Looking to buy a property, can you help me with advice on area.

Welcome, we live nearby. Be careful there were a number of illegal properties, some still are. Building has been put on hold in Almanzora valley for a number of years, so doubt if you’ll see more buildings. The bars on the windows called rejas are normal around here. In the summer people can leave their windows open, for airflow, so the rejas give a bit of security. There are I think 12 bars in the village. taxes on purchasing can be substantial, speak with your legal advisers. Town hall will give lots of information about other taxes. It’s always a good idea to get to meet the mayor, and handy to have a good relationship with him. Goo

Hi

We currently live iun Mojacar but have been looking to buy another property in the Almanzora Valley since around last September so have got to know that area pretty well. Cantoria is a lovely village with quite a few facilities. I don't know exactly where this villa is but with such a large plot it's likely to be a bit out of the village - why not ask the agent to give you a pin on a map to see where it is.There is already quite a large stock of unoccupied properties in the area so it is unlikely that more will be built in the near future. Regarding taxes on purchase expect around 11- 12%. In fact, at the moment, the price in euros is pretty much the price in pounds you pay including taxes and fees.

Be very, very careful buying a property in the Almanzora Valley as there are still lots without all the required paperwork. The most important is the certificate of first occupation as without that the property is not legal and it can be a very long and difficult process to have one put in place. Just as in the UK, if something looks too good to be true it probably is!

Best of luck in your search!

Thank you for your reply, there’s plenty of bars then in and around cantoria, that’s good, I have a place in Tuscany at the moment which I’m looking to sell as it has annual service fees being on a site of €3k and there are plenty of bars in its area, France has much much less and like the social side of meeting people out and about when having a drink or a meal.

Thanks Juliet, I will most deffo be asking the agent for the certificate you mention, the villa is on with four or five different agents at the mo, so owners must be wanting a fast sale so who knows I maybe able to negotiate at least 10k off the price as there are plenty of villas for sale in that area, some have no pools tho and that’s a stipulation I want, suppose I could always get one built? Depending on what they cost?

You probably won’t get planning permission for a pool, unless it’s above ground one, due to the building restrictions.

pool could cost you the 10k or more depending on size and finish but the on going cost for care has to be thought about as well it's not a cheap item to run.  if you want to use it in the winter months you'll need a heating system as well otherwise it is only for use a few months of the year but still needs cleaning and running.

My advice don't buy rent. 

There are quite a few bars in Cantoria itself but food-wise they mostly only do tapas.  There is a Chinese bar that does basic Chinese food but is very reasonable and one other bar that will serve up something with chips and salad, other than  that you will need to drive to other towns/villages for restaurant-type meals. There is no public transport so if you like to have a drink with your meal (and who doesn't) that could be something to think about. 

Hi Lmj

The villa in the photos has had an in ground pool built in the past few years as there are listings for it for sale without the pool which are a little older, so are you sure planning wouldn’t be obtainable? I was under the impression Spain was after all the money it can get at the moment.

Thanks for replying 

Hi Carole

Thanks for your reply, I don’t really drink and eat together usually one or the other, find it bloats me haha, so driving for a good meal wouldn’t be an issue, speaking of driving I guess bringing a uk car over is like France or Italy? You can leave it there and use as long as it’s motd and taxed, insured and has to come back to Blighty once a year for its next mot, is that correct? I have a place in Italy currently and do that.

Thanks.