Advice on agents and buying - Page 4

Hi Grant and anybody else buying property in Spain. While I enjoy Great British Humour, buying property is a serious matter and requires cold attention - No Offence Grant; just some hard advice. Spanish property is not cheap and it's not just deciding whether you'll buy a milk chocolate or dark chocolate Toblerone  This is a serious investment (unless you are rolling in easy earned dosh). 

After you've signed on the dotted line and paid over your cash the last thing you want to  hear is that you've just bought half share of a property or bought the property but not the freehold etc. Can this happen? - You bet your rootin' tootin' bottom dollah it can. Take no chances in advising your solicitor/estate-agent of what you want. Take no chances whatsoever.

grand advice from Matty as always, Matty how did you do at Chelters

Day 1 - Won a few bob especially helped by Brazil in 2nd last race @ 10/1; also had Constitution Hill earlier @ a short price, but won.

Day 2 - Nearly taken to the cleaners.

Day 3 - Definitely taken to the cleaners.

Day 4 - Made a bit of a comeback with Rachael and Banbridge got me out of jail in the last race @ 10/1.

Not my best Cheltenham.

Did 3 bets, all still trotting round

I would agree Matthew.

Despite this blurb on their website, in my experience properties they have assured have had all the paperwork checked by their "legal team" have turned out to have not had deeds for all the property that is being sold, had no licenses for the pool / carport / outbuildings/  not on urban land as advertised etc etc etc. Ths is not an isolated experience either........

Other property agents making similar claims that "they never touch anything without all the paperwork in order" have shown many properties also with none of the paperwork in order.

Such property agents can waste a good deal of your time and money with little conscience about doing so. It is worth choosing both your property agent and solicitor carefully and asking for other people's previous experiences and recommendations.

If an agent is not interested in being members of any professional associations such as Member of the National Association of REALTORS or Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) etc that require operating their business to a standard, there is probably a reason for this....

We bought our place in Majacar through New One Stop. Sam there is very helpful and couldn't do enough to help with what ended up being a difficult Sale because of covid. Highly recommended.

Thanks again for the various bits of advice. We have just returned from our viewing trip, the success of which was largely dictated by the professionalism of the agents. Only two turned out to actually have any, so we viewed very few properties. The majority of agents with properties listed on idealista didn’t reply or replied initially and then would not arrange viewings closer to the date. Not a complete waste of time as we just enjoyed the break in the sun. 

There are always plenty of properties for sale in the Albox and Arboleas areas, so buying is usually a rapid process......but bear in mind that there are always plenty of properties for sale so selling can be very difficult. Albox is definitely an acquired taste......

Obviously we all have our own opinions which we are entitled to, but to be fair to Albox , I feel I must disagree about it being an 'acquired taste' . It's a working Spanish town with everything that brings with it. Yes, there are some scruffy parts ( have you been to the UK recently!), and there's some light industry, but that's how many locals make a living. The main square is very pretty, there's some stunning architecture and there are dozens of little tapas bars hidden down the little narrow streets selling amazing food at amazing prices. And the views of the mountains and the ramblas are stunning. There's a 24-7 hospital/emergency centre, bus service to Huercal Overa and Granada, and you can buy pretty much anything in the town. I think it's s great little town - the local dialect can be a bit hard to get your head round though! 

Hi Michael G

We purchased a villa in Arboleas and although it may not be to everyone’s taste we absolutely love it here. I can recommend without any reservation Andrea at Dream Homes Almeria. She really goes the extra mile with good honest advice and offers wonderful after sales service regarding builders and other tradesmen etc. I also agree with other recommendations on this link regarding Angela Morales (solicitor) in Mojacar.  She was very thorough with our purchase including obtaining NIE numbers, organising opening utility providers accounts, bank accounts etc, and still advises and pays our taxes on our behalf.