buying an apartment in spain
Discussion
We wouldn’t have bought a place without ch. In our place the ch can struggle to heat the house as the houses are built to get rid of the heat. Bu combination of ch and setting the air con to heat for a boost works really well. Another thing to consider is noise. There can be very little noise insulation between properties and with hard floors the noise does carry.
WCZ said:
there's some logic to holding out to see how brexit affects things imo
currently looking at buying a place in the Canary islands (technically spain)
Anywhere in particular?currently looking at buying a place in the Canary islands (technically spain)
We're going over to Tenerife at the beginning of March to have a look.
Friends bought last year and use it a lot.
I've been flitting between buying in mallorca (puerto pollensa) and tenerife (costa adeje) for a few years now. I prefer Pollensa but am tempted by year round sun of tenerife.
Prices just seem to keep increasing though, im secretly waiting for a crash but have a feeling it just wont happen as the areas im looking at seem to be in high demand.
Some really helpful info here on the purchase process, makes it seems a bit less daunting!
Prices just seem to keep increasing though, im secretly waiting for a crash but have a feeling it just wont happen as the areas im looking at seem to be in high demand.
Some really helpful info here on the purchase process, makes it seems a bit less daunting!
GreatGranny said:
Anywhere in particular?
We're going over to Tenerife at the beginning of March to have a look.
Friends bought last year and use it a lot.
fuerteventura, love the beaches and the constant warm weather and ridiculously slow and relaxed pace of lifeWe're going over to Tenerife at the beginning of March to have a look.
Friends bought last year and use it a lot.
ideally looking for a seafront place although as an above poster says prices have gone up quite a bit since I first started going - annoying really as there are so many half completed developments which have stood for years on the island
Another Mallorca owner here. We have an apartment in Cala d'or. Couple of things to mention for anyone thinking of taking the plunge!
CH has already been mentioned but regarding airconditioning, check what type and how good it is. We bought over 10 years ago and recently had to replace at a cost of around €4k. There are places for sale near us with the old style gas and if the unit breaks chances are it won't be repairable.
Look at community fees if there are communal gardens pool etc. Ours are low and touch wood we don't get any problems. Check previous minutes to see if there are any issues.
Islands vs mainland, there is less supply on the islands so prices tend not to fluctuate as much. But cost of living is higher.
If you plan on renting out check the local laws. For example there was a change in the balearic law in August last year. You always needed a tourist licence to rent but you can't get a tourist licence on an apartment! Everyone ignored that for years but last August the changed the wording and are now trying to enforce it!
The hassle of a leak or the fridge packing up when you are hundreds of miles away. Or your foreign home insurance company telling you, actually you can't cancel for a better deal because you are within 30 days of renewal and we are only increasing your premium by 10% - unlucky, pay up for another year due to a quirk in spanish consumer law you will never understand is frustrating! But....
The benefit of being able to leave bad weather and the stresses of life and be in your own home in the sun within a few hours should not be underestimated!
CH has already been mentioned but regarding airconditioning, check what type and how good it is. We bought over 10 years ago and recently had to replace at a cost of around €4k. There are places for sale near us with the old style gas and if the unit breaks chances are it won't be repairable.
Look at community fees if there are communal gardens pool etc. Ours are low and touch wood we don't get any problems. Check previous minutes to see if there are any issues.
Islands vs mainland, there is less supply on the islands so prices tend not to fluctuate as much. But cost of living is higher.
If you plan on renting out check the local laws. For example there was a change in the balearic law in August last year. You always needed a tourist licence to rent but you can't get a tourist licence on an apartment! Everyone ignored that for years but last August the changed the wording and are now trying to enforce it!
The hassle of a leak or the fridge packing up when you are hundreds of miles away. Or your foreign home insurance company telling you, actually you can't cancel for a better deal because you are within 30 days of renewal and we are only increasing your premium by 10% - unlucky, pay up for another year due to a quirk in spanish consumer law you will never understand is frustrating! But....
The benefit of being able to leave bad weather and the stresses of life and be in your own home in the sun within a few hours should not be underestimated!
