I'm due to view some properties in Bulgaria through properties.bg

If this really is another site run by the Bulgarian Properties company, as they claim to be, the business has been around many years. I hope @gwyn will see your post as he's bought from them.

This properties.bg site has a very different look to the Bulgarian Properties site I'm more familiar with,  https://www.bulgarianproperties.com/

Good luck with your property search.

Yes,  I alo highly recommend Bulgaria properties.com

I worked with some of their agents, the ads are real, the agents are professional and when an immigration lawyer like me connects with them, representing a client, there is always a chance to avoid the commission.

Alternatively, just negotiate direct with the broker; although the custom is that both sides pay c3% you'll often find that the buyer can reduce/eliminate that fee.

I'm not sure why a property broker would skip the fee just because an immigration lawyer happens to somehow be involved in a property deal...

I can't remember when I last paid a broker as a buyer, and my last deal was only a few weeks ago...

In some ads there is a sign "Agency commission due" , so they can charge you at any time.

In case you are paying a lawyer to make the due diligence and conveyances of the property, this can be avoided.

Feel free to contact me if you need any help.

@rachelbates1

I had not seen this website (properties dot bg) before, but @janemulberry spotted that it's another website/domain of Bulgarian Properties (dot com and dot bg). I'm not convinced that it's as up to date as their main website, so I would use that instead.

They're a large and reputable agent with plenty of properties available all over Bulgaria. Even if you don't buy from them, their website is pretty good for research on what's available for your budget in different places. They deal with a lot of expats which can make things easier. There are many other agents, of course, but these guys are a very decent option.

I like them, and I've purchased several properties through them. Their listings are pretty good with plenty of info and photos (sometimes video/3D room views), so I was able to buy sight unseen (not that I recommend this). Our village house in the Balkan Mountains was one of theirs, and it's a wonderful house in a wonderful location. I thought it was a bit expensive when I purchased, but I subsequently realized how lucky we were to get such a super place.

I doubt you will escape the commission, it's a standard thing if you're buying via a property agent / realtor. You should also expect to pay a reservation deposit (usually fairly small, a grand or two) as soon as you see something that you like. Once you (or other potential buyer) pays this, the property is marked as reserved, pending completion of the sale.

The company has their own legal department, so they handle the sale if you give them a POA. Or you can engage a separate attorney to do some due diligence and act on your behalf instead.