diff --git a/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py b/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
--- a/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
+++ b/vcsserver/remote/git_remote.py
@@ -961,11 +961,13 @@ class GitRemote(RemoteBase):
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def init(self, wire):
         repo_path = safe_str(wire['path'])
+        os.makedirs(repo_path, mode=0o755)
         pygit2.init_repository(repo_path, bare=False)
 
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def init_bare(self, wire):
         repo_path = safe_str(wire['path'])
+        os.makedirs(repo_path, mode=0o755)
         pygit2.init_repository(repo_path, bare=True)
 
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
diff --git a/vcsserver/remote/svn_remote.py b/vcsserver/remote/svn_remote.py
--- a/vcsserver/remote/svn_remote.py
+++ b/vcsserver/remote/svn_remote.py
@@ -189,13 +189,21 @@ class SvnRemote(RemoteBase):
         if not os.path.isfile(os.path.join(path, 'format')):
             return False
 
-        try:
-            svn.repos.open(path)
-        except svn.core.SubversionException:
-            tb = traceback.format_exc()
-            log.debug("Invalid Subversion path `%s`, tb: %s", path, tb)
-            return False
-        return True
+        cache_on, context_uid, repo_id = self._cache_on(wire)
+        region = self._region(wire)
+
+        @region.conditional_cache_on_arguments(condition=cache_on)
+        def _assert_correct_path(_context_uid, _repo_id, fast_check):
+
+            try:
+                svn.repos.open(path)
+            except svn.core.SubversionException:
+                tb = traceback.format_exc()
+                log.debug("Invalid Subversion path `%s`, tb: %s", path, tb)
+                return False
+            return True
+
+        return _assert_correct_path(context_uid, repo_id, True)
 
     @reraise_safe_exceptions
     def verify(self, wire,):