Shnozz said:
Thank you Tigerkoi - as I say, pleasant to read of someone who has made it work exactly as I envisage it; a home more than anything with my clothes in the wardrobes and literally a last minute (or pre-arranged) hop over whenever I feel the urge. I can work wherever so long as I have the internet and the Mrs is a lecturer at uni so has lengthy spells with no work and is location-flexible for periods even term time so long as there are no lectures.
I have business commitments in the North and South of the UK so the idea of having good regional accessibility is a key component. I am also <40 years old so don't want to be the ex-pat mobility scooter brigade and want to be able to split time between city life in the UK and a relaxed life in Spain yet somewhere with a few bars and restaurants within walking distance (and for security reasons as previously outlined in this thread).
Ideally a 3 - 4 bed townhouse (with PH suitable large underground garage) would be ideal. Mid-terrace I am happy with, again for security reasons and also more inkeeping with my budget. A multi-storey place with garage underbuild and a roof terrace with minimal outside ground and low maintenance is the aim. 3 bed would probably do it but that is a minimum as I shall need an office at the property.
Ideally I want public transport links or a cheap taxi to the airport to avoid having the hassle of having car parking each time. I have spent the last few years trialling the "commute" to various regions to iron out creases and determine whether the plan is pie in the sky. Certain times of the week certainly seem less intrusive to my work and are little change from what I might otherwise be doing (a Sunday evening sat in a taxi/premier lounge with a G&T, reading a book or doing a bit of work is no different to doing so at UK home on the sofa).
My concerns, some of which are personal to me I appreciate, are the following:-
1. Change of personal circumstances (mainly if I ever needed to go PAYE and have a normal job)
2. Ability to liquidate property (either due to the above or otherwise - Spanish property is not one for "investment" IMO but as well as not envisaging much or any appreciation, my concern is whether you can sell at all within a reasonable period of time).
3. Buying in the wrong area (and then point 2 applying...)
4. Unfamiliarity with purchase process (you have done much to quash this)
5. Changes to law in Spain (or the UK) to penalise ownership
6. Hassle-factor leading to lack of value in terms of use (minimisation of hassle hoping to erode that risk)
7. Hassle-factor "changing" after purchase - ie Murcia airport moving location/another Monarch collapse reducing flight patterns/airport being "dropped" from cheap/regular flight pattern
Thankfully I see hundreds of positives to outweigh these but realistically my aim is to diminish the risk or be cautious of it to try and make a safer decision.
Ideally hoping for an all-cash purchase (also possibly even dictated due to anticipated mortgage issues due to nature of my employment etc). With that in mind, I am hoping I can push for a very good deal. In that regard, would you think aiming for a bank owned repossession may see the greatest chance of a deal? Being a cash buyer I will likely not see such opportunity again to drive a bargain so am very keen to use it to my advantage especially after such a torrid period for Spanish property prices.
Hey Shnozz, I’m sure the rest of the gang in here will offer their POVs if so inclined, but I’ll have a shot.I have business commitments in the North and South of the UK so the idea of having good regional accessibility is a key component. I am also <40 years old so don't want to be the ex-pat mobility scooter brigade and want to be able to split time between city life in the UK and a relaxed life in Spain yet somewhere with a few bars and restaurants within walking distance (and for security reasons as previously outlined in this thread).
Ideally a 3 - 4 bed townhouse (with PH suitable large underground garage) would be ideal. Mid-terrace I am happy with, again for security reasons and also more inkeeping with my budget. A multi-storey place with garage underbuild and a roof terrace with minimal outside ground and low maintenance is the aim. 3 bed would probably do it but that is a minimum as I shall need an office at the property.
Ideally I want public transport links or a cheap taxi to the airport to avoid having the hassle of having car parking each time. I have spent the last few years trialling the "commute" to various regions to iron out creases and determine whether the plan is pie in the sky. Certain times of the week certainly seem less intrusive to my work and are little change from what I might otherwise be doing (a Sunday evening sat in a taxi/premier lounge with a G&T, reading a book or doing a bit of work is no different to doing so at UK home on the sofa).
My concerns, some of which are personal to me I appreciate, are the following:-
1. Change of personal circumstances (mainly if I ever needed to go PAYE and have a normal job)
2. Ability to liquidate property (either due to the above or otherwise - Spanish property is not one for "investment" IMO but as well as not envisaging much or any appreciation, my concern is whether you can sell at all within a reasonable period of time).
