Have you ever found yourself in a real estate agency somewhere in Croatia by the sea, starting to tell your life story and explaining how you’ve decided to buy a property, only to realise that you didn’t actually have a very clear picture of what you really wanted? It is often only when the agency begins asking specific questions that you become aware of details you hadn’t even considered before.
Take a look at the most common questions an agency will ask you when buying a seaside property in Croatia. Discuss them with your family, think them through carefully, and have your answers ready. This will shorten the process and allow you to come to the agency fully prepared.
That way, you won’t waste anyone’s time, and you will also help the agency present the properties from their offer that suit you best in a more efficient and targeted way.
A video on this same topic has also been recorded, which you can watch by clicking HERE (English subtitles are available).
If you were buying a property inland, different questions would probably be more important to you, such as proximity to a tram or bus stop, schools, universities, work, and similar factors.
However, when buying a property by the sea — regardless of whether you are looking for a home to live in or a property for rental and tourism — you can expect the agency to ask you the following questions:
1. What type of property are you looking for?
Are you looking for a house, a flat/apartment, or a plot of land? If it is a house or an apartment, be sure to specify whether you are only interested in new builds or whether an older property is also an option. It is also useful to think about the minimum size (in square metres) you are looking for.
2. Which location?
Think about all the places that would suit you — for example, Vodice, Srima, Tribunj — these are closest to me and are the locations most often requested by buyers here. Be precise when choosing the places you like. If you are looking in a larger town or city, specify which neighbourhoods you are considering.
3. How far from the sea can the property be?
When searching for a seaside property, most buyers want something as close to the beach as possible. Some want it very close, for example within 200 metres of the sea. Others are looking exclusively for first-row properties by the sea. For some buyers, distance from the sea is not a priority at all, and they are comfortable with properties located several kilometres away.
4. If you are looking for a flat/apartment, which floor do you prefer?
Some buyers prefer ground-floor apartments, often because they are older and do not want to climb stairs. Others prefer higher floors because of a potential sea view. Some prefer being somewhere in between, most commonly the first floor (depending on how many floors the building has). Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a floor, so think about what matters most to you.
5. If it is a flat/apartment, how many bedrooms do you want?
This usually refers to a separate bedroom, plus a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. With smaller apartments, the question is whether a separate bedroom is necessary at all, or whether an open-plan studio apartment is acceptable. If you are buying a house, you should also clearly state the minimum number of bedrooms you want. Some buyers also insist on having more than one bathroom, so think about that as well.
6. If it is a house, are you looking for a house with rental apartments or a family home?
Some buyers are looking for a house with multiple apartments — for example, they plan to live in one apartment and rent out the others. Some even have a very clear idea of how many apartments they want the house to have. Others are looking for a family home just for themselves and their family. When it comes to houses, having a swimming pool is also important to some buyers, so consider whether that is a key requirement for you as well.
7. Does the property need to have a sea view?
For some buyers, it is extremely important to be able to see the sea from their terrace. For others, this is not important at all, and they prioritise something else, such as proximity to the sea.
8. One interesting question I always ask my clients: What do you definitely NOT want?
Clients often have very clear boundaries and tell us exactly what they do not want to be offered or shown. For example, they do not want an apartment without a private parking space, or an apartment where the bathroom has no window, or an attic apartment with very low sloping ceilings, and similar conditions.
9. And another interesting question: What do you absolutely WANT?
What must the property you are buying have — without which it makes no sense to even go and view it? For example, someone may want a ground-floor apartment with a private garden and will not consider anything else. Others insist on a sea view, and if there is no sea view, they see no point in viewing the property at all. Some buyers require separate utility meters for electricity and water. Others are only interested in fully furnished apartments. One of our clients considered it very important that a church was located near the property. These are just some examples of the criteria we encounter on a daily basis.
And finally, the question of all questions, which every agency will certainly ask you:
10. What is your maximum budget?
You know yourself that it makes no sense for an agency to show you properties worth half a million euros if that is beyond your financial means. To avoid wasting anyone’s time, it is best to think carefully about the maximum amount you can allocate for purchasing a property. It is also important to bear in mind the additional costs associated with buying a property, which are explained in detail here. If the agent has listened to you carefully, they may still show you something slightly above your budget, perhaps because they believe the seller might lower the price, or because there is a specific property they feel you should see for reasons known to them.
And of course, if you think of anything else that is an important criterion for you, be sure to mention it to the agency. Agencies appreciate it when clients know what they want, as it makes their job much easier.
The order of these questions is not particularly important, but you can generally expect these or similar questions.
I hope this has helped you clarify your wishes, and I wish you a pleasant and successful search for your ideal property.
Author:
Jasminka Fišer Gavranović – Owner of Alfa nekretnine real estate agency in Vodice, licensed real estate agent with many years of experience and home staging expert
Alfa nekretnine
Obala Juričev Ive Cote 27, Vodice
Office tel.: +385 22 441 292
Mobile: +385 91 525 3260
Email: info@alfanekretnine.hr