House new or old - Page 4

Most houses don’t have any insulation and are freezing in the winter especially if north facing. We have had two miserable winters with extortionate electric bills (February over 500 euros for one month) and the 2005 built house has still been freezing. Dreading the next winter.

Agreed, our first winter was miserable we were so cold. Glad we experienced it because with the renovation we fitted bottled gas central heating, took down every ceiling and stuffed the void with insulation and added insulation panels and then plasterboard to all external facing walls. The only weak points now are the windows so I will be buying heavy winter curtains for all of them.
Without ripping the place apart you are very limited as to what you can do.
In a smaller one storey property a wood burner can be enough but in a larger villa you need more, especially in bathrooms.

We thought about insulating the walls but felt it would make the room too small, we’re thinking of doing the ceiling as there is a terrace above it which is just basically a concrete slab with tiles on, no insulation at all. Also replacing the windows and adding a window to let in what little sun it gets and installed a pellet burner. All expensive stuff which had we realised may have influenced buying it. Would never buy a north facing house again, with a south facing in summer at least you can roll the blinds down. 

I’m not sure how big is your rooms , but dosent take that much space from the room . 

I do many internal insulation , and everyone saying they feel much comfortable in winter, and they don’t spend that much on electricity. 

Interesting replies.  My house is a quad built in 1999.  It's just OK.  No insulation which means absolutely freezing January and February.  Badly fitted doors and windows which means draughts. . With your budget could you buy a site, get permission, get plans and a good honest builder ( I hear Leddy Construction Los Montisinos, is honest. He's Irish, a bit on the dear side but I heard good. ) There are too many cowboys out there ready to relieve you of your money.  At least this guy Paul Leddy  has an office on the street and you know where to find him.  I've been cheated and robbed many many times.  Be careful. I'd  ring Paul Leddy and ask his advice .

My two-penny's worth:

New 2 - bed houses are going for anything up to é400,000!

My 2 bed quad cost less than é100 less than 10 years ago. Now? They are going for around é120k.

Why on earth would anyone want to pay 250,000 or more for what is still just a 2 bed house??? New? Old? They are both 2 bedrooms!

Agreed!  I think after reading this, I am glad we found an airbnb rental October - April.  We plan on looking around to see where and if we want to purchase but now I'm thinking rental is the way to go until we learn more.  We are Americans looking to get away from the craziness in our country right now but not sure of a permanent move yet.  We do love the terrace homes with solariums in the Torrevieja urbanizations - any opinions on that area would be appreciated.

I actually live near a place called La Zenia - it's a big (by our standards) shopping centre. Torrevieja has lots going on, but a word of warning. It's a bloody nightmare to drive through - particularly during high season. And parking? Forget it! Outside the city it's easier - obviously. :)

In agree Lynn, all new white modern minimalist new builds , soon look very dirty and then there's all the glass to clean. The sand that comes over from the sahara with the rain in the winter months soon stains them. Unless you have a lot of money for the upkeep I would steer well clear of buying one. There is no insulation in property in Spain and many are cold in the winter, mad worse as they are tiled and the walls are thin.

Perhaps the reason why the Spanish house's don't have insulation is to help heat escape in very hot weather? 

Obviously many Spanish bought this type of house as a holiday home and so weren't there during winter time ?