Dan and Kathleen are U.S. Navy veterans who spent years dreaming of a seaside retirement. But instead of Florida or California, they ended up buying a penthouse property on the sun-soaked coast of Northern Cyprus.
How did they go from life in Raleigh, North Carolina, to planning a Mediterranean move? I sat down with them to hear their full story…
From narrowing down their ideal destination to navigating the purchase process, here are their five biggest takeaways for future overseas property buyers.
1. Think Beyond Your Borders
Dan and Kathleen had long talked about moving to the beach after retirement. But in the U.S., that dream came with a price tag they couldn’t accept.
Dan: “We’d been thinking about moving from Raleigh. As the project evolved in our heads, we thought, ‘We want to live at the beach.’ We started looking around the U.S., but it’s very expensive to live near the beach. So, we thought we should look at every beach everywhere.”
Their search led them to a Live And Invest Overseas webinar featuring a real estate project in Northern Cyprus…
Kathleen: “We attended a webinar on North Cyprus presented by your contact on the ground… We just couldn’t believe the beauty of the region or the beauty of the project that we invested in. It was beyond our wildest dreams.”
2. Go See It For Yourself
Inspired by what they saw during the webinar, they traveled to Cyprus to explore the opportunity firsthand.
Kathleen: “We had to go see it ourselves. Last October, we made the trip there and were greeted by the local team, and it was a wonderful experience. The people were great. We loved the property.”
They were also surprised by how accessible and welcoming the area felt…
“The thing that I like about it is that there are other buildings already established, and people are already living there. There are Americans and Canadians and Swedes.
“We felt comfortable that, even though it’s a different language and culture, most people speak English. We didn’t have any problems ordering meals or getting hotels or transportation. It was just a really good experience.”
3.Know What You’re Buying Into
The couple chose a new development on the island’s up-and-coming West Coast. They appreciated both the long-term potential and the on-site amenities.
Kathleen: “The location is beautiful, and there are plans for continued growth at the development, including a marina, a health clinic, a shopping center, etc. It also has amenities that are already available, such as spas and indoor and outdoor pools.”
Their unit is still under construction, but it already feels like home…
“We’re very fortunate. We have a penthouse with a roof terrace. We have a great architect who’s going to put in a pool, a spa, and a kitchen up on the terrace.”
Dan: “It’s going to be our palace. One of the things about the property and the development that appeals to me is the fact that everything is brand new… All the appliances will match. It’s a dream; it really is.”
4. Work With The Right People
Buying property overseas can seem intimidating, but for Dan and Kathleen, the process was surprisingly smooth thanks to the right local contacts.
Dan: “It was very straightforward. Live And Invest Overseas’ local contact bent over backwards for us as we arranged our finances… I couldn’t say anything better about the developer.”
Kathleen: “We’ve received a lot of support from them. They’ve introduced us to a superior legal team. And they’ve been very communicative. We can WhatsApp them, and they’ll get right back to us.”
Dan: “The least fun part of the adventure was making the international wire transfers. They skim off a little bit at each interim stop, but basically, the problem is you kind of launch the money into the webosphere, and if you didn’t get those numbers absolutely correct, your money’s going someplace and you’re never going to find it.
“That didn’t happen to us, but it’s something that people need to be aware of.”
5. Have Fun… And Ignore The Naysayers
Dan and Kathleen are already planning their next visit to check on construction and finalize timelines for their move. They envision a rich, well-rounded life in Northern Cyprus.
Dan: “Once you see the place, you’ll fall in love. We’re the only ones out there in Morphou Bay, or the ‘Far West,’ as I call it. As it builds up, we get to watch it grow.”
Kathleen: “And I love the water. We’re going to be surrounded by pools and spas and the Mediterranean.”
Dan: “I’ve already identified the Rotary Club that I want to be associated with, and Kathleen here is going to have to find something to do with herself.”
Kathleen: “I’m going to go to Istanbul to shop!”
Their Final Advice for Prospective Buyers…
Kathleen: “Get in contact with Live And Invest Overseas’ local contact on the ground. Do your own research from reliable sources, and don’t listen to naysayers. Naysaying is like fearmongering. And I don’t think you need to be fearful going into this adventure.”
Dan: “Absolutely. It’s a wonderful destination, and the people are wonderful… I’m not wealthy by any means. We’re living the dream.”
Kathleen: “We really want to thank you guys because we would’ve never found this had we not connected with you.”
Dan: “That’s right. We were looking and looking, then Kathleen signed up for your newsletters and got an invitation to the Northern Cyprus real estate webinar. So, the Fates wanted this to happen.”
Kathleen: “I’d advise people to be part of your community. It’s been very helpful with the resources and books that are available through you guys. It’s a lot of information that we wouldn’t have had without you.”
To smooth travels and successful property buys,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Property Alert