A Life in Spain – Edition 10 July 2017

buying & selling your next property in spain

SPAIN A Life in

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FOOD & DRINK

Spanish Recipe: Paella

GOLF COURSES

Top courses in the region

NEW COMPANY PROFILE

wine regionS D.O. of Jumilla

Gecko Sportswear - page 34

cover image is a private sale - see page 29

find your dream property at

www.alifeinspain.com

PAGES 2 & 6

issue 10 july 2017

free

#Edition10 • July 2017

25 Spanish recipe

Paella...

Architects are too expensive!!

7 Wine Region JUMILLA

8&9 A life on the course...

ALICANTE GOLF

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. . . e l fi o r P y n a New Comp

34 July, what can I say, July is here again and with it comes the souring temperatures.

This in turn brings extra beers round the pool and gallons of sun-cream.... or should that be extra sun-cream round the pool and gallons of beer!!! Seriously though, this year is forecast to be a hot July and August. So drink plenty of water and use plenty of sun-cream.

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contact ALIS:

ask@alifeinspain.com peter.clarke@alifeinspain.com

The last few weeks have seen a lot of changes at ALIS H.Q. We now have a brand new team of both graphic designers and editorial staff. As a result you will find this month’s magazine is packed with interesting articles. Whether you are interested in visiting new and interesting towns, wine regions of Spain, or golf We have tried to have something for everyone. Whilst on that point, if there is anything you would like to see articles on then please let us know and we shall see if we can include it.

Remember – all of our articles and over 4,000 properties for sale and rent are available online at:

www.alifeinspain.com

TEL: 660 170 355 www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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Architects are too expensive!! cheaper. First, think if the building store will do that reduction in price to the one off client that most probably will never see again, what discount will give to a local contractor who has been buying materials for the last 10 years and probably will continue doing so for the next 20!!.

This is a common fallacy heard too often not only among the expats but also among the Spaniards.

To start with, a firm of experienced architects are able to anticipate to any planning or construction problem before it occurs and will advise you well ahead of time saving you headaches and money.

Apart from good design architects have an overall picture of the project without losing site of the nitty-gritty parts. We architects can save you much more money than the cost our fees. Find below just a few examples which could be easily amplified.

How can an architect save me real money?

1. If we consider a simple rehab job for a home, if it is the architects who collects the estimates from local contractors and not “Mr. Expat John Smith” most probably will save you at least 10% of the total price just on the offset. It shouldn’t be so, but unfortunately local contractors feel that dealing with none Spanish speaker clients would delay the works due to the lack of communication and cause possible confusions during the execution of the job. With an architect involved the contractor feels reassured that all the relevant construction info is available from the offset and most important, the main decisions about the works have been taken well in advance avoiding unforeseen circumstances and expensive delays difficult to charge the client once the work has started.

In our long experience when any of our clients have tried to obtain different bids from local contractors and then we have followed exactly the same procedure our prices have been at least 10% cheaper and in some cases much more.

5. Most expats have had construction works done by contracting directly without the supervision of an architect, and when I have ask them about the time they have spent supervising and managing the job and asked them to put a price on the hours spent, they become very surprised concerning the total amount of money that they could have saved by engaging an architect. And here I am not talking about the hustle and problems encountered in the development of the works.

6. Paper works. Yes, I personally spend 60% of my working time “lobbying” and managing building licenses, planning approval etc, and I know by their Christian names practically all the civil servants of all the town halls in Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida. After 25 years of professional practise even I have to armed myself with patience and breath ten times before I answer back (usually young technicians) at the town hall who do not know their jobs and pretend that my clients carry out absurd construction solutions. Let me quickly add here that the majority of civil servants (especially those who have been at the post for a number of years) are very helpful and try to provide fair solutions for both parties, the town hall and the citizen involved. However inexperience town hall technician may propose very expensive solutions that may be counter argued and thus making great savings.

There are many other ways which due to the limitation of this article I cannot extend on. There is in addition one more important factor; an architect can make the process of designing your home from cero, adding an extension or rehabilitating it in an enjoyable process. Now days we use very sophisticated software and it is very rewarding to see in 3D how your ideas take shape in front of your very own eyes or you can have a walk about through future spaces becoming aware of perhaps unexpected problems that by visualizing before it is constructed may also save you money.

