Advice on where to buy in Spain

DJV

Hi Francophile

I can see that you’ve now visited Javea, but in your earlier posts you mentioned the Murcia region, yet there have been few responses that have mentioned this area.

I have some knowledge of this part of Spain as I have been successfully buying and renting properties out in this region for the last 5 years. I started with a villa in La Marina near Alicante and have since focused on the Murcia region down as far as La Manga. Virtually all of my bookings are generated from the internet.

We currently have three properties, with a fourth on its way in the next month or so. We tend to let them out for short term holiday lets in the summer and try and get a 3-6 month let through the winter period. I think the area around the Mar Menor could be perfect for you as it is said to be a constant 3 degrees warmer than the Mediterranean and has health giving qualities through its high mineral content, which could tick your box for helping with the winter aches and pains you and your husband suffer. It’s a very flat area in general so you wouldn’t say it has the same natural beauty as some other parts of Spain, but it does have advantages in that the road network is very modern and efficient so you can buy reasonable properties ten miles inland, but still be only 15 minutes from the coast.

We have recently been focussing on the Polaris World resort of La Torre. Although I can appreciate that this wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, I really like the fact that it has a very safe feel to it due to it being patrolled and gated but it doesn’t have an elitist snobbish feel that I have seen in other such communities. I also think that in the current financial climate you would have a chance of buying a very nice two bed two bath townhouse within your budget.

It is clear that many people have bought in this area (like many other parts of Spain) with a view to making a quick buck on the capital appreciation without any back up plan to cover their costs should this not happen, as seems to be the case currently. Hence there are some real bargains to be found if you just scratch under the surface a little. One word of warning though, I have to work really hard to get our bookings to the level they are currently at, so the rental returns probably won’t make you rich!

I’d be happy to share any contacts I have in this area with you, i.e. solicitors, agents etc.:cool:

Francophile

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We already have a house in South West France which we want to keep. The only problem with France is that the winters are nearly as cold as good old "Norn Iron". That's why we thought about a wee bolt hole in Spain for the winter months. We've decided that we'll wait till DH retires and then we can go and spend some time in Spain to see if we'd really like to spend every winter there. The other thing is, it may be just as cost effective to rent every winter for say 3 months and not buy a property at all. That way we won't have the expense of maintenance etc etc. If you don't like an area you can choose somewhere different the next time.

EdInvestor

Francophile wrote: »

The other thing is, it may be just as cost effective to rent every winter for say 3 months and not buy a property at all. That way we won't have the expense of maintenance etc etc. If you don't like an area you can choose somewhere different the next time.

Absolutely.If you want guaranteed good winter weather, have a look at Tenerife in the Canaries. There are loads of UK-owned properties there that will do a good deal in Euros or sterling for 3 months or more.Quite a big range of places to stay, including several more upmarket areas on the west coast.

Moneywise_3

We live in Spain, in La Zarza, near Pinoso - a very beautiful valley 55 mins from Alicante and 45 mins from Murcia, and we love it here. We had an eco-house built by some amazing Spanish builders (who speak english), the views are amazing (best described as 'like Scotland, but with sun') and there are eagles in the mountains behind us. Every house is built on a plot of at least 5,000 sq.m and they are scattered around the valley. Currently there are around 15 -20 houses occupied by Brits and the rest are Spanish. We have around 320 days of sun per year and, yes, Jan, Feb and March are cold at night, sometimes with frost, but there is usually hot sun in the daytime. Pinoso is 15 mins away, with lots of bars, restaurants, butchers, bakers, three supermarkets, a leisure centre, a health centre (24hr) and even a theatre. Living here you need enough spanish to order a beer or some food in the bars, as only a few people speak spanish but we picked it up quickly. The prices here are much cheaper than on the coast too and the spanish are very welcoming. For more info on our eco-house you can visit our builders website www.chl.com.es. where there are pictures of it! Good luck - I hope you find what you want

mdcoach

I discovered this blog one night recently whilst looking at spanish properties on the net. I've already had 2 unsuccessful exploration trips but intended to have another look this year. This has caused me to rethink !!! Check it out before you proceed.
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=6846&st=255

DJV

mdcoach wrote: »

I discovered this blog one night recently whilst looking at spanish properties on the net. I've already had 2 unsuccessful exploration trips but intended to have another look this year. This has caused me to rethink !!! Check it out before you proceed.
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=6846&st=255

Hi mdcoach

I took a look at the link you provided, but it seemed to consist of a series of personal arguments rather than well balanced discussions.

My feeling on what is being written about the Spanish housing market can be summarised by looking at the two main camps that seem to be arguing their corners. They are the one’s that have been thinking about investing in Spain over the last 5 years or so, who have now adopted a somewhat “told you it wouldn’t last” attitude, and the one’s who have committed to buying in the country and are trying to play down the impact of the slowdown.

I have always taken the view that Southern Spain offers (and probably always will) the best all round package for quality of life living that most of Northern Europe can experience within a 2-3 hour flight away, i.e. good weather, good infrastructure and a decent and stable political structure. I have looked (and continue to look) for other countries that can tick all of these boxes, but few can get close.

It is my belief that with these fundamental factors in place, Spanish property will always be a good mid to long term investment. It is unfortunate that those who bought off-plan at the height of the hype with the intention of selling before completion are now losing out due to the dip in the market.

The biggest threat to the long term success of the Spanish homes market will be an over supply of housing stock. This will continue to cheapen what is already available whilst not necessarily adding anything to the environment that people want to live in.

sue_h_3

We have an apartment in Northern Costa Blanca, on a mountainside community between Moraira and Javea. It is just what you are looking for, it is a good mix of Spanish and English, has good rental returns, and has beautiful scenery, it is not too expensive to buy in this area. It is very green, and warmer than England (and France) in the winter, inland in Spain is much cooler in winter.

Beamish

Francophile wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We already have a house in South West France which we want to keep. The only problem with France is that the winters are nearly as cold as good old "Norn Iron". That's why we thought about a wee bolt hole in Spain for the winter months. We've decided that we'll wait till DH retires and then we can go and spend some time in Spain to see if we'd really like to spend every winter there. The other thing is, it may be just as cost effective to rent every winter for say 3 months and not buy a property at all. That way we won't have the expense of maintenance etc etc. If you don't like an area you can choose somewhere different the next time.

I really think this is a good idea as by doing this you can taste it and see!

We have a flat in the Grau de Gandia (Port of Gandia) which I love, its very Spanish and right on the port, a 10 min bus ride takes you to the main town of Gandia also from the main Train Station you can go to Valencia/
Madrid etc, so the world is your oyster!

The climate in the Safor region is very much like our spring, warm days but cool nights, it is the main area for oranges & lemons which means beautiful countryside.

Gandia is a very cental area and 1 hour away from Alicante, Javea, Denia, Calpe etc is only about 45 mins away, plus Benidorm if you fancy a night away for the Benidorm Palace shows.

We have just booked a cruise a 5 day from Barcelona taking in Nice & Ibiza next Thursday, we are flying from Bristol to Barcelona taking the cruise and then having 24 hours in Barcelona when we disembark, we will then catch a train from Barcelona to Valenicia to take us to Gandia to spend 7 days at our flat in Gandia.

Travelling in Spain is so much easier/cheaper than the UK.

The world is your oyster, grab it while you can


Beem x

GCMBOY

As weather in France is not so good in the winter then avoid Costa Brava and come south to the Costa Blanca - or continue again to Almeria (hot but barren) or to bottom of Spain Costa del Sol - very good climate but too far south for you?

If you like the Costa Blanca this article looks at where best to buy (depending on your criteria):

http://www.costablancauncovered.com/buy-property/where-to-buy-Costa-Blanca.html

Good luck with your research. If in doubt - rent first to get a feel of the areas before you commit.

Mark

mdcoach

I would repeat my earlier advise and strongly advise you to check out this blog. It seems the only positive comments about buying in 2008 come from people with a vested interest in selling, sellers, developers or agents. It would appear you have to be sceptical of anyone saying anything positive. It's a nightmare.

http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/for...ic=6846&st=255