I have been informed that the 3% property tax, although whilst 'in existance' has 'NOT' actually, been applied to anybody's purchase yet!! Is this Right??, or am i setting myself up for an 'unexpected bill???

Hi

Seen adverts from this agent and other guests have mentioned them - the size of the deposit is reasonable - the total price seems OK and is in line with others in Hurghada - furniture cost sounds OK but without knowing what's included that's difficult - does your package include air conditioning and ceiling fans, both are essential. Sounds overall to be going well with good info from the agent etc. Are you happy with the annual maint fees (should be between £300 and £400 a year for a 2 bed unit.
The "tax" position is as you state at the moment. Have YOU asked for a copy of the owners deed to the land and if so do you have a copy yet, in arabic and English. Are you happy with all the terms in the contract, particulary the cancellation terms if you are unable to meet your payments. Have you had a lawyer check out the land registry entries for the land you are "sharing". I have no idea about whether this particular development has any "issues" but it is common in Egypt for land to be sold without being able to prove ownership since the land registration process is at best "limited".

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There is good and bad every where so no one should be offended if some home truths come out on this forum,Just check your agent,builder,developer out,and make sure the development exists,I havent so far heard of anybody losing their money however there is always a first time,just keep a level head and dont buy the first one you see.

Hi
We have found while searching for property here in Hurghada that most construction companies will promise the earth to get you to part with your money,and if there are any problems it is always " god willing " That means you are the one who has to wait,or pay overcosts,or sit back and say nothing " Work with quiet "as they keep saying.
The workers here from the building firms down to the guys who mix the cement (mahara) only listern to egyptians not the foreign buyers.
If you cause them a problem either with complaints about workmanship or the ever increasing costs they shut up shop and say " we dont understand ".
And they will avoid any kind of contract or receipt like the plague,making all kinds of excuses.Just have your wits about you and go off recomendations if you can and ignore the sweet talk, remember its your money they want,and everybody is your best friend oh yes and the big one here is dont be fooled by the fact that they maybe very religious ,remember religion is not a busIness qualification.


Ex-Boltonian living in Hurghada

You are stating what is already known. The purpose of this thread is to get real knowledge not to pass on the obvious guidelines.

Do have any direct knowledge of GOOD agents and developers !!!


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Thanks Dave, it would be nice to re-focus on the initial question. Do people have recommendations on Builders/ agents they have used?

The debate about the differences in Egyptian and UK ways of dealings can run on forever, but it would be nice to get some real recommendations from people who have had good (or even bad) experiences.

Thanks again

Any New owners & Potential Buyers out there able to offer some insight into real experience of how they have been delt with by Agents and Developers, whether locally in Egypt or back in their own country.

There must be lots of things that you can share such "hard selling", mis-leading information, super personal service, great viewing trips, fantastic deals, lost deposits, non-delivery, poor finishing quality, etc.

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HI
We got our keys for our apartment in June after buying off plan a year previous. We were previously looking at Sharm but the 99 year lease gave us concern. I did the thing NO ONE should do! looked on the Internet and made a few phone calls. Then took someones word and bought off plan in Hurghada having never been to Hurghada. We handed over a nice deposit still never even gone to Hurghada. The firm which we dealt with seamed to be fantastic keeping us up to date with the build through the Internet and phone when I had any questions. by July 2006 we decided to go to Hurghada and have a look ourselves before handing over the next large sum of money. We were met at the airport by the firm and taken to our hotel, still apprehensive we were told that we would be picked up the next day to view our apartment that was being built.
The following day they picked us up and took us there and luckily it was just like the pictures that I had been following on the monthly update on the Internet, it was a building site but that is what we expected as completion was not till the next year.
We went back again that week and came home feeling very happy to part with the next lot of money.
We visited again this January to see how it was getting on and finally got the Keys in June. Each time we went we were welcomed by the company who picked us up from the airport every time.
Even now after getting the keys the company have there own taxi's, Cleaning service, and own legal service that dealt with the turn on of electric and handover of apartment, they deal with the maintenance of the building and have there own building company.
After reading things on this formus I know how stupid I was to buy without looking, but I was very lucky to find a company that helped all the way and in a place I love alot better than Sharm and no 99year lease.

Do you have any reason not to share the name of this company / development - I'm sure that they deserve at least a mention for the benefit of others.

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Sorry Dave99

Forgot to put name of company in it was iraida estate agency which are based in Hurghada and run by an English woman and Egypt Man.


Then English side were red sea properties, run by John and Karen based in Derby, Midlands.

cannot put in url address for you but easy to find.



hope this helps.