I Bought a Little Castle in Crete

My first sight of Sitia, in Eastern Crete was a most pleasant surprise: the whole of Crete is amazingly beautiful but for me Sitia had some special ethereal quality. Bathed in a warm evening light as the sun set, the town curled around the bay in a warm cosy, cuddly and comforting sort of way while it’s old castle on the hill above the town added a sense of solid security.

After an excellent dinner in one of the many tavernas lining the sea front, I took a walk round the town, window shopping, browsing and doing the usual touristy things, while the Greek Mediterranean lifestyle carried on around me at full tilt, even though it was heading on for 9 o’clock in the evening. The shops were still open and trading, music drifted from the many cafanas and bars, children played in the streets and scooters dodged about, horns piping, their riders waving and shouting to friends and pretty girls, chatting on their mobiles or combing their curly black hair.

I had always wanted to purchase a house abroad, and I had already visited Crete a number of times, and even browsed a few websites, on cold wet winter nights when the call of life under blue skies and golden sun was a life saving, spirit lifting dream.

As I turned the corner into V. Kornarou Street, a shop caught my eye, "Property on Crete", a sign I recognized from my many dreamy winter visits to its websites, the doors were still open and the desks occupied, computers on and telephones ringing! I window shopped for a while, then decided to ask about one or two of the properties displayed.

My welcome was immediate and warm, from a lovely English lady, Joy, by name and nature, and the Greek business owner George. I felt completely at home, as I chatted about house prices and Greek living, while cold cans of drink were placed on the coffee table in front of a comfortable leather sofa.

I was shown a number of very reasonably priced properties from just "finished renovations," to " needs a bit of work". There were small patches of land with planning permission, and large tracts, olive groves and up and running businesses not too mention a roofless tumbledown building overgrown, with vines and nowadays occupied only by a few of the local goats. The pros and cons of every property clearly and honestly explained. No double meanings here and no gilding the lily.

An hour later I left the office already firm friends with the proprietor and his staff and an appointment to meet next morning at 10. o’clock, when I would be shown a number of suitable properties for a lady author planning to live alone on this beautiful island, where I was sure inspiration for my art and writing would flow like a river.

We set off next morning George expertly driving his car with one hand on the wheel, lighting a cigarette with the other while he explained where we were going, pointed out landmarks and sights, and explained about the future local developments which should make Sitia, a little less remote, - the local Airport would one day soon be upgraded to international and the road from Agios Nikolaos was going to have it’s drunken twists and turns straightened out thus cutting the journey time considerably. Of course I have since learned that though these plans will take shape one day, in Greece everything happens "tomorrow" and it is this very remoteness that gives Sitia it’s very special other worldly character.

We arrived in a small village not 4 kms from Sitia within a few minutes, where I saw a little stone built cottage, looking like a miniature castle, all built on different levels, in beautiful condition, and recently restored. The lovely old stable door with it’s ornate iron door knocker opened with a powerful shoulder nudge from George and I entered a cool organic world of natural stone and wood, and a smell reminiscent of old churches tickled my nostrils. I could just imagine a roaring fire in the arched fireplace, sandlewood scented candles flickering silently against the stone walls and Turkish rugs on the tiled floor. The natural stonework walls George explained, absorbed heat in the summer and kept out the cold in winter, creating a comfortable ambient temperature through all but the most extreme conditions.

George threw open the shuttered windows letting in the soft Mediterranean morning light, I climbed the lovely new wrought iron spiral staircase and found myself on a roof terrace, where the morning sunlight glinted off newly painted black railings artistically scrolled, a clean tiled floor and views to die for.

I hadn’t even turned on the taps, but the house was already mine!

We visited a number of other properties, that morning, each property had something extra ordinary about it, and George very honestly pointed out both the flaws and advantages of each of them, but I was in love with the little castle, and within a few days an offer went into the office and was accepted. Much to my surprise, delight and a frisson of fear, I was about to own a Property on Crete!

The sale went through without a hitch, as I returned to a long cold winter in the UK. George and his staff never once failed me when I needed help or advice. Not only that, they put in a lot of extra curricular work, introducing me to rental agents, contacting various officials such as notaries, accountants banks and utilities and every other important personage that I needed to know. George and his team went above and beyond the call of duty and I shall never forget how very helpful they were and how easy they made the purchasing process for me.

Finally in the first week in February the contracts were signed and the house was all mine. It is now home to a lovely English couple and their beautiful dogs, who take great care of my little castle until I am able to move onto the island for good.

Thank you Property on Crete, You are STARS!

Property On Crete
Property for sale