Advice on running costs as we look to buy an apartment in Mojacar - Page 2

Bess, dont let some of the negative posts put you off. 

My experience in Mojacar is much the same as yours in Morocco 

Contributors to this forum do so to share their experience and knowledge of what is happening. Fortunately, most of us had far greater positive experiences than negative. But, if you ignore the negative like you were never going to be in such a position you're likely to be a lamb to the slaughter. Remember, more than half the over 18's in the UK believed Boris Johnson and the DHSS is about to become great overnight and the poor of the UK are going to become history. Herr Goebbels couldn't have done a better job a few years back. 

Always be aware you're only one tenant short of the possibility of being ruined. I've seen dreams dashed, businesses butchered and all by people trying to live the dream who believed everything they heard. Fortunately, these are in a small minority. So you're going to buy an apartment with unbreakable floor tiles and linen which you will have to replace only a pillow case once every year. Airconditioning is not going to be overused and water boilers turned on only for only fifteen minutes daily. All you got to do is toddle down to the ATM and spend the profits. Great! let's start entertaining each other with more fairytales.

You've got to work with your tenants i.e. don't overcharge them, set fair and doable profit margins. They are not fools. Caress the better customers and listen to their needs. You need them more than they need you. Never forget your cashflow. You have to take chances, but try to keep these to a minimum. An aircon coinbox is probably not the best practice in the long term. Timing and temperature devices are good  provided they are worked properly. Forget the sensors on doors and windows - a two year old child can think up ways to make sensors useless and their maintenance costs will eat into your profit. 

The person who cleans your apartment is your only contact in Spain. Don't skimp on payments. Pay in advance. And don't forget to say thanks.