Buying property in Bulgaria is fairly simple, finding the property is certainly more difficult. Real Estate in Bulgaria is not really a thing and fairly new, so do not expect it to be like home and what you’re used to.

Old homes.
Bulgaria did not have building standards until the 1970s, therefore most homes are old and are not to the standard that you would think.

Old Pictures.
It is common for houses to sit on the market for years, the reason being is that they can have a number of owners and they are not advertised. This means that you could see a house that’s nice looking and together in pictures and when you get there its rubble and a jungle. a lot can change in a short time.

No services from service.
Normal house buying in the UK would normally have a sales agent, solicitor and surveyor. You would have room sizes, a floor plan, know where services are and you barter the price, have the inspection and then go ahead and buy.
Not like that in Bulgaria. The only similar thing is barter with the estate agents. and the sale is more like “sold as seen” and the transfer a little more like selling a car, however you legally transfer in the court (Notary).

Go see it.
Houses may look bigger or smaller, as some of the houses are scaled, meaning the design can look bigger or smaller and often you will not know until you are there.
Not only this, the pictures may show the house but not the village and you will be living there in the house which is in the village. This is very much a personal choice.
I saw a really nice house, went to the village and before even seeing the house I said no.

Virtual tour.
Google is your friend, in particular Street View. On a Computer you can also look back in time, which will give you an idea of the village development and what things are like around the area. you may not get the roads or even the address of the property which can make it hard to find and explore.

You will know.
When house hunting you will see nice and nasty, but when you find “the one” you will know. it will feel right and have what you need. don’t get all excited, as you will want to cool off. and then look again, maybe hang around the village on a week night, or on the weekend and visit the local shop.
Then get your deposit in.
Good houses go quickly.

Stick to your budget
Try to keep in budget as you can and will creep around the prices

You buy what you see.
Houses as they are including all the items inside are sold with the property.
There is no comeback if there are problems.

Agents don’t know.
Most agents may tell you what you want to hear, they play the “I don’t know, I don’t speak” they may be outright feeding you cow pats. From a lot of agents I have seen I would say about 60% will “upsell and selectively inform you”.

KNOW the issues
Many places have water issues, I will have to go more into this at a later date. but there are wide spread water issues and these are being looked into.
Services, doctors, dentist, and even a well stocked shop and a bus to town are going to be important to you, Where there are and access would effect prices.

Know the lingo.
You need to know some Bulgarian and its a good idea to learn, there are videos on youtube, but in the real world they talk so fast you will be lucky to get one word. Younger people seem fine as English is being taught, and they all have smart phones, so download Google translate and down load the dictionary so it works off line too.