Stara Planina Properties was established in 1998 and was the first British owned and run company of its kind in Bulgaria. The management team are all British professionals, drawing on local expertise and knowledge.

The two co-founders both worked as urban planners and researchers in London before being engaged by the United Nations to direct a European Union supported project, renovating historical and tourist sites around Bulgaria. During this period they developed a deep attachment to the country, its people, and the relaxed way of life.

In 2001, they assisted Channel 4 with their programme 'A Place in the Sun' (and also in 2003 with Series 5) which considerably boosted the interest in Bulgaria. Articles on buying property appeared in almost every British national paper. Faced with this massive increase in interest, Stara Planina Properties expanded its operations to include rural, coastal, ski and city locations.

In 2007, the company directors, Stephane Lambert and Andrew Anderson, were asked to write a book about buying property in Bulgaria. The book, entitled 'Buying Property – Bulgaria’ is published by Catogan in association with the Sunday Times.