02 Sep 2009 8:55 PM:

Thanks everyone for your speedy and helpful replies.  I have taken a look at idealista.com - there are thousands of properties!  I shall come over to Spain to look at individual properties, but I need to narrow down my search first.  Too much choice is as bad as too little choice.  Here's where my thinking is at so far:  If anyone can advise on specific areas/developments that might fit the bill I would be grateful.

All utilities need to be connected.  Whilst wishing to avoid the 'english pub/fish and chips' areas, my Spanish is not good, so I would like somewhere where I can use English whilst improving my Spanish. May need someone to keep an eye on the place, so nothing too remote. No garden-otherwise will need to employ someone to cut the grass!  Price (under 100000euros) is the driver.  Two beds would be good, but one will do. Preferably within an hour's drive of an airport . (What is public transport like in Spain?  I've never used it.)  Local shops would be a plus. At all costs avoid anywhere close to a nightclub or lager louts!  Prefer a comfortably warm climate rather than blistering heat.

I'm budgeting for around 10-13% buying costs.  Is that about right?

All recommendations of areas, properties, lawyers or agents will be most welcome!

 

 

Forum thread: Would like advice on buying in Spain please

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01 Sep 2009 12:00 AM:

Hello Everyone,  I was a regular for a while on the forum, as I fought to get my deposit back from Lorca.  I'm pleased to say that I was successful and I have since been building a small portfolio in the UK.  I still dream of having a little 'getaway' in Spain and was hoping you could advise on the best way to search for a property.  Off plan is a definite no=no!!  I would consider an already built-new build right through to something needing refurbishment (but it must have water and electricity on site)

Could anyone advise on the best websites to look at or agents to approach?  I'm not tied to a particular location or coast as I'm willing to consider coast or inland. Its just somewhere to use as a holiday home for family and friends, so rental prospects aren't important.

The big restriction is price - I would prefer something under 100000 euros if poss, but would consider something more expensive if it fits the bill.  The amount of Spanish property being advertised is quite overwhelming, and whilst I know the ropes in the UK, I need help to ensure I don't make any mistakes in Spain!

Thanks guys.

Forum thread: Would like advice on buying in Spain please

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07 Jan 2009 5:59 PM:

Hi, I'm just so glad we managed to retrieve our deposit before the market collapsed.  Does Grupo Alzo(spelling) have the money to offer refunds now?  Also Darth, I guess you have checked your contract to find out under what circumstances you can request a refund of your deposit?

I have been watching the Corvera thread (nearly bought there too!)  and buyers there are being really proactive.  The Lorca thread has never had many visitors.  I wonder how many units had actually been sold?

Finally, don't let me start on MRI - money grabbing Bs...with absolutely no morals!

Community thread: Antequera

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01 Apr 2008 12:44 PM:

Hi Coco, as your contract had the same clause as mine regarding the Sept 29th date the developer will have to refund your deposit.  I don't know how many buyers have already been refunded, or how many have requested it, but I guess the developer must be worried about having to refund all this money.  I don't know whether the building licence will ever be granted for Lorca Golf, so eventually everyone will be trying to get their money out.

I assume you bought through MRI?  (Utterly useless company.)  If you are using Martinez Eschevarria lawyers this is what I had to do:

send a fax confirming my wish to withdraw from the contract due to the building licence not being granted by 29 Sept '07.  The fax had to include my signature, name and address and bank details for the money to be paid into (you don't need a spanish bank account)  If there are joint purchasers you both have to sign.  Their fax number is +34 968 409 086

send the same fax to Cornelius, but his fax number didn't work so I posted his!

Post the original bank guarantee (having taken a copy) to the lawyers, by recorded delivery so they have to sign for it.

Fernando from the law firm then met with Cornelius and exhanged the bank guarante for a cheque.  He then paid the cheque into the firm's account and arranged an electronic transfer into my account her in England.  Once Cornelius's directors agreed to the refund the process only took eight days. You shouldn't need to employ another lawyer - you have, after all, already paid upfront for Martinez Eschevarria to represent your interests. Cor did try to prsuade me to hang on, but once he realised that I wasn't going to take no for an answer it all happened quite quickly.  Be firm, and keep emailing them!  Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

Ann

 

Community thread: Antequera

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01 Apr 2008 12:18 PM:

Hi Valerie, firstly thank you for your good wishes posted on the other thread.  As I said, I do consider myself to be one the lucky ones.  My situation was different to yours, as I managed to claim my refund because of a clause in my contract that said a refund could be requested if the building licence hadn't been granted by a certain date-which it wasn't.  I had to send my bank guarantee to the lawyers and one tip, (which I'm sure you have thought of ) is to take a copy of the guarantee and also to post it recorded delivery, so it has to signed for.  This at least means the lawyers can't say it has been lost in the post!

In terms of time, once my developer had agreed to refund my deposit I posted the guarantee, the lawyer met with the developer, exchanged guarantee for a cheque, paid the cheque into their account and then made an electronic transfer into my account..  Whole process took 8 days!

Keep emailing the lawyers.  I really do feel that my polite but insistent emails made the lawyers realise that I wasn't going to let go.  Develop a terrier mentality!

Really hope it works out for you.  Please keep posting.

Ann

Forum thread: Breach of contract?

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