Why did the family choose a house in Hévíz for their new life in Hungary?

Buyer

Tamara from Crimea

Realtor

Exclusive Heviz Real Estate

Region

Hungary, Hévíz

Object

A house with three bedrooms and a land plot of 500 square meters.

Price

150,000 euros

Deal

Secondary market, 2013

The beginning of our journey to Hévíz

Our acquaintance withHevizIt all started with a TV show dedicated to the famous thermal lake and the picturesque resort of the same name. The spectacle caught our attention so much that we decided to go there for a family vacation. After visiting this wonderful place, we were impressed by its beauty and coziness, and soon we began to return to this corner regularly. Over time, we realized that we needed our own accommodation so we wouldn't have to spend money on renting or hotels, but could enjoy our vacation in a comfortable setting.

First visit to Hungary

Let's remember when we first visited.HungaryThis happened in 2011, and just two years later we took an important step — we bought a house. Initially, we had the idea of buying an apartment, but considering our large family, that option didn't turn out to be the best. We needed more space, as there are many people in our family: me, my two children, and my parents. So we were looking for the optimal housing with three bedrooms to avoid unnecessary expenses on an overly large apartment.

House search

It took us about two months to find a house. At first, we researched various real estate listings online by ourselves, and then we decided to consult with professionals. When choosing a property, we considered not only the price but also the location of the house. It was important for us that it was situated in a picturesque and quiet area, not far from a lake, and that there was necessary infrastructure for comfortable living nearby. One of my parents' wishes was to have a fireplace, and this became an important criterion in our choice.

Price and deal

Price played a significant role, and we set ourselves the goal of staying within a budget of 200,000 euros. In the end, we managed to save quite a bit, as we bought the house for 150,000 euros, which made us very happy. The house was sold by Swiss owners, who left us a small vegetable garden and a yard. Although I'm not particularly into gardening, my parents enjoy taking care of the plants when they come to visit us. I live here with the kids, while my parents stay in Crimea.

Purchasing process

Speaking about how much time we spent on the buying process, I can say that it took about two months for all the stages. The process went quite smoothly and sequentially. I think this is because I researched a lot of offers on online platforms in advance. After that, we quickly got in touch with the agency that helped us successfully complete the deal. We are still happy that we took this step and became the owners of a cozy home in this wonderful resort.

Most of the property options that were offered to us were indeed from them. At first, we were shown a house that was on the same street but on the opposite side. It met all our criteria, but its size turned out to be...

As luck would have it, at that moment we received an offer on our house, which immediately caught our attention. We spent about two weeks in Hévíz before finally making a decision. The preparation process and the deal itself seemed, at first glance, to consist of just a few stages. Our lawyer and the real estate agency representative handled everything. We didn't need to open a bank account since all the money transfers were done through the lawyer. All we had to do was transfer the money to his working account. Additionally, all the legal details were finalized two weeks after our return.

Did the deal go smoothly?

The previous owners turned out to be very kind people. At the stage of signing the contract, we chatted with them a bit through a translator, signed all the necessary papers, and happily said goodbye. I'm sure the seller was left with only positive feelings from our deal. When signing the preliminary contract, we made a deposit of ten percent of the total cost of the house, and then transferred the remaining amount. We did not apply for loans or installments.

Tell me about your new home.

This is a two-story house with a total area of about two hundred square meters, from the windows of which there is a wonderful panoramic view of Hévíz. The lake is just a ten-minute walk away. The house is located outside the city, in a neighboring village, but due to the short distances, having a car makes them insignificant. On the first floor, there is a bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen, while the second, attic floor features a guest room and a children's room. The house also includes two storage rooms and a garage.

We purchased a secondary property, and it turned out to be fully ready for occupancy. The renovations left by the previous owners were done very well and tastefully, so we had no desire to change anything. Only later did we paint the fence, as in some places the paint started to peel. Currently, our main expenses consist of utility bills and garbage collection, which will cost approximately 150 euros per month.

How is the situation with the furniture?

Most of the furniture items were left by the previous owners, including the built-in kitchen set with appliances, beds, and wardrobes. We didn't aim to make major purchases. I only replaced the table and chairs, wanting something new, and we also bought a piano for our daughter.

How did you organize the delivery?

In Horn, there are many transport companies, and with some of them, you can communicate in German. Our eldest daughter is fluent in the language, which has greatly simplified communication with the transport services.

