Looking to buy. Info would be helpful

There is nothing wrong with any of the urbanisations mentioned. They were built with one plan i.e. sell the property no matter what. The quality of work is questionable in every urbanisation from Gibraltar to Andorra where they were just shoved up as quickly as possible. Such was the boom of the early 21st century in coastal Spain most of the properties are now worth far less and perhaps now is a good time to buy?

You don't want to rent out your property and it will be a holiday home only especially in the winter/spring where inclement northern europe weather can be avoided by you. Hold on! Maybe you do want to rent it out, just to cover expenses or at least have the option. 

So my warnings to you:-

1. Employ a solicitor in Spain to represent you only. Do not share with the vendor or estate agent. Don't walk baldheaded into the trap "Use our leeegal teeem and save moneeeeeey." 

2. If an estate agent even mentions the fast-speed rail link between Alicante and Almería walk away, repeat, walk away. He/she just proved incapable of telling the truth. The line won't be in service before 2026. The line was laid about 15 years ago and the only things that run on it are rats and mice and the occasional snake. 

3. If you are going to take out a mortgage to buy in Spain - stop - It ain't a good investment and it will cost you bigtime (You heard it here first). You'll never get your money back.

4. Cynical Matt again:- You want a bolthole to save yourselves from the UK winter weather - RENTING is cheaper and you have no worries other than seeking another location for rental in the following year which is easy peasy.

Matthew,

Many thanks for your reply. 

I appreciate a lot of the concerns you have raised. Using for the winter months and for our, family and friends use is never going to be a financially viable proposition if you sit down and look at it sensibly and appreciate that renting in the winter would be much the cheaper option.  However I’m sure it will make us very popular with family and friends!!

Also take on board what you have said about making sure you engage solicitors independent of estate agents and current non existant train links.

Once again thanks for your thoughts and time in replying.

Mark

valle de este and Desert Springs are both golf course resorts and as such will be more expensive for charges you will also need a car to go any where off site.  both have restaurants and bars on site but limited unless you go down to the coast of Mojacar.  also there is a shop on Valle de Este but not  Desert springs so you'll need a car for that.

Al Andalus is near a public bus service from Mojacar to Vera via the playa and there is  a Mercadona close by.  it's a bit like an ant's nest to us though and not sure what it's like with mossies as there is a large water place next door.  Also could be walking distance to beach but nearest is the naturist one.  A consum supermarket and the water park are also in walking distance.  Vera town is a bus ride. 

As Matthew said better option is to rent and they certainly built them quick back in the day so buyer beware.

Alicia,

Many thanks for your reply. 

You’ve raised many valid points which Will help with our background info before our trip out later in the year.

Assuming that you find the Al Andalus development busy in your comparison?

We were planning on having a car for our stays so a more remote location like Valle del Este and Desert Springs would hopefully not be a problem.

Once again thanks for your informative reply.

Regards,

Mark

There are three Al Andalus urbanisations;

Al Andalus Residences is on the opposite side of the road to Mercadona. We regularly drive past but cannot comment on it further. 

Al Andalus Hills is on the North East side of Avenida del Salar, it is almost opposite the water nature reserve. We spent two weeks in a rental there a couple of years ago in early Sept and had no problems with mosquitoes etc. 

Al Andalus Thalassa is on Calle Tomillo again on the North side of Avda del Salar but further West heading toward Vera Pueblo. We have been permanently resident there for two and a half years, again no great issues with mosquitoes or flies. They’re around but not to the point where they interfere with our enjoyment of the outdoor life. The Urbanisation has c535 condos and for ten months of the year has, I would estimate, less than 20% occupancy with a mix of permanent residents, long term vacationers and short term visitors. The busy times are Christmas, Easter and August. Being up the hill from the beach we do not suffer from flooding, have the benefit of mountain and sea views and the breeze in the summer time. To the nearest point the beach (naturist part) is about 3km away. Consum and the textile area of the beach is not much further. Whilst it would be possible to use the bus service the reality is that a car whilst not absolutely essential is very useful, we wouldn’t live here without one.

As Matt has commented the quality of construction in the coastal regions of Andalucia is not of the highest standard, having said that the majority were built pre the 2007/08 crisis so are coming up to 15 years old or more. In most cases any major defects will have already surfaced. One thing I would suggest that you do before buying is to ask for the accounts and minutes of the annual meeting of the residents’ community. Any known major defects will be reported and discussed and you can also check whether any remedial works are planned and, if so, what costs are due to be paid and when. 

Clearly what suits one person may be anathema to another, we love the location, lifestyle and the view and walk on the beach most days. Winter into Feb and March months do get cooler but nothing like a British winter. 

The best advice is to rent for an extended period including in the Winter season before you buy and if you’re only going to visit for short periods then seriously question whether you want to make the commitment to purchase. 

Good luck whatever you decide. 

Ian,

I really appreciate you taking time out to answer my post. You have given me valuable and sound advice which we will use in making our property purchase. 

Many thanks.

Mark

Flies and mosquitoes are not really a bother in the winter months. It can be very windy then.  English people are often  tolerant of cold water and happy to swim in it - bear in mid that it is very likely that complex outdoor swimming pools will not allow swimming in the months that you are there. Some have indoor pools that are open and there is always the sea.

Markie,

Many thanks for your reply. You raise some good points, especially re insulation on Desert Springs.

I appreciate you taking time out to reply and will certainly take these factors into account in our property search.

Regards,

Mark

Insulation is not only applicable to desert springs, it applies to 99%of new construction, ie last 30 years. Cold in winter requiring heating and very hot in summer requiring ac. The older properties inland have 600mm thick rubble walls, background heat ie woodstove, suffices in winter and a fan in summer. Downside is they are prone to damp as Spain never used a dpc. On old properties all ways check the roof has been rebuilt with concrete beams, the old timbers look pretty but are pretty useless as structural members. 

James 

James