Hello, coming to view a property - Introduce yourselves in Catral - Catral forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Expat Services
ASSSA Insurance
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
interior building work
Car Key Solutions
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Blacktower Financial Management
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Thy Will Be Done
AA Free English TV
James Spanish School
Espana Dream Properties

Join the Catral forum

Join the Catral forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Catral in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Introduce yourselves in Catral and much more!

Hello, coming to view a property - Page 2

Nikki26

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:43pm

Posts: 47

16 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 18 Jun 2017

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:43pm

Nikki26 wrote on Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:41am:

Have you ever experienced living in the UK in a house with no central heating - that's how cold it can get here at night in the winter. Whilst the nights are freezing cold, the days are still mainly pleasant.  It did snow a tiny bit last winter (didn't settle) but this was the first time it ...

...had snowed in approx 80yrs!!  

I think the best thing is say is NO-ONE has ever said I'm going back to the UK cos the winters in Spain are awful!!  

Basil brush

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:10pm

Basil brush

Helpful member

Posts: 275

223 helpful points

Location: Almoradí

Joined: 9 Apr 2018

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:10pm

Hi, 

What most people are saying is correct regarding the weather....even so I would say that even the worse coldest evenings here are still as not bad as the UK weather in their winters  and certainly not as long and dragged out etc.... the sun normally pokes its head most days so that makes all the difference 👍

I have put German double glazing in last year and that alone has made such a difference and we too use a log burner maybe three months of the year with the option of the heating of the AC for a quick fix!  Definitely would recommend slippers n rugs/ mats as the floors do remain cool, All that said we wouldn’t go back to UK in a breath! Good luck with your plans!

Willy

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:15pm

Willy

Helpful member

Posts: 375

235 helpful points

Location: Benijofar

Joined: 26 Feb 2018

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:15pm

Catral is colder than some areas because it is around sea level and and on a flood plane and it can be damp in winter which makes it feel cold , it is a nice area if that is what you want and if you find a house you can always install gas CH and have a 1000 Ltr gas tank installed but there are conditions for the installation, aluminium windows also let the cold in so do your research to get a property that is good or you can make good to what you want.  The main thing with buying in an area like this is getting a good solicitor to check everything properly do not under any circumstances us one associated with the estate agent selling the property.

Good luck in your venture

Mary47

Posted: Wed Jul 4, 2018 11:39pm

Posts: 14

1 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 26 Jul 2016

Posted: Wed Jul 4, 2018 11:39pm

Property for sale

hello we have had our apartment in Catral on Villasol complex for 11 years. Its a beautiful complex on the edge of town. It has a beautiful community garden with pool. It consists of 63 properties with residents of different nationalities. We have had a wonderful time and made wonderful lifelong friends. The apartment is first floor apartment consisting of 2/3 bedrooms with beautiful views of surrounding countryside and pool/garden area. There are 2 bathrooms, kitchen/dining room with balcony overlooking pool and solarium with amazing views. 

Recommend to families with small children as secure garden has a lovely pool.

Map

KayM

Posted: Mon Jul 9, 2018 10:55am

Posts: 2

1 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 28 Jun 2018

Posted: Mon Jul 9, 2018 10:55am

Deb16 wrote on Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:41pm:

Hi, we are coming to Catral next week to look at some properties for sale, we will also be looking at other areas too, but Catral seems to be our favourite place so far, can you tell me what is good about the town for us foreigners? What clubs can we join, is there anywhere to learn Spanish, we a...

...re both in our late 50's, John is a keen golfer, so he will be looking to join a club.

Is there any help with advice to settle in to the town? 

We had a read on trip advisor and it had very good reviews.

Look forward to hearing back from you..😁

Hello

I moved to just outside of Catral 2 or 3 weeks ago. (Been in Spain since last November).

Best way to learn spanish is ... download Duolingo or any of the spanish learning apps and spend 10 minutes every day building up a vocabulary of 'words' .... the verbs are more complicated but if you can say 'mi perro ... agua!" they'll know that your dog needs water. etc ....

Best place to increase your spanish is by avoiding English speakers ha haha ....I'm serious so ... we only feel embarrassed trying to communicate when we feel they "habla Ingles" .

Best phrase I ever learned (which is a little rude but HELL people laugh .... "lo siento mi espaniol es mierda!"

Telling someone in their own language that your "spanish is shit" breaks down the barriers and they usually tell you back (in Spanish) that their Ingles es mierda or poco poco (or something similar which means ... bit at a time.

Look ... just go about your business .... market on a saturday in Catral, vets, dentist (fantastic one in Catral if you need me to tell you which and where) ... get your hair cut in a spanish salon etc. Immerse yourself.

Anyway ....I'm still writing this in English so I ain't that good myself as yet but ... it's kool to sit in a cafe where everyone is speaking a language that you can't understand ... FREEDOM .... but one or two good spanish friends and a couple of 'foreigners' who speak English to maintain your sanity ... is vital I would say (if you're single as I am).

Sorry .... what was your question?

Oh and google translate .... is my BEST FRIEND!!

Buena suerte y hasta luego 

Advertisement - posts continue below

Georgetheseventh

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:28pm

Georgetheseventh

Helpful member

Posts: 342

160 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 21 Sep 2018

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:28pm

Deb16 wrote on Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:41pm:

Hi, we are coming to Catral next week to look at some properties for sale, we will also be looking at other areas too, but Catral seems to be our favourite place so far, can you tell me what is good about the town for us foreigners? What clubs can we join, is there anywhere to learn Spanish, we a...

...re both in our late 50's, John is a keen golfer, so he will be looking to join a club.

Is there any help with advice to settle in to the town? 

We had a read on trip advisor and it had very good reviews.

Look forward to hearing back from you..😁

I am moving to Catral in December and the guy behind the counter in the english cafe (great sausage sandwiches) next to the Indian told me he arranges the golf 2 days a week...i plan to join them...societies get good rates...

George.

DanielaP

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 12:11pm

Posts: 22

Location: Crevillente

Joined: 17 Aug 2018

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 12:11pm

jimtaylor wrote on Wed Oct 11, 2017 5:34am:

I don't live in the Catral area, but not far from it.

If you're looking at detached houses, be aware that there are many illegal builds (~1300), subject of long drawn-out discussions about legalising them, and the multi-thousands of euros cost of doing so.

Make sure to check that any property you think of buying is legal, by asking to see the certificado de habitacion.

Good luck. 

I am sorry to just jump in here, but I am confused as to the role of lawyers and banks in the purchase of a house - are they not supposed to pick up when a house is not legal? Amd what does legal mean?

Tx!

Basil brush

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:22pm

Basil brush

Helpful member

Posts: 275

223 helpful points

Location: Almoradí

Joined: 9 Apr 2018

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:22pm

Hello,

I would say they are legally meant to tell you if a dwelling is illegal or legal... generally that means has it had a habitation certificate or has one still in place? Iam sure town halls are all a little different but we knew our house was illegal when we brought it ( everyone is more then happy to sell them to you) but we have now completed the legal side of things and it is 100% legal for the future! 

Apparently there is something like 2 million illegal homes in Spain altogether!

jimtaylor

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:34pm

jimtaylor

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5612

8738 helpful points

Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 2:34pm

Basically, lawyers and banks are just after your business. 

A bank has its own criteria on which it bases an application for a mortgage. 

To have a lawyer check that a property is fully legal, you'd have to instruct him (in writing so you have recourse if necessary) to check with the town hall accordingly.

Legal means that a property is subject of the relevant laws and inspections related to planning permission and that, on completion, a certificate of first habitation is issued.

The problem with the Catral area is that, basically, the town hall were corrupt and were 'legalising' properties that should not have been legalised. This eventually led to the Valencian authorities taking over. 

To be correctly legalised, many property owners have had to, or will have to, incur considerable costs.

That's the best summary I can come up with - perhaps owners of affected properties in Catral would like to update and/or correct my comments.

Richard080943

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 3:05pm

Richard080943

Helpful member

Posts: 751

426 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 21 Jul 2018

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 3:05pm

Hello

I live in Crevillent which, unlike Catral, is mozzie plague free.  We have a property which is animal friendly, gas central heating, air con in all rooms, 4 bed 2 bath but room for more.  Built in 2005 LEGALLY with masses of insulation.  Big plot for dog runs, 12,000 sq metres, 3 acres, 300 olive trees, garage for 5 cars plus carport for 2.  Lovely quiet neighbours (not normal for Spanish).  What more do you want for 275,000 euros?
Richard

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Introduce yourselves topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Expat Services
ASSSA Insurance
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
interior building work
Car Key Solutions
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Blacktower Financial Management
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Thy Will Be Done
AA Free English TV
James Spanish School
Espana Dream Properties
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer