13 Feb 2008 10:49 PM:
This is my first posting on this site and as an owner from Phase 2 I thought that it would be useful to share our experience and to see how we could get involved in any owner action.
Our history with OVP is the same as everybody elses i.e. development running several years late, attempt to sell before completion met with a threat that we couldn't sell as it was near completion (that was > 12 months before actual completion), paid up far too early for furniture pack, trouble getting snagging done, mortgage amount less than expected, unhelpful solicitors etc., etc.
However, after swaying between trying to sell the apartment and planning to keep it for the long-term we have decided on the latter and put considerable effort and time into trying to get things sorted out. We were pleasantly surprised to find during a visit to the site (and many visits to the OVP office in Duquesa) in late January that through our pressure: the snagging has largely been completed to a reasonable standard; the aircon was installed and working; the furniture pack was in place (a few items missing etc.) and overall our pessimistic expectations were unfounded. There is a major issue with storage space in the kitchen that we have decided to resolve ourselves with a bit of a refit - yes it will cost more euros but it is something that we are happy to do.
As with a number of owners we have decided we will take control from now onwards and get our property into a truly habitable state. I am back over again in later February (playing golf) and did want to stay at the apartment but do not think that it will be quite ready yet. We have found the UK aircon company and Villapac very helpful and it is only through direct contact with them that we have got to where we are now.
We are obviously alarmed to read the recent postings on this message board and have noticed some strange things going on with OVP in Spain e.g. no longer doing golf bookings and directing us back to the UK office - we can only assume that this is related to the activity that is mentionned on the message board.
Whilst we are fairly satisfied with our apartment it is the facilities on the complex and the surrounding area that is giving us most concern. We see no value in joining OVP's rental scheme and have decided to rent out to family and friends for the next 12 months at least as they will hopefully be a bit more tolerant of the bomb site to the left of our apartment.
With frequent trips planned to Manilva over the coming months we would be more than happy to be active in the Resident's Committee and to try and help out get this site into shape as quickly as possible. We appreciate that many owners have been sold Manilva Beach as an investment and that the lack of rental income and falling property prices will cause short-term issues but we see no positive way forward other than to work with as many owners as possible to progress things to the benefit of everyone.
Any thoughts/comments/questions gratefully received.
Kevin & Gaye
Community thread:
flax horse bedding
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