buying an apartment in spain

[dsl2]

Just starting to seriously consider looking at the purchase of a new or fairly contemporary looking 2 bedroom apartment in or around the Estepona area.

Wants are a sea view, pool on the complex, nearby gym & within walking distance of the beach / sea front / classy (ish!) bars & restaurants.

Any suggestions of areas to narrow the search down to / specific developers to look at would be very much appreciated.

This would ideally be used for a bit of winter sun to escape the UK gloom rather than summer hols so needs to be somewhere not deserted in the winter months pls

Edited by dsl2 on Sunday 13th September 16:25

[rdjohn]

dsl2 said:

Just starting to seriously consider looking at the purchase of a new or fairly contemporary looking 2 bedroom apartment in or around the Estepona area.

Wants are a sea view, pool on the complex, nearby gym & within walking distance of the beach / sea front / classy (ish!) bars & restaurants.

Any suggestions of areas to narrow the search down to / specific developers to look at would be very much appreciated.

This would ideally be used for a bit of winter sun to escape the UK gloom rather than summer hols so needs to be somewhere not deserted in the winter months pls

Edited by dsl2 on Sunday 13th September 16:25

My mate has just bought a unit at Infinity, in the centre of Estepona. It’s just been completed and the finishes are a very high standard. I would haggle to get a better price, as they are not cheap.

https://www.yourviva.com/property-for-sale/exclusi...

[dsl2]

Thanks for the link, does look pretty nice.

Definitely the sort of property I'm thinking of but ideally would be closer to the sea front & with not so much traffic passing by ruining the peace & view!

[WinstonWolf]

I'd pop over and spend some time near the marina, lots of properties and there's no substitute for walking around and seeing where takes your fancy.

[Chris Stott]

Personally, I’d look on line for an estate agent that specialises in the area and arrange for them to show you some properties over a couple of days.

If you tell them what you’re looking for they’ll arrange everything, including viewings.

[LordGrover]

Has anyone here gone for a more residential/native style house or apartment?

Must be twenty years ago, a friend of mine bought a three bedroom flat in Ciutadella, Menorca. It was great, though basic by holiday-maker standards. It was bought as a holiday home and occasional use by friends and family - no rental. Third floor, no lift, no balcony or view - all neighbours 'locals'. It was relatively cheap at the time but he still made a decent loss as was forced to sell as part of separation/divorce.

I love the area and could quite easily see myself living/settling there.

[dsl2]

Thanks guys, good advice.

I'm planning on heading over to have a nosey November time. Will probably look for an Airbnb to rent in the area to get a better feel for actually living in the place at the time of year I'm interested in.

[ooid]

I just spoke to my sister today, she lives Barcelona and running a local business (bakery/cafe shop). She sounded very pessimistic, business-wise, its not really encouraging. Some of her friends/local business owners also started to sell their local restaurants and cafes, which were quite popular. It looks many of the retails/restaurants selling their assets and moving overseas, if they can. It sounds quite horrible of course, but I started to wonder if this would also affect the property prices? We are planning to visit La Manga before christmas to look around so perhaps it might be better to wait till 2021 summer and see whats going on?

[dsl2]

Yes its going to be tough going everywhere for the forseeable future no question.

If I were to take the plunge it would only be for the right place at a very right price as the likely hood is for a very prolonged period of price depression / no appreciation & limited buyers for a long while.

[Shnozz]

ooid said:

I just spoke to my sister today, she lives Barcelona and running a local business (bakery/cafe shop). She sounded very pessimistic, business-wise, its not really encouraging. Some of her friends/local business owners also started to sell their local restaurants and cafes, which were quite popular. It looks many of the retails/restaurants selling their assets and moving overseas, if they can. It sounds quite horrible of course, but I started to wonder if this would also affect the property prices? We are planning to visit La Manga before christmas to look around so perhaps it might be better to wait till 2021 summer and see whats going on?

The Costas don't seem to have much of a relationship with the property prices in the rest of Spain, nor much relationship with the Spanish economy to an extent. They are, of course, largely owned by foreigners and so price wise more dependant on the financial health of the home nation of those foreigners than the situation in Spain. That said, this recession looks as though it will be global so we could see prices decline worldwide.

I would say the Brexit saga is more likely to bring about price falls, albeit its not just the British here of course, there are many Scandinavians, Russians, Dutch, French etc. The reports so far from 2020 suggest prices have crept up and there seems a bit of a rush in British trying to get in and settled ahead of the January 21 end of the withdrawal agreement to become Spanish residents before it becomes harder to do once Brexit is over the line. Once that happens, coupled with a recession, I can imagine prices might soften a little.

[mart 63]

Got back from Spain yesterday, after finally purchasing and getting keys for our villa. The place needs a lot of work doing to it. Hopefully the builders have the main work done before we move over in November. Not much work to do after that, just a new kitchen, bathroom and retile.
The work starts then on my outside bar, which I'm looking forward to. Had a few friends and family around there on Thursday, for a little house warming. Looks like the bar will hold a good few people.

[Salted_Peanut]

mart 63 said:

Got back from Spain yesterday

Behind the headlines, what was the Covid situation like? It appears worsening in Spain (but then it's worsening here too).

[Chris Stott]

Congrats Mart!

Down here (Marbella area) it’s fine. Everywhere is open, just need to wear masks when out and about. Spanish are focussing in the areas where the hospital admissions are increasing rather than treating everyone like lepers.

[mart 63]

Salted_Peanut said:

mart 63 said:

Got back from Spain yesterday

Behind the headlines, what was the Covid situation like? It appears worsening in Spain (but then it's worsening here too).

Not many cases where we were, if any. Just more silly mask rules and smoking rules.
On the plus side, walked in to Alicante airport at 4.30 (uk time) and was walking to car at Liverpool airport at 7.45. Only around 30 on the plane.

Edited by mart 63 on Monday 21st September 07:38

[mart 63]

Chris Stott said:

Congrats Mart!

Down here (Marbella area) it’s fine. Everywhere is open, just need to wear masks when out and about. Spanish are focussing in the areas where the hospital admissions are increasing rather than treating everyone like lepers.

Thanks Chris

[Shnozz]

Just having a mid-work coffee and sat on the rooftop browsing PH. House still standing Mart

[mart 63]

Shnozz said:

Just having a mid-work coffee and sat on the rooftop browsing PH. House still standing Mart

Are you sure, i can't see it

[mart 63]

Found it, i have a labourer there, getting rid of that vine from over the bar and the raised brick area by gates.

[mikal83]

Anyone here bought/own a flat in one of the Canaries?

[Mateyuk]

Hello chaps,

I've been following this thread with interest for a while now. An apartment in Spain is something we've been considering for a while, and its now more achievable than ever. However, its going to have to be a 2021 project I suspect.

That said, I am wondering if there is anything worth doing in preparation now - especially with that Brexit thing - such as getting NIE at the consulate in London etc.

Any thoughts/suggestions from those that have gone through the process really welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks!