There have been instances where various agents or owners show a prospective buyer one plot whereas they are selling him another. Items in the description such as "near the road", "near the village" etc, are used off handedly by people eager to sell, which, in many instances, are far from being true. Also beware of "terrific opportunities".

The quality of construction is another problem. Normally the developer's reputation and a visit to a previous project will give you an idea of what you can expect. Show a preference to blocks utilising low maintenance materials: sprits finish to a block as opposed to decoration is an advantage; the use of timber windows as opposed to plastic ones is a disadvantage; a poor quality lift will cause you major future difficulties etc.

When the building permit is issued works may begin. Try to avoid variations/changes as these will give rise to claims on the part of the contractor which will mean a financial loss to you. Upon completion of the work your architect must submit drawings (as built) to the Appropriate Authority, if changes have been introduced, for the issue of a covering building permit.

Bargains can still be found at the remote villages of Paphos and those of Limassol. It is strongly suggested that before concluding a deal, you obtain a firm estimate of the repairs / improvements required using the services of a qualified Q.S. or an architect, whereas what has been said previously about other property acquisitions holds good for this nature of property as well. In particular, you must check who your neighbours are, since in tightly knit communities, such as the local villages, they have their own way of living and attitudes towards life.

On a sale of a property the current policy is to allow immediate repatriation of a sum equivalent to the amount of the original purchase value of property. Any profit can be exported at the rate of CY 10,000 per calendar year, plus any interest.There is no Capital Gains Tax where the property was acquired by the importation of foreign currency. Otherwise CGT is levied at 20% on gains in excess of CY 5,000.