3. Buying in the wrong area (and then point 2 applying...)
4. Unfamiliarity with purchase process (you have done much to quash this)
5. Changes to law in Spain (or the UK) to penalise ownership
6. Hassle-factor leading to lack of value in terms of use (minimisation of hassle hoping to erode that risk)
7. Hassle-factor "changing" after purchase - ie Murcia airport moving location/another Monarch collapse reducing flight patterns/airport being "dropped" from cheap/regular flight pattern
Thankfully I see hundreds of positives to outweigh these but realistically my aim is to diminish the risk or be cautious of it to try and make a safer decision.
Ideally hoping for an all-cash purchase (also possibly even dictated due to anticipated mortgage issues due to nature of my employment etc). With that in mind, I am hoping I can push for a very good deal. In that regard, would you think aiming for a bank owned repossession may see the greatest chance of a deal? Being a cash buyer I will likely not see such opportunity again to drive a bargain so am very keen to use it to my advantage especially after such a torrid period for Spanish property prices.
Edited by Shnozz on Tuesday 9th January 12:44
A bank stock/repossession is definitely something that you should look at. We talked about it, but like the Taylor Wimpey approach we didn’t go down the route so I can’t say how it (easily) works but from what I understand there are some good pros and some interesting cons.
The banks won’t negotatiate. The price is the price.
But you’ll have something with no debt or liens attached, with a sale that can often be done within a month.
Negative equity is (future) unlikely, because they’re motivated to sell and prices are already at the bottom.
Only the top, most reputable estate agency firms are asked to represent the bank on transactions; stock will be varied but unlike other estate agents working with non-distressed stock who might be able to show you three or four in the same complex so you can umm and ahh, because of how things just work out the likelihood of one bank having a number of similar properties to compare and give way on....it’s more random, naturally.
It’s a great way to pick up, fast, competitively priced, no mucking about, properties. But they only have what they have. The wider and deeper choice will always be in the open market. But pick up the phone to a Lucas Fox or someone and take it from there.
In terms of your other criteria, whilst a lot of people will keep similar thoughts front and centre of their mind, it’s - IMO - the brain that often finds a way to focus more and more on one thing, where it becomes a dealbreaker and a red line. Yet, viewed from another angle, there’s actually a workaround that you might not countenance. An area you could compromise on if you gave it a chance.
3/4 bed townhouses are in healthy supply all along the coast, from Cadiz to L’Escala. Some will have underground parking as part of wider complex, that will likely include apartments too, some won’t have any parking at all, and it’s to the street you go (but parking restrictions are uncommon in many areas); or there will be ground-level parking bays. Underground is the premium option, but - and seeing your PH comment
- most complexes will have two levels of basement. And to support the four, five etc stories above ground, the support columns will be visible in the garage and sometimes will delineate the odd space....and you might find the one bay paired with your property is too tight for anything more than a Golf. You need to check it out, and you might disappointed that a Bentayga might struggle to get in and out, even of a very modern, recently built block. But like I say around workarounds, it does not have to be a dealbreaker. Often bays are not uniform. Speaking to the president or management association, there could be someone in the community who’s willing to do a transaction to swap. Transport & Location:
1. My missus is relatively senior in FS. With 35 days holiday a year, bank hols, weekends, sickies, WFH, you name it, she’s never seen it as an impediment to zooming out there as often as she wants. Obviously industry to industry it’s all different, but from what I see and hear, working Fridays in FS, is becoming almost extinct. People often chip off Thursday eve after a full day and come back late Sunday or even Monday. She tells me of some MDs in her section who have their family home in Bath or with proximity to marinas on the South Coast so that every Thursday evening they’re getting their J-Class ready for the following day. It may sound like taking the absolute piss (!) but the woolly point I’m trying to make is that the workplace is changing massively. Large companies are often cutting back on fixed desks, and it’s 1:2 seating or worse. WFH is becoming so prevalent. I totally respect in a new role it may not happen overnight, but PAYE, in my view, isn’t the dealbreaker or challenge point if you see a workaround. More deeply, the point I should make is, if you really want this addition to your lifestyle, then my opinion is jump into it as you’re willing, fit and able. Enjoy today. My wife plans 3 months ahead. I leave things to the last minute. I think I’m less stressed
2. Property is property the world over. If you’re in a bind, and need out, then always the fastest movers are the ones priced to sell. Certainly there are many stories that people trot out about the long time it takes to sell, but think of where this came from: going back 10 years with developers and the Spanish owners not being able to see how long the slump in property would be, then many Spanish held out for too long because to them they were never going to sell for less than they thought it was worth. A determination/arrogance kicked in that ultimately cost a lot of people a lot of money and wasted time. If you could time machine a lot of Spaniards and developers back to 2007/8, with what they know now, I guarantee the vast majority would have accepted the numbers offered then instead of holding out for years and still taking a real bath at the end of it. Buying is a risk, in recognition that you might want to liquidise. But if as you say, you’re likely to be a cash buyer, then I’d argue you’re in a stronger position than those on mortgages. Cash is king. If you’re ok to park in an asset like this, whilst the rest of your world goes on, then you’re sitting well.
