buying an apartment in spain
Discussion
When down to the Costa del Sol, last week. Idea being to see if it was somewhere worth buying & if so where we should consider. No intention of buying
Really liked the Duquesa area. Dropped an email to an agent last Friday afternoon as we had a quiet morning on the Saturday before flying back early evening so was interested in getting to see a few properties & what we could get for our budget.
Agent met us took us round a few properties in the Duquesa area. Saw a few properties, but frankly nothing that grabbed us. Final property was actually final 2 on a development that has recently been completed. A 3 bed ground floor with a garden area & a 2 bed penthouse, with more terrace space than inside space. The roof terrace has sun all day, with sea views both ways, the other terrace has views down to Gibraltar. After viewing had a drink with the agent. Said we really liked it but couldn’t commit until we had exchanged on a property in the UK we were selling. With the agent we persuaded the seller to take the 2 bed off the market pending an exchange this week. They agreed pending confirmation yesterday. We finally got exchange today so have been able to sign off the initial paperwork today.
We are actually opposite end of this block but same afternoon view.
Other side
This is all just above Dona Julia Golf course
Hopefully in in about 4-6 weeks
https://donajuliagolfviews.com/en/gallery
Really liked the Duquesa area. Dropped an email to an agent last Friday afternoon as we had a quiet morning on the Saturday before flying back early evening so was interested in getting to see a few properties & what we could get for our budget.
Agent met us took us round a few properties in the Duquesa area. Saw a few properties, but frankly nothing that grabbed us. Final property was actually final 2 on a development that has recently been completed. A 3 bed ground floor with a garden area & a 2 bed penthouse, with more terrace space than inside space. The roof terrace has sun all day, with sea views both ways, the other terrace has views down to Gibraltar. After viewing had a drink with the agent. Said we really liked it but couldn’t commit until we had exchanged on a property in the UK we were selling. With the agent we persuaded the seller to take the 2 bed off the market pending an exchange this week. They agreed pending confirmation yesterday. We finally got exchange today so have been able to sign off the initial paperwork today.
We are actually opposite end of this block but same afternoon view.
Other side
This is all just above Dona Julia Golf course
Hopefully in in about 4-6 weeks
https://donajuliagolfviews.com/en/gallery
Edited by GT03ROB on Friday 14th October 21:23
Edited by GT03ROB on Friday 14th October 21:43
Congrats Rob.
My life has had a bit of a change of direction with work which might have changed my usage of my Spanish home
Hoping I can still make it work and time has flown since originally posting on this thread. Also, has anyone else for here noticed what seems to be a Spanish housing boom in the post covid era? Prices seem to have gone north a fair bit but mainly also the speed at which properties are selling? Houses that would ordinarily take years to sell are sold in weeks it seems around me? Quite surprised as the market is usually glacial. If I do have to consider selling at least it looks positive on that front.
My life has had a bit of a change of direction with work which might have changed my usage of my Spanish home
Hoping I can still make it work and time has flown since originally posting on this thread. Also, has anyone else for here noticed what seems to be a Spanish housing boom in the post covid era? Prices seem to have gone north a fair bit but mainly also the speed at which properties are selling? Houses that would ordinarily take years to sell are sold in weeks it seems around me? Quite surprised as the market is usually glacial. If I do have to consider selling at least it looks positive on that front.
Yeah, prices have shot up round here.
We paid 200 for ours 8 years ago and it hardly moved for the next 5 years… I’d be pretty confident of getting 450-500 for it now… with a 15-20% fx help on top. Early in the summer we didn’t have one property for sale on our urbanization… 150 apartments.
We paid 200 for ours 8 years ago and it hardly moved for the next 5 years… I’d be pretty confident of getting 450-500 for it now… with a 15-20% fx help on top. Early in the summer we didn’t have one property for sale on our urbanization… 150 apartments.
Six months after the villa falling through we went back to Alicante a couple of weekends ago to look at the slim pickings of interesting villas, a place just outside the city centre that was being used as a holiday rental and a few penthouses.
