Find out the type of title deeds, as long as the land is not owned by Greek Cypriots pre 1974 it should be OK. Some new developments have shocking building standards, check those out. Cypriots are not into property maintenance much either.

Read through posting on this expats forum or ask a question. The users, I think, would have bought a place in the sun before.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=117

I would avoid buying in Cyprus, either North or South at the moment. Until the differences are reconciled and property ownership is clarified, you could spend a lot of money and lose it all!

There are lots of horror stories about both sides of the border, enough to put us off!

It's a bit extreme to advise not buying at all in Cyprus. The differences might not be reconciled for a very long time. As long as the research is done, esp title deeds, building surveys etc, it's fine to buy.

I know of one couple in particular who had all the necessary enquiries done and still unknowingly bought where the ownership of land is in question.

I stand by my comment as above. The property market on the island is on its backside, due to overbuilding and this uncertainty. It's very difficult to try and sell on an existing property and the practices of the builders are questionable, in terms of deeds etc.