03 Oct 2010 12:00 AM:

** EDITED - Against forum rules **
Thread: UK Debt Collection Agencies

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07 Mar 2008 8:55 AM:

Thanks Roberto. Yes, the Mallorca analogy is interesting. Prices there seem to be very strong, but probably due to the fact that it is a major market for the Germans, who will never discount their properties (but they discount everything else!). The lack of over development also helped, but to me prices in Mallorca and Ibiza are way too high - but also fuelled by the Catalans who holiday there and not Marbella, where the Madrileños holiday (for those who didnt know this - there is still pretty much a mutual hatred between Madrid and Barcelona - even to the point of where thy go on holiday).

During the Inquisition during the 1490´s when Catholic Spain retook the country from the Islamic Moors, they also set abount a slaughter of Jews who just happened to be there historically and who were very good at making money. So everytime they found some Jews, they would round them up, denounce and torture them and burn them at the stake in the main plaza. This event was known as the Auto de Fé. Many of the Jews fled to Portugal and back to the middle east and were known as Ladino´s. You can still hear Spanish spoken in places like Istambul and Jerusalem and Flamenco is also found in there. If you want to hear some Ladino singing (a mix of arabic/flamenco), check out the beautiful Yasmin Levy on the web. I could see this practice becoming popular again for the tourists to witness, if Estate Agents were hounded out of Spain. I rather fancied myself in the role of Witchfinder General!! (if you remember that old Vincent Price film).

Cheers

Byron

 

 

 

Thread: Is there VALUE in the Costa de Sol Market?

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06 Mar 2008 11:12 PM:

You guys obviously dont live in Marbella. Here we are in the "eye of the storm" A lot of agents are simply refusing to take on new listings e.g. Andalucian Dream Homes. Others are virtually wiped out e.g. VIVA (no offices left open) and still others have ultimate offensive strategy e.g Engel & Volkers- "we will only sell your property for 7.5%" - typically arrogant Germans.  For those of you who are not aware of what is happening in Marbella - this is the reality. I should know as I am trying to offload 2 properties here, one at 75k less than I paid 3 years ago. With the scale of the Pound/Euro depreciation, the Brits are finished here - witness SUR (in Spanish) all this week promoting Marbella´s close ties with Germany. The Spanish are scared shitless as they know the Brits will go to Croatia or the USA this year. In a market where those of us who really neeed to sell are faced with such attitudes, anyone paying an agent over 5% is mad. You wouldnt want to be an estate agent in Marbella at the moment - Auto da Fé - for those of you who know a little Spanish history.

 

 

 

 

Thread: Is there VALUE in the Costa de Sol Market?

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12 Feb 2008 12:00 AM:

Check out some of the crazy prices now being listed on Eye on Spain and you can see it really it a BUYERS market. Nothing wrong with the properties or the area, just a natural flushing out of the system. Mainly sellers who have overstretched or tired or the whole spanish property scene. Some are selling at 75-100k less than they paid. Forget what Bank valuations are saying - just ask for proof of what the Buyer paid originally. Remember, never trust Spanish banks, lawyers or their valuations. Just look at what was paid on the escritura. Current bargains - Majestic Hills, La Quinta, Los Arqueros, Soto de Marbella - all quality product.

Thread: Is there VALUE in the Costa de Sol Market?

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