Communication in the local language

Currently, communication in the local language is not particularly difficult, but at first, our interactions with postal workers and representatives of various services posed certain challenges. I do not have knowledge of either German or Hungarian, and the latter, as practice shows, is one of the most difficult languages to learn.

The first difficulties

How did you manage at the beginning of your stay? Sometimes we had to rely on the services of translators, especially in situations involving interactions with government agencies. In our city, there is a lawyer who speaks Russian, as well as private translators who provided us with significant help when submitting documents for temporary and permanent residency.

Russian speakers in Heviz

In Hévíz, there is already a significant number of Russian speakers, as well as tourists, which encourages the locals to learn foreign languages. This has a particularly positive impact on service-related sectors. Therefore, communication for Russian-speaking people here is not particularly difficult.

Formalization of documents

As for the paperwork for residency, it is necessary to gather a specific set of documents, which, of course, requires time and effort. I didn't remember all the details, but among the mandatory documents, the following can be highlighted:

• certificate of ownership of housing;
• certificate of sufficient financial means for living in Hungary (around €400 per person per month);
• medical insurance.

Requirements for residence

One of the main drawbacks of the residency program is the strict requirement for a minimum stay in the country – at least 180 days a year. This is not just a formality; immigration authorities really monitor this rule and may contact you by phone or unexpectedly come to your home, asking your neighbors about you.

The process of obtaining a residence permit and permanent residency

The wait for approval for a residence permit takes about two months, while obtaining permanent residency can take from two to three months. We decided to apply for permanent residency to make our future life easier and to avoid the hassle of regularly renewing our temporary status.

Life in Hungary

As for life in Hungary itself, despite various situations, the locals truly impress with their kindness. Of course, there are some people who are difficult to interact with, but overall the atmosphere is quite friendly and welcoming. Personally, I found it a bit challenging without knowing the Hungarian language, while my children adapted much faster.

My youngest son, when he first started attending kindergarten, sometimes faced difficulties due to the language barrier. However, he soon got used to it and began communicating with me in Hungarian when he came home. I tried to explain to him that I didn't understand, and he, albeit sometimes reluctantly, switched back to Russian. As a result, he sometimes gets confused with grammar since he doesn't have a full Hungarian education and only uses the language at home. In school, however, he manages to demonstrate excellent results and receive praise from his teachers.

Communication with locals

As for my daughter, she communicates significantly less with the locals since she spends most of her time in Austria and finds peers in Hévíz who don't speak either English or German. I, on the other hand, prefer to communicate with Russian speakers, as there are many Russians here, and I have already established a social circle where I feel comfortable. There are also Hungarians who know a bit of Russian, as they studied it during their education.

The kindness of the Hungarians

I want to emphasize that even if Hungarians speak only their own language, they show a genuine desire to help and are ready to do everything possible to find common ground and assist in solving the problem or acquiring the necessary goods. This is a very pleasant aspect of interacting with the locals, which significantly enhances the quality of life here.

Introduction

In conclusion, I want to share my impressions of the process of buying real estate in Hévíz, Hungary. The move for our family became a true event that changed our lives for the better. From the very first moments we set foot on the land of this picturesque resort, we felt that this place was made for us. We fell in love with the warmth and beauty of nature, and Lake Hévíz became our backdrop for life.

The idea of buying

Initially, we didn't plan to buy a house — that idea came later, but as we immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of this corner, we realized that we wanted to leave a part of ourselves here. The purchase of the house went as smoothly and comfortably as the negotiations themselves. We wanted our new home to be not just a building, but a place where all family members would enjoy spending time together. A three-bedroom house turned out to be the perfect solution, especially considering our family composition.

Purchasing process

Working with professional agents, we felt confident at every step of the way to acquiring a home. There is nothing more important than trusting specialists who know the market and can offer perfect solutions for their clients. In the end, we managed to close a deal that left all parties satisfied.

Preservation of traditions

We preserved elements of the old garden, which fills our home with a spirit of coziness and tradition. Later, when we got to know all the neighbors and met the locals, Hévíz became a home for us, a place where we want to stay forever.

Life in Hévíz

Every day, diving into the lake, we feel ourselves filled with the energy and tranquility that this area is known for. I hope that my experience will help other families considering a move.

Conclusion

If there is an opportunity to live in a place that inspires and brings joy, you shouldn't hesitate. After all, a successful deal is not just about numbers and paperwork, but also about the quality of life that a new home provides.