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Croatia has still not stood out as a true luxury real estate market. Still, despite this, we have noticed a growth in foreign investors’ and buyers’ interest in Croatia’s luxurious properties. The demand for luxury real estate on our market has increased by 30% compared to 2017, and the number of real estate queries in Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty portfolio has increased by 30%. When it comes to top qualities our customers seek in a luxury property, location is ranked pretty high. Everybody wants the same thing – to rent or buy a luxury property on Croatia’s coast!

 

Rent a luxury property in Croatia for a truly memorable vacation

As a well-known tourist destination, Croatia offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. If renting a luxury villa in Croatia is what you seek, then Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty is your best partner in this search. Not so long ago, we have enriched our portfolio with luxury villas and apartments all over Croatia’s coast available for rent every week. A touch of luxury will make your vacation memories even more memorable, especially if you stay at a property that is just right for you. This is our mission – to pair up our customers with luxury real estate properties that suit them the best!

 

Make your Croatian, luxury real estate dream into reality.

On the other hand, you might fall in love with Croatia and wish to stay here for more than just a week or two. We’ll be right there to help you find just as perfect and suitable property as the country itself. To buy a luxury real estate property in Croatia, maybe your dream today, or become your dream in the future, but with our help, you will turn it into reality! With our expertise and guidance, the process will be smooth and easy, and at the end of it, you will be holding the keys to your dream Croatian home. To ensure we have the right property for you, we actively spread our portfolio with new luxury properties. New properties and new prices come with each day so make sure you check out our portfolio regularly. You never know when your perfect luxury real estate property in Croatia might appear!

Imagine spending your vacation at Croatia’s beautiful coastline or in its heartland, in a property as beautiful and special as the country itself. The only thing separating you from this unforgettable experience is your decision to book one of the luxury properties available for rent from our portfolio!

 

Why choose average when you can have luxury?

Quite often, the one thing making a difference between an „ok“ vacation and a great one is the accommodation you choose to stay in. Even if you spend your days wandering around, exploring the surroundings, and only need a place to shower and sleep, you still want this shower and bed to be of great quality, comfortable, and eye appealing. And, possibly, with a lovely view to wake up to every morning of your stay.

Luxury is so much more than a price range, though we are quite often keen to define it in this way. Luxury is a perfect fit for your needs and desires, complete satisfaction with an experience, such as choosing luxury accommodation for your vacation in Croatia.

 

Our portfolio of properties for rent in Croatia

Therefore, we have decided to help our lovely customers feel true luxury while staying at one of our properties available for rent every week. By paying close attention to your wishes and needs, we guide you through the process of finding the perfect property for rent in Croatia and negotiating the terms of rent with the property owner.

It’s never too early to start thinking about your next vacation. Start today by taking a look at our portfolio of luxury properties for rent in Croatia and asking yourself this question: „Which of these is calling my name?“

The sun, the sea, beautiful weather, and Mediterranean lifestyle, combined with great properties in great locations, are the recipe for a successful business year when it comes to Croatia’s luxury real estate market. The numbers have gone up and are expected to continue growing throughout the following year.

 

Retrospective of the luxury real estate market in 2018

2018 has generally been kind to Croatia’s luxury real estate market since demands for this sort of property were up by 25 percent compared to 2017. At the same time, the prices of luxury real estate in Croatia rose by 10-15 percent. The average price for a villa ranges between 5000 to 6000 euros for a square meter.

Clients opting for these properties are mostly foreigners, coming primarily from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, England, and Scandinavian countries. Also, some inquiries came from Russia and China. The average age of property buyers varies between 45 and 60. Russians and Chinese want the property they buy to match the highest standards, while Europeans are more open to redecorating and reconstructing the property themselves.

Clients have their preferences regarding location, choosing mostly properties at the coastline between Primosten and Trogir (especially in Split) and around the town of Dubrovnik. Besides their beauty, these areas owe their popularity to the proximity of airports, motorways, and marinas. When it comes to the islands, the most popular ones in 2018 were Brac and Hvar.

Despite great results, the market has its issues. The most prominent ones are the somewhat closed banks towards supporting investors and the lack of offer suited for clients aiming at luxury properties.

 

Predictions for the luxury real estate market in 2019

Still, positive market trends are expected to continue in 2019, with expected price growth of up to 10 percent, followed by even greater demand for luxury real estate in Croatia. The start of construction of several tourist resorts with 5-star hotels is expected in 2019, along with some world-class hotel brands to the Croatian market, such as 4seasons and Marriott.