2. A firm of architects worth their salts have big data banks of building materials and labour prices around Spain divided by provinces and locally by individual towns, so any tender prices from contractors can be scrutinized by our staff and renegotiated down to a standard level. On the other extreme we can detect when prices obtained are so ridiculously cheap that will represent a future problem.

3. When architects prepare a bid it does so by presenting a full bill of quantities so that all tenders received are based on exactly the same materials and labour so that you can compare like with alike. Most often contractors prepare their own specifications and materials and it is terribly difficult for none expert to differentiate the disparity in prices and in quality.

4. When clients are told that they can obtain big discounts on materials, sometimes as much as 30% etc they think that with those savings they have made a good deal and by subcontracting the labour direct no one will do carryout the job www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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Wine Focus...

D.O. of Jumilla Famous for its wines, and with their own Denominaciรณn de Origen, Jumilla lies in the Altiplano of the Region of Murcia. Jumilla can be found close to the wine regions of Yecla and Bullas and approximately 30 minutes inland from Murcia city.

BACKGROUND

The coastal terrains of the region of Murcia gives way to the planes of La Mancha. Jumilla. is in the north of the Region of Murcia, and has become internationally famous over recent decades due to the quality of the wines produced in the municipality. The wine tourism here has begun to attract visitors from other parts of Spain and the rest of Europe.

There are 15 main “bodegas” (or wineries) affiliated to the Ruta Del Vino, all of them selling wine and other products directly from their premises. Four of these are in the centre and outskirts of the town, with the others dotted around the outlying rural areas of the municipality. Most of the bodegas offer tours to groups of a certain minimum size (usually around 6 people), although it is necessary to pre-book.

Prices for the tours vary, but are usually between 5 and 10 euros per head. If you only wish to buy wine or are a smaller group then some bodegas will offer a brief tour. But this really does vary from one bodega to the next. There is also a specialist wine shop (Vinotería Los Chilines) close to the tourist information office, with a wide selection of Jumilla wines as well as other local produce such as ham and cheese.

Along with the local gastronomy, the variety of attractions makes weekend or overnight stays a popular option, and the Jumilla Wine Route also includes two recommended hotels in the town centre and various restaurants. Main bodegas of the Jumilla wine route. Contact details available on the various websites.

Bodegas in the town centre Bodegas Silvano García: just a short walk from the tourist office on the main road into Jumilla from Murcia. Opening hours Monday to Friday 8.30 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 20.00, Saturday 9.00 to 14.00, Sundays and public holidays 10.30 to 14.00. Various tour options at differing prices.

Bodega Artesanal Viña Campanero: located in the southern outskirts of the town of Jumilla. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.00 to 13.30 and 15.30 to 19.30, Saturday 9.00 to 13.30.

Shop open, wine tastings, tours and full lunch option for groups of over 15 people.

Bodega San Isidro: the largest establishment in Jumilla, on the main road out of Jumilla towards the south. Also includes olive oil press. Open to the public on weekdays from 8.00 to 13.30 and 15.30 to 19.30, and at weekends and on public holidays from 10.00 to 14.00. As the bodega opens early it’s possible to visit this bodega and another in the same morning. Various tour options available and shop open for direct sales.

Bodegas Alceño: a traditional winery in the north of the town centre. Visits can be booked on weekdays from 8.30 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 19.00 (morning only in July and August) and by special arrangement at weekends. Shop open for direct sales.

Bodegas close to Sierra del Carche Bodegas Carchelo: Open to the public on weekdays from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 16.00 to 18.00. Weekend opening hours are variable, but tours can sometimes be organized by prior arrangement.

Wine can be purchased directly from the Bodega.

Bodegas Casa de la Ermita: Tours typically begin at 12.00 midday or 16.00, although other timings can be arranged for groups to suit their schedule, and are available in both English and Spanish except on Mondays. The shop opens on weekdays from 10.00 to 14.00 and 15.00 to 18.00, and on Saturdays from 10.00 to 14.30 Bodegas Hacienda del Carche: A wide range of activities are available, and the shop and visiting department are open on weekdays from 8.30 to

14.00 and 15.30 to 18.00: weekend opening times are variable.

