Hi guys

new web site launched today for 4 leaf clover www.fourleafclover-bg.com.

If you haven't had an email with your user name and password on it then email the office, office@salesinbulgaria.com  and i'm sure, with proof of ownership they will let you in. you can see all your bookings and how much money you have.

hi patrick,

maya left legal independence about a year ago and the guy who has taken over from her is todor dontchev.

we have found him very slow and also, he has a propensity to make `mistakes` for which, when pulled up on them he  àpologises for any inconvenience caused` ! !

carefully check all the figures he sends you to make sure they are correct.

on another note, we are also due to complete on our apartment in block d shortly but we are still waiting to hear when we can snag it.

have you heard anything from MRI, the developer, legal independence etc.?

ken

Patrick

i believe Maya has left Legal independence so Todor must be who's taken over. We arranged to sort out everything in Bansko and they were great - no problems at all

KS - we are using developer, salis in bulgaria, for rental and have heard very little and its getting annoying. Last i heard we had 800 euro which if that is correct i would like in my bank not theres. They had promised a new web site months ago with all the details on it but it seems to have come to a halt

Hi to all,

We have an apartment in block "D" & wondered if anyone has been contacted by Maya @ Legal Independence? as we changed email address 18 months ago, & although they were informed, I have never had contact from them.

I know it may seem a bit naive, but who is Todor? if someone can shed some light on this, we would be much appriciated.

Pat

Hi   I have an apartment in Block A which is completed but we did have problems along the way.  With respect to Todor we got into the habit of emailing him once and if he did not respond we would copy various people in on the next email - legal independence, MRI etc and we then found we got a quicker response.  We had a dispute with the developers toward completion and refused to make the last payment and we did have to remind Todor that he was being paid by us and therefore acts on our behalf and not the developers but in the end we again got MRI and the snagging list people (who are very good) involved and the issue was then quickly resolved.

Den

hi june

couldn't agree more!

i am also dealing with Todor and find it difficult to get any reponse from him. When i do get a reply its very obvious that he is firmly on the side of the developer. i am having major trust issues with todor and legal independence and i am considering employing other solicitors to close the deal.

ken

Hi Ken

I heard from Todor (Legal-Independence recommended by MRI!) some 3 wks ago about this increase and my sentiments are similar to yours but I can't get any reply from my solicitor who's supposed to represent me!

With the increase in value of the Euros against the £, I think the developer must be made to bear the increase and as for the compensation offer, its derisory.  In the meantime, I'm still waiting for an answer from Todor ..... incidentally, mine is in Block D too!

June

hi all,

just heard back from my solicitor who tells me that the stamp duty in the municipality of bansko was changed to 2.50% from the 1st march 2008.

seems like we are expected to stump up the extra cash for stamp duty which we wouldn't have incurred if the developer had completed block d on time ( or even if he was only a few months late rather than nearly  a year!.

ken

hi all,

about to complete purchase of apartment in block D and solicitors are saying that stamp duty is payable at 2.50%.

does anyone know if this this correct ? - i thought it was 2%.

thanks

ken

Hi,

Thanks Jeff & John for your help regarding the Buildings Insurance.

Pat

Hi all,

I was wondering if any one else has been having problems getting their title deeds from the their lawyers.  We have been waiting months with usual stories about been sent in the post etc.

Has anyone who is using salesinbulgaria to rent their apartment had a rental breakdown from them yet.

Cheers

NZ

Hi Patrick,

We used a company called Underwood Ins. LTD.

Tel: 01633 247700

Fax: 01633 267674

Email: info@underwoodis1.co.uk

Jeff

Hi Patrick

I used a insurance that was provided by MRI but I have just found out that my own uk broker also provides overseas insurance and it seems that most uk brokers should be able to help you

John

Hi everyone,

Can anyone let us have some contact details of insurance companys for the Buildings Insurance.

Many Thanks.

I should be grateful for any comments regarding Block D which I understand has now been granted Protocol 16.  Could you let me know all the dates supplied by the Developer (with 3 days notice) under the Force Majeure that they claim is the cause of the delay.  I dont seem to have received my copies.

Hi

I have an apartment in FLC as well, I was wondering if any of you had been informed by your legal firm or the developer about any force majeure delays to the construction of any of the blocks as we have not.

thanks

Hi All!