On your other points, I’ll compound my answer as I think they all sort of link to each other.
I cannot see a situation where the Spanish administration puts in place a policy that could adversely affect UK owners. From what I know of the political lay of the land there, as a starter it wouldn’t be a vote winner anyway. Like Reaganomics or trickle down, implementing something like that would have such a negative impact on working Spaniards, restaurants, builders, gardeners, shops, garages to service cars, marinas, on and on, that it wouldn’t work from that angle. Additionally, there would be a legal challenge, and something that the European Courts would surely adjudge as discriminatory. I don’t know of any modern, well run state in the world that has an anti policy against another specific nation. We’re not pariahs like Iran or Syria for instance where there are financial sanctions. We are free to buy in the US, Goa, Tonga...wherever. A political union looks like it’s ending but Spain won’t go there, to your point. No chance.
You’re keen on the Murcia region. I’ve never used the airport there, but it’s a small one, with the majority of airlines, seasonal. I know you mentioned that Malaga £4£ seemed less bargainious than other regions, but one of my original points was that we wanted a region that was served without question, very well. I can use BA to Malaga from all the SE airports all year round. Let’s say you did change role, job etc, then proximity and ease of travel becomes a real parameter as you’ll know. Murcia airport from what I know is also military owned. It’s run by a civilian company, but if there’s budgetary cuts or need to offload assets the defence agency could decide to close it with little concern for civilian passthrough. But once again you could overly concern yourself on this or, look for workarounds if the worst comes to the worst. Alicante Airport is also large. It’s just further up the coast. Trains run smoothly and quickly alongside the shoreline so it’s not insurmountable. Additionally the High Speed Train network in Spain is one of the finest in the world. Madrid is 2 and a bit hours away.
But it’s for reasons like this that regions like Mallorca and Malaga steal a lot of business for those who might really prioritise having dozens of carrier options and quick in/out. I love the Almería region. The area of the nearby desert, home to spaghetti westerns like For a Few Dollars More and co, had me hooked from when I was a kid. The climate there is perfect, it’s often quieter and the housing stock very tasty. But the Airport is mainly served (80%?) by seasonal airlines. I don’t fancy Gatwick and easyJet and for me that loads on hours in the door to door calculations I couldn’t stomach. Gatwick Express with hundreds of backpackers, then packed commuter tube at wet Victoria station after I’ve spent 3 days mooching around in 28 degrees with the odd game of tennis at the club and sipping Rose on my terrace? It kills the mood baby. But if you say live in Crawley or Burgess Hill, it works! Horses for courses.
The last thing I’ll add which might curveball you, is that 3/4 bed properties aren’t necessarily the preserve of the townhouse. In our compound there’s a mix of houses and apartments. But at the top of the apartment blocks - they’re only 3-4 stories - the top most properties are duplex. Condominiums with kitchen, living rooms etc downstairs and bedrooms on the upper floor, with the added bonus of external stairs that allow sunbathing and plant keeping on the roof. And that’s with the multiple balconies that serve the other floors. 3 bedrooms, with even stunning views and far more privacy. And that crazy thing is that even in the Malaga province, if you look in the right towns, these might be very competively priced. Very desirable if you wanted to offload, but accords you all the space of the townhouse but even more premium in my view.
