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Dimitris: We have customers who come to us and are willing to invest funds paid by stock dividends or successful operations. We are talking about amounts of around €30-50 thousand, which is the average price of a nice apartment in Bansko, for example. Here comes our role. We offer investors portfolio diversification by investing in another type of asset with the highest future return - property in Bulgaria. In social terms, we are talking about middle-class Greeks, who have good education and are interested primarily in residential properties. Businessmen and entrepreneurs, who are already present on the Bulgarian market, are interested in buying business premises. 

Helen: Greek investors who are open to the idea of investing their money in foreign markets are more open-minded. Generally, an ordinary Greek citizen is slightly more conservative and investing in a foreign country is not typical of all Greeks. This is why we say that our clients are more enterprising. All who have visited the country, accept it very warm. We even have customers who plan to live in Bulgaria after they retire. The country has all conditions for a good life at a lower cost. 

What types of properties are sought the most? 

Dimitris: 80% of our sales are residential properties in Sofia and holiday homes in Bansko. Other types of properties are commercial and office buildings, in which the investor has higher ROI and high profit. 

What are your predictions for the average ROI that your customers can receive on successful investment in the Bulgarian real estate market? 

Dimitris: Generally, expected is a 6%-10% annual capital growth from investments made in already established markets, such as those in western Europe. The value of capital growth in Bulgaria's property market is about 20% per year and I think this trend will be maintained for the next five years. 

Now you know how the situation in Bulgaria is. What do you believe are some of the things that should be changed, in order to attract more foreign investors? 

Helen: Right now one of the main problems in Bulgaria, after its entry into the European Union, is improving the country's infrastructure. In particular, the road structure of the country needs serious improvement and development. Easy access to all parts of the country is essential for both big and small investors. One of the main reasons for some Greeks to hesitate on entering the Bulgarian market is the poor road condition. We know that improving the road system is a slow process and we cannot fail to note that there is work done on this issue (for example, the Sofia-Varna highway), but there is still a lot of work in this direction. Beyond that, I do not think that Bulgaria has other problems. 

Dimitris: I totally agree with Helen and I cannot think of any other impediment, which will stop an investment in Bulgaria. My only advice to the Bulgarian government is: "Advertise your country more!" The world should know what Bulgaria is today. For us, who are in constant touch with the country, it is clear that Bulgaria is a safe and modern country with many opportunities and it has nothing to do with Bulgaria twenty years before. It has good laws, progressive thinking and it is an international place for investments. Actually, I would like to point out the positive features of the country. People in Bulgaria are extremely hardworking and honest. We have excellent business relations with our Bulgarian partners and transactions are done in full transparency and with professionalism. I think we need to know that professionals of very high level are working in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian market is extremely reliable for business development. Actually the Bulgarian regulatory body in the field of taxation is much better than the Greek one. There are good conditions for attracting and absorbing foreign capital. The government in the country has seriously taken measures to attract new investments and Bulgaria is moving very quickly to economic progress. I personally believe this is the right direction to ensure a positive economic growth. 

What are Bulgarian buyers interested in the Greek real estate market? 

Dimitris: There has been some interest by Bulgarians, mainly in properties in northern Greece - in the region of Halkidiki. With the entry of Bulgaria into the European Union the number of those investors is increasing but it is still not relevant to Greek buyers in Bulgaria. Access to the Mediterranean Sea is the main reason for buying properties in northern Greece. 

How do you believe Bulgaria's entry into the European single currency will affect the real estate market? 

Dimitris: If I have to judge from my experience in Greece, after the introduction of the Euro prices jumped up. At the time when Bulgaria introduces the Euro, you can expect the same thing to happen to you. This will not only affect real estate trade, we are talking about a general rise in prices in the country. I can foresee with certainty at least 10% increase from the first day of introducing the Euro. 

Helen: Bulgarian companies have made a good step - they are already working in Euros, property prices are in Euro. So the currency exchange will not lead to such confusion, as was it sis with the Drachma. Surely, however, there will be price increases.