Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 12:09pm
Hello Max, there are mixed thoughts on viewing trips. Some have said they were brilliant, sorted everything out, found the place of their dreams etc, others are not quite so impressed.
It may involve being met at the airport by the salesman and it will probably be midweek. You will be chaperoned by them for almost every minute of the trip, possibly staying in a hotel which is quite remote to make sure you don't get too much time to do much else if you have any energy left at the end of the day. If you find a property they will offer to get your NIE, set up a bank account and find an abogado (solicitor) which makes it so much easier for you but this could be a mistake.
They will possibly create a sense of urgency but there are thousands of all types of property for sale here so you will have time to go back home and look through the different banks and which will suit you best, including the availability of ATMs as you can usually only withdraw from your own bank without incurring charges. Banking is not free here generally and some will either have no English speaking staff or websites.
Google "Should I use an independent solicitor to buy property in Spain" and you will see why you need to avoid a conflict of interests. Some will find out too late that parts of their property are illegal extensions or under-builds were illegally turned into living accommodation.
Some areas can be very quiet in winter or manic in summer and it can get very chilly in Spanish properties once the sun goes down so you will need heating. If you get it wrong it will be a very expensive mistake which could take months, if not years to sell.
Come on the trip but do not commit to anything would be my advice. Book a few more independent trips at different times of the year and contact local estate agents here to line up viewings with you. Casas Manuel are one of a few that get good reviews on here. It may also be useful to come out for 90 day trips, one in high summer and maybe January to March if this is feasible to get used to how your day to day would pan out when no longer in holiday mode.
I'm not sure how much you know about the recent devastating storms in the region in which the Vega Baja has been particularly badly affected. It has been a once in a lifetime Gota Fría (cold drop) but these do happen every year in Spring and Autumn at a lesser level. This time we not only got almost a year's rain in one day but then floodgates had to be opened, people have died and homes and cars have been washed away. We still have hundreds of families living in shelters, the army has been called in, crops have been ruined and it really is an emergency situation here. I'm saying this really so you are aware as I don't believe the scale of this has been expressed in the press.