I know I’m whispering “Malaga, Malaga” in your ear, and I apologise if your heart is set on Murcia but indulge these links a little
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prope...
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prope...
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prope...
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prope...
I don’t know how many dollars you’re working with but as an example I filtered in Rightmove on €175-200k, 3 bed. A good few hundred came up. Example 4 is older than the others but shows you what underground parking often looks like and the space you tend to have.
Sorry for the long post,but it’s an enjoyable topic!
WinstonWolf said:
Good post 
One thing with WFH, broadband availability might impact your choice. It’s good enough to run my IT support business from Estepona.
Pleasure! One thing with WFH, broadband availability might impact your choice. It’s good enough to run my IT support business from Estepona.
You make a great and important point about b/band. Estepona is a superb town. Do you fly out of Gib or Malaga?
A little trundle west and you’ve got some of the most beautiful golf courses if that’s your thing.
Alcaidesa is a stunner!
We fly out of Malaga, it’s about an hours transfer. We go to a friends apartment, however as I run my own business I don’t really holiday *fully*. I check email twice a day and remote in to fix any urgent problems.
As long as I don’t need physical server access it’s no different to working from my office in the UK.
Good broadband can give you a lot of time flexibility.
As long as I don’t need physical server access it’s no different to working from my office in the UK.
Good broadband can give you a lot of time flexibility.
tigerkoi said:
Shnozz said:
Ideally hoping for an all-cash purchase (also possibly even dictated due to anticipated mortgage issues due to nature of my employment etc). With that in mind, I am hoping I can push for a very good deal. In that regard, would you think aiming for a bank owned repossession may see the greatest chance of a deal? Being a cash buyer I will likely not see such opportunity again to drive a bargain so am very keen to use it to my advantage especially after such a torrid period for Spanish property prices.
A bank stock/repossession is definitely something that you should look at. We talked about it, but like the Taylor Wimpey approach we didn’t go down the route so I can’t say how it (easily) works but from what I understand there are some good pros and some interesting cons.Edited by Shnozz on Tuesday 9th January 12:44
The banks won’t negotatiate. The price is the price.
But you’ll have something with no debt or liens attached, with a sale that can often be done within a month.
Negative equity is (future) unlikely, because they’re motivated to sell and prices are already at the bottom.
Only the top, most reputable estate agency firms are asked to represent the bank on transactions; stock will be varied but unlike other estate agents working with non-distressed stock who might be able to show you three or four in the same complex so you can umm and ahh, because of how things just work out the likelihood of one bank having a number of similar properties to compare and give way on....it’s more random, naturally.
I will give you my experience of buying a bank own property through Solvia. Not sure if it is the same process for the other bank but I would imagine it is.
When the property first comes on the market the bank sets the minimum price and there is a 'Period of transparency' where they invite sealed bids at or ABOVE the asking price. To be able to bid we had to pay 500 euros (returnable). Naturally the highest bidder wins. The winning bidder has ten days (i think) to sign the paperwork agreeing to buy the property and hand over 10% of the sale price, less the 500 already given.
At this stage you are committed and if you pull out, cant raise the finance etc you lose your 10%. About a month later you complete and sign all the documents. Some days before completing they will give you the 'provision de fondos' basically telling you to have X amount in your account to pay all the fees and taxes on the day of completion.
As tigerkoi said, the price is the price. The bank is interested in recovering their money they will not negociate or fix any issues with the house. It is what it is.
Keep in mind that although the price will be below market value you certainly will have to do some work on the property. The previous owner gains nothing from how much the house sells for or the condition that they left it in. For example the previous owner of our house took with them - The boiler, 80 electrical switches and sockets, 3 bathroom suits, 25 wardrobe knobs, 8 internal doors (removed with a hammer from the wall), all the light fittings, oven, hob, extractor fan and the banister! Obviously we knew the condition of the house and paid about 100,000 less than market value.
As a cash buyer you could make some silly offers on the open market and see what happens.
