Warm welcome - Page 3

Hi Martin,

Property Transfer Tax in the Valencian autonomous region is 10%, then you need to add 3-4% for fees, e.g. lawyer, notary, land registry.  So, realistically, your maximum budget for buying is around €52k.

I've just done a search on www.kyero.com and these are the results:

https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?features%5B%5D=near_shops&features%5B%5D=near_transport&features%5B%5D=garden&max_price=60000&min_beds=2&sort=popularity_desc

Although the search returned 98 properties, the majority are in remote Spanish villages.  I think the only ones that may fit your criteria are 2 in Torrevieja, 2 in La Marina, 1 in Algorfa and 1 in Formentera del Segura. If you look at apartments or properties in a "community"  you need to be aware of annual fees for maintenance of communal areas, including pools.

I think there will be more properties than this available in areas that may be of interest to you, but estate agents have to pay to list property on internet portals and may not believe that's necessary (or affordable) for the less expensive properties.  But Kyero does include the listing agent, so you can check out individual agents' websites that may have other properties that they haven't listed on Kyero.  From what you've said about your requirements, I agree with GrannyRose that Torrevieja is likely to meet all your needs.

One other thing to be aware of, whilst it is possible to get a "bargain", you do need to be aware of Spain's Complementary Tax:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/formentera-del-segura-spain-54/taxes-suma-nie-tax-advice-in-formentera-del-segura-25/complementary-tax-little-known-often-misunderstood-and-can-be-expensive-58217/ 

As you start to identify properties that are of interest to you, check back with us, as there may well be people who have good knowledge not just of areas, but specific communities that you're considering.

Happy hunting!

Kind regards, 

Kim

Hi G/Rose, thanks for persevering with us, you are correct, my wife is young, but unfortunately I am not 😬. We are not looking for a holiday home, we intend this to be a permanent move, having said that we are keeping our home in the UK, just in case.Fortunately we have both lived on other continents so we have a good idea of what to expect. Our problem is finding a suitable property in our price range, we have very few essential requirements.

Within 60 minutes of an airport that serves Birmingham 

Minimum 2 bedrooms 

Good WiFi 

School and hospital/ medical centre 

Preferably some outside space 

With regards to work, I want to work, preferably part time but it is not essential and in the current climate my chances of getting work are, I assume quite slim. That’s ok, more time with my wife and daughter and to learn the language 😳

Regards, Martin O

Good morning Martin,

Have you considered renting your house in the Uk?  By doing this, it will provide you with more than enough to rent a lovely place in Spain. Think about it. You choose the house and agree a long term rent. All being well, you can remain for the duration agreed. At that stage you will know for certain how well Spain suits you as a family and if it matches your dream, then you could consider buying a house by taking a mortgage out and repaying with the rental on your uk home. Or, you could sell up and have the money to pay cash for your new home. 

You now have options. 

You say that you yourself aren’t a “teenager”, then you are well past the stage of making do. You know what you want and deserve so please don’t buy something that is far from what you wish for you and your family. 

Lots of people rent long term. Sometimes I think that my husband and I should sell up and rent.We would save a lot of money and there wouldn’t be a house to clear out if anything happens us in the future. 

Check out the La Mata, Torreblanca, Agua Nueva areas of Torrevieja  and see if you can find any suitable long term rentals. 

Another suggestion. There’s a very nice area inland called Benijofar with numerous beautiful houses and a mix of English and Dutch people. I am led to believe that it is possible to obtain a good long term rental there.!  Everything you need would be on your doorstep there. Your your wife might actually enjoy the company of English speaking people. You could drive to the beach in about 20 minutes or less, it is closer to the airport too.

Take my advice and come over for a good rekkie in the autumn. Car hire will be cheaper, it won’t be too hot, the beach bars remain open until 31/10/20 so you can enjoy relaxing on the beach and sightseeing later on!  This is a wonderful time to visit. 

Please keep asking questions that are important to you and we will all do our best to answer them for you. 

Hello Martin,

I think that most people will agree with me that properties along the coast can be more expensive if they are near the sea. If you go inland you’ll get a larger property with more outside space. Your daughter is young so going to a Spanish school will make her bilingual. This will be a huge boost to her future life. 

I purposely chose a country house and in my immediate area there are a few properties that could fall within your budget, although they need some work on them and I don’t mean just a splash of colour!  Are you up for some renovation work? Everyone on this forum will help you with recommendations for necessary tradesmen. Jim’s Guides will give you info on just about any query you may have. 

My daughter is currently looking for an inexpensive detached country property to renovate and possibly rent and has found some very good opportunities. In Yecla, for example, there are good schools, doctors, a hospital a furniture industry and so on. I have seen a couple of houses just outside Yecla for around €45 to 48,000. 

Then there are bank repossessions which can be inexpensive. There is also a good estate agent working in the area who speaks Spanish, English & Italian. I used Yecla as an example, although it is in Murcia, and just 10 minutes away from my house in the Villena area which is Alicante. You would also pay less transfer tax in Murcia (8% instead of 10% in the Valencia region).  There may also be job possibilities here, depending on your qualifications or skills. 

However it is feasible to get something for your budget but it will either mean a lot of work in the country or it will be a small flat basically in resorts. 

Please feel free to contact me (Private Message on the left of the page under my name) if you need further details. 

Happy hunting and the best of luck! 

Janice

Hi Kimmy11, thanks, haven’t got round to trying Kyero yet, but will do.

Regards, Martin O

Be careful of Complementary Tax if you go the repossession route.