We moved a little too slowly on the first choice penthouse (which had been for sale for ages!), but have come to an agreement on the second choice. The Spanish are a nightmare to negotiate with! Managed to chip under 3% off the asking, having gone in 14% under with first bid. As it's a 2007 build apartment on solid ground, we're not anticipating any structural problems this time!
We were set on a villa, but weren't finding anything we like and are concerned about leaving it standing empty and the upkeep costs. I'm not sure it's the final move, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
The apartment is going to be lock up and leave, as a holiday place is bigger than we need, has decent terraces, sea views, 5 mins from the beach and 1 minute from the tram, loads of bars, restaurants and shops on the door step. It's also an ideal base to go cycling into the hills. Basically perfect for holidays for the next 8-10 years before we move permanently. I'd have liked to have a holiday place in Alicante city centre, but somewhere with those features in the city doesn't seem to exist at any price and SWMBO likes a calmer pace.
Fingers crossed this one doesn't fall through too...
We moved a little too slowly on the first choice penthouse (which had been for sale for ages!), but have come to an agreement on the second choice. The Spanish are a nightmare to negotiate with! Managed to chip under 3% off the asking, having gone in 14% under with first bid. As it's a 2007 build apartment on solid ground, we're not anticipating any structural problems this time!
We were set on a villa, but weren't finding anything we like and are concerned about leaving it standing empty and the upkeep costs. I'm not sure it's the final move, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
The apartment is going to be lock up and leave, as a holiday place is bigger than we need, has decent terraces, sea views, 5 mins from the beach and 1 minute from the tram, loads of bars, restaurants and shops on the door step. It's also an ideal base to go cycling into the hills. Basically perfect for holidays for the next 8-10 years before we move permanently. I'd have liked to have a holiday place in Alicante city centre, but somewhere with those features in the city doesn't seem to exist at any price and SWMBO likes a calmer pace.
Fingers crossed this one doesn't fall through too...
Shnozz said:
As I say, people have different tastes and you could wander in the Krug bar in Alicante and have little to show for €100. Likewise you can find remote Spanish places were its buttons.
We had dinner at the Krug place when we were over. Very mixed reviews on the internet, but we thought it was spot on. My partner is a big fan. Possibly a good thing we aren't buying in walking distance. Some of the best sea food we've had anywhere and I do love that Spanish restaurants don't try and rip you off with wine mark ups. It wasn't cheap by any measure, but we felt it was worth it. The next day we had a 4 course lunch in El Campello for €13 a head including a drink. That was also great value for money and you wonder how they make anything off it.Some good purchases there 
That’s how we did it. It kind of escalated from ‘let’s go see properties tomorrow’ to ‘offer accepted’ within a week. Oops.
Best bit is having the option to just go - we went to Portugal from Saturday to Tuesday last week. Nice little long weekend break - £52 return - our kids are paying more in train fares to come home from uni for Xmas
That’s how we did it. It kind of escalated from ‘let’s go see properties tomorrow’ to ‘offer accepted’ within a week. Oops.
Best bit is having the option to just go - we went to Portugal from Saturday to Tuesday last week. Nice little long weekend break - £52 return - our kids are paying more in train fares to come home from uni for Xmas
Shnozz said:
Great news mate. Whereabouts is the new pad?
Cheers 
It's in El Campello. We've spent quite a lot of time there and quite like the town. Quite a few decent restaurants that we like, but haven't a favourite. bar yet. Will have to up my game on that score.Obligatory picture from the main terrace...
Edited by eyebeebe on Saturday 17th December 10:49
That looks lovely. Do you think there will be a lot of families joining forces and buying apartments together and arranging a kind of ‘ you have it for 90 days, then we have it for 90 days and repeat ‘?
As long as you get along it could work out fine ? About 20 years ago My dad did similar with his old business partner as they couldn’t go on holiday at the same time anyway - kind made sense .
As long as you get along it could work out fine ? About 20 years ago My dad did similar with his old business partner as they couldn’t go on holiday at the same time anyway - kind made sense .
