American Land Ownership

[wxman]

Hoepfully in time, the builders will do more than just put up the concrete walls, and in fact will actually complete each unit to the specifications of each owner, such as having all the drywall up, the bathroom and kitcken all finished, etc. It would seem to be a pain to be told your flat is ready, but in reality, the work really hasn't started. If these companies would ever put a little "customer" in their service, they might find out that business will be much better.

[AkMike]

The walls are "supposed" to be ready for paint/wallpaper. I'm pretty handy with the fix-up stuff so I plann on doing most of the stuff myself. My step-son will be there to help with the grunt work.. I think I saw a store similar to Home Depot so it should be easy enough to get the parts and pieces. I'll bring some hand tools from here so other than getting 220V drills ect. I should be set.   

[Kuna]

I like the idea of buying an apartment that comes bare inside.  One of the worst things about buying an apartment in Oz is that you get whatever fitout an architect imagines and you either have to remodel at great expense or live with something you're not really happy with.

[wxman]

Buying an existing flat or home in the US, one is generally stuck with what is there. What I like about the homebuilders here, is that you can design your house exactly the way you want, and have the plans all complete before the foundation is poured. In many cases, the builders will also change the plans to your liking, even during the construction phase. Of course those houses cost more because of the involvement of both parties, but it sure beats the cookie cutter approach that is still prevelant. 

[AkMike]

That's all fine and dandy when you're talking about a stick built 1 family place. But the cookie cutter approach on high rise building is the only way to do it with 20+ floors above you. Bearing walls have to be there above each other to support the structure.
 If and when we move over there we'll do a single family house and design it ourselves.
 

[ScottinCrimea]

We could have paid more and had the interior completed, but it would have been a "standard" remodel and we would have ended up tearing it down and re-doing it anyway.  Better to start from scratch.  We tore out one interior wall, expanded our bathroom, sealed up some doors and made new ones.  As far as doing the work yourself, you may be in for a few surprises.  First, they don't have some of the building materials you are used to working with in the US and many things are done completely differently here.  I was pretty good at construction work and home repairs, but I had to learn everything over again here.  Remember, you will be working with stone, brick and plaster, not wood, and the plumbing, etc is done differently here and has to meet their standards.

[AkMike]

+LOL< I know I'm going to be in for a new expierience. "Everything is the same just different!" That goes from buying grocerys to plumbing.., Thankfully my wife knows the ropes over there. Sh'e remodeled her flat in Cherkassy.

[ScottinCrimea]

The real trick is finding workers who won't try to rip you off or drink on the job. Keep in mind that everything will take at least twice as long as you plan and that everything in Ukraine runs according to Murfeyovich's law

[AkMike]

Thanks Scott, I am well aware of the Murphyovich effect on the workers. That's why I hope to do most of it myself. If the local version of "Home Depot" delivers I'll be all set up. I'd hate to have to re-learn to drive according to their rules..  I swear that most of them are taught to drive by a Kamakazi pilot during a demolition derby..
 I've been driving semi's for 33 years and have seen alot of roads but those people scare me!

[LTCOLBIEGARD]

Having just completed a  brand new Flat   (brand new building )in Kiev,  expect the workers to take about 5 times longer than your average slow A$$  contractor in America. WHich is about 3 times longer than it should take.  Most buildings are concrete. But an   investment should bring you about 3 to 5 times return within 2 years.

Excellent place to do spec flats.  Don't expect anything like an American  home depot, and expect that your delivery will be I guy with the product strapped on top of his older car. No one gets in a rush, definitely do not let them know you are American -- prices seem to sky rocket then. Driving in the UKraine, makes CHiago/miami /Detroit or LA a breeze.....

Workmanship is about up to par as most regular contractors in America. Most flats are not fully finished, which I prefer. In the two years it has taken from point of deposit until finish, I have already been offered 5 times my initial investment.

FLats are small compared to western Standards, about up to par with any Europeen standard sizes.

IF you want a deal get out in  the countryside. Super deals on the old dacha... WHen in a village , live like a villager.....

No, all the hotties aren't going to be walking around in high heels and short skirts  in the countryside. Sorry, there are trade offs in life..........

[AkMike]

I've got some fresh pics of our flats. Work is going slow and steady so I guess it's on track. When we go back next spring I want to see what it really looks like on the inside of them.
 There has been 1 glitch so far, They decided to make the 2nd floor into apts instead of business suites so they had to re-number everything! Every apt number in the whole building has been re-done. That means new paperwork for the titles of ownership! My wife made a special trip back to sign the new stuff.
 They don't use the numer system like we do in the US. IE: second floor is the 200 series,  3rd floor is 300 ect. They start at 1 and go up from there....
 Apt # 375 migh be on the 20th floor.
 But the Director of this company made sure that the staff stayed later than usual to get this done for us on a friday.

[ScottinCrimea]

We had the same thing happen with our apartment.  Even though we are on the eigth floor, our original number was 65.  Then someone on a floor below us combined two apartments into one and everyone with an apartment number higher had to change theirs.  We just swapped with our neighbor so no big deal, and the apartment management company took care of the paperwork

[AkMike]

Yeah, No big deal except we had to get a power of attorney with the apostile stamp and airline tickets to get this snafu sorted out..
 Luckily my wife was available to get it done. I would have been PO'd if I had to take time off from work to zip over! I still don't understand the rush to do it when the building isn't done yet. It seems like they could have waited til spring when we return. Tanya was afraid they'd pull some shady business to steal it if we waited too long.

[Son of Clyde]

On my street there are two empty lots but the house numbers reflect it. Numbers go from 629 to 633 and from 633 to 637. It would be very strange if they decided to change the house numbers to account for the missing 631 and 635.

Best of luck.

[AkMike]

I got this pic Sunday.. It looks as if they have been working on it some.

 But I doubt they'll have the building completed by mid summer aws the initally said. The concrete won't set during cold weather so they have the crews working on the interiors.

[thompsongunner06]

Before you start looking make sure you remember Chernobyl. The government in UK has not done anything to fix the decaying enclosure and it is falling apart. There is suppose to be a global fund to help get money to make another better tomb for it. I don't think they have done anything yet. I have been told the "high up" people(Mafia,gov officials etc.) have bought property/homes in Spain and other locations far away from UK. The History Channel had a special "The Battle for Chernobyl" and I have it on tape. IMHO I would visit and then leave. Very sad that folks have forgot this small problem. My wife has family there and they were all very nice to me. I told my wife to have her mother move here and avoid the possible problem.

[Shadow]

Minor correction. UK = United Kingdom where they will not do a lot about Chernobyl. Probably you meant UA (Ukraine)

[thompsongunner06]

Yes, UA is Ukraine,,most here know UK is short for Ukraine,,, I just did a goggle search and a French company,Novarka, has a 472 million dollar contract to build a tomb over the falling apart one. So far there is 1 billion pledged to support the construction.

[AkMike]

The new casement is old news. I'm buying for investment not to live in.
 I'd be alot more tempted to look for some property close to Crym. But Kiev is where the $$$ is so I bought there.
 And Shadow is right.. It's UA not UK. No one knows UK means UA.