Why Buying Direct from Developers in Albania Is Safer & More Profitable

I’ve spent most of my adult life in Saranda. When you live here long enough, you see how the city breathes differently depending on the season. Summers are crowded, winters are calm. But one thing has been constant over the last 15 years: the rise of construction, and the way people are starting to see the Albanian Riviera not just as a holiday escape, but as one of the smartest places to invest in property in the Mediterranean.

Now, let’s get straight to the point—because you’ve probably already noticed this if you’ve been browsing Saranda apartments for sale: there’s a big difference between buying through agencies and buying directly from developers. And as someone who’s part of a construction firm that’s been building here for over 15 years, I can tell you firsthand: buying direct is safer, smarter, and—let’s be honest—often more profitable.

15 Years of Building, 0% Commission

Our construction company has been active since the early 2000s. Back then, Saranda was still a sleepy town. The port wasn’t as developed, the promenade was smaller, and half of the areas people now fight to buy in were just hillsides with olive trees. I remember when our team—today we’re over 150 skilled people—finished one of our first projects near Butrinti Street. Locals were skeptical: “Who would buy seaview apartments here?” they asked.

Well, they sold. Quickly.

And that’s the point. When you buy directly from us, or any serious developer with a track record, you’re not paying an extra commission. You’re not relying on middlemen who might not even know what cement mix went into the foundation. You’re dealing with the people who literally poured it.

Take the White Residence in Ksamil. We finished it just a month ago—brand new, 2025 building. Luxurious apartments, private swimming pool only for residents, located in a quiet, new neighborhood. Seven minutes walking to the beach. And no commission when you buy from us. That’s the difference. You’re closer to the source, closer to the truth of what you’re buying.

A Closer Look at Quality

I’ll tell you a small story. A couple of weeks ago, I was walking with a client through a residence in Saranda. He asked me: “But how do I know the quality is real? Everyone says high quality.”

I smiled because I understood him. So, I took him down to the parking garage. I showed him the insulation, the type of steel used, the way we finish even the spaces most people never think about. You can’t fake that. He looked around, nodded slowly, and said: “Now I believe you.”

That’s why buying direct matters. We know what’s behind the tiles and the paint. We know the people who worked the scaffolding under the summer sun. And trust me—when you live here, you see how small details matter. The salty Ionian air can test any building. If shortcuts are made, you’ll notice within a year.

Take, for example, this seaview 1+1 apartment in Saranda on Skënderbeu Street. It’s fully furnished, in a quiet and safe neighborhood, part of a new residence with its own private pool. The sea view? Completely open, nothing blocking it. That’s not easy to find anymore in Saranda, where half the views get blocked by the next building going up.

Why It’s Safer

Let’s be honest for a second. Real estate in Albania has its risks. There are old stories of unclear titles, or projects built without proper permits. And while things have improved massively in recent years—thanks to the national property register and tighter rules—it’s still something buyers should keep in mind.

This is another reason why buying from an established developer is safer. We handle the paperwork, the permits, the legal side. Because we have to—our name depends on it. And when you’ve built for 15+ years in the same city, you don’t play games with reputation.

There’s also the matter of trust. Albanians are proud people, but we also have a very simple way of doing things: once you prove yourself, the community remembers. I can’t walk down Saranda’s promenade without seeing people who bought in our buildings years ago. They stop me, shake my hand, and tell me how their apartment’s value has doubled or how their Airbnb bookings are always full in July and August. That kind of word-of-mouth is worth more than any billboard.

The Profit Side

Let’s talk numbers, because I know many of you reading this are not just dreaming about sunsets over the Ionian—you’re thinking ROI.

Properties here are still incredibly affordable compared to Greece or Italy. A beachfront property in Corfu costs double what you’d pay for a seaview apartment in Saranda. And yet, we’re only a 30-minute ferry ride apart.

Rental yields are strong. In Ksamil, for example, July and August occupancy can reach nearly 100%. Daily rates skyrocket. And when you’re holding a property in a place with growing international recognition (every summer, Ksamil makes it into another “Top Beaches in Europe” list), you’re not just buying bricks—you’re buying a future business.

That’s why our White Residence Villas in Borsh are such a unique case. These are not just villas—they’re residential paradises. Each villa has three floors, private swimming pool, wide verandas, private parking, surrounded only by nature. Seven minutes’ drive to Borsh beach, which, if you’ve been there, you know is one of the longest and most unspoiled beaches in Albania.

I always say: when you stand on those verandas, with the olive groves behind you and the Ionian stretching endlessly in front, you understand what “quiet luxury” really means. And again—no commission. Because they’re built by us, with our own hands, with our own team.

Insider Notes You Won’t Find on Google

Here’s where being local makes a difference. Tourists will Google “best restaurants in Saranda” and end up at the same handful of places on the promenade. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good. But when I take clients for viewings in Borsh, sometimes we stop at a small family-owned spot hidden behind the main road. They serve fish straight from the morning catch, no menu, just whatever’s fresh. That’s the kind of Albania you experience when you’re here with someone local.

Or take Ksamil. Everyone knows the main beaches. But when you’ve lived here long enough, you know the little walking paths that take you to smaller coves, where the water feels like glass and you might share the sand with only a few other people. Imagine owning an apartment just a short walk away from that. That’s exactly what the White Residence Ksamil offers.

A Small Tangent: Why I Believe in Saranda

Sometimes I get carried away talking about Saranda. But I can’t help it. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast right now. It’s not just about property prices or rental yields—it’s about the energy of the city. You walk the promenade in the evening, families out for ice cream, music from the cafés, ferries docking from Corfu. There’s this sense that the city is alive and becoming something bigger every year.

Sure, there are growing pains. Traffic in August can test anyone’s patience. Construction noise isn’t always pleasant. But that’s part of the growth story. Ten years from now, people will look back and say: “I wish I had bought then.”

Bringing It Back: Why Buy Direct

So let me circle back. Buying direct from developers in Albania, especially from those of us who have been here building for over 15 years, gives you:

• 0% commission on our projects.

• Transparency and trust because we know the materials, the permits, the process.

• Better profit margins because you’re not paying middlemen.

• Peace of mind that you’re buying something built by professionals who have to stand by their work.

It’s safer. It’s smarter. And when done right, it’s more profitable.

If you’ve been thinking about Saranda apartments for sale, or maybe a beachfront property on the Albanian Riviera, I’d invite you to look closer. Because behind the polished photos and the brochures, what really matters is who built it—and whether you can trust them.

I can tell you, after all these years, that you can trust us. And if you’re ever here, maybe I’ll even take you for a coffee at a small café near Mango Beach. The view isn’t bad. And who knows—you might just decide to make it your daily view.