Thanks. Not sure about that, as we live in Switzerland, so don't have the 90 day restriction. As things stand I can't work outside of Switzerland, so even a 90 day limit wouldn't have any impact. I'm going to see if I can come to an arrangement where I can work 1 Friday a month from Spain and block my client data access. Then obviously spend longer holidays there and the rest of the time happy for friends and family to use it and bung us a few quid for the electric etc.
eyebeebe said:
Shnozz said:
Great news mate. Whereabouts is the new pad?
Cheers It's in El Campello. We've spent quite a lot of time there and quite like the town. Quite a few decent restaurants that we like, but haven't a favourite. bar yet. Will have to up my game on that score.Obligatory picture from the main terrace...
Edited by eyebeebe on Saturday 17th December 10:49
Yetski said:
arfur said:
Always a good time in Duquesa and the area !
I assume you've done RYA theory & dayskipper etc as the 33 is >10m isn't it ? I'm booking with Sotogrande Yachting for Sept to do Powerboat 2 to make sure I really enjoy as much as I hope (used to have boats on the Thames years ago). Was thinking to avoid dayskipper etc by keeping a boat under the 10m mark.
I wouldn't worry too much about the course, if you do the dayskipper it's only an additional day, opens up other oportunities, and to be honest it's not difficult, we found it really enjoyable.I assume you've done RYA theory & dayskipper etc as the 33 is >10m isn't it ? I'm booking with Sotogrande Yachting for Sept to do Powerboat 2 to make sure I really enjoy as much as I hope (used to have boats on the Thames years ago). Was thinking to avoid dayskipper etc by keeping a boat under the 10m mark.
We're also down in Sept, say hello if you're passing the Salty Swallow, always cold beers onboard.
I'm now looking again and enquiring about insurance - I was just quoted today for a Sea Ray 355 @ about 1k euros a year .... Granted it is a gas boat and not diesel, but is that a similar price for insurance as your Bavaria ? I'm back down at Easter for 2 weeks (was supposed to be there today but family problems meant needed to delay) and will be actively looking for a boat. It will be moored in Soto as I've talked to a few people and the price, if paid annually in advance is a good deal !
Good luck with the search, I'm currently looking again, unfortunately my partner in boat ownership managed to hit some rocks near Soto severely damaging one of the engines and holing it, so I've pulled out, don't fancy putting my trust in a damaged repairable boat.
1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
Yetski said:
Good luck with the search, I'm currently looking again, unfortunately my partner in boat ownership managed to hit some rocks near Soto severely damaging one of the engines and holing it, so I've pulled out, don't fancy putting my trust in a damaged repairable boat.
1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
I did spend some time looking at Charlies Angel - P3 in Duquesa. It's UK owned on ES flag. The price just kept coming down - In the end they were willing to take 35kE for a 2001 Fairline 30. The list of issues however was initially looking minimum of 10k (trim tabs, services, GPS, AC etc etc) and there was pretty much zero history. It was suggested the engines were at 600 hours, then 700, then 800 (ish) - it's at this point I walked away1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
So if you are up for doing repairs then if it's still there it could still represent a bargain for someone with plenty of experience (not me - hence not risking it)
Shame about the Bavaria, they are a lovely boat !
arfur said:
Yetski said:
Good luck with the search, I'm currently looking again, unfortunately my partner in boat ownership managed to hit some rocks near Soto severely damaging one of the engines and holing it, so I've pulled out, don't fancy putting my trust in a damaged repairable boat.
1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
I did spend some time looking at Charlies Angel - P3 in Duquesa. It's UK owned on ES flag. The price just kept coming down - In the end they were willing to take 35kE for a 2001 Fairline 30. The list of issues however was initially looking minimum of 10k (trim tabs, services, GPS, AC etc etc) and there was pretty much zero history. It was suggested the engines were at 600 hours, then 700, then 800 (ish) - it's at this point I walked away1K sounds about right, and your correct about moorings at Soto, but I still own the lease on my mooring in Duquesa, so that's where the new one will be going.
So if you are up for doing repairs then if it's still there it could still represent a bargain for someone with plenty of experience (not me - hence not risking it)
Shame about the Bavaria, they are a lovely boat !
Really don't want to spend any effort repairing one, there's plenty of unloved boats down there if you have the time on your hands to make a good un, or are willing to get ripped off by certain people around the port.
But until I can retire down there, our times precious, and we need to make the most of it, so it needs to be plug and play.
GT03ROB said:
When down to the Costa del Sol, last week. Idea being to see if it was somewhere worth buying & if so where we should consider. No intention of buying
Really liked the Duquesa area. Dropped an email to an agent last Friday afternoon as we had a quiet morning on the Saturday before flying back early evening so was interested in getting to see a few properties & what we could get for our budget.
Agent met us took us round a few properties in the Duquesa area. Saw a few properties, but frankly nothing that grabbed us. Final property was actually final 2 on a development that has recently been completed. A 3 bed ground floor with a garden area & a 2 bed penthouse, with more terrace space than inside space. The roof terrace has sun all day, with sea views both ways, the other terrace has views down to Gibraltar. After viewing had a drink with the agent. Said we really liked it but couldn’t commit until we had exchanged on a property in the UK we were selling. With the agent we persuaded the seller to take the 2 bed off the market pending an exchange this week. They agreed pending confirmation yesterday. We finally got exchange today so have been able to sign off the initial paperwork today.
We are actually opposite end of this block but same afternoon view.
Other side
This is all just above Dona Julia Golf course
Hopefully in in about 4-6 weeks
https://donajuliagolfviews.com/en/gallery
....and all just gone through.....Really liked the Duquesa area. Dropped an email to an agent last Friday afternoon as we had a quiet morning on the Saturday before flying back early evening so was interested in getting to see a few properties & what we could get for our budget.
Agent met us took us round a few properties in the Duquesa area. Saw a few properties, but frankly nothing that grabbed us. Final property was actually final 2 on a development that has recently been completed. A 3 bed ground floor with a garden area & a 2 bed penthouse, with more terrace space than inside space. The roof terrace has sun all day, with sea views both ways, the other terrace has views down to Gibraltar. After viewing had a drink with the agent. Said we really liked it but couldn’t commit until we had exchanged on a property in the UK we were selling. With the agent we persuaded the seller to take the 2 bed off the market pending an exchange this week. They agreed pending confirmation yesterday. We finally got exchange today so have been able to sign off the initial paperwork today.
We are actually opposite end of this block but same afternoon view.
Other side
This is all just above Dona Julia Golf course
Hopefully in in about 4-6 weeks
https://donajuliagolfviews.com/en/gallery
Edited by GT03ROB on Friday 14th October 21:23
Edited by GT03ROB on Friday 14th October 21:43
Congrats. Another one joins the fold.
Sat outside presently enjoying a beer in the sun. Hair of the dog after last night with mart63 from this thread and a very wobbly escooter ride home with Mrs Shnozz
BBQ this evening on the terrace. Won’t go so far as to say it’s warm once the sun goes down, but wood burner on inside, hoodie and BBQ to cook for me outside and a few glasses of wine in front of the football.
Sat outside presently enjoying a beer in the sun. Hair of the dog after last night with mart63 from this thread and a very wobbly escooter ride home with Mrs Shnozz
BBQ this evening on the terrace. Won’t go so far as to say it’s warm once the sun goes down, but wood burner on inside, hoodie and BBQ to cook for me outside and a few glasses of wine in front of the football.
And Rob - good shout on the penthouse with terrace. You end up often spending more time outside than inside, so decent terraces are more useful than a garden or another bedroom IMO. Also with no garden there comes minimal maintenance for lock up and leave.
All well and good having a pool, gardens and full on hacienda style property but if you are not there full time it’s paid assistance or a lot of work each time. Both our U.K. and Spanish property is terraces only and low maintenance so can be left for months on end to negligible detriment.
All well and good having a pool, gardens and full on hacienda style property but if you are not there full time it’s paid assistance or a lot of work each time. Both our U.K. and Spanish property is terraces only and low maintenance so can be left for months on end to negligible detriment.
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