Looking to buy a holiday home

Both of you are 48 - children in terms of this forum, I would say. (Take the compliment, I don't give too many!)

1. You can be lucky and see the holiday home of your dreams on the internet and you buy it blindly and all works out well. Well Done! Please give me your lotto numbers.

2. Buying a holiday home is easy - thousands of us can't be wrong! But, can we? Yes we can. I would advise (i) Rent in the area where you want to buy during the off season November, December, January, February, March. If you can take a month's rental at least. That 4/5 weeks will be enough for you to know if that area is for you or indeed, if Spain is for you. (ii) Ask the questions no matter how stupid they sound. You will learn to separate the lies from the truth. Keep in mind that you are within minutes of making yourself look stupid if you buy blindly. 

3. You are going to be advised by the truth-tellers of Vera Playa, Garrucha, Mojacar Playa, Macenas, Carboneras that they bought merely for a place in which the family and friends can holiday. Rubbish! repeat Rubbish!. Buy for investment only (you heard this first from a disgruntled Paddy). You'll be told "I rent only to cover the complex fees/utilities/internet/cleaning." If ever I make a good few bob in Mojacar Playa I'll buy a polygraph and connect it up to the most dreadful untruth tellers in the area. 

4. Employ a solicitor (not an agent) to act solely for you. It'll cost, but worth every penny. Spanish solicitors are not happy to put their Registration on the line and won't leave themselves open to litigation. You heard this here first too. 

5. If you believe everything an estate agent tells you please be my best friend; I could use you. Ask the "dirty" questions and insist on a clean answer. Strange how sellers of property can reframe an old broken down toilet to say "gem of a WC." You've probably seen the railway line from Alicante to Almeríá - note the only things that run on it are local fauna. I think it's due to be up and running some time during 2023 (translation:- 2033 in my opinion).

6. You're probably getting the impression that I am the forum cynic. You're not wrong!

7. The Good News:- If you can afford it, a holiday home in Costa Almería can be a fruitful experience and a terrific investment. [You thought I had not much good to say, I bet]. 

Summary for You Only:- Go for it, but tread carefully.

Any sane person will agree with Matthew. You will have different needs as you have children. Rent off season if possible and travel around. See places without your holiday head on. Think of schools, entertainment and travel. Don’t forget if you go inland the winters are colder and summers hotter than the coast. Think of carrying shopping any distance in 40 degree temperatures. 

Good luck to you whatever you do.

hi Lesley  you are very young compared to the majority of owners here,  One thing to consider if you buy a holiday home here now is the 90 day in 180 day rule so make sure that you will be able to use it , that's if you can fly here cheaply in the future so facture in that cost as well.  whatever the price of the property you'll need at least another 10% for the taxes and the money to cover the running costs and for a good solicitor.  As Mathew said get a good one do not use one recommended by the estate agents.  you will also have to have travel insurance to cover your health when you come here in the future, no longer part of Europe means no free health cover.

it will no longer be the easiest thing to do to retire here in the future as it will involve a certain income every year along with private health cover.

watching Place in the Sun we wonder when they are ever going to tell the viewers the real cost of buying properties here and the new rules that apply after Brexit for holidaying and retiring here.

if you can get what you want good luck to you if you manage it because it is great living here.

Hi Lesley

My wife and myself are in our very early 50's, there are few of us living here full time to keep an eye on the grumpy OAPs.

I agree with Matthew and the other's comments.

And now for my 2cents.

I have unfortunately seen quite a few people buy holiday places with the idea of it been the holiday bolt-hole for the kids and grandchildren. However these kids quickly change their minds and are no longer interested in holidaying in one place each year and / or have no interest in inheriting the place. (keep in mind your kids will pay a hefty inheritance tax). So buy as an investment to sell one day and take the money or if it is an retirement place for yourselves, buy it to suit you and not your kids. On my complex there are a few properties for sale because of this.

If you are buying a second hand place (ie not a new build) then make sure your solicitor checks to see that there is no outstanding debt attached to the property. If there is, DO NOT sign any purchase agreement before this debt is cleared no matter what promises are made or "guarantees" are made. (this also applies to buying a car via private sale)

On the positive side, I see there is now a trend towards building new semi-bespoke villas especially in the Vera Playa area. The local councils are making huge efforts to boost tourism, tourist facilities and tourist experience.

Hi I don’t agree.

My parent bought our holiday home in Puerto Rey 40 years ago.

After some fantastic holiday for me and my sisters, I bought the place.

I’m very glad my parents bought the place because that’s where I met my wife 35 years ago.

Her parents also bought a holiday home in Puerto Rey but sold it 10 years ago.

The Sisters and brother of my wife still try to come to Vera Playa as much as possible.

They have regrets to have sold the house.

Now their children spend their vacation in Puerto Rey and some of them are looking to buy a vacation home in the area.

So it is a good investment and your children will love it.

Where the hell did you get that from? There has been no indication that there will be visa fees for UK nationals visiting Spain. The most we are likely to face is a restriction on our stay of 90 days in any 180.

Rob

No we won't