Car hire Spain

Don't Blame Spain

Buying Process

Sign up for the newsletter here


I'm sick and tired of seeing the Spanish property industry slagged off by people who went about buying a property in spain the wrong way, got their fingers burnt and won't face up to their own stupidity.

Time and time again I hear of people buying on the word of some guy they met half drunk in a bar. They do things here that they would never dream of doing in the UK and then wonder why all their money has gone missing.

Buying in Spain is not hard. Don't bother with cheap inspection trips. You may get here for 10 quid but pay 20,000 euros more for the property.  How else do these firms cover the cost of all the non buyers.....you pay for it.

I knew there were better cheaper properties available but because the company I worked for did not get big commissions they were not on the books.

Get a cheap flight, hire a car , find an inexpensive hotel, do some homework, surf the internet for properties and complie a wish list.  Check the area out, if you don't like the area you will never want a house there.  Don't be hasty and never believe it when someone tells you"its the last one" or we've just had a cancellation!!!!it's your lucky day.

I bought my place having been told that only to find the builder had held back 10 properties and released them onto the market later.  Don't let your heart rule your head. keep your feet on the ground and don't over streach your budget. Enjoy your search, get a feel for the Spanish way of life and do not expect things to be the same here as they are back in the UK.  Things take longer to happen, but hey!!! what's the rush....NEVER EVER allow yourself to be pressured by any sales agent…..there is NO NEED.

Written by: Paul Reynolds

About the author:

My name is Paul Reynolds. I bought a property like so many off plan 2 years ago. Despite a few glitches its been a fairly easy ride. I am now vice president on my community helping the non resident Brits with their problems.

I never really considered moving to Spain but having lived the nomad life for the past 17 years in places like Dubai, Thailand and Kansas I thought well why not!.  I took a job working for one of the larger Property companies but soon got disheartened having to lie to clients and only show them the properties that paid the biggest commissions. Along with some friends Veritas Homes was born. We give the full picture on how to buy in Spain, what to expect and how to avoid the pitfalls. We have a massive range of properties and even offer a cash back incentive. We are based in Mojacar on the Coast of Almeria and all have family here and most of all love it!!. A team of wild horses will not drag my arse back to England. Give us a Try. www.veritashomes.co.uk or contact me at paul@veritashomes.co.uk


Share icon Let others enjoy this article too!

Right arrow icon Send to friends   Right arrow icon Printer friendly version

Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Digg Digg
Linked In Linked In Delicious Delicious Reddit Reddit
Yahoo Yahoo Google Google Stumbleupon Stumbleupon


Right arrow icon Submit your own article     Right arrow icon Comment on this article

Comments:

CommentDateName
I agree almost 100% with everything you say - one wouldn't buy a home in London or Manchester from a bloke in the bar who has only lived their 6 months and doesn't speak the language. Yet it happens here time after time and does no good for the reputation of the agents who do a professional job.

Steve Hall, Torrevieja - NOT an agent!
28/11/2006 22:09:00thisisspain
I'm sick and tired of people coming along and saying it's your own fault if you get ripped off by liars and cheats, if only it was as simple as that!
We put our deposit down nearly four and a half years ago, when there was a lot less information than there is now. Also the prices at the time were rocketing, we did the homework on this, checked out our local agent, all seemed good. We were naive enough to use the agent recommended lawyer.
Why we came unstuck though, was because of blatent lies by the developer and the agent and the useless lawyer! At some stage everyone has to trust some legal body to work in your favour, and if you are paying them to do that, then that's what you expect.
Our apartment was two and a half years late being built, 22% smaller than contract, only one pool instead of two, still has no LFO, very ugly compared to plans, no landscaping, sewage problems, and still, the developer refused to budge on price of offer any written compensation!

The courts are sometimes as good as useless, in some cases, people are taking their issue to court and still not getting a fair result, when they sue the developer for issues as blatent as above. is it any wonder the sharks continue to prosper????
So please don't tell us it's our fault, it's that very attitude that is contributing to making many decent peoples lives a misery. Perphaps we were naive, (it was all new to us), but that does make the above acceptable in any shape or form. As if we have not suffered enough, we now face a long and expensive court battle, through no fault of our own.
29/11/2006 08:56:00goodstich44
I agree it is very demoralising and humilitating to be told that it is 'all your own fault' when so many of us are forced into believing what the 'professionls' tell us as we would at home. It is not true - yes there are people I am sure who have bought at a bar - although I don't know of any. But I certainly know alot of intelligent decent people who put their trust into a lot of professional liars and cheats. 29/11/2006 09:31:00paynesblues
I must agree that there are many stupid people that buy in Spain on a whim,but hey we need them or else sayings like "a fool and his money etc" would not have been formed.For what its worth my wife and I came on a 1 to 1 inspection flight and were treated like friends by the couple that showed us the properties.Yep,sure, after we bought part of the money goes towards the promotion of the cheap flights and wages and profits etc but I paid the price because I thought it was about right for our property.Paul of Veritas homes says dont use them but I would have been in the hands of some sort of agent at the end of the day and may have found the best con merchant in the business.Paul also advertises "cash back" in his advert where does that come from? All I am saying here is choose what you feel is the right way to buy a property and remember you dont have to buy at all if you dont want to. 29/11/2006 09:47:00flin
I completely agree with Paul´s comments. You should always use an agent, and if they are British make sure they are Members of the Federation of British Estate Agents in Spain www.FBEAS.com It has enhanced our imsge tremendously since we joined, with clients knowing that we have to abide by a strict code of Practice. I would recommend it to any British Estate Agents working in Spain and the fees are for nothing.

