February
Fitzgerald Estates Paphos Digest
Fitzgerald Estates (Cyprus) www.fitzgeraldcyprus.com
Fitzgerald Estates Solomos Court 74 Apostolos Pavlou Ave Kato Paphos Cyprus 8046 Tel: +357 26 930345 Fax: + 357 26930929 e: contact@fitzgeraldcyprus.com web: www.fitzgeraldcyprus.com ©2011 Fitzgerald Estates
Why Fitzgerald's? We aim to bring you the BEST VALUE properties in Paphos and now they are even better value... * A Safe Investment * No VAT charge to pay * Fully equipped * You can move in NOW Most of our properties either have the Title Deed issued, available or are in the final stages of Land Registry approval. Fitzgerald Estates only list properties that are safe to buy and have a full record of any encumbrances on each property.
Featured Property
Close to St Georges picturesque harbour, stunning beaches & national park. Quiet cul-de-sac, generous plot. Chalet design luxury villa in garden setting with pool, terraces and generous entertaining gazebo. Bright and sunny, two levels of quality finishes incorporating 3 bedrooms. To find out more just quote the reference number 1209 (See Page 5) We continue to advertise our world class website on the famous British property website ‘Rightmove’, the Cyprus Mail, Essential Paphos magazine and the Russian magazine ‘My Island’ (Moi Ostrov) attracting sellers as well as buyers. We are seeing consolidation of prices at current realistic levels. As more people wake up to the fact that this is a wonderful opportunity to buy villas, prices will increase however prices for apartments will continue to be soft because there is a big oversupply of these types of properties.
Demand Booms in 2011 at Fitzgeralds Fitzgerald Estates finished 2010 on a positive note with a 15% increase in sales over 2009. Hard to believe but it is true! However, it must be stressed, the success of 2010 has not been marked by the overall upsurge in demand but rather a change in buyer behaviour with regards to buying property in Cyprus. The Title Deeds are a crucial element in the buying decision nowadays and 90% of Fitzgerald’s properties have Title Deeds and the rest have no ambiguities and a very ‘clear path’ to obtaining them. Daryl Fitzgerald says, “Buyers are savvy, knowledgeable and demanding. They want the Title Deeds. They pay great attention to the quality of information given, they want professional personal service that includes close attention to their requirements, and they want it all NOW!” Most buyers have cash and they come from everywhere - Britain, Russia, Asia, Cyprus, continental Europe and even Australia to buy from Fitzgerald’s and many of them have followed the company’s website on-line for a number of years. Fitzgerald Estates business strategy is to market properties that reflect local market prices and this commitment will be continued. “The demand for quality property at realistic market prices is already evident now,” says Daryl. The website shows a substantial increase in
visits, pages read, specific property questions asked and actual appointments made. The investment in marketing, promotion and advertising is on-going too. The prevailing 'buyer's market' conditions in Cyprus give the buyer a marked advantage in the marketplace. As the market is crowded with available properties to choose from, the need for the effective and far reaching exposure of the individual property is very important, if not vital. Fitzgerald’s portfolio holds 70-80 properties only, “This is not a listing service,” says Daryl. “Each and every property we take on is painstakingly researched, firstly, to ensure that all is clear on the legal side, and secondly, that the property has the attributes our buyers are looking for.” With Fitzgerald’s expansive advertising and marketing program - global as well as local - the properties exposure is second to none. We market property on a Sole Agency basis for a limited
time, usually 10 months, and we owe it to ‘our’ sellers to market their property successfully. We don’t charge any manner of up-front fees from the sellers, therefore we can only recoup our costs when we achieve the aim and secure a buyer for our client. “The motivation to market effectively and successfully is a powerful one,” says Daryl, “but given the success we are enjoying in the market place, the effort is well appreciated by buyers and sellers alike.” Current market prices are not expected to continue at these low levels for the foreseeable future. The UK is the largest property investment group in Cyprus’ and when the British market recovers, as it is already doing in the south of England, the property prices in Paphos will increase. Canny buyers are taking advantage of this situation now.
