New Property Developments in North Cyprus
Three key areas have emerged in the North Cyprus property scene, at Esentepe, Bogaz and Bafra. The Esentepe/Tatlisu area has always attracted visitors for its natural beauty, yet recently the area has exploded in popularity with the opening of the only 18-hole international standard golf course at the Korineum Golf and Country Club. This new golf course has been the catalyst for a whole variety of developments, all within easy reach of the manicured greens.
Just as the golf course has been integrated with the landscape, the best Esentepe real estate does the same. The Serenity apartments at Esentepe are set amongst a pine forest, but also enjoy good views to the Mediterranean coast just 500 metres away. Each apartment blocks is offset from each other up the hillside, so that each apartment has a clear view from its balcony.
Specifications of North Cyprus properties are generally high, so you really can just move in once the apartment is ready. Most properties feature a fitted kitchen, double glazing, ceramic tiling, built-in wardrobes, and provision for water storage, plus shared use of onsite facilities. (The Pine Villas complex, for example, has a large communal pool and children’s swimming pool for the 65 villas on site.) The property package includes white goods but not air conditioning, a must in the North Cyprus summer heat. Some properties offer only the pipework, or only install air conditioning in the main bedroom and living space. The elegant Art deco style apartments at the Turquoise Bay Golf and Spa Residence feature both air conditioning and white goods as standard, plus all pipework for central heating, another essential element for year-round rental potential. The site boasts a range of amenities that are fast becoming ‘must-haves’ on any new North Cyprus development, including a selection of swimming pools, a fitness centre and saunas, plus a restaurant (or, elsewhere, residents clubhouse).
Bogaz was once a sleepy fishing village on the east coast of North Cyprus, enjoying a sheltered position just below the panhandle of the Karpaz Peninsula. Now it is one of the busiest development areas in the whole of Northern Cyprus. The Caesar Resort aims to be one of the area’s best one-stop holiday resorts. The list of onsite facilities should keep any holiday family occupied for hours; swimming pools, tennis courts, outdoor Jacuzzi, children’s playground, fully equipped gym, spa and beauty salon, amusement arcade, open air film theatre – the list goes on. Bogaz’s proximity to the ancient ruins at Salamis and the historic walled city of Famagusta ensures that non-sun worshippers will enjoy staying in the area, especially with easy access to the rugged terrain of the Karpaz Peninsula as well.
New properties for sale in Bogaz, also have tremendous potential for year-round rental thanks to the Eastern Mediterranean University just a few minutes drive down the road, with 15,000 students and 400 lecturers all looking for somewhere to live. For those looking to invest in a new-build villa in the Bogaz area of North Cyprus, Monarga Resorts offer spacious villas with terraces and luxury features such as Jacuzzis.
The third major area of property developments in Northern Cyprus centres on the town of Bafra, north of Bogaz. Positioned just as the start of the Karpaz Peninsula, development here has been spearheaded by the Kaya Artemis Resort Hotel. This giant reproduction of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is a landmark five-star resort and casino, offering a massive 2,400 bed capacity for international conferences and holidaymakers.
Already the ripple effect from this major investment is being felt throughout the Bafra region. The Thalassa Beach Resort at Bafra is being heavily marketed by one of the UK’s top estate agents, Savills, and aims to cater for the luxury end of the North Cyprus property market, a sure sign of confidence in the area’s future growth and stability. Advanta Investment’s Bafra Beach Resort offers stylish apartments in elegantly designed blocks right next to the Artemis Resort itself, so rental clients are close to facilities without paying the resort prices.
New real estate developments in Northern Cyprus are much more orientated towards a holiday rental market rather than the retiring ex-pat market formally favoured by villa developers. Major property developers have moved into the North Cyprus property market with experience in selling in Spain and other established resorts, bringing a more professional and slick approach to selling. Turkish and foreign investment firms are investing heavily, including several from Israel, North Cyprus’ nearest neighbour to the east.
So, if the time is right for you to invest in foreign property, the time is right to invest in Northern Cyprus property developments, before prices rise to south Cyprus levels.