Supporting
the call for a code is Chris Downham, managing director of Bulgarian
Home Loans. He said: “There are definitely a few bad apples out there who
can flourish while the market has so few rules. By developing a code of
conduct to clamp down on these cowboys, we believe we will stamp this out.”
Another who
is calling for the code is Stephan Dimitrov, chief executive officer of
Allied Pickfords International. He said: “Quest Bulgaria has picked up
the baton of EU entry and continued the momentum for aligning this country
with other member states. The campaign is long overdue and we are fully
behind it.”
And Living
Bulgaria, an estate agency in Varna, is also backing the move. Director
Martin Hunt said: “Such a code would leave the customer clearer as to what
to expect. Quest Bulgaria has hit the nail on the head with the one word
in their campaign – transparency.
“The need for
this campaign is clear but only those who make an effort deserve to be
part of this bright future.”
Mission
statement for the campaign is “Quest for real estate ethics in Bulgaria;
honesty, integrity and transparency”. Among the issues it focuses on are:
• Older property
sold at three times the price with the vendor getting one third while the
agent takes the rest,
• Land that
is unregulated or has boundaries in dispute,
• False pricing
in the deeds,
• Agents insisting
you use their lawyer,
• Dual pricing
- Bulgarian internet sites with prices half or less.
It wants:
• A mandate
to sell - stop the rip off
• Real prices
• Tax estimation
prices to be scrapped,
• A
stop to cash payments,
Added Chris
Goodall: “It is vital that we get people behind this campaign and vote
for honesty, integrity and transparency in the estate agency business in
Bulgaria.”
Also in
the April issue:
• Culture shock,
• Investment
on the Northern Black Sea coast,
• Area Focus
: Balchik and beyond,
• Legal -
Buying State-owned Property,
• Financial
- New mortgage for Bulgarian property,
• Easter traditions,
• Setting
up a cottage industry in Bulgaria, with Bill and Jane from Bristol,
• Buying a
second hand car,
• Brands'
cost comparison – Britain versus Bulgaria,
• Summer fun
activities on the coast,
• Buyers Guide.
