19 Aug 2013 7:15 AM:

The 42k one was on Residencial, but Chris, if it feels right, then go for it!

Does it not come with furnishings?  Most of the Keymare properties have basic furnishings.  Unusually for Spain, they even came with bathrooms (usually off plan come with just the plumbings sticking up!).  If you need any contacts for handymen, aircon, electric etc, just let me know.

Homes & Beyond in Garrucha (3rd exit on Buganvillas roundabout) are great for beds (and Paul is English), but we like a drive to Murcia to the Ikea there!

Enjoy your purchase, K

Community thread: Buying on Al Andalus Thalassa, opinions welcome

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17 Aug 2013 3:28 PM:

Hi Chris

We purchased on Al Andalus Hills back in 2004 and have never regretted it.  Like you, we were in for a ten year plan, but well . . .who could have predicted!  Generally, prices have dropped, but not as low as our original off plan purchase price (I don't think).  Having just returned from a fantastic holiday, I was suprised to be leafletted about an apartment on Residencial, 2 bed, going for just 42k euros. This was a bank repossession.  So there must be some huge bargains around.  

My question to you is, why on Thalassa?  We rent ours out enough to pay the bills and find the proximity of the sea and ability to walk to a supermarket and several dozen restaurants is very important.  Also the bus service is just over the road.  Thalassa is just that bit further up the hill making it a bit inaccessible for those with young children or mobility issues.  The newly placed Cositas is fabulous, for us all I hope.  Residencial is in the same position, although the Happy Gnome seems to open in season.

Have you spent much time out there in the off season?

In concurrance with both Spanish and English neighbours, I think we were all in agreement that the area was generally on an upward trend.  I cannot substantiate this, just a general feeling that the area was moving on.  The lovely new pleasure boat harbour and chiringuito area in Garrucha, the newly finished square at the top of Mojacar Pueblo, the return of Creamfields in its Dreambeach format, and the fact that large chains of restaurants (Lua) have invested in the area by opening stores.  Also, closer to Thalassa is empty roads, actually being top-tarmacced during our stay when they had been empty for so long that we have been giving our teenagers driving lessons on them for the last three years.  We were also amazed at how quickly the Buganvillas/Laguna Beach areas have recovered/been rebuilt after the horrendous floodings last September.  Very encouraging.

So perhaps prices might have hit their low - hindsight will tell, but we did say that we would definitely be interested to buy again in Spain at this time, probably purely for the rental market though.

I would also caution - we purchased a second property locally in 2006 and it never received its final licence - despite us having all the normal solicitor checks, and we are still fighting through the courts with many others, for the deposit return.  At least in the UK, you can check yourself, although we are not naive purchasers and did a lot of double checking and reading of spanish contracts ourselves.  Just the law is so different.

Hope my personal views help.

Community thread: Buying on Al Andalus Thalassa, opinions welcome

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15 Oct 2012 8:47 AM:

 I have no experience of UK courts other than the efficient small claims system, but I do find dealing with the Spanish legal system v. difficult.  Having purchased an off-plan property in 2004 which has failed to get a licence, we had our 'day in court' in May 2010 - but have yet to find out the results.  Apparently this is normal!

Forum thread: Is it just the Spanish courts or are the UK ones just as bad?

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26 Oct 2011 10:43 AM:

Hi everyone

We were out there in August and had a lovely holiday on a neighbouring site.  We did do a brief 'drive by' Jardines.  The whole area was extremely quiet.  The apartment we were hoping to buy (no 72) had extremely large cracks all round it where the sun terrace wall met the floor of the terrace.  We were not able to see into the complex apart from to boost our teenager onto the wall, but she said it was deserted within - no one in the pool (which she said looked lovely).

Palomares itself hasn't changed much.  The panaderia was busy, and we found a new department type store just out of town on the Desert Springs road.  This has probably been there for years but we have never been up there.

We stayed in another apartment in Vera Playa, just up from Consum.  The small site of Al Andalus Hills was really busy with friendly families and we had a great holiday.  Despite the economic problem Spain is suffering, we were surprised at the vibrancy of the bars in the area near the Vera Hotel and understand from Spanish friends that the black economy is thriving during the tourist season.

Still waiting for an outcome to the court case of May 2010, but we have ascertained that no bank guarantee was ever issued, which is contrary to Spanish law.

Anyone who owns and uses an apartment on Jardines - would love to know how the site is working and what community charge you are currently paying.

Thank you

Community thread: Jardine de Palomares

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20 May 2011 5:57 PM:

Well we had our day in Court just over a year ago . . . .and nothing to change the status quo was decided although we have been told there will be another hearing relevant to Jardines in 2012 and we have to wait for that.  We refused an out-of-court settlement.

Anyone local know if the complex was damaged in the recent earthquake?  It was looking pretty rough last time we drove past.

Community thread: Jardine de Palomares

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