buying an apartment in spain
Discussion
Chris Stott said:
Phil. said:
This is one of the villages we often ride through on the coast nearby our place called Los Nietos. There used to be 50m of beach on the sea side of the wall. It’s a disaster area at the moment. Lots of local support I understand.
https://youtu.be/PToQo2pih2c
Added the FB link also in case I get told off for posting a YT link.
https://www.facebook.com/101420234567116/posts/123...
That's terrible https://youtu.be/PToQo2pih2c
Added the FB link also in case I get told off for posting a YT link.
https://www.facebook.com/101420234567116/posts/123...
Mr Pointy said:
What's happened to the sea level? Surely it's not just the case that the rain has raised the sea level is it? I don't know the geography of the area.
It’s the Mar Menor, a sea water lagoon which is connected to the sea at the top of the La Manga strip:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Menor
The Mar Menor footage is sobering Phil
The drive last night back ‘home’ was bizarre. Travelling down the A7 and then AP7 there was the reflection of water on both sides rather than fields. It was like I was driving between Great Lakes. Cars parked on motorway bridges to keep them safe from burst rivers was also rather surreal to see.
Pleased to report little damage at my place. I arrived to find smashed tiles from the front of the house lying across the drive which didn’t fill me with confidence but that seems to be the extent of my damage.
I really feel for those who have lost everything though. I’ve got a few pieces of furniture that I inherited with the purchase that I have since replaced and was planning to sell. I’m going to offer them to any flood victims now to try and help anyone whose house has been wrecked and contents destroyed. I feel bad for locals, particularly seeing jolly holidaymakers jetting in full of glee and laughter to have a week in the sun on the back of what is a disaster zone.
The drive last night back ‘home’ was bizarre. Travelling down the A7 and then AP7 there was the reflection of water on both sides rather than fields. It was like I was driving between Great Lakes. Cars parked on motorway bridges to keep them safe from burst rivers was also rather surreal to see.
Pleased to report little damage at my place. I arrived to find smashed tiles from the front of the house lying across the drive which didn’t fill me with confidence but that seems to be the extent of my damage.
I really feel for those who have lost everything though. I’ve got a few pieces of furniture that I inherited with the purchase that I have since replaced and was planning to sell. I’m going to offer them to any flood victims now to try and help anyone whose house has been wrecked and contents destroyed. I feel bad for locals, particularly seeing jolly holidaymakers jetting in full of glee and laughter to have a week in the sun on the back of what is a disaster zone.
We have a place on the Mar Menor golf resort, luckily properties on the resort have been largely untouched, and they are even talking about the golf course being open this week, but the areas around it have suffered terribly.
My parents are going over on Friday for a reccy for a couple of weeks, and they want to help out in the local area as well.
I knew it was bad when I saw the picture of the tunnel on the AP-7 at Horadada with a van floating in it
My parents are going over on Friday for a reccy for a couple of weeks, and they want to help out in the local area as well.
I knew it was bad when I saw the picture of the tunnel on the AP-7 at Horadada with a van floating in it
Friend at work showed me a vid of the torrent running where his mates place used to be, completely washed away. Not sure of the area but it occurred because they closed the water gates to protect a town and the torrent just washed around the town destroying loads of stuff. The guy also ran his business from his house so all his stock is gone too, he lost everything.
That’ll probably be the dam they were forced to open as it was at 98% capacity and was risking the dam itself.
It’s pretty sobering stuff to be honest. I’m sat here now and it’s as delightful as ever but drive only a few miles down the road and it’s still like a scene from a film. The death of the poor guy in the tunnel that filled in such a short time is tragic, as are those who have lost everything they had.
It’s pretty sobering stuff to be honest. I’m sat here now and it’s as delightful as ever but drive only a few miles down the road and it’s still like a scene from a film. The death of the poor guy in the tunnel that filled in such a short time is tragic, as are those who have lost everything they had.
V8covin said:
I've only come across this thread by chance.
Has this been reported on UK tv news at all because it's the 1st I've heard about it ? I don't read newspapers.
Tragic ,not something I thought happened in Spain
I don't do TV so no idea. It was in the newspapers in the UK so probably made the TV also. My other half is Danish and her family saw quite widespread coverage in Denmark but seemed less of a story in the UK to be honest. Has this been reported on UK tv news at all because it's the 1st I've heard about it ? I don't read newspapers.
Tragic ,not something I thought happened in Spain
a quick google of gota fria news brings up a lot of UK articles in the papers.
Here’s an explanation and video of a Goto Fria. You’ll never complain again about rain in the UK!
https://m.facebook.com/802025703/posts/10162157778...
https://m.facebook.com/802025703/posts/10162157778...
Jeez!
I just looked at some footage of Los Alcazares and Mar De Cristal where we go to the beach, absolutely speechless.
Some family friends live a coule of streets back from the seafront there, but there's is a first floor apartment, so they got away lightly but the Army have been in town all week helping people recover.
Some of the vehicles being thrown about in this, incredible!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO6ZFCX4skI
I just looked at some footage of Los Alcazares and Mar De Cristal where we go to the beach, absolutely speechless.
Some family friends live a coule of streets back from the seafront there, but there's is a first floor apartment, so they got away lightly but the Army have been in town all week helping people recover.
Some of the vehicles being thrown about in this, incredible!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO6ZFCX4skI
Hi PT
Here are a couple of vids from Mar de Cristal from the day after the rain. The beach is 2ft under water!
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.adicta/videos/436446...
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.adicta/videos/812669...
Here are a couple of vids from Mar de Cristal from the day after the rain. The beach is 2ft under water!
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.adicta/videos/436446...
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.adicta/videos/812669...
Those videos are mental!
Drove back to airport tonight and despite days of relentless sun, the water levels around some areas seem to have not abated at all. I'm back next Tuesday and hopefully they will show some sign of draining, although a neighbour was saying earlier there might be more rain at the weekend.
Moving away from the horrendous storm, the weather now is beautiful - just right and you can sleep nicely without air con and 28 degree daytime in the shade so not too warm.
For other owners on here, I have an appointment next week with my lawyers and, as part of it, they are handing over my title deeds. Where do folk store these?!
Drove back to airport tonight and despite days of relentless sun, the water levels around some areas seem to have not abated at all. I'm back next Tuesday and hopefully they will show some sign of draining, although a neighbour was saying earlier there might be more rain at the weekend.
Moving away from the horrendous storm, the weather now is beautiful - just right and you can sleep nicely without air con and 28 degree daytime in the shade so not too warm.
For other owners on here, I have an appointment next week with my lawyers and, as part of it, they are handing over my title deeds. Where do folk store these?!
Shnozz said:
For other owners on here, I have an appointment next week with my lawyers and, as part of it, they are handing over my title deeds. Where do folk store these?!
You’ve made me think! I have copies of the sale document which I believe is lodged with the local council but don’t have the deeds, if indeed they exist in the same way as we have ‘deeds’ in the UK? I’m going to check with my solicitor......
I assume you have a Spanish Will but if not speak to your lawyer, it’s a must.
One thing I didn’t consider but should have, is buying the property via a company. It means you can transfer ownership without many of the fees.
Update: The sale document I referred to above are in fact the deeds. I have a copy and my very established solicitor retains the original.
Edited by Phil. on Friday 20th September 12:20
Another thread triggered an update.
House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
Shnozz said:
Another thread triggered an update.
House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
It takes a bit of time (and cash) to get things sorted. Then you can relax and enjoy it House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
Are you still having people out for Xmas?
Imasurv said:
How’s the weather over there this time of year? Must admit, it’s very tempting to look into it, one of the properties linked to earlier in this thread really tempted me...
I’m further round (near Marbella), and it’s 18-20 most days, with lows of 11-13 at night. Had 3 solid days of rain week before last, but it’s generally either sunny or sunny/cloudy. Terrace doors open during the day, close them around 4pm, and maybe pop the heating on for an hour around 6 to warm the place up for the rest of the night.
I have my cats here and don’t have a cat flap, so the door on to the terrace in my bedroom is permanently open for them. Never feels cold to me.
Was back in the UK a few weeks ago... cold and grey... don’t miss it at all!
Phil. said:
Shnozz said:
Another thread triggered an update.
House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
It takes a bit of time (and cash) to get things sorted. Then you can relax and enjoy it House now decorated almost throughout and new furniture in. Wood burner going in Monday after next to give some proper heat and ‘hygge’ for winters. My car collection still on hold as the house has cost me far more than planned with the air con, wood burner and a lot more new furniture than I had originally planned
Are you still having people out for Xmas?
It's another factor when deciding we wanted it just right as we have had more visitors to that house than we have in years in the UK. We did a U-turn for the Xmas visit. The plan had been for my folks to visit over Xmas, and my partner's parents to fly down from Denmark between xmas and New Year and stay over then. My Dad, however, is no spring chicken and we thought the whole thing would be a bit knackering for him so we are heading to them for Xmas and then flying out for New Year together, with the Danish inlaws flying in on the 3rd January from Copenhagen together with the dog. It is there impending visit that pushed me to get the log burner in before the visit as they are used to well-insulated Scandi houses and I think would have frozen in the tiled floored lounge with no form of heat! Bedrooms are toasty using the air con on warm, but that ground floor is freezing.
I was out a few weeks back with some mates (PH'ers too in fact) and we did the Valencia Moto GP for the weekend. Day times nice in the sun, but overnight needed a coat and woolly hat. The only room naturally warm at the Villa was the garage!
dmahon said:
We have recently visited the Malaga region and taken a look around as a direct result of this thread and my questions back in May.
We did a tour over a few days with Crystal Shore who Chris recommended above. They were very good to deal with both before and on the trip. Listened to us, flexible and not too pushy.
We planned to see around 10 properties but chopped it down to 6 or so as we learnt more on the ground.
Good news is that we found one we like on the New Golden Mike between Banus and Esteponia. Very nicely done refurb, immaculate grounds (which justifies the community fees I was concerned about). In line with budget but it’s hard to know if we are getting value as prices seem to be all over the map.
Still a lot of concern whether the project will turn out to be a success and it will get enough use. Current thinking is to put in a cheeky offer as a cash buyer and let it sit for a while which would ease the pain if we do end up selling in a few years.
I am planning on around 10% in fees. Is there anything which could come out of left field to move that substantially?
Also, am I safe to use the lawyer and surveyor recommended by the agent? Happy to take recommendations here for someone more independent.
Finally, what is the typical timeline for completion? I heard around a month but nothing seems to move quickly in Spain.
Tigerkoi et al, beers on me if this comes off!
Will report back how it goes and hopefully be providing picture and trip reports soon!
Has your purchase progressed at all?We did a tour over a few days with Crystal Shore who Chris recommended above. They were very good to deal with both before and on the trip. Listened to us, flexible and not too pushy.
We planned to see around 10 properties but chopped it down to 6 or so as we learnt more on the ground.
Good news is that we found one we like on the New Golden Mike between Banus and Esteponia. Very nicely done refurb, immaculate grounds (which justifies the community fees I was concerned about). In line with budget but it’s hard to know if we are getting value as prices seem to be all over the map.
Still a lot of concern whether the project will turn out to be a success and it will get enough use. Current thinking is to put in a cheeky offer as a cash buyer and let it sit for a while which would ease the pain if we do end up selling in a few years.
I am planning on around 10% in fees. Is there anything which could come out of left field to move that substantially?
Also, am I safe to use the lawyer and surveyor recommended by the agent? Happy to take recommendations here for someone more independent.
Finally, what is the typical timeline for completion? I heard around a month but nothing seems to move quickly in Spain.
Tigerkoi et al, beers on me if this comes off!
Will report back how it goes and hopefully be providing picture and trip reports soon!
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