WCZ said:
fuerteventura, love the beaches and the constant warm weather and ridiculously slow and relaxed pace of life
ideally looking for a seafront place although as an above poster says prices have gone up quite a bit since I first started going - annoying really as there are so many half completed developments which have stood for years on the island
Fuerteventura is my favourite too but again, you have to be careful where you buy. In Caleta, properties "up on the mountain" are far less desirable (but probably a lot cheaper) as are the ones "across one" in the recently developed Antigua. Corralejo is OK but starting to sprawl a bit with far worse parking.ideally looking for a seafront place although as an above poster says prices have gone up quite a bit since I first started going - annoying really as there are so many half completed developments which have stood for years on the island
WinstonWolf said:
We fly out of Malaga, it’s about an hours transfer. We go to a friends apartment, however as I run my own business I don’t really holiday *fully*. I check email twice a day and remote in to fix any urgent problems.
As long as I don’t need physical server access it’s no different to working from my office in the UK.
Good broadband can give you a lot of time flexibility.
Nice! Being footloose is idyllic. I bet spending the odd 30mins or an hour doing a spot of work is no chore when you’re sitting in the sun downing a Sol at the same time As long as I don’t need physical server access it’s no different to working from my office in the UK.
Good broadband can give you a lot of time flexibility.
RHVW said:
Keep in mind that although the price will be below market value you certainly will have to do some work on the property. The previous owner gains nothing from how much the house sells for or the condition that they left it in. For example the previous owner of our house took with them - The boiler, 80 electrical switches and sockets, 3 bathroom suits, 25 wardrobe knobs, 8 internal doors (removed with a hammer from the wall), all the light fittings, oven, hob, extractor fan and the banister! Obviously we knew the condition of the house and paid about 100,000 less than market value.
Learn something new everyday. I was aware of some of the process but hearing first hand of the ins and outs is extremely useful indeed. Thank you...I’m stunned that the previous owners would have gone to lengths to denude the place of so much, but then again having a place repossessed off you, having to move on must be quite emotionally punishing. You can sort of see why people say “bugger that, I’m taking this”.
Still, it gave you the chance to put your own stamp on things - and a new bannister!
You say you’re in Alicante? Lovely. We were strongly considering a number of places in the region. And many people I speak to often say that Alicante is their front runner, not unsurprisingly.
But, and for us it was a big deal, I’ll throw down that when it comes to the ice cream, Malaga province trumps Alicante province for the gelato!
https://devourmalagafoodtours.com/the-best-ice-cre...
LuS1fer said:
Fuerteventura is my favourite too but again, you have to be careful where you buy. In Caleta, properties "up on the mountain" are far less desirable (but probably a lot cheaper) as are the ones "across one" in the recently developed Antigua. Corralejo is OK but starting to sprawl a bit with far worse parking.
I am looking at Corralejo, one of the seafront properties (should retain its value pretty well I figure)Tigerkoi and RHVW, thank you both hugely for such detailed input. Much, much appreciated.
My parents made the move to Denia initially and then Alcalali some years later. They sold up and returned to the UK about 5 or so years ago but I spent a good chunk of childhood out in the Costa Blanca so perhaps it sowed the seeds for my later years.
I also run a small business and so never have 100% time off but equally am not bound to any desk. Good internet is essential and that should have been listed on my "fears" I guess. Seems very hard to know what infrastructure a development may have in terms of internet. That said, I don't work in IT so its really emails rather than anything too "heavy" so I can survive easily enough these days with even a 4G network tethered to my laptop.
As I say, I have been back and forward in the last few years, mainly winter times but nipped down to Marbella old town in June, July, October and just before xmas. I also had a cursory long weekend in Barcelona just to discount it for certain (which I did!). The Mrs is from Copenhagen and had to head back there for xmas and it would be useful to also have a flight connection with CPH (yes tigerkoi, malaga triumphs there too!).
I shall do some more research and need to properly spend some time in each region looking at property. As I said, I am loathe to go any more than a v short distance from the airport regardless. I want to be able to take public transport or a taxi there easily and not have to fanny about with driving to an airport and having long term car parking there either ideally. Tigerkoi, as part of your mission to convert me, any pointers on territory spitting distance or easy public transport from Malaga? My trips down there have always needed another 30 mins + travel time and either a cab or hire car from the airport. To be fair I have not looked at Malaga itself but a quick look suggests its not for me.
My parents made the move to Denia initially and then Alcalali some years later. They sold up and returned to the UK about 5 or so years ago but I spent a good chunk of childhood out in the Costa Blanca so perhaps it sowed the seeds for my later years.
I also run a small business and so never have 100% time off but equally am not bound to any desk. Good internet is essential and that should have been listed on my "fears" I guess. Seems very hard to know what infrastructure a development may have in terms of internet. That said, I don't work in IT so its really emails rather than anything too "heavy" so I can survive easily enough these days with even a 4G network tethered to my laptop.
As I say, I have been back and forward in the last few years, mainly winter times but nipped down to Marbella old town in June, July, October and just before xmas. I also had a cursory long weekend in Barcelona just to discount it for certain (which I did!). The Mrs is from Copenhagen and had to head back there for xmas and it would be useful to also have a flight connection with CPH (yes tigerkoi, malaga triumphs there too!).
I shall do some more research and need to properly spend some time in each region looking at property. As I said, I am loathe to go any more than a v short distance from the airport regardless. I want to be able to take public transport or a taxi there easily and not have to fanny about with driving to an airport and having long term car parking there either ideally. Tigerkoi, as part of your mission to convert me, any pointers on territory spitting distance or easy public transport from Malaga? My trips down there have always needed another 30 mins + travel time and either a cab or hire car from the airport. To be fair I have not looked at Malaga itself but a quick look suggests its not for me.
I would happily consider Valencia (I love that city!) but these days most flights seem to head to Alicante instead. Back when my parents lived in between both airports seemed to share the load. These days Alicante seems to be the hub - another example of my concern of things changing and an airport suddenly losing its appeal/increasing its fees/military run (you are correct on that front re Murcia airport tigerkoi).
Shnozz said:
I shall do some more research and need to properly spend some time in each region looking at property. As I said, I am loathe to go any more than a v short distance from the airport regardless. I want to be able to take public transport or a taxi there easily and not have to fanny about with driving to an airport and having long term car parking there either ideally. Tigerkoi, as part of your mission to convert me, any pointers on territory spitting distance or easy public transport from Malaga? My trips down there have always needed another 30 mins + travel time and either a cab or hire car from the airport. To be fair I have not looked at Malaga itself but a quick look suggests its not for me.
Oh mannnnn, Shnozz, you are cruel. I’m all emotionally invested now in helping you find your ideal bolthole. I will need to see some output! Malaga airport as you’ll know is fairly smooth to transit. And it’s grown as the popularity of the region has advanced but they’ve also done it with thought. For a mid-size, I find it easy to get from plane to car.
I’m not a big one for public transport either but I will see the local train that runs from the airport and along the coast is pretty good. A lot of stopping sure, but it’s leagues above sitting on the South Western as it trundles into London on a wet Monday morning. But all that being said, we just hire a car. Malaga is a big airport, and has all the major and minor hire companies. Lots of choice and easy unlike smaller provincial airports/train stations. It’s a very short walk from the terminal, just across the plaza, and then down to the basement. Keys in your hand in 10 minutes. And you haven’t walked far! And like I said before in a couple of minutes you’ll either be on the AP-7 or A-7 trunk roads going east or west depending on where you live.
It’s really as easy and lightweight as I make out. Malaga airport is so well configured and the whole region has worked hard to make coastal navigation simple. The two main roads have great traffic flow, and the only traffic jam I ever recall was leaving Puerto Banus one evening and someone had broken down before the tunnel, narrowing us down to one lane.
So with that being said, 20, 30, 40 mins to your choice of home, I don’t think is too much of an issue. The roads are swift, the hire is close by and easy, and from plane to door for such a busy region, I can’t fault it.
You don’t sound like a Malaga (city proper) person. Most housing stock will be much older, crammed into apartment buildings with none of the wider amenities and...you know the rest of it. Now if I was faintly technical I’d do a print screen of Google Maps and add to the post, but what I say about Malaga (city), you might as well say of the central housing stock in all the major towns along the coast within Malaga province. So central Fuengirola, central Torre, central Marbella, etc will all be the same challenge. You’re either looking at million pound penthouses overlooking the sea from 50 paces, or it’s old 1950s and beyond flats with nasty old sun blinds and dead plants clogging up the place. I love going to these places for the museums, the restaurants and events, but not to live.
