serve the local population. You can get quite breathless walking the steep pathways and stairs but the magnificent views make it all worthwhile!

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Mary - Glossa Skopelos

Sunday 31^st August 2008. Today for the first time I really understood the destructive power of Mother Nature. Yesterday, the air was thick, heavy and humid, the usual signs of an impending summer storm and at around 5am this morning a huge electrical storm hit Glossa Skopelos. We were woken up by thunder and lightening that snaked down over the sea and that seemed to shake the very foundations of our house. Then a warning church bell sounded out over the village. We went outside in the dawn light to see that lightening had struck the trees in the hilltop area above the villages of old Klima and Elios, the fire had taken hold, was bright orange, intense and was starting to burn down the mountain side.

A siren sounded and an announcement came over a tannoy, although we don’t speak Greek, we guessed it was telling people to stay in their houses or calling up people to help fight the fire. Fire engines raced to the scene of the fire and we could see after about an hour they had contained it, spreading now outwards rather than downwards towards the houses below. Thunder and lightening was still striking directly overhead as the fire was being brought under control.

After about another hour heavy rain finally came, raining solidly for about 5 hours, finishing off the work of the fire fighters in extinguishing the blaze to what is a now a smouldering pyre. Smoke still floats upwards towards the now calm and sunny sky. The time is now 3pm and the village has once again come back to life, the sounds of usual every day normality float upwards towards us, people going about their business, just another Sunday afternoon. And we’ve just found out that some of our neighbours even slept through it all!

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Roger Fox - Glossa Houses / Photograph by Jonathan -AGIH

Skopelos, the greenest Greek island, is a great island for holidays and year round peace and quiet.

There is a great range of property to choose from – you can have a tiny house big enough for two for around 65,000 Euros or a villa in three acres for 650,000 Euros and everything in between.

For most people the first decision is the budget and after that a choice of town or countryside. Some places offer the best of both. For example, Palio (old) Klima is a village of peace. It has no shops, tavernas or discos to disturb the quiet. It has beautiful old traditional stone built houses, lovingly restored starting from around 165,000 euro.

Despite the apparent isolation, it is only five minutes in the car or bus to Glossa or Elios for a good range of shops and tavernas. The bus stops at Palio Klima on its way to several lovely beaches including Kastani – where much of the filming for Mama Mia was done.

If you prefer the village or town life, there are bargains for renovation starting at 20,000 euro. Traditional old houses in Skopelos Town ready to live in go for 170,000 euro upwards.

Modern houses in the traditional style are fetching up to 450,000 Euros with their own pool.

Skopelos is easily reached by a short ferry hop from Skiathos, the nearest airport.

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By Roger Fox - Glossa Houses
The traditional one roomed cottage called a “kalivi” is a common feature of the Skopelos countryside. It is here that people stay for short periods whilst harvesting olives or almonds for example. Some are used more long term by goatherds. In recent years it has become easier to drive to the land daily and some kalivis have fallen out of use.

Within their single room, they usually have a good fireplace for cooking and heat and places to sleep. Some have a dedicated barbeque area outside as well. They make wonderful summer houses for you, your family and friends or to rent out on the open market.

They usually need a bathroom constructing, but happily this is a simple job. One issue that has to be addressed is water. 

Properties outside the main settlements usually have (or construct) a water tank which collects rainwater during the winter for use all year round. Provided the tank is of the right size, the ample winter rains will supply all your water needs. Some people supplement this with bottled water just for drinking. Some properties are suitable for boreholes to provide you with spring water. If your tank is new and hasn’t yet been filled by rain, you can get water delivered as long as the truck can get to the kalivi.

One of the great things about kalivis is that you can get restoration permits easily and cheaply and you can restore to the original foundation line. If you also want to build a new house on the property, the kalivi does not count against your building allowance.

Size matters

Without going into detail, if you buy a building plot inside a town plan, you can build up to 200 sq metres, provided you leave 30% open space. If you buy outside a plan, you must have a minimum of 4,000 sq metres to be allowed to build your 200 sq metres. In either case, the 200 sq metres is the total floor area of the building – e.g. 100 sq metres on each of two floors.

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