I am undertaking a trip to slovakia in April, to the areas of the High Tatras or may be the Low Tatras, can anyone recommend where to buy in these areas and if anyone has had any negative issues with estate agents and solicitors. I have done extensive research in this area but i have not come across any information on how to sell a property in slovakia and weather there is any red tape with selling property and who would be likely to buy a property when it comes up for sale.

I regularly travel to that area (Levoca) and during my own buying process met a multitude of different "estate agents" who varied in quality from criminal to lifelong friend...
As with all large transactions, be careful, verify independently (banks are quite good at confirming reliable and established estate agents) and seek legal advice early...its not expensive in Sk to do that! There are many estate agents in Sk who are not internet aware and the best way to find/buy property is to get out and about.
There are a number of developments occurring in and around the region north of Poprad...but be careful not to buy in an area of potential over-development or where a promised view turns to a construction site. Other than that the area offers proximity to the Tatras, beautiful scenery, golf, ski resorts, an established retail center (Poprad) and budget flights via sky europe from Stansted to Poprad. The historical and attractive Spis region is also next door should you feel like a gothic cultural explorer!
The buying process follows parallels with the UK but there are some points to note.
All EU nationals can buy without restriction.
Mortgages are available for UK nationals from Sk banks.
Intensive survey is not normally done on the building prior to buying.
Notars deal with the legal handover of title and confirm clear ownership.
The cadaster registers the property in your name at the local office.
The best bet is to find a good estate agent and then someone who speaks good english (unless you speak Sk of course)! This will enable you to negotiate through 80% of the "chat" prior to any legal signing of papers. Often the estate agent will find a uni student/local who can act as a translator for a small price...so its in everyones economic interest. However, do not signpapers unless they have been officially translated (normally by a court interpreter).
Overall the slovaks are an honest bunch and bar the odd crook, you should have no problems!
So best of luck and enjoy your new house!

Hi

I am interested in Buying in Slovakia. Do airlines from the UK fly directly to the ski areas e.g. the Tatras? Most fly to Bratislava which is the wrong end..?

Yes try
www.skyeurope.com
as they fly direct Stansted to Poprad but not every day (Sat and weds).
They also fly to Kosice (about 1.5hr train journey from Poprad) via an inter connecting flight in Bratislava...although this gets booked up quick!
Other alternatives are
www.ryanair.com
www.easyjet.com
they fly from Stansted/Luton to Krakow which is a reasonable coach distance from Poprad (2hrs).
More expensive alternative is czech airlines>
http://www.czechairlines.co.uk
and fly via Prague and Kosice to Poprad(or tahe the train for the last leg).
A useful site for identifying arrivals at airports and then backtracking to the appropriate airline site:
http://www.flylc.com/apto-en.htm
Good luck!
(Im in the area from end of Apr to early May).

Thanks Letmellor.

Reading about the golden rules of investing in property to rent out. One of them is to buy within 45mins of an airport. People visiting do not want a long journey especially on weekend breaks. I like the idea of Slovakia and it is promoted well by "A place in the sun" however investing in the Tatras ski area would be breaking this golden rule?? What do you think?
Would people not mind the extra hassle??

I agree...breaking the 45 min rule is not ideal for rental property...
However, I was just advising on air routes, and if you buy property for yourself then the extra hassle is something you tolerate for the spectacular scenery and intriguing history.
If time was short then direct flights to Poprad are currently limited to Skyeurope.com. I have read on other forums that Ryanair is opening up the same route in May 06 (Stansted - Poprad) so that will provide a degree of variance.
http://www.bratislavaguide.com/skyeurope-london-poprad-high-tatras-flights
Other than that happy house/apartment/condo hunting! Im about to start a major renovation in Levoca so wish me luck!

Thank you for all your help. Its good to see that im not the only one who is doing this. I would be planning on buying in slovakia for capital gains purposes and perhaps some rental income on the side. If for example i waited say 5 years to sell the property would there be any restriction on me sellinng the property because i would not be a local resident of slovakia? or is it a completley free market?

quote:

Originally posted by letmellor:
I agree...breaking the 45 min rule is not ideal for rental property...
However, I was just advising on air routes, and if you buy property for yourself then the extra hassle is something you tolerate for the spectacular scenery and intriguing history.
If time was short then direct flights to Poprad are currently limited to Skyeurope.com. I have read on other forums that Ryanair is opening up the same route in May 06 (Stansted - Poprad) so that will provide a degree of variance.
http://www.bratislavaguide.com/skyeurope-london-poprad-high-tatras-flights
Other than that happy house/apartment/condo hunting! Im about to start a major renovation in Levoca so wish me luck!

Good luck of the Levoca thing! Just a note to add on the 45 minute airport rule. Because the area around Poprad is a Ski Resort people would go skiing for at least a week in genaral. The eastern european ski resorts are very cheap compared to say the alps so perhaps potential rentees would be willing to mess around on a few flights rather than going to the Alps.