An invitation with the text “Everything Happened on the Square – Galerija Mala” in 1989 marked the beginning of a small yet important gallery in the heart of Zagreb.

At the very beginning, the gallery’s management stated that they would only present the most current production and contemporary art. Galerija Mala was one of the first private galleries in Croatia.

Located between Mala kavana and Ban cafe, Galerija Mala represents the cultural point of the northern side of the main Zagreb square. It acts as a sales gallery of works of Croatian authors and thus promotes Croatian art.

 

galerija mala, gallery, art, exhibition, ban jelacic square, sotheby's

Photo credit: Galerija Mala

 

History of Galerija Mala

Opened just before the holidays, the gallery started working with the exhibition of Miroslav Šutej, a prominent and popular academic artist whose career was then at its peak. After the holidays, the gallery hosted presentations of the book “Zagreb before the beginning,” the Golden Bule facsimile, the new Zagreb postcards … Thanks to the attractive location, right next to Harmonica, the rich and always up-to-date program, Galerija Mala became an unavoidable place of cultural encounters. Social events are scheduled throughout the year, under the continuous and independent guidance of Mirna Hromatko Reiser.

The gallery space was formerly used by the publishing organization Mladost. For the needs of the gallery, space was rebuilt by the Architectural Design Institute of Zagreb. In just over 40 square meters, this gallery is home to many artwork and activities.  For example, sales and promotion of paintings and graphics, fine plastic, art jewelry, bibliographic and art-related publications, graphic maps, and graphic sheets.

 

Simple and effective interior

The interior of the gallery is fascinating. The ground floor is dominated by a rock placed opposite the passage, so it’s intended to display paintings and graphics. The second rock is located opposite the entrance and decorated for shelves and showcases. It is suitable for exhibiting other works. The gallery’s central space has remained free so that visitors can see exposed works of art. Since 1989, space has kept all its essential features. It is always painted in neutral white, suitable for displaying all the artwork.

 

galerija mala, gallery, art, exhibition, artwork, ban jelacic square, sotheby''s

Photo credit: Galerija Mala

 

Gallery’s activities

Among many artists whose works were exhibited in Galerija Mala, it is hard to point up anyone in particular. Still, we will mention Nikola Reiser, Marijan Muljevic, Milan Steiner, Luj Logic, Stip Nobil, Vasko Lipovac, and Dimitar Popovic. Particularly noteworthy was the „Kravate“ exhibition, an authoring project by Andrew Seifried, also presented in Zadar and Dubrovnik.

 

The gallery also receives numerous inquiries from artists living and working in Europe, especially from Vienna, Ljubljana, Budapest, and Venice. One of the Gallery’s goals is to enhance and expand the cooperation with artists and raise the cultural and artistic level, not only of the Gallery but of Zagreb as one of the most interesting tourist European cities.

 

The Gallery can also boast of participating in numerous hotel and business interiors furnishing with artwork and graphics. Artworks can breathe a whole new life into our everyday living space and refresh it. The leadership of Galerija Mala recognized this a long time ago.

In recent years all the axioms on which the investing was founded were brought to question. Equities, bonds, funds, insurance, cryptocurrencies, commodities, real estate are fields where investment logic today is changing. In any asset class, Yields, which was considered even a little bit safer for EUR denominated capital, seemed to be fruitless. The culprit this time was the central banks flooding the markets with liquidity policy.

At this moment, real estate buying is a sure bet in Croatia if you buy a good location for a fair price with the potential of growth. Still, from an investment advisor’s point of view, you can own only a certain number of real estates in total, and the prices have also gone north following market optimism based on wings of cheap financing and growing tourism trends. Here is important to mention system country risk, diversification of the portfolio, liquidity, ect.as, criteria for investment decision in any asset.

Relentless buying by European Central Bank caused, let’s say, 3% yields for conservative investors to be just wishful thinking and relict from the past while just getting back a few dozen promises on your investment is a cruel reality.

So forget about the nice yield from German bonds or interest rates on deposits. For any return, you have to dip in the high yield area.

Jumping on the train with equities was always a risky ride all along; although nice profits could be made and some tailwinds for the companies were present, everyone was asking what will happen when the music stops? And even though nobody knows when it will be, with bull run making a new record every day, it is not easy to believe all blue skies ahead in the coming months.

 

Private Banking Club by Splitska Banka

So, obviously, finding some interesting risk-reward ratio is hard to find these days. The private banking Team in Splitska Banka work on finding niches and least risky high yielding products. Structured products have proven to be an appropriate solution in the past few years and the most popular European investments.

