Bulgaria is a big country, despite what some sellers will say there are actually still plenty of properties around to buy at really good prices. Places still cheap include Razgrad and Dobrich which I happen to think are only long term investments, I think they are very poor areas often with not much going for them, not the sort of place where you want to leave an empty house, even empty I have had windows stolen, doors etc even from an empty house.
Although on Ebay some sellers say "Near the sea" you wouldnt exactly call 34 Miles from Brighton near the sea, besides the sea isnt everything and in Bulgaria winters dont help the coastal areas considering that temperatures in winter is similar to London in winter. On the note of the sea, note that there has been a barrage of oversubscriptions to new apartments and houses by the sea, so rentals may be hard because there is simply too many properties by the sea for rent - Some developers are offering guaranteed rental, but these promises are rarely stood by. Buying plots by the sea is equally risky, with Natura 2000 allowing only certain parts to be built on; many speculators who bought land a while back are seething because what was once a development opportunity has now become pretty much a nature reserve. Prices are way huge beside the sea anyway, compared to the market price increases of inland property. Remember, Bulgaria is not Spain; Bulgaria is Bulgaria with its seasons, hot and cold. Nessebar is an exception to my rule, totally stunning, if you can buy there, buy.
In my view, Ski properties are good, but watch out because there have been some flouting of planning laws to get rich quick, so if you dont do your homework you may just see your dream holiday home getting pulled down before you can say resell. Buying near or in the "established" (Im saying established because these places havent got started yet, I recommend doing some homework and buying in or near these areas).
Although a big sprawl with little thought to planning and streetscape, I think central Sofia is a good investment right now. Given that it is the capital city of Bulgaria, its expanding airport and wealth concentration, I think its a safe bet, but be careful because prices are hiking quickly. There is some great architecture in Sofia, so if you can dodge the raging traffic, dont forget to go have a look. Buying in towns and villages around Sofia, especially to the West, may be a good idea, think Surrey to London.
Around cities like Veliko Tarnovo, Rousse and Vratza are a good buy. Make sure things are happening in the villages (New houses, renovations, flash cars etc) before buying there, otherwise take a long term view as your property value flourishes slowly.
Picturesque Vratza (Just over 70 Miles to the North East of Sofia) has the backdrop of the Vratza Balkan (Huge mountain range) and Leva River running to the front of the city.
Veliko Tarnovo with its amazing Tzarevetz Castle (Watch the famous light show) and Great River Yantra running through the city is a great city with a huge amount of things to do for everyone. Rousse is the gateway between Romania and Bulgaria. In my opinion, Rousse is a hotcake of the future, along with Veliko Tarnovo (Which in my opinion is a better place to invest in)Dont let the prices you see guide you to what the prices are and will be when you get to Bulgaria. Prices on EBay, on catalogues and anywhere else vary wildly, so there is no guide price etc for property in Bulgaria.
Quick tips:
Local prices are often different from so called tourist prices - Dont look like a tourist and you minimise on paying like a tourist.
Dont make decisions on the spot, take your time. Buy what you like, in an area you like with the money you would like to spend - Not the max you can
Remember - Bulgaria is not cheap, its only cheap to us, so dont go saying "5000, thats cheap" because the estate agent may just think you have loads more to spend and price the houses as he wishes.
When buying, see if there is a regional airport, while it may not be operational now or small, it may expand in the future; think Luton, Inverness and Stansted before they became international airports.
Make sure there are "things" around your village or town to make it an interesting place for renting or prospective future buyers, is there a mountain nearby, a ski range (Or future ski range)
Quick tips for buying Bulgarian property from Ebay:
Dont buy from anyone who has artificially increased their Ebay feedback buy buying and selling 1p Ebooks and the likes and if you do make sure you know they know their business.
Dont buy properties in useless areas, think "Feature, which makes the area interesting" and whether the area is attractive enough to stay in and not a deprived cesspit with a lovely house for sale nearby
Buy from companies, if you buy from an individual theres not much comeback
Demand an address and landline telephone for your records, if it cant be given you shouldnt be buying
Dont go with the hype, have a look yourself rather than be told how great an area is before being talking into buying a "Great house in a great place"
Pay money over only if you feel comfortable, if you suspect anything at all, think and stop until you know the whole deal!The views above are from my own view, and in no way mirror the view of others, or any company.
Who to buy from:
Make sure you buy from a real company rather than individual, demand an address and real landline telephone number before doing business, remember its your savings you're giving away to a stranger
Make sure the company you are buying from has checked the properties deeds before you even give over a deposit.
Make sure the company or individual can give references; it may just be that the company hasnt actually sold before, and that you are the first test case!
Dont buy from someone who approaches you in a hotel or on the street, in fact anyone who approaches you at all.
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