Buyers

Please note – costs are set to increase in 2026 and will be updated ASAP.

What can buyers expect from Meli?

The huge number of places for sale is quite daunting without knowing the country well. I can help save you time with the following:

Being a person-on-the-ground with help and advise about the house, area and living in Bulgaria
Negotiating the price with the seller
Recommending legal representation with a qualified Bulgarian lawyer
Arranging translation services for day of sale
Arranging day of sale with seller and buyer at a trusted notary
Insuring all necessary documents are present and in order

What I offer:

Honesty

Houses I list are already checked and approved for saleability, saving you time and travel expenses. I will arrange viewings and when you decide on the right place, assist with the sale process. The prices listed are the highest amount required by the seller and sellers expect to barter.

I am not an estate agent but a broker, a third-person facilitator between a buyer and a seller.

I do not add a commission to the property sale value, but instead charge a finders fee of €500 or 3%, whichever is higher. The cost is to cover my time advertising the properties, arranging viewings and organising everything for the final sale date. This also includes negotiating offers with the seller, and help appointing a lawyer and translator if necessary. Once your offer is accepted by the seller, I require half of the commission as a holding deposit. It is fully refundable to you if the seller cancels for any reason, but non-refundable if you cancel the sale.

If you find a property yourself but need help with legal representation and translation I can help arrange this. I can also search for a house to fit your requirements. My charges are on a case-by-case basis to cover my time and travel expenses.

To find out more, please contact Meli using the email address below:

hideawayhomesbulgaria@gmail.com

What other costs are involved?

In Bulgaria, the buyer pays all fees. This includes the following:

Legal fees: A good lawyer charges a minimum of 300 Euro. This varies according to the sale price of the property and complexities and covers property checks and compiling all necessary information for the notary to create the final contract on day of sale.
Preliminary Contract: otherwise known as a Deposit Agreement, is written by a lawyer to safeguard deposits paid to sellers. It is customary in Bulgaria to pay a 10% deposit to secure a sale. Both seller/s and buyer sign this agreement. My lawyer charges 200 Euro.
Power of Attorney: if you are unable to be in Bulgaria for the day of sale, I can be your Representative and sign the sales document on your behalf. My lawyer charges 50 Euro to arrange this with a notary fee of 20-30 Euro. I also require 50 Euro to cover my time.
Notarisation and taxes: a notary certifies proceedings, ensures there are no debts associated with the property and no other parties who can lay claim to the property. All documentation is filed with the council., Notary charges are dependent on the sale price, averaging from 150-1000 Euros.
Purchase tax is currently 2.6% of the sale price and included in the notary charge.
Translation: Unless you can read, write, understand and speak Bulgarian, translation is required at the notary office. Prices range from 10-60 Euros per hour and must also cover travel time to and from the notary office. Translators are required to have an academic qualification of your language.
Company formation – non-EU citizens can buy property in Bulgaria but cannot buy land. Company formation is required to buy land as an asset. My lawyer can form a company for you, with a starting capital if as little as €1. Costs for this start at 600 Euros, including company registration taxes. In order to register a company, a bank account is required but new bank regulations are preventing non-EU citizens opening one. This is done on your behalf and the company shares transferred to you. Please note, there will be extra charges for the person who is starting the business for you, to cover their time.
Yearly accounts – Bulgarian companies are required to submit a yearly tax return by 31st March. My accountant can compile this, providing a report of acceptance, for €165. If the company is non-operating, a zero tax report only needs filing in the first year. A company is non-operating if no sales are made. Meaning no income.

Website Terms

UNDER OFFER means an offer made by a buyer has been accepted by the seller. There is a chance the sale will not proceed for a number of reasons such as buyer cancels the purchase.

BACK ON MARKET means the property is for sale again.

SALE ON HOLD means there is reason the house sale cannot proceed until the owner is ready.

SOLD means a property has been sold and is no longer for sale.

Early Bird Club

For a one-off membership fee of €25, you will receive new property posts by email before they go public on the website. Contact me by email and I will send you a payment link:
hideawayhomesbulgaria@gmail.com