Our new life in the sun! - Page 4

Hi, just replying to comment about bagging  a bargain, We have  just pulled out of buying in UK, we started just before  covid19 so that wasn’t the reason,  but I was asked is it because of the current problem, well no, but will have to look again I’ve been told that property prices are going to drop in UK but we will see,  homes lost jobs lost, We have  had home in Puerto  de Mazarron   since 2004, bought off plan and a walk to a lovely bay, no way would I sell at a cheap price, looking at Place in Sun some of the property's they take them to,well enough said, you need to get out and look there are some good property’s in lovely areas, and remember don’t settle for anything, if you want near a beach ok, if you want in the country ok, but make sure, so good luck, and I will keep looking in the UK but not necessarily for a bargain. 

I agree with you. Alcohol is like an amplifier & amplifies whatever is going on. I can not sing, but with a glass of wine I sound beautiful!  

Tongue in cheek, but, your analogy was slightly misplaced, sorry!

"I love a few glasses the same as many others but in moderation!"

https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2018/04/23/brit-man-faces-in-prison-in-spain-for-stabbing-army-medic-to-death-in-costa-blanca-bar/amp/

With respect, keep safe.

V

I suggest renting for a few months before deciding where and from whom to buy, things are very different in Spain too, one has to get integrated to learn and understand lots of things that are important when deciding to buy a property

tvtechnology....I do wholeheartedly agree with your comments and thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts about the Villamartin and La Zenia boulevard areas. You have first hand experience and fully expressed your opinion to which you are entitled. The only thing to spoil it was your final paragraph "Personally, I came to Spain to live in Spain - not some twisted version of the UK in Spain - otherwise i'd have headed straight to Benidorm". Have you lived in Benidorm?  If not then you are not entitled to express that opinion as you are basing your comments on a holiday experience which you tell posters to ignore for the la Zenia boulevard areas. There are some excellent areas within the Benidorm City limits that could still be considered "Spanish" where mainly Spanish nationals live. There are hundreds of small Spanish style restaurants and tapas bars virtually untouched by expats or holidaymakers. 

I live on the outskirts of the city surrounded by all nationalities of expats and have undisturbed evenings on the balcony and quiet nights. Anyone could see that Benidorm is more than a one street club area if they had bothered to leave the local bar and ventured out a little. 

Steve 

Steve, I can see that you are displeased by the Benidorm comment and I am delighted that you have searched out and found a perfect place in that area. Most of us have our own particular likes and dislikes about places we know little or nothing about but feel either happy or disappointed with the area we bought in. Like you, I love the area we holiday in but it is solely down to my sister and brother in law who loved to cycle all around looking at all the for sale signs. It is down to them that we have no issues with our purchase  as they found it for us!  
Arriving into a country that you only have perceived ideas about and then buying a property which you believe will provide you with all your airy, fairy dreams is nigh impossible.

Friend bought a bungalow in La Marina and began to transform it into their dream paradise. Lots of hard work, hours painting, knocking walls down, new windows, new furniture and the dream was beginning to look great until the rains came.  Underbuild was flooded, stored furniture, clothes, pictures all destroyed.  Garden flooded as water ran from properties higher than theirs and that water rose high enough to go into their dining room and to penetrate the external walls causing them to flake and ruin the new interior paintwork.

The weather in Spain can be as changeable there as it is in the Uk. Single walls allowing the internal heat to go out , no easy way to heat the whole house. Many Spanish properties are designed for summer holidays. Nowadays , most people have installed air con which cools in the summer and warms in the winter. No air con in ours when we bought it! More money needed for that job. For anyone dreaming of coming to Spain to reside , rent and you will know what to look for when buying.

Allow money to purchase, money to pay for solicitors fees and all the other expenses  you will need at least £10,000 for making changes once bought ie furniture, possibly new tiling, wood burning stove, double glazing etc, etc.

 Allow money to buy a new car  Second hand vehicles are extortionate so buy new , cheaper in the long run. 

Think wisely. Be realistic You can live well in Spain but you need money behind you too 

Summer months are extremely hot and unbearable, you may wish to return to UK at that time and flights aren’t cheap in high season. 

If this is all within your budget and you still wish to relocate to Spain, then you can achieve your dream. Know exactly what you want and you will find it. 

Hi Steve,

You are absolutely right about Benidorm - I should have clarified better. 

I have also spent a considerable amount of time in Benidorm and other parts of Spain - such as Alicante,  Almeria, as my work has at times required that I relocate.

Benidorm old town and some of the areas on the outskirts of Benidorm are beautiful. The area I was referring to (or wrongly generalising) - was the usual 'Brit bar' locations which take up a reasonable part of Benidorm. As you correctly mention, the old town is different & more utilised by the local Spanish.

I'd still not live in the main town of Benidorm as to go down the front in the main areas in the summer, will be filled with the type of tourists i'm not interested in socialising with ;-) 

I think a lot of the same 'rules' apply - It is better to live just on the outskirts of a bigger area, so you avoid the tourist traps/noise/inflated prices, but are close enough for major services if needs be.

My mate is selling his 2 bedroom apartment in Torrevieja (Los balcones) as he has bought a villa. If you’re interested 😎

Phil

Perfect comment, Granny Rose,

Even if you think you know exactly what you want, you’ll probably see a property that you love which is nothing like you imagined you would buy! 

This forum has been so helpful for me with so much advice from many forum members and, of course, Jim’s Guides!  The pitfalls are the legal details: you need to know if the property is habitable, legally registered as such and so many more details that are essential.

Try to haggle but it won’t be like A Place in the Sun, where the UK buyer’s get unusually astronomical discounts! Count on spending an extra 13% - 15% of the property price to cover transfer tax, lawyers & notary fees, the lawyer will probably get your N.I.E. number which you will need for a variety of reasons, including the actual property purchase, and will open a bank account for you, change over electric & water bills to your name. Choose recommended lawyers on this forum, don’t trust your estate agent!!! Also, try and avoid agents that charge the buyer! 

If you consider purchasing a property which needs renovation, try and get an idea of costs, again, from recommended builders on here. Doing your own renovation / restoration means you can put in anything that isn’t there yet, e.g., aircon, extra insulation, new windows. 

I bought a countryside farmhouse and will be renovating as soon as we are free of the CoronaVirus. Part of it is absolutely liveable but we will be doing a lot of alterations. One thing is for sure - I could never have done this spending the same money in the UK so I am thrilled with what I have!

Good luck to you and watch out for the estate agents - some bite! 😂😂😂😂

Janice 

Hi now relating to complimentary tax:

Lets say the property we are buying is under the Spanish authorities valuation, can we before purchase, ask the authorities to confirm there valuation, and advise the tax we will be required to pay in total from the outset.

I would have thought that the solicitor would have this under control, if we found out at the onset we could at least budget properly and pay the correct amount.

Your thoughts please.

We have just purchased on La Cumbre Del Sol. We can recommend a fabulous company who can help you, a fabulous Spanish Lawyer and a fabulous estate agent if you are interested. Let me know 🏡🏝