Im due to travel out to four leaf clover in March to sign apartment over, Myself and my business partner has bought this for a holiday home and has never gone skiing before, could anybody let me know what the latest date would be to book up. Also I need to know if I have to book up for lessons and if it's easy to rent the skiing equipment. Finally do I need ski passes and does this all have to be booked up before we travel.

Many Thanks

Andy.

Hi,

Just returned from our furnished studio in B block, and are very happy with it. However, the restaurant and pool are not yet open, but when they are it should be nice. I was surprised to hear about holiday companies wanting double beds only, as opposed to sofa beds, so maybe we'll have to change that. The sofa bed was very comfortable though. I have to say the skiing was great, although the gondala queue was very long that week (half term). If anyone wants to rent our appt. in March just let me know.

JE 

hi again -

just to those who have not yet furnished their studio apartment - if it is your intention to rent out your unit then don´t go for a sofa bed - instead choose a full size bed as this is what tour operators and locals look for when renting. and be careful with mri furniture pack ! they can give you too much i.e one 20sqm studio had the full furniture package - and now half of their stuff stands out in the hallway !!

hi everyone,

we have just come back from bansko and stayed in our little studio in block c - we have apartments in other complexes in bansko but can only say that four leaf is our favourate. despite the lousy road, the rubbish in the surrounding area, the lift not working , we really like our little unit and think four leaf, when it eventually is completed, will turn out to be one of the nicest complexes in the area. if anyone has not furnished their unit i can recommend going for the light color kitchens and fixtures - it suit the apartments much better than the darker colors.

if anyone needs an apartment in march let me know as our is ready for use.

cheers

shm

Hi there,

I bought an Apartment in block B and have nightmares trying to sought out mortgage for my remaining 50%. I have been using CFP as my finance people and to cut a very long story short, they have massed us around for about 6 months. Does anyone know of a finance company in Bulgaria who is very good  and can sought thing out on an urgent basis?

Would really appreciate any info!

Thanks, ANDY

Hi

Going out to studio in block A from 25 Mar to 1 Apr. Could do with renting additional one bed appt nearby for family. Anyone got anything available?

I have booked to go to FLC 13 March to the 28th.

Seems that my apartment will not be ready.(block  D ground floor)Does any one know the developers email so I can rent another apartment for that period.

Thanks

Jack

any news yet on issue of article 15 for block D ?

i am hoping to get out to snag it mid-late feb and get a few days skiing in at the same time

I have been searching for recent photos of FLC and found these.

I think it's looking pretty good. Click on link below.

I took a gamble and booked a flight to stay in my Block D apartment  over easter, will it be finished?

http://www.salesinbulgaria.com/development.html

Hope they were of help.

Jack

Yes it is true Four leaf has just opened but they ( like most other complexes ) have also suffered from cancelations. We had bookings over new years and there was a no-show. Would like to know how everyone is doing with their rental ? Only the reception is up and running - all other facilities are yet to be completed.

Overall, I believe Bansko has had a quite Christmas/New years season - no queues for the gondola during this period. Hopefully with all the snowfall, more people will visit in February during the school holidays.

Will go there next week and take photos of Four Leaf

Hi to all, especially to Malcandviv, any feedback yet from your first occupants?  Were there any water problems during their stay?  And are all the facilities (pool, resto, gym, etc) running now?  I hope you continue getting the room booked.  We're also hoping for ours soon!

Hi I have a 1 bed apartment in Block D but not finished yet.

Im desperate to go boarding this week and can fly out tomorrow or Mon ,does any one have an apartment available to rent 30dec to 6 jan.

I will take plent of photos of the resort and complex if I go.

Thanks

Jack

shm

where did you get the info from about Bansko being quiet. The pictures on the developers web site look very busy especially as it is very early in the season.

And if your apartment is booked for the new year i say that is very good. 4 leaf clover has only just opened, the season is 2 weeks old and there are rooms booked - great news as far as i can see

Hi all

Came back from Bansko early this morning following signing up in FLC block B. MRI had snagged our apt. & we only found a couple of small faults extra. It also looks as if we will have 1/2 decent views from the outer side of the blocks too!  Unfortunately we couldn't visit the Notary on Friday so had to go skiing instead - What a shame! Lots of good snow on most of the mountain since the start of Dec & Gondolas etc all working

O/all we're very pleased with the quality of build - significantly better than Dream complex where we stayed. Although there was still no water on in our apt. all the available rooms were full for the student weekend on 8th.  The site owners are hopeful the reception & restaurant areas will be ready for new years eve but I wouldn't hold my breath.  The ringroad is still a mudbath when it's not frozen.

