REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY IN MESSINIA - UPDATED FEB 2010

It is a different atmosphere totally from other years especially with all the problems arising now with the EEC and various countries revealing how much in debt they are,

1) A lot more activity over Pylos way and advertising for the golf complex which is to be finished and operating by May this year?! and then work will start on the second complex.

2) The road from Messinian Bay Hotel towards Kitries was closed recently due to damage to the coastal road by bad weather and high seas! It is now open again and the drive through is just as beautiful as it always is out of season.

3) Plans for the highway to Pylos are underway and markation of the road has commenced. The junction outside Pylos with the new sweeping road leading off to Gialova and to the new golf complex is very impressive, but the last time I was over there it was not open to the public so couldn't get a taste of fine tarmac highway!

4) saying that... the road is crumbling near to Tripoli - you would think that new highways would be constructed to high standards

5) The traditional village of Thalames in Mani has undergone a face lift and the main street, lighting and pavements as well as the main square are very impressive.

6) The beautiful village of Prosilio above Kardamili is also undergoing a face lift of the main square and will be looking impressive for our Spring/Summer visitors.

7) In to Lent now and Easter is early this year, very early, so let us hope that the weather is kind and that we have dry weather and sunshine over the Holy Week and the Easter weekend.

8) Movement within the real estate market is slow. Buyers are waiting to see what is happening with all the new taxation measurements that are going to be enforced. There is talk of increasing objective values (a must especially in the villages and other areas where the objective value is ridiculously low) and there is also talk of the VAT on new builds being cancelled out. Changes also in the property purchase tax (decrease rather than increase) should help things start moving again although mortgages are increasingly difficult to obtain.

9) No news to report at this moment in time on the flight schedule with Kalamata airport, but as soon as the local rag publishes something I will post.

10) There have been a couple of sales concluded within the area of Mani, mainly houses have been sold.  Any seller must bear in mind that it is now considered a buyer's market and offers will be made; at the end of the day it is the seller's decision to what price they will accept.

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