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.

All about the Greek Residency Visas

Relocating and residing in an EU country, bathed in sunlight and blessed with superb clean sea-beaches and worm climate, like Greece and being able to travel all over the EU unencumbered, is a wish of many, but it is not a free option of all who wish it. 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, residing in Greece is less free, requiring a Residency Visa, such as;
* a Greek Golden Visa (GGV) of a 5-year duration, allowing access to the Schengen Area, obtained via an investment of a sum, from � 250K, to � 400K or � 800K - it is worth noting, that there are still, some - very few - remaining Greek Golden Visas, for � 250,000, in Athens, as well as, a few others for � 400,000, in very desirable country locations,
* a Greek FIPs (Financially Independent Person's) Visa, obtained by supplying proof of a monthly secure income (for example a pension of same amount) of at least � 3,500 per applicant, plus 15% for ones' spouse, of 3-year duration, allowing access to the Schengen Area,
* a Greek DM (Digital Migrants) Visa of 2-year duration, obtained by supplying information of ones' business or services derived income, allowing access to the Schengen Area.
Obtaining any of these three types of Greek Residency Visas, is perfectly possible and easily done, digitally by yourself or, as we strongly suggest, under expert guidance, provided locally by professionals, THALATTA.homes could introduce you to.

For Greek Residency Visas, please visit our site or go directly to the appropriate section,

Engaging in Businessing while a Greek Residency Visa holder

Having a Greek residency Visa does not automatically, enable one to engage in doing business in Greece (unless of course, one is a national of an EU member countries), but anyone, almost of any nationality, can do just that, through a Greek company, belonging to him personally or via a company of his, such as a UK registered LLC. Such a Greek company would be treated as any other Greek company, taxed at 22%, but equally so, being able to benefit from a multitude of EU and Greek Government support programs and subsidies.

For information regarding engaging in business in Greece, please visit our site or, even better, go directly to the appropriate section, businessing/

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.

Please, connect to arrange a TEAMS meeting.