Amazing £86k anniversary gift

Jun 1 2008 Laura Davidson

Cathy And Ian Celebrate 30th Year By Snapping Up Cyprus Apartment Place In The Sun

Most couples buy each other some jewellery or new scent as an anniversary gift.

Cathy and Ian Rutherford treated themselves to a holiday home.

The couple bought themselves an £86,000 pad in Cyprus to celebrate 30 years of marriage.

Childcare worker Cathy, said: "We had always wanted a holiday home in the sun but didn't think we could afford one.

"After browsing at a property show, we discovered it was more affordable than we thought.

"Our anniversary seemed the perfect occasion to go for it.

"We love the place - it's the best decision we've ever made."

Cathy, 51, and Ian, 53, of Mid Calder, West Lothian, heard about Leptos Estates in Cyprus and got in touch with them.

Cathy said: "Their salesman Nei was from Wishaw in Lanarkshire and he suggested we see a new development, Hermes Gardens."

The location was a major selling point - it's just five minutes' walk from the old town of Paphos and a short stroll to the beach.

When the couple arrived at the site, they had to use a lot of imagination to picture what their finished apartment would look like.

Photographer Ian said: "Building had just started and all we could see were a few metal rods stuck in the ground. The salesman showed us some completed developments so we could get an idea of what it would be like. We were impressed with the quality of the build and the landscaping. Leptos are one of Cyprus's best-known housebuilders, so we bought off-plan."

They put down a deposit on their £86,000 one-bed apartment in June 2006 and were told it would be complete by this summer. But it was ready six months early.

Cathy added: "We were delighted and went out at the end of February to get our keys.

"Everything about buying a property overseas was so much easier than we expected - from organising the mortgage with the Hellenic Bank to furnishing. We went into a showroom on the Thursday and bought the furniture.

The company had it delivered and assembled the next day.

"The apartment is better than we hoped. The standard of workmanship and finishes are excellent.

"A similar apartment sold recently for about £20,000 more than we bought ours for. So it's a great investment too."

They plan to spend five weeks a year in the apartment and rent it out for the rest of the time.

Cathy added: "When we retire, we may spend more time there but at the moment it's a holiday home. Our grown-up son and daughter will probably go there with their friends."

If you would like to rent out the Rutherfords' apartment, email hermesgardens@btinternet.com or call 07710 337520.

FACTFILE Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004 and is now the fourth most popular foreign hotspot among Brits. More than 60,000 people from the UK own a home on the island.

Property prices are 30 per cent cheaper than Spain, 20 per cent lower than Portugal and 50 per cent cheaper than Italy and the south of France.

Ensure the contract of sale is filed no later than 60 days after signing.

Leptos Estates have twobedroom apartments for sale at Hermes Gardens for 157,340 euros (£124,000) plus VAT.

The firm are also offering two and three-bed properties from 260,000Euros at their Vikla Village development with a three-year guaranteed rental return of 5 per cent per year on the purchase price.

For a guide to property in Cypus or to arrange an inspection trip, call Leptos Estates on 0208 883 2333 or email: info@leptosuk.com