Bodegas elsewhere in the Jumilla countryside Bodegas Luzón: just a couple of kilometres out of Jumilla on the road to Calasparra. Weekday visits (from Monday to Thursday) normally start at 11.00 and 16.30, while on Friday only the morning tour is laid on and at weekends timetables are flexible.

Bodegas Viña Elena: one of the southernmost wineries on the Jumilla wine route. Tours are offered in English or Spanish at 11.30 every morning of the week except on Sundays, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The winery opens on weekdays from 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 19.00.

Bodegas Xenysel: a truly rural location on the high ground between Jumilla and Yecla. No fixed timetable for the lengthy tour, but a warm welcome is guaranteed! Prior booking essential.

Bodegas Pío del Ramo: a fully organic winery and olive oil mill to the north-west of Jumilla just across the border in Albacete with an interest in white, as well as red wines. Well worth the drive from Jumilla. Visits are offered on weekdays between 9.00 and 13.00 and from 15.30 to 18.30, and at weekends between 10.00 and 14.00.

Bodegas Bleda: a couple of kilometres outside Jumilla on the road to Ontur, so could be visited on the way to Pío del Ramo (above). Tour times to be decided on by prior arrangement. The winery is open to the public on weekdays from 9.00 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 19.00, and tours are normally held (always by prior arrangement) during the morning.

Bodega Casa Rojo: located near the montains of the Sierra de la Pila, on the main road back towards the City of Murcia, so this is technically the first bodega forming part of the wine route when driving from Murcia City. The new installations will open fully in April, but can be visited prior to this date by prior arrangement.

www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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. . . e s r u o c e h t n o A life

ALICANTE GOLF A challenge for the game and a feast for the eyes!

On the shores of the Mediterranean is Alicante Golf, located on the spectacular San Juan beach just 5 minutes from the centre of Alicante. Set out like a green lung in the residential area, the course has wide holes planted with thousands of trees and where care for the environment and savings in water consumption are priority aspects, which has won it the honour of being the first course in Europe to jointly obtain the two most prestigious environmental quality certificates: ISO-14.001 and Q-Plus.

5 large lakes affecting 12 of the 18 holes. All of which supposes an attractive challenge for golfers of all levels.

Alicante Golf is considered one of the courses with the best maintenance and design of the whole of Spain, a reputation enhanced by the performance of the important and costly green reconstruction project which lasted 5 years between 2004 and 2008, in which the course’s 18 greens were rebuilt to improve the design and the agricultural aspects of watering, drainage, landscaping and moulding. Since these reformations, the course has had 18 true luxury greens, and especially the new green on the 18th hole, which has given the course its spectacular and dramatic end that can be seen from the rooms of the Hotel Alicante Golf.

Another of the best appreciated aspects of the course is its practice area, with a driving range of natural grass and a very complete short play area, as well as the ruins of a Roman villa from the first century BC on the 14th hole. These appeared during the construction of the course and you have to drive over them to reach the green.

Alicante Golf is a noble course, with wide fairways and no blind strokes.

The speed of the greens, the true star feature of the course, is at competition level and they come in an impressive state. Alicante Golf can be considered an oasis amidst the city, a challenge for the game and a feast for the eyes.

Severiano Ballesteros designed the spectacular par 72 with a singular layout of 6 par 3, 6 par 4 and six par 5, which means that you never play two consecutive holes with the same par on the same round, an option which makes the game much more varied and amusing and gives many opportunities for a birdie. Seve designed

m o c . f l o g e t n a c i l a . w ww www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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Area Focus...

javea Jรกvea is a coastal town in the comarca of Marina Alta, North Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante, Valencia, Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea.

Situated on the back side of the Montgó, behind a wide bay and sheltered between two rocky headlands, the town has become a very popular small seaside resort and market town. Half of its resident population and over two thirds of its annual visitors are foreigners.

The area was first inhabited in prehistoric times, 30,000 years ago by cave dwellers on Montgó.

Subsequent residents have included Stone and Bronze-age peoples, Romans, Greeks, Phoenicians, Visigoths, Germanic, Carthaginians, and Moors. Roman fishing boats used the port, and there is evidence that dates the Roman occupation of Xàbia to the 2nd century BC, it makes Xàbia the oldest known Roman site on the coast with a commercial port for fish and minerals.

