Sale of Village Properties in Bulgaria on the Rise

Increased investment interest and increased sales of countryside properties in Bulgaria was reported by the Association of Bulgarian Villages on 1^st of September. The data shows that since the beginning of the year, the number of business entrepreneurs, as well as of foreign citizens decided to live in Bulgarian villages, is by 15% higher compared to last year. The most preferred region is Plovdiv (South Bulgaria), followed by Sofia, Bourgas(Black Sea coast) and Veliko Turnovo (Bulgaria’s old capital).

First of all, the revival of small settlements in Bulgaria is due to business entrepreneurs, the Association of Bulgarian Villages explained.

Borislav Borisov, Head of the Association of Bulgarian Villages says they decide to develop some business activities in a village not only in the field of agriculture, but also in the area of services and various productions.

There is also a boom in the sales of village houses, such interest was last reported in Bulgaria in the period between 2004 to 2006. The investments are between 40 and 70 thousand euros. Some increase in the prices of village properties is observed, he explained.

Borisov says that there is a lot of interest by foreign citizens again from Great Britan, but there is also interest by citizens from Germany, Austria, and even a few people from Russia.

Doufunes and Andy have lived in the village of Mindya, near Veliko Turnovo for six months. They say they paid a fairly good price for their house and they do not regret that they moved to live there.

Doufunes says that more and more British people come to live here. There are several families who are already in the village of Mindya.

“We came to live in Bulgaria for the beauty and tranquility here. Veliko Turnovo is close, and this atmosphere is indispensable, Andy says.

The preferred regions are those with developed rural tourism and cultural and historical landmarks such as Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Troyan and Elena. The weakest investment interest - between 2 and 3% continues to be in Northwestern Bulgaria.