Some may think these studios to be small but apparently some are as small as 22sq M & 36+sq M is considered to be a large studio. 

We saw the MRI furniture pack in another apt. in block A as it was being fitted & it looked pretty good so we're happy to have chosen it (Though frustratingly we paid for it 12 months ago).

Has everyone decided on management partners as all we have looked at seem to have significant negative factors attached?

PS - St Ivan is another development by Balkenstroy (who built the new Sopia airport & the Katerino Spa) on the top at the eastern edge of Bansko.

Aspire

see my entry on 1 nov re furniture.

All studios seem to have a different layout. Indeed the one of the developers web site has no space between the kitchen and the fireplace which could be interesting if one or both of them are hot.

The furniture from MRI is not bad quality but we couldn't stay the night as the whole area had no water when we were there (i am promised it is now back on) Studios are not big but with what we have now there is enough room for 2 people to stay comfortably for a week or 2 and i would think they will used as a bed for the night and the rest of the day spent on the slopes or in town eating and drinking

Has anyone been or used their studio at the FLC?  Ours haven't even been completely fixed up yet (we're on our 3rd snagging!) and looking at the recent pictures on developer's website, the room is dominated by their kitchen unit!  We don't expect a huge space for a studio but doesn't anyone ever think of the dimensions of the unit againts the whole floor space? 

It appears to have a whole side of the room just for the kitchenette (?!) and the rest of the other furnitures crammed on one side!

I would really like to know if anyone has a better set-up or if the studio furnitures were comfortable enough?

The whole complex is looking great though!

Hey guys to stop you all worrying about your purchase we have just received an email update wy wife gets from www.themovechannel.com It mentions the second gondola, the new ice rink (which we have seen) a 5 million euro mega mall under developement for shopaholics (which is needed) and it finishes with " From indoor pools and saunas at the residential developements to complete wellness centres nad indoor sports facilities at the superior hotels in Bansko, this is not just a resort for all seasons, it's a resort for all tastes as well.

I think we have done very well buying here, congratulations to you all

there are soom more pictures there now mook..

why don't you delay signing until the week after then the gondola and slopes will be open.

who is this St Ivan you are talking about, is that your furniture supplier? If so i assume that measn you will get no bookings this season but hopefully plenty for next year

Hi Guys

Great link to the pics thanks malcandviv, the dates on some of the older photo's seem odd though, when we 1st looked at the end of May 2006 there was nothing there but dust.. I have to say though that it is now looking pretty impressive.

We are going over from 5th to 12 Dec to sign up and will post news as soon as we return. Some encouraging news is that MRI had real difficulty getting us booked into anywhere as they are all booked up even before the season kicks off. Obviously we won't know how many other places are completed until we get there.

By the way they have agreed to defer our washing machine until St Ivan is ready to furnish (probably not until May 2008 not Dec 2007 as scheduled)

Cheers

Mook

Hi guys

have a look at the developers website, www.salesinbulgaria.com  Some great photos of the pool and the grounds. Everything coming along fine for the 15th Dec

Malcandviv

Hi

You're right that most things have said the end of May but my reading of the contract part III. 3.1simply reads "until May 2007" which to my mind means the beginning of the month.

It does rather look like we will have to stick with our decision to buy so will just have to hope for the best for all of us.

By the way thanks for the tip about the washing machine, we may still have a chance to change our order, although I'm not sure.

Cheers

mook

that sounds good to me but why have you said from end of July. i think the contract is for 3 months from end of May so that should be end of August.

Also i contacted legal indepence who says that the contract is for each building being completed and not the complex. I thought that starnge but can't find anything to the contrary. If thats the case blocks a & b have nothing to claim even though the buildings can't be used or rented. I too wish we hadn't bought but will ahve to persevere now and how for the best.

Now how do i sort out the furniture with MRI so i can get in my apartment!!!!

Hi to all on the Four Leaf Clover blog.

I don't know about you but we are sick and tired of all the delays and false/empty promises and just want to get our deposit back on this development. (We are still in St. Ivan). I am not a lawyer but reading the contract in detail suggests to me that:

a) Any claim for "force majeure" on behalf of the developer can not be substantiated because notification of such circumstances was not given to purchasers in writing within 3 days of the event (see paragraph VII 7.3). Compensation should therefore be due for the period from the end of July until ALL work on the site is completed. (see also paragraph III. 3.1)

b)  If "force majeure" circumstances are declared and continue for a period longer than 3 months, the buyer has the right to a full refund of ALL funds paid to the seller. (see paragraph VII 7.2).

