Why did Nikolai choose Montenegro for purchasing real estate?

Dossier: buyer

Nikolai from the capital of Russia

Real estateagency

Adriatik Stroinvest

Location

Montenegro, the suburbs of the city of Bar

Real estate

House of 75 m² with a plot of land of 850 m²

Price

€105 thousand

Deal

Purchase on the secondary market in 2010

Key points

It should be emphasized thatAcquiring residential property in Montenegro does not guarantee automatic residency.. In order to do so, it is necessary to do business within the country. It is also worth noting thatthe quality of construction projects in the secondary market of Montenegrooften exceeds the characteristics of new buildings. An important point is thatstudying the local languageIt's not too difficult - just take a course for a few months and you'll be able to communicate freely with the locals.

Questions for the buyer

Nikolai, could you tell us what exactly you purchased in Montenegro?

We bought a house with a plot of land not far from the city of Bar, just two and a half kilometers from the coast, but not in a tourist area. This house was built over forty years ago, and the neighbors still remember its construction. The building has an area of 75 m², and the plot is 850 m².

At the moment, we are actively working on its renovation, transforming living spaces and creating commercial areas, as well as an office for our future business activities in Montenegro. We need to have our own business in order to obtain a residence permit, as simply purchasing real estate does not contribute to this.

Before signing the contract, the real estate staff conducted a detailed inspection of the condition of the house, which allowed us to complete the transaction with peace of mind.

How did you decide to buy property in Montenegro, and why did you choose this country specifically?

We received advice from medical professionals that we need to lead a more measured lifestyle. In this regard, we started exploring the possibilities of purchasing real estate outside of Russia for future living.

• Based on friends' recommendations and reviews found online, we first visited Montenegro in 2010 to evaluate the country and see if it was a good fit for us.
• We booked the apartment ourselves online and rented a car.
• During our two weeks in Montenegro, we were able to thoroughly explore the country.
• She made an indelible impression on us: a small but very warm and welcoming country, and we began to think about what kind of accommodation would be optimal for us.
• During one of our trips, when we got a bit lost in Sutomore, we accidentally came across a sign that read "Adriatik Stroinvest Real EstateAgency" in Russian.
• So we found ourselves in a company that became our guide in this wonderful corner of the world.

What was your experience like working with a realtor?

When it came to choosing a property, we clearly outlined our requirements and wishes to the realtor.

Our search for a home in Montenegro

Our family dreamed of buying a house with a plot of land away from the sea, as the winter season in resort coastal areas is usually filled with silence and a lack of life. During our two-week stay in Montenegro, we managed to find a suitable property in just three days. On the first day of our viewings, we visited eight to ten properties, but the next day, when we came across a house that left an indelible impression on us, further searches seemed unnecessary.

This happened because the real estate market offers a wide variety of housing options, so it is extremely important to clearly define your goals in advance in order to communicate them to the realtor. In Montenegro, it is not difficult to find accommodation that meets a diverse range of needs and any budget.

Consultations on life in Montenegro

In addition, we contacted real estate agents for advice on day-to-day matters:

• Where can I pay for utilities?
• Where to buy groceries, building materials, and household appliances.

We were trying to understand the construction process of our house: do we need to be on-site or can we monitor it remotely? Personally, I visit the construction site regularly, as I am in Montenegro about every two months.

In my absence, my neighbor Aco (Alexander) helps me, and he has become a good friend. His family is known for their friendliness and hospitality, and thanks to their involvement, many construction costs have been reduced.20-40%compared to the initial estimate.

Setting up a new home

As for furnishing our new home, we now have the opportunity to travel all around Montenegro and have a good understanding of where to buy the best furniture. I can confidently inform the locals about where to find a sofa or a dining table. I've figured out the furniture manufacturers and can highlight:

• Serbian
• Croatian,
• Macedonian
• Italian brands.

Over the three years of frequently visiting Montenegro, we have come to better understand the local lifestyle and traditions. Our home is still largely decorated with old furniture, which suits us just fine.

We continue to buy new interior items, and I can't yet say with certainty how much it will cost us. According to our estimates, furnishing a two-bedroom apartment with economy-class furniture can cost about€2,000-5,000.

Cultural differences

It's worth noting some points about Montenegro, particularly the cultural differences between Montenegrins and Russians. Among the main features of this country, especially in comparison with neighboring states, are the similarity of languages and the friendliness of the local population.

We had the opportunity to take a two-month language course, which allowed us to understand Montenegrin television quite confidently and feel comfortable in any corner of the country. However, besides the similarities in the languages, there are also noticeable differences between Russians and Montenegrins.

This enriches our experience and helps us establish new connections with the locals. We are glad to be a part of this amazing country and hope for continued friendship with its people.

Surprising traits of Montenegrins

The people of Montenegro have a remarkable ability to find satisfaction in the everyday little things. It is worth noting that the land in Montenegro is very fertile, which creates favorable conditions for a normal life. Each family or individual can ensure comfortable living conditions if they put in the effort and work hard.

Moreover, Montenegrins are known for their warm attitude and hospitality.

Introduction

As a result of my three years of observation and active participation in the process of buying and settling in real estate in Montenegro, I have come to important conclusions that may be useful to other potential buyers. Choosing Montenegro as a place to live was not a coincidence — it is a country with unique nature, rich culture, and friendly people. Despite certain challenges related to obtaining residency, we are confident that the business we are building on this land will open new horizons for us.

Collaboration with realtors

As our experience has shown, working with professional realtors such as the agents at Adriatik Stroinvest has made the process of finding and buying real estate much easier. Understanding our own needs and setting clear objectives allowed us to quickly find the perfect house.

Construction process

The construction process, despite some difficulties, is progressing actively and joyfully. I am glad that I can manage the construction competition, even from a distance, and also receive support from local residents, such as my neighbor Aco. This confirms that friendly connections in a new country play an important role and can significantly ease adaptation.

Cultural features

When it comes to culture and language, we found that even small efforts to learn the local language open doors to understanding and communicating with Montenegrins. This closeness of cultures and interest in local customs make our life here richer and more exciting.

Conclusion

Ultimately, purchasing property in Montenegro has become not just a financial investment for us, but also an emotional one. We didn't just buy a house; we found a second home where we plan to build our story. I want to emphasize that the experience we gained in this process is unique and unparalleled, and I hope it inspires others who are considering relocating or buying property abroad.