What made them attractive were Interesting bonuses ranging from 4 for total conservative products up to 20% for more risky products and capital protection ranging from total to conditional, protecting up to 50% of decrease of underlying. And better yet, tailor-made solutions can be applied whether you prefer indices or some companies like Daimler, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, or any available equity on the market while risking only as much as you decide to and on the indices or stocks you prefer. The markets are volatile, and the bull market is definitely aging, and messing with it is not a child’s play.
Private Banking in Splitska Banka got the experience to prove it, over 100 different products from 2014 onwards, making results satisfied the most demanding clients. Being a member of the Private Banking club in Splitska Banka means to have a reliable partner to take care of your assets.

Croatian architects and the construction styles have a respectable reputation in the European circles, and masterpieces of old Croatian construction still dazzle the entire world. Starting from the 11. century Croatians were remarkable master builders and throughout history created works of art in the architectural and cultural sense.

This tradition of exquisite construction and talent continued until today when Croatia has several renowned architectural studios throughout Europe. One of those representatives is Studio Dva Arhitekta, who designed one of our portfolio gems, villa Novitas on Murter’s island.

We had the pleasure of exchanging a few words with one of the Dva Arhitekta studio founders, Mr. Zoran Zidarić.

 

    Our experience in designing a luxury vacation home is that there is no particular trend. Every house is a story for itself.

    In principle, it seems to us that Croatian architecture follows the world trends, but our office is dealing with and wants to deal with an architecture that cannot be categorized as a trend.

    Croatian architecture and architects are certainly respectable in European circles in terms of their work and expertize.

    Input data is always the wish of our clients and the specificity of the location, along with our architectural expression, constant research and the desire to move forward.

    Murter’s holiday home is located in the dense tissue of the settlement, on a narrow and long parcel. In order for the client to have the desired privacy, we have placed an extremely deep loggia on the ground floor that combines the daily contents of the kitchen, the living and dining area, and is pool oriented.

Such an open and covered area is inspired by Mediterranean city lofts.

On the other hand, the sleeping area is located in the basement, which is colder and even more protected from the view, the light is obtained over the longitudinal garden.

The client’s love for exotic plants offers inspiration to solve the contact zones with neighbors and create a private world

The elemental form affirms the environment and transforms it into the extension of the space of the house, away from the environment outside the edges of the parcel. Such an approach is also reflected in the choice of materials – floors and walls are in similar textures so that they become a whole.

Villa Novitas has a typical Dalmatian story – from one point of view it is a multi-story house made for the market and from the other, it is a pseudo-traditional luxury villa with a pool.

    We believe that there are many people in Croatia who work hard and try to educate people about the importance of good architecture.

    Filled with possibilities, which we do not use enough 🙂

    Not in the sense that we can specifically say, but each challenge in the work is a further motivation.

    In terms of tourism-related architecture, we are witnessing top achievements. Unfortunately, housing developments are still not happening that much.

    We are pleasantly surprised by the wide offer and quality of real estate, just continue that way!

 

As the leading luxury real estate agency in Croatia, it is important to have strong and recognized partners. We are proud to announce Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica, the most beautiful Mediterranean marina, our newest partner. Ensuring our clients’ top quality service implies providing them with an array of luxury opportunities and possibilities. It is only logical to choose the Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica as our partner and support.

– We are proud to have such a partner and to have the ability to offer our clients the services that it provides. Since the majority of the luxury properties in our portfolio are located on the Croatian coast and islands, the Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica is an ideal port to recommend to our clients as a berthing opportunity throughout the year – Marko Pažanin, Director / Partner at Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty

 

Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica wears a beauty crown among the Adriatic marinas, and it is certainly one of the most beautiful nautical ports of the Mediterranean. It is situated in the central part of the Croatian coast, between Šibenik and Split, in a lovely bay of Soline (Rogoznica), sheltered from all directions.

 

-We are extremely proud that the largest real estate brand, Sotheby’s International Realty, has recognized Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica as an important strategic partner in Croatia. By signing this business partnership, we have started a new business cycle and opened additional opportunities for joined projects with Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty, that would be of great benefit for both parties and their clients – Domagoj Grgić, Sales & Marketing Manager at Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica

 

About the Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica

 

The marina center is an artificially built island that disposes of a 396 m length transit jetty and suitable for megayachts, the hotel “Otok” and other nautical, business, and servicing facilities. The on-shore marina complex includes 10 jetties with 450 fully equipped berths and a guarded area for 150 dry berths. The on-shore hotel “Kopno” features all the other luxury elements and facilities one would need in a unique location like this.

