20 Oct 2012 6:58 PM:

 Out of interest what happens to the various taxes and fees which the sale of any property attracts ( approximately 10%). + the mortgage arrangement fee? It has always been my understanding you cannot mortgage taxes and fees. Has something changed in this regard? Most of the bank owned property that I have come across, that has a 100% mortgage offer, is usually unsalelable due to poor location, questionable build quality or the fact that the complex may be years away from completion, which in fact is why banks are pushing 100% facilities, this being the only way they can attract any interest. Unless a convincing explanation is offered I would steer well clear of this offer, always remember the old adage, if something appears too good to be true, its because,it usually is! Either way best of luck on your trip, lets hope you find a bargain, but I have a feeling that you are much more likely to pickup a bargain if you are "cash ready"

Thread: To Mortgage or Not to Mortgage

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23 Jul 2012 11:21 AM:

 Here we go again, another property swindle story, for crying out loud shall we treat all potential buyers as if they have no sense at all? Rock bottom prices with no questions asked?  anybody who approaches the process of buying with this kind of attitude is bound to fall foul of some chancer, sooner or later. Someone suggested the banks are in collusion with these criminals, I would say there is probably some merit in that statement, seems to me many bankers are morally corrupt these days, basically on par with loan sharks, and the "Im allright Jack" brigade, oh and don't forget my bonus!

Common sense dictates if you want to take advantage of the current low property prices this is best achieved by dealing with an old established property agent, not some be-suited shark who "asks no questions" An old adage, but non the less very relevant, if something seems too good to be true, IT USUALLY IS !

Finally on the thorney question of rent or buy, best advice, please yourself, after all, you are a a grown up, but two things occur to me, 1, when the market improves, which it will, (although none of us know how long it will take) all that rent you have paid has gone into the pocket of some private landlord, and then if you decide to buy, you will pay a much enhanced price. If landlords don't buy properties you can't rent them. 2, will prices get any lower? well maybe some might, especially big villas,(normally bought by City types, and Bankers on huge bonuses) but modern resale apartments, fully furnished, in well established communities and totally 100% legal, being sold for 40 to 55000€ I simply cannot see these properties ever going down in value. Oh and by the way these are very suitable for those folk who would sooner rent than buy , so here is an opportunity to become one of those landlords  I spoke about.

This reply, although a little tongue in cheek, is really aimed at the inexperianced potential buyer, I still maintain, when buying in Spain  if you do your homework and take proper advice, and pre -arrange viewings with an old established agent, you will have no problems, and get yourself a real bargain. John Scott.

Thread: COSTAS PROPERTY SHARKS ON THE PROWL

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05 Jul 2011 11:00 AM:

I am not negative, I love Spain, but what you propose is madness, even if you choose to bin Marbella, and go rural, you will find, tiling work even harder to find, schools will be further apart, (it is unlikely all the children will be in the same school) and the more rural you go, the less the locals will speak English. All of this will add to an sense of isolation, if not desparation. Be thankful that other people are taking the time to advise you, in this day and age most people don't give a toss what misfortune affects other people, I do feel the advice given here, ought to be heeded. You may think times are tough in Britain, and that life is better in Spain, well you are right on both counts, or at least you would be, if it were not the fact of jobs, schooling, language and lack of a large pot of money to fall back on. Best of luck in all your endeavours, have a great holiday in Spain, but for God's sake forget it !

 

Thread: Moving to Marbella in october !!!!!!!!

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