Episkopi, Rethymnon, Crete, Greece

Villa at Kato Valsamonero, Nikiforos Fokas Municipality, Crete

This superb and quite expansive villa is nestled in the serene embrace of Valsamonero, a village near Rethymnon, one of the Venetian towns and fortresses, dating from the 14th century. Valsamonero (meaning balsam water) is marrying the tranquillity of traditional village charm with a lush green nature, with the Cretan coastal-life, which even when noisy, offers a vibrant life-style, worth visiting as frequent as one wishes. The location of Valsamonero epitomizes the quintessential Cretan retreat, far from the maddening crowd, but still just 20 minutes' drive from it. The 173 m2 villa, with garden, barbeque and large swimming pool, stands in the middle of an  impressive 1,366 m2 plot, and significantly can be extended (as per standing Planning rules) by an extra 200 m2 of living accommodation. What a loverly opportunity to be able to create a nice B&B business opportunity, to supplement your pleasure of living in Crete.

The elevated ground two-level villa offers on the first level  an expansive open-plan living, with modern kitchen, connected large dining room to accommodate a large family's dinners, leading to a ample living-room, with fire place and  a convenient rest-room at the same level. This entire large combination of spaces has direct access to two but joined patios, overlooking the swimming pool and the barbeque, with the stupendous view of Cretan hills rolling to the sparkling sea, beaches and villages and Rethymnon, resting on its shores. From these patios looking at the villas lush garden with lawn, flowering bushes and trees you will immediately spot the custom-built barbecue, offering open-air receptions by the pool and a covered pergola. What a perfect stage for your outdoor living and entertaining, with ample room for both a lounge and dining alfresco, set-up.

Going-up to the second level, there are three large double bedrooms and a forth truly large single, served by two bathrooms. Every bedroom offers access to verandas with breathtaking views of the Cretan landscape, while drinking your morning coffee or shipping the last drink before your bed-time.

The villa is surrounded by its tiered mature garden, with native trees, flowering bushes and flowers, but significantly includes an additional plot to either try your good-life endeavours or to create your B&B development, with potential for an extra 200 m2 of building space possible.

The villa stands on the edge of the village of Kato (meaning Lower) Valsamonero, itself surrounded by small villages, many from the Venetian era and a plethora of tavernas, offering a huge variety of Cretan Diet and .... UK-like food.

Renting your new Home In The Sun just for a few months each year - Crete having a 10-month season, as an AirBnB type rental, just for a few months each year - Crete having a 10-month full tourism season - you could able to repay your mortgage effortlessly while your property gains value every year passing.

Mortgage of up to 65% of the value of this property, at 2.4% per annum, on a typical duration, is available for non-Greek nationals and non-Greek residents, applicants to any of the systemic and members of the ECB (European Central Bank) EuroSystem. THALATTA.homes would be happy to introduce you to - Bank of Greece (ECB EuroSystem) - licenced Mortgage Brokers and facilitate your application, at no charge, as part of our standard service.

In Greece, it is common, unfortunate, practice that estate agents would attempt to receive commissions from both the seller and the buyer, something that most people and certainly TTUK, would consider a serious conflict of interest. Some may even often suggest that you use the same lawyer as the seller (''to save money and time'') and (even worst) to use the same Notary Public. TTUK, a UK company and its UK-bread directors act and will act exclusively as Buyer's Agents, i.e. would be looking after the interests of their clients - in this instance, the buyers.

All you would have to do, as it is your legal right, is to inform a seller's agent, that you intent to engage a buyer's agent and that your agent (TTUK, if you would so decide), would contact them to handle the process on your behalf. Alternatively, you could ask us to perform this task - and we would oblige readily. Most estate agents, would accept it and agree. A refusal would betray bad faith, in most people's opinion.

All about the Greek Golden Visa (GGV)

Often, people thinking of relocating to Greece, desire to be able to reside ''permanently'' or at least to be free to reside unencumberly and at their desired times of the year. EU member countries' nationals can do just this, as well as engaging in any form of business activities, while residing in Greece. For non-EU member countries' nationals it is less free, requiring a Residency Visa (not necessarily a Golden Visa, which is usually pricy), obtaining which is perfectly possible and easily done. In Greece, there are four (4) types of Residency Visas, the Golden Visas often discussed more in the public domain. Please read through.

Types of Greek Residency Visas

1. The Greek Golden Visa (GGV), of five (5) year duration, renewable, for you and your family and free access to the Schengen-Area, which require either investing in a real estate property to live in, but not use as a business asset, engaging in tourism or other businesses. They are expensive, requiring a property investment of � 800K for most places, over 3,150 permanent Greek inhabitants or � 400K, for less popular locations or, in very few cases, investing � 250K, in a special type of hospitality asset, which cannot be lived in by the investing person or his family, but generating a secure income of 4% annually.
2. The FIP (Financially Independent Persons) Greek Visa, aimed at non-EU citizens, (like Britons, as well as other nationalities of similar circumstances), allowing long-term (presently 3-year, renewable) residency, but strictly without permission of working in Greece, for you and your family, but with free access to the Schengen-Area,. To qualify in 2025, applicants generally need to demonstrate a stable monthly passive income, typically a pension, of at least �3,500 per month, which increases for spouses and dependent children, as well as, proof of health insurance and accommodation in Greece.
3. The Digital Migrants' Greek Visa, is a two (2) year, renewable, residence visa, aimed at salary employed or self-employed people, working digitally across the Globe, while reside in Greece and while having full access to the Schengen Area EU countries. Applicants' families would enjoy the same privileges, for as long as they satisfy the criteria applied for an FIP (Financially Independent Persons) Greek Visa. The application are made strictly at Greek Consulates in the applicants' country, strictly digitally or via registered post. EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, don't have to have a Digital Migrants visa, as they have this right, by EU regulations.

None of these Greek Visas would allow the holders of any of these visas to engage in business in Greece. However, as per international and EU rules, as well as Greek Law, anyone's non-Greek company, for example a typical off-the-shelf UK Ltd. company, can register and own a Greek company, with all the privileges of Greek companies within the EU and the world. We must, nevertheless, strenuously advise you to seek proper legal advise and financial consult.

TTUK, would be happy to introduce you to a number of often international legal practices specialising in Greek Visas and will facilitate you in dealing comfortably with all consultants or authorities in Greece.

Please, connect to arrange a TEAMS meeting.