The entire Marina Frapa Resort Rogoznica complex covers an area of more than 136 000 m2. There are a 24-hour vessel surveillance service and video surveillance at the entrance into the marina.

 

Unique geographical location, modern infrastructure, political and economic stability, a competent and highly educated workforce are the only reasons to invest in Croatia. Central European, Danubian, and Mediterranean, at the same time, with a unique geographical location, links Europe to the world. Modern transport and energy infrastructure, untarnished soil, unpolluted sea, and rich freshwater sources provide the foundations for Croatia to build its future on and further develop in the European and world markets.

Here are five strong reasons why investing in Croatia is a great idea!

Easier access to European and world market

Croatia is situated at the heart of Europe, only two or three hours of air distance to any European destination. With its unique geostrategic position and the farthest-reaching European sea inlet, Croatia is a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, providing easy access to European and world markets.

Modern transport infrastructure

Croatia has a highly developed road and rail network, a network of international seaports of great importance, a network of river ports and airports, and inland waterways and intermodal terminals.

The network of modern motorways places Croatia together with leading European countries. Three Pan-European International corridors pass through Croatia, making it an essential part of all major European and international transport routes. The country is 100% digitized, with its entire territory covered by broadband Internet. It’s highly developed natural gas distribution network places it at the very top of European countries.

Land connection to all European transport routes:

Reliable investment and business environment

The Croatian legal framework governing foreign investment has been designed not to differentiate domestic and foreign investors. All possibilities in relations between domestic investors are also open to foreigners investing capital in Croatia. 

Moreover, foreign investors enjoy additional guarantees that are not given to domestic investors. The Croatian Constitution provides that no law or other legal documents shall reduce the rights granted to a foreign investor at the time of investment in Croatia. It also guarantees the free repatriation of profits or capital upon fulfillment of all legal obligations. 

Being a full member of NATO and the 28th member of the European Union (1 July 2013), Croatia guarantees stability and business activities’ safety. Croatian legislation, harmonized with the European Union’s basic postulates, ensures business activities of the highest standard, and opens the possibility of using EU funds. Simultaneously, agreements for the avoidance of double taxation signed with over 50 countries provide Croatia with additional benefits.

A highly educated, multilingual, and competent workforce

Croatia is a country with a multilingual and highly educated workforce. With 56 high-education institutions, out of which 7 are universities, Croatia offers a pool of various skilled and educated workforce. Croatia also has the highest percentage of persons in the age group 20 to 24 who have completed secondary school education. 

Did you know that the University of Zagreb, comprised of 34 faculties, is one of the oldest universities in this part of Europe, providing education to students continuously since its establishment in 1669? According to the Human Development Index, Croatia ranks 47 out of 187 countries. From 1990 to 2012, Croatia showed a 12% increase, which is an average annual increase of about 0.5%. 

EDUCATION in numbers:

High quality of life

Croatia is truly a unique country – nowhere in the world can three different climate zones – continental, mountainous and Mediterranean, be found in only 400 km (the distance between the North and South of the country). From hilly and gentle Zagorje in the North, through vast fertile plains of Slavonia in the East, Lika and Gorski Kotar rich in forests and rivers, to Dalmatinska Zagora, bounded by mountain ranges and typical Dalmatian karst, all the way to its indented coastline stretching from Istria to South Dalmatia with over a thousand islands, Croatia is truly a world’s treasure.

Good transport connection between the continental and coastal part of the country – morning skiing at Bjelolasica, and the experience of one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic coast only a few hours later – the abundance of cultural activities and historical heritage, the proximity of other European cultural and business centers, clean water and air, traditional and organic growing of agricultural products and healthy Mediterranean lifestyle provide all the conditions necessary for a pleasant, high-quality life anywhere in Croatia.

1.7 bn EUR foreign investment in Croatia in 2016

In 2016, foreign direct investment to Croatia amounted to 1.7 bn EUR showing an increase of 9 times compared to the year 2015. Last year, the investments were made in financial services, real estate, retail trade, construction of buildings, and wholesale trade. The leading investors were Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and Sweden.

Economic indicators for 2016

The cumulative amount of foreign investments from 1993 to 2016 amounts to 31 billion EUR with the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Germany, and Luxembourg as the leading investors, who invested mostly in the financial sector, wholesale trade, real estate, telecommunications, and retail trade.

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Data source: Croatian Chamber of Economy.