Pricing and the Economy Price ceilings on bread, milk, water, and other basics could be on the cards after the EU gave “tacit approval” for such a move, Commerce Minister Antonis Pascahalides has stated. “The European Union has given us the silent approval to set maximum prices for basic goods. The legal proposal has also been approved and I am due to present it to the ministers in the next cabinet meeting.” A ceiling on basic foodstuff was now a necessity, Paschalides said. The first items to have a maximum price set would be milk, bread and bottled water. "But there is a provision in the bill, which will offer the opportunity if and when, to add to this list," he said. Further good news came this week when it was announced that the EU Finance Commission have said that Cyprus needs to take no further steps to curb the budget deficit as adequate progress is being made. Together with an expected economic growth this year of 1.5%, could we be seeing some light at the end of a very long tunnel?
Featured Property
St Georges with its picturesque harbour, stunning beaches and colourful countryside has always appealed to nature lovers and artists trying to capture the natural ‘magic’ of the blooming fields in spring or the ever fascinating coastline. To live here is to aspire to live the Mediterranean dream in a tranquil, secluded yet excitement-filled living environment. Your home is sited in a private cul-de-sac in a quiet, friendly neighbourhood within easy reach of the village amenities and some 600m from the sea. The plot enjoys a wide frontage, fully landscaped to offer privacy surrounded by colourful semi tropical trees and shrubs reminiscent of the setting of English stately homes, a row of verdant pencil pines line up the far edge of your pool. The chalet style villa is designed to be a relaxing lifestyle haven. The interior is infinitely comfortable and stylish, arranged to capture plenty of natural sunlight and cooling sea breezes and transcending the indoor-outdoor living space.
Charming terraces and the sweeping master bedroom balcony overlook the grand swimming pool, garden and the al-fresco entertainer gazebo, a favourite destination during the long hot Cyprus summer, guaranteed! The Master bedroom enjoys views to the sea. What a lovely way to spend the evening hours star gazing and sampling award winning local wines. Versatile and cosmopolitan, the feel of the interior complements the setting and, with its minute attention to detail, focuses on maximising and enhancing the living and entertainment spaces. Entry is to the imposing living room which features wide patio doors overlooking almost the entire back garden and pool. The guest bedrooms wing, (shared shower bathroom) is to your right, whilst the expansive kitchen-dining is on the left of the living room. The kitchen looks onto the expansive driveway and also opens to the exciting side garden. Well equipped and thoughtfully designed, the kitchen features extensive cupboard space, granite worktops and an elevated double oven. Almost ‘wall to wall’ patio doors open the dining area of the room outwards to an arched, covered terrace, a wonderfully comfortable nook to laze away sunny afternoons. St Georges Village is perched on an elevated plateau at the gateway to the Akamas National Park, a prized conservation area. For more lifestyle excitement, the Coral Bay Resort is a mere 7km away and 14km further on, is Paphos. Contact us for more information (Ref: 1209)
The 6th January was Epiphany Day, which is the climax of the twelve days of Christmas. The word ‘Epiphany’ derives from the Greek word ‘Epiphania’ which means ‘to show’, ‘make known’, or ‘to reveal’. Also known as the ‘Feast of Light’, Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.
Religous Events took take place around the coastal cities of Cyprus. After early morning church services, religious processions take place which culminate at the harbour for the ceremonial baptism of the Holy Cross into the water, and the blessing of the sea. The priest will throw the cross into the water and people will jump in to try to be the one to retrieve it and return it to him. Usually the person who returns the Holy Cross to the priest will be rewarded with a gift, as well as being blessed with good luck throughout the
year. Often there will be doves released into the air during the ceremony, and local fishermen bring their boats forth to be blessed.
Carnival 24th Feb – 6th March 2011 Carnival in Cyprus means a near twoweek period of celebrations with a focus on food, before the 50 days of Easter. Limassol hosts the most popular celebration, while Larnaka and Paphos offer impressive parades and fancy dress balls.
