Received letter 'call to complete' on 29^th November 2007 and therefore I am contracted to complete before 29^th December 2007. But beyond that I have not yet discussed an actual date but since I am actively dealing with snagging I prefer to be clear on this before bringing up the subject - although I will likely still meet the 29th December date.

 

I have taken EF’s advice and looked at Schofields for insurance. It is a little more expensive but if you read the detail of the policy it is much better than Intasure. There is no requirement to drain water systems during Winter and many other wiggle-out-clause etc. However Schofields do mention nearby trees >5m which may be relevant for some apartments (but just ask for an underwriter referral). By chance there are no large trees >5m near me so I have taken this policy now.

 

Regards,

Keith

 

Latest photos:

 

13^th November 2007 = New trellis

14^th November 2007 = Clubhouse

 

The trellis has been added to improve privacy but in my view is not good enough. Firstly you can see through the trellis! and really the problem should be properly solved by raising the walls to above head height (and perhaps with the trellis at the very top to transfer light). The problem is worse on the front blocks because the wall has been built lower in height. In fact on the front blocks you could fit two strips of trellis (it fits) and this is what I’ve asked the developer to do if they are not prepared to raise the walls.

 

The clubhouse is still not yet open but I was quoted ‘should be next week’ (remember that’s a Spanish week!)

 

Regards,

 

Keith Everett

Hi all,

Insurance: £90,000 was the rebuild cost given by my surveyor (Euro 130,000).

It interesting that you both have use Intasure (is that safety in numbers!)

 

My survey valuation came in at exactly the same as purchase price in April 05 (somewhat relieved because I expected it to have dropped) – but there was a slight twist. I commissioned my own survey/valuation earlier this year (Feb 07) for my own purpose, and only much later when dealing with the mortgage I found that my mortgage company use the same surveyor. So I asked them if they would take my original survey report/valuation in lieu of a new mortgage valuation – which they agreed to. However reading between the lines and tying together some loose conversation I think that if my original report had been a mortgage valuation they would have lowered the valuation (in otherwords I think its standing orders for all mortgage valuations to be fixed lower – or conversely maybe its private valuations that are artificially set higher!) In reality of course it’s subjective – we won’t really know a value until units have been sold in a resale market.

 

For snagging I used [www.] Snagging.es – Gordon Neilson. His company is attached to [www.] SurveySpain.com. It was approx Euro 500 but that was reduced because of previous survey instructions. It’s hard to judge whether it has been worthwhile. Originally I wasn’t going to travel over before completion and therefore the cost of travel saved offsets some of the snagging cost – however things change and I am coming over to inspect myself (and checkout banks, furniture etc) so I didn’t really save a travel cost. If I was doing it again I would be tempted to travel over earlier and make a judgement then of whether it was needed. (There is some damp in my apt that I probably wouldn’t have noticed snagging myself). Also disappointingly it has taken 4 weeks from inspection to getting report and I was getting concerned that it would not appear in time. If anyone takes professional snagging then I suggest contracting a turn-a-round time and not leaving it open.

 

Have also just had a reply from Paloma. She advised that since my snagging inspection the terrace dividing wall now has a wooden lattice on top. Has anyone seen that and have photos?

 

Has anyone looked into utilities yet, who supplies this area, and calculated what their apt power consumption is (requirement for electricity supply).

Regards,

Keith

Hi Guys,

 

I have had my snagging report now. About 80 items (which I’m told is about average!). The inspection was 9/10/07 so one month ago now.

 

By far, the majority are minor things like ‘gap in tile grout’,  ‘uneven paintwork’, ’missing drawer handle’ etc. But also there has been a break-in and the terrace doors have been crow-bar forced buckling the frame meaning the door frame and doors will need replacing. Obviously this is unique to me and not a widespread problem. However I do have a few windows and doors that are scratched which is something that maybe more widespread.

 

Also there was no power or water so appliances could not be tested

 

I do have a missing blind in bedroom 2. Could anybody confirm whether blinds are fitted to their bedroom 2.

 

Its hard to judge the overall picture having not been to site and I will have a better feel when I go out on Wednesday (14/11/07).

 

My mortgage company wants buildings insurance from day 1. A quick search on the Internet finds UK based Intasure www.insuredabroad.com who have quoted me £167.87 (for 2 bed / 2 bath, buildings £90,000, Contents £10,000). I have no affiliation and this is only the first search I’ve looked at, but I guess it seems reasonable and being UK based has convenience and language advantages. Has anybody else looked at insurance?