Bill Peterkin
Manageing Partner
Goulbourn Associates Real Estate
29/11/2006 12:19:00Billyt
The experience i suffered at the hands of one of the big companies on a property tour left me scarred and for a time i fell out of love with the idea of moving to spain.
I did buy from an independent agent and was treated very proffesionally and we now are thoroughly satisfied.Dont forget you can buy the same house from anybody just ask what commisions they charge and pick somebody you feel comfortable with.
05/12/2006 14:08:00disgusted
I wish that I had read your post BEFORE I bought in Spain. We bought from what we thought was a reputable company, and were lied to on just about everything. It has effected me so dreadfully but stupidly, we trusted these people because they were well known and couldnt believe we could be lied to so readily. Its not like we were property 'virgins' as we run a property rental business in the uk. We are protected in the uk from misinformation and we stupidly assumed that the same laws applied in Spain. Our trust and lack of attention has cost us a lot of money and a lot emotionally too. Is there nothing that can be done about these so called 'reputable' companies telling trusting clients outright lies. I'm on a mini campaign now to inform people of the deception of these inspection trips 07/01/2007 08:09:00freeradical1950

Comment on this article:

Name *
 
Spam protection:  What is the sum of 5 + 8 ? * 
 
Your comment *  (HTML not allowed)  
(All items filled in)


Related articles of interest

 
2007 – The Outlook for Spanish Property….
A Room With A View
Agent Property Sharing Systems Cost You Money
Aparthotels - Touristic Apartment Legal Requirements
Bank Guarantees for Spanish Off Plan Developments
Breach of Contract - Off Plan Success Story
Building Defects in New Properties
Buying a Property in Spain - 10 Points to Consider
Buying a Property in Spain - The Private Contract
Cave Houses in Spain - ADSL Included!
Completing a new property purchase
Consumer Law - Abusive Clauses In Your Contract
Currency Exchange from Sterling to Euros
Decreto 218 - What It Is And How It Affects Buying Property In Andalucia
Deposit Contract
Dispelling The Myths Of What Is And Isn’t A Snagging Defect And Some Amusing Responses From Builders
DIY snagging - Some pointers on how to ‘Do-It-Yourself’
Documento Informativo Abreviado. Brief Informative Document (DIA)
Don't Blame Spain
Furnishing your Off-Plan
Getting Planning Permission in Spain
Getting The Best Euro Exchange Rate
In Times Of Recession Some Imagination Is Needed - Option To Buy
Is Anyone Still Moving To Spain?
Is it Dangerous to Buy Property in Spain?
Is There More To Spanish Wines Than Just Rioja?
It Is Possible Not To Pay Enough For A Property - According To The Tax Man!
It's a Buyer's Market
It's A Good Time To Start Selling Property in Spain
Just Why Is Denia In Alicante So Popular?
Licence of First Occupation and Completion
Mallorca Property - The Cost Of Buying Explained
More on Consumer Rights When Buying a Property
Most Commonly Asked Questions on Completions and Snagging Inspections
New Regulations Protecting Spanish Property Buyers
No Money? No Problem!
Off Plan Consumer Rights - Sample Purchase Contract
Prices Soften As Mortgage Approvals Fall In Lanzarote
Private Purchase Contract - Resale Property
Publicity - Part Of The Contract
Real Problems Buying Property in Spain
Result Of Building Standards Survey
Snagging Horror Stories
Snagging Trends & Analysis
So, you want to sell your off plan?
Spain Top Choice for Second Home Abroad
Spanish Property Market Stalls On Exchange Rate Strength
Spanish Property Valuations - Confused?
Stimulating The Spanish Property Market – Please Take Note Mr. Zapatero
Taking The Developer To Court - Jan's Story
The art of a successful Snag
The Beginner's Guide to Snagging
The Do's And Don'ts Of Buying A Mobile Home In Spain
The Licensing Process For Off Plan Properties In Spain
The Mystery of Spanish Property Online
The Other Side of the Coin
The Right Groups’ – The Costs of Buying in Spain
The Rights Group’s Guide to Buying a Property in Spain
Time to Complete
Time to Complete? - Part 2
Top 10 Reasons To Buy In Spain
Try Before You Buy
What to do Before and After You Complete on Your New Property
What You Need To Do If Your Spanish Developer Goes Bust?
Where Are All The Property Bargains In Spain?
Who Is REALLY Looking After Your Interest In Spain?
Why Buy On A Golf Resort?
Why Buy Property On A Resort
Why Choose Interest Only For Your Spanish Mortgage

Click here for a list of all the articles from our magazine 

A selection of threads from our general forum:

Can anyone recommend an agent for selling in El Algar
Passing the buck on Consumer Rights?
Does valuation really matter?
FOR SALE - return MONARCH flights Manchester - Murcia
Anyone got experience of getting residencia in Malaga?
Submarines off Torre Del Mar??
Has anyone used Rightmove?
BIG UGLEY WOOD HUT
Kathy and Jim Lawson
The Phone House La Cañada

Sign up for our newsletter ...

Including news, articles and our latest offers! View past editions

Receive our FREE learning
Spanish e-book and others
when you subscribe!