The first week of Carnival is Meat Week (Kreatini), where you eat as much meat as you can before Lent, leading up to Easter. The second week is known as the cheese week (Tyrini).
Accompanying all the eating is the entrance of King Carnival, the Children's Carnival Parade, the Serenaders' Parade and the Grand Carnival Parade of chariots and groups. Cyprus Cuisine Tavva (Baked Meat & Potatoes (or rice) with Tomatoes and Onions) The great thing about this dish is that it is easy to make and very adaptable and very satisfying on a cool winters night. Ingredients You can either use potatoes or rice in this recipe but traditionally Tavva is made with potatoes. 1 or 2 kilos of Chicken/Lamb, any piece is OK, traditionally it was made with the lamb but if you prefer a healthier option you can use chicken.
½ kilo of fresh tomatoes, quatered. 1 tablespoon tomato puree, if you wish you can omit this and add more fresh tomatoes or some tinned.
1 or 2 kilos of Potatoes, according to taste.
2-4 bay leaves.
To be honest the meat and potatoes are all to do with personal taste; use as much as you want of each but bear in mind that meat shrinks when cooked.
Level teaspoon of cinnamon, some people prefer to use 1 heaped tsp, again it’s all to do with what you prefer.
2 onions sliced, size depends on whether you like onions or not
I tsp of Cumin seeds
2 level teaspoons ground black pepper 1 coffee cup of olive oil, or ground nut
oil (100ml or 3½ fl oz) Salt (to taste) Method Medium oven temperature You will need a large roasting tin or casserole dish with a lid or you can cover it with foil but if you use foil you must make sure to seal tightly. Wash the meat and put into the roasting dish. Add potatoes, onions, tomatoes and bayleaves. Sprinkle over the cinnamon, pepper and some salt. Then pour over the oil and mix everything together. Finally mix the tomato puree with the water and pour over the top. Bake in oven for about 2 hours, occasionally turning the meat and potatoes during cooking, Remove foil and leave in oven till browned and liquid reduced to you own taste, make sure it does not go dry. Some people like to leave a lot of sauce so they can dip their bread in it. Kali Orexi!
As spring approaches and St. Patrick prepares to turn the stone (remember the folk- tale) Failte Pafos the Paphos based Irish cultural group are busy preparing for this year’s St. Patrick’s Celebration. The Paphos Gardens Hotel will be the venue on Friday 18th March for a great night of music (Irish of course) and craic. The guest of honour will be The Irish Ambassador to Cyprus H.E Patrick Scullion on his second visit to Paphos since taking up office last summer. As always, all profits from the event will go towards local charities, this year the main charity being St Michaels Hospice. Full details will be available shortly on their website but as in the past, the evening promises to include good food, good Irish music and good company. If you would like to be one of their sponsors or reserve your place for this event you can contact them via their website:
www.failte-pafos.eu
St. Michaels Hospice. On Wednesday march 2nd there will be a meeting at the Alexander The Great Hotel to launch the raising of the final €400,000 to finish the St. Michaels Hospice. Any interested businesses or charity minded people are invited to come along for the presentation. The Catenian Society in the UK are organising Standing orders for ₤8 per month in the UK, Standing orders with the main banks, Bank of Cyprus, Marfin - Laiki Bank, Alpha Bank and The Co-op for €10 per month are available here. If you would like more details you can contact us here at Fitzgeralds Estates. Fitzgerald Estates Office Being a family business we have one office centrally situated close to and in walking distance of both the Harbour and the Tomb of the kings Road. From the harbour walk up towards the Begonia Garden centre at the traffic lights and we are on the left just before the “Wishing Tree”. Coming from the Tomb of the kings turn right at the traffic lights (or cut through by the Roman Hotel) and we are a short way down on the right just after the “Wishing Tree”. Office hours are 9am to 5.30pm 6 days a week with no break for lunch. So if you are working and only have your lunch break to come and see us, you are welcome! If you have a property of any kind to sell in the Paphos area with Title Deeds in your name please come and see us also. TEL: + 357 26 930 345 ~ +357 7000 8877 Fax: +357 26 930929