We are planning a viewing trip to Costa Blanca and would like some advice/recommendations regarding agents - Page 2

Thank you to everyone who has provided advice it’s been really helpful, I think we perhaps need to decide on a law firm and then fingers crossed get out to Spain to start getting to know the areas, we will take a look at some of the recommendations you’ve kindly made thank you 

Don't buy correction in prices due

I’m not sure I know what you mean? Someone else mentioned a review of market values but says this usually happens around November time, are you saying don’t buy until after November do you know how much impact the review can have on average? Thank you 

Hi Sjw71

I posted a while ago about our experience regarding purchasing in Spain which cost us alot of money, I would recommend you study the area as a whole and decide where you would like to start looking, forget the ooooo this is nice and that is nice from people on the forum its what suits you and your family all good taking advice as we are all different and have different wants & needs.

I would sit down and firstly before you do anything decide can we afford this now and in 10 years....!!! like a puppy its for life once you purchase a property in Spain its not going to be easy to sell again if you have to in a hurry properties can take years to sell and more often at a loss, also your going to feel like you have to go as its sitting there costing money much like the UK there are bills monthly and additional costs everytime you come out there is something to replace or fix or clean, its all well and good saying I have an apartment, house or villa in Spain but this all comes at a price, dont get sucked into the holiday home bubble of a Place in the Sun like probably 70% of folk on here have done in one way or another.

Members will give you guidance as to where they think is good my initial advice would be make a wish list of wants and needs then have a look on the map and see where your wish list pins you, have a budget and stick to it rigidly regardless dont let your heart rule your head this will only lead to misery later, properties by the sea are going to be 20-40% dearer than inland so beware of the I want to be by the sea but you end up in a 1 bed apartment as thats all you can afford, if you look inland then your money stretches further but you then have the issue your probably going to need a car and these are extorionate prices and car hire is expensive, the more touristy area you are then your shopping tends to be more expensive these are all factors.

I would have an extended holiday have a look at the areas you feel would be good for you before you start booking viewing trips as they will show you all the nice things run you the back roads so if you come back over yourself you struggle to find your way around again, house prices are always negotionable never think you have to offer 5,10 or 15% less decide what you feel the property is worth looking at others and what you feel the market is doing, I offered 35% less than asking price with a take it or leave it offer took them 6 weeks to decide but we got a bargain although there have been a couple of hidden issues but we factored for that.

We came back to Villamartin as this is where we originally wanted to be in the late 80s but bought elsewhere heart ruling head factor and it cost us big time, now we have a lovely 2 bed apartment lock up and leave no pool or gardens issues as before which is what we originaly came out to buy but ended up with the 4 Bed detached villa with pool and oh my days did we loose out....!! This has everything we need but as I say suits us may not suit everyone, I would recommend Sun Lawyers they were very good and a guy called Alex who works for an estate agent although he will show you around to properties you have found on the net rather than there properties, we were in a good position as already had property in Spain knowing alot of the pitfalls already which there are loads and knew where we wanted to be so it was a case of scouring the net.

Hopefully I haven't put you off only reinforced what you were already thinking, happy house hunting take your time the right property will come along at the right price.... 😀😀

If you need any help with anything you can pm me anytime happy to offer help if I can.

Regards

Andrew

Thank you Andrew, that’s really helpful and I may well come back to you once we’ve been out there and had a good look around the areas we’re interested in. 😊

I used Fox villas  they were brilliant nothing to much trouble. 

We used a viewing trip the first time 4 day trip. had no intention of buying first time out. second time we booked our own flights and booked estate agents to pick us up from hotel. we used Costa Blanca sales to buy, and they done everything for us, even down to getting our photos for a NIE number, and opened a bank account for us. Used Sun lawyers all speak English. Never intended to buy, but loved the one house that felt right and it turned out to be prefect for us.

There are some excellent pieces of advice to your posting. If I may add my 2 pennorth.

1.Seeking your OWN solicitor is primary. Agents will get kick backs from solicitors they put your way. I can recommend my own who has power of attorney and is incredibly good. Drop me a pm if you would like to know his details.

2. When you see a property you feel could be the one that is when you have to get your questioning hat on. The communal pool might look lovely, but how many properties are likely to be using it at the height of summer - bear in mind many properties may well be rented to people who could not give a damn as to how mush noise, mess and inconvenience they might cause on their "jollies" I know of one community that has 230 properties and one not so big pool - a constant headache for their President, especially when children have decided to do a number two in the pool !!!

3 What are the Community fees per year. Do you feel that the amount offers value for money for what is or not provided .

4 What is the area like at night. Are there dogs barking continuously when you might want to sit and chill. Are there bars nearby that often seem to think that the whole neighbourhood is stone deaf !

5 Do some research on which Bank or money transfer Co to use. Spanish bank charges now are rather akin to Dick Turpin.

6 I am sure other members could add to my few points. One very serious matter to consider is that since Brexit and the UK is now classed as a 3rd country, you can only spend 90 days maximum on the Schengen zone out of 180 which will limit any plans you might have of spending any longer in your holiday home than 90 days.

Hope you dont mind me making these comments and wish you good luck with your search.

Just remember the saying "Buyer Beware"

PS Look up via Google  The Law of Horizontal Property. A very important binding legal piece of legislation that many many owners in Communities think does not apply to them, and they wonder why they end up in Court.

Another thing to take into consideration is that if you are buying in Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja  you may be in the military zone. Which extends  the completion of your property between 4-6 months.you have to pay for criminal record checks and have them translated  which is an additional expenditure you’ll need to factor in to your budget.

I didn’t know that, do you know if that applies to Ciudad Quesada?