Does anyone have any comments?

jeff

looking at your post i am sure rental is €15 per person per night and €5 per room for cleaning.

The banks have undervalued all properties by around €15000. Standard practice so they will not lose any money if things go wrong so don't worry too much but don't sell too early either

the airport sounds good but it is a Bulgarian dream at the moment and nothing is started

i think we should be ok in 4 leaf clover. I feel sorry for the new builds going up now, don't think they have a chance of selling or making anything especailly if a long way from gondola.

Oh yes if you like golf there is 1 course nearing completion and about 5 more planned

just a bit more from our visit. Bansko is a building site. I have never seen so many buldings being erected. I do hope they can fill all these rooms, especially ours.

The ring road is a mud bath. The only thing that has been done is a bridge near the gondola so heres hoping a bit of tarmac goes down soon. The developer has promised to put gravel outsdie 4 leaf clover if nothing else is done so we should be ok.

All in i think we have done ok, yes i agree MRI overpriced them but i suppose thats how they make there money. The develper is organising rental, management, advertsing, shuttle service to gondola and airport, security, spa services, a restaurant and cleaning services so i think all will be well, but probably 2008/2009, not this season but we can hope. They are going for cheap, late booking rentals this year to try and get some use but i can assure you the developer is trying her best nad if things fail i don't think it will  be becasue of what she has done

Hi all

we too have just got bank from Bansko having signed the title deeds whilst there so the apartment in block a is no ourts ( and so are the elctric and water bills) Hopefully i will try and get some photos uploaded later. Block c should have article 16 this week and block d - don't know but you won't get compensation becasue the developers are calling force majeure or whatever its called becasue the bad weather in the summer delayed completion. The place was flooded evidently but that won't happen again as they have built a concrete border around the complex. Topped with a fence and some lovely flowers and trees going in it does look good. Pool having a glass roof (saw a picture and it looks nice) and finishing touches arriving this week they hope. Spa needs tiling but like Jeff says i can't see it being ready for 1 dec but will wait and see.

If you are with CFP for your loan get it elesewhere and quickly. A new bank has stepped in and they want €1000 to look at the paper work. Try money supermarket. com or first plus. The develpers can start charging you if they wany becasue they have a right to their money but they are not for the time being.

MRI - well the aftersales transport is great but the furniture pack. We have a washing machine even though their will be a launderette and that mean sthe fridge is in the lounge!!!!We have a studio and a 2 seater sofa bed and an armchair - no room to move at all. We are in negotiations to get it sorted but not holding my breath. Check your order form and get it sorted before they fit it. Oh yes fitting not many done yet so they won't be ready by 1 dec either so i wouldn't expect any income this season

more info to follow

Just got back from Bansko (28/1007). We are due to complete on an appt in B block any time now. Unfortunately our experience is mxed so far. We have inspected the appartment and found a few snags which hopefully will be dealt with. Other than that it looked ok, although I can't see that the spa,pool and restaurant  will be ready for this ski season (the developer did tell us personally -'ready by November'- last week. Initial rental appears to be disappointing-only 15 euros per appt per night!  I'm not sure if this covers the cost of cleaning etc. Also, our mortgage experience with CFP has been very  disappointing. The universal story appears to be that all final approval with FIB are on hold, awaiting 'paper work from the developer (this whole process has taken a year!). We have had to go to our UK bank instead. Also, our appartment was undervalued by about 14000 euros, although this was partly because the kitchen and furniture cannot be installed until the title deeds have been signed. MRI appear to have overvalued the appts. , so selling in the short term would appear to be a no, no. On the bright side, Banko appears to be a very exciting development. A huge amount of development has taken place since May '06 and apparently an international airport is now actually beng developed 40km away.

Jeff E  

Hi malcandviv,

very interest in the developers rental, could you please send me details on the contacts where I can sign up to  their rental offices.

Well done for sorting your mortgage out with firstplus, we have been prelimanary approved for our mortgage via CFP, but are still awaiting the Bank Valuation before they will commit to the amount they are prepared to loan!


Could you let us know what you think of the resort when you visit in October, we are currently due to go out to Bansko in February.

Regards, Pat.