So if you can pull up something like Google Maps, and chart firstly the region between Malaga and Marbella, then the two roads that will mainly form the demarcation point from town centres proper and coastline away from the suburbs of said towns and up inland. Basically, a key feature of the region (and beyond) is the quick rising up to the mountains as soon as you move inland. And this is where in areas where it plateaus that many of the regions golf courses were built out, and subsequently the residential developments that ringed them. And because not everyone plays golf nor wants to see people do so, other pockets of land were then developed for the the newer residential, gated estates that looked into communal gardens of pools. This tends to be where you have the great amenities, peace & quiet, garages, etc etc but you’re further up away from the immediate coastline. So it does depend on what sort of property you want, and that’s not to say that very desirable modern, high amenity count properties don’t exist in towns proper, but it tends to be big bills.
So this is where the hire car comes in or, four wheel transport. The train will take you to all the major towns following the coast, but the journey “up” to your place, north and beyond the A-7 won’t be served brilliantly. They’ll be buses and whatnot, but nothing beats getting your hire car, zipping along the A-7 and at your town turning right/left and hitting the road that takes you north to the quieter residential bits of your town.
And with all that being said, the areas I’d give serious viewings to (as you move from Marbella to Malaga, left to right) would be Urb. Bosquemar, Urb Belle Époque, Hacienda Elviria is very close and worth a look, the eastern side of Hacienda Las Chapas, Calahonda (pretty and stacks of choice/range), and then the other side of the hill from Calahonda, you’ll have lots to see in Urb Riviera Sol and the developments that grew up near Miraflores Golf....I simply can’t list them all as you close in on Fuengirola, Torre, and the airport. But that’s stacks to already sniff through! I see your train map but I just don’t know that area too well.
I don’t know the other side of Malaga city well either, but going east I hear that Nerja is lovely. But all these places in the main are such that you can swan through Malaga airport quickly, get your hire car, and then 30mins later be pulling into your garage.
On car ownership down there. I’ve thought about it, but the negatives are that when you land at your airport you still need a taxi if you haven’t kept it there (hopefully the battery is good). Car hire in Spain is often quite cheap. And to own something, then having the ballache of taxes, insurance etc, it’s something I can do without for now. One day I’ll keep something nice there, but no rush. One positive of the huge range at Malaga is I like the idea of trialling stuff I’d never buy and then perversely finding out I’ve enjoyed its company as I throw the keys back. Jeep Wrangler, BMW i3, A3 cabrio, F-Pace or the new GLE. Fun and clean for a few days, no stress. I kind of like stabbing the dash in something new trying to work out how to kill stop/start. It’s like a ritual I go through every visit.
I’ve also read closely many posters sensible points around central heating. I think the difference between say Costa Blanca, Brava and then Sol is that it stays relatively mild even through December and January. Ignore the current incredible and unusual scenes of snow and hail lately (!) it normally fluctuates around 16/17 degress at this time of year, and for this reason it’s probably why I’ve never seen many places which have it in the region. But me being me with workarounds, if I ever got a bit chilly out of season I’d just order on Amazon a small electric heater for the room I’m in or go down to Carrefour!
Hope this helps - look forward to seeing how you get on!
Edited by tigerkoi on Tuesday 9th January 23:33
I have just remember something else regarding Stamp Duty (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP))...
You as the buyer are liable for the stamp duty of the higher of one of the following -
1. Cadastral Value - like rateable value in the UK. It is normally lower than the real value.
2. The sale price
3. The market value
If you are paying cash and looking for a discount this may have an impact.
I have heard tales of buyers getting a letter from the council 12 months after the purchase demanding more money as they think they have bought below market value.
You as the buyer are liable for the stamp duty of the higher of one of the following -
1. Cadastral Value - like rateable value in the UK. It is normally lower than the real value.
2. The sale price
3. The market value
If you are paying cash and looking for a discount this may have an impact.
I have heard tales of buyers getting a letter from the council 12 months after the purchase demanding more money as they think they have bought below market value.
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