In the 6th century AD, Christian Visigoth monks came to Xàbia and founded the monastery of Sant Martí, which likely gave its name to the cape in the area named Cap San Martí. Hermenegild, son of the Visigoth king Leovigild of Toledo, sought refuge in the Monastery after angering his father by marrying a Christian girl. When his father’s troops arrived to arrest him all but one monk fled to Portichol; Hermenegild and the old monk were killed. Several people with Visigoth names still live in the area.

There is little left of the Moors other than some inscribed gravestones and ceramics, although they were here from about 714 AD until they were expelled in 1609.[3] The hermitage of Popol dates to

the 14th century.

Notable people • David Ferrer (born 1982), tennis player • Sergio Hernández (born 1983), racing car driver • Tomas Morato (1887–1965), politician • Xavi Torres (born 1986), footballer • Adrián Ortolá (born 1993), footballer

www.xabia.org - Article source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%C3%A0bia

Tracy’s silver smile IN the previous edition we had a fascinating piece by Tracy Ford, about how she started cycling, the initial trials and tribulations, and how, through hard work, dedication and tenaciousness, she won a place on the Team GB duathlon team for the 2017 European Championships.

This week we catch up with Tracy following the event, for which she has put so much into. “We’re on our way home. I’m very proud to say I’m bringing a silver medal home for Team GB” this the message Cycle Clips received from an ‘over the moon’ Tracy Ford after participating in the European Duathlon Championships is Soria on April 29.

“All went very well, the weather was reasonably kind to us, it was very cold, six degrees and 35km/h winds but it stayed dry. The course was a very technical one, and battling with the wind made the bike leg a bit challenging, I finished in 1 hour 23 minutes very happy with that.” “It was a tough race, as I said the wind was pretty horrendous, which made it hard going on the bike leg, especially for those like me: with bike the combined weight is only 59 kg! An advantage uphill but not so on the descents.

“Reflecting on her achievement she noted: “Because I got a podium place I have automatically qualified for the championships in October 2018 which is being held in Ibiza. My goal is to be on the podium again and bring home another medal for Team GB.” The European duathlon silver medal winner is not one to rest on her laurels and, in addition to claiming her place for the 2018 championships, she has entered the sprint distance triathlon at Blenheim Palace which is taking place in just three weeks’ time.

Tracy also noted that her uncle Gordon Butler was a veteran champion time trialist. In September 2012 at the page of 76 Gordon was knocked off of his bike and died of his injuries. There is now an annual Gordon Butler 10 mile Memorial Time Trial, a race that Tracy feels she should enter in his memory.

So Costa Blanca resident Tracy Ford is proving just how tenacious she really is. Not content with coming second in the Europeans she still has a busy schedule ahead of her and is already setting her sights on Ibiza 2018.

www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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Paella...

Spanish recipe

. . . s t n e i d e r Ing

• 6 chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds), skinned • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil • 1 (4-ounce) link hot turkey Italian sausage • 1 cup chopped onion

. . . t i k o o c o t How 1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Sprinkle chicken with rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan; cover and keep warm.

• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper • 1 1/2 cups uncooked Arborio or Valencia rice • 1/2 cup diced plum tomato • 1 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed • 1 garlic clove, minced • 3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth • 3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1 cup (1-inch) diagonally cut asparagus • 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

3. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring to crumble. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Add rice, tomato, paprika, saffron, and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Return chicken to pan. Add broth and 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Wrap handle of pan with foil; cover pan. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes.

Stir in shrimp, asparagus, and peas. Cover and bake

www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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PRIVATE SALE A great opportunity to own a traditional and much restored and extended finca.

There is a separate casita with double bedroom and en suite bathroom. The main house has a further two double bedrooms.

One is en-suite and there is an additional family shower/utility room. There is a spacious lounge with traditional wood burner and low energy wall panels in the kitchen, second bedroom and in the casita. The kitchen/diner is fully fitted and comes with all white goods. Some of the furnishings will be included in the asking price.

Outside there is a large garden, parking (gated) for three cars, swimming pool and over 6,000 square meters of well maintained land with 100 olive and almond

Asking P ri around € ce: Offers 195,000 .00.

trees and a couple of fig trees. The whole property is fenced and the house is covered by an efficient burglar alarm system. There is a satellite dish which leads to sockets in the lounge and the large summer kitchen.

The pool terrace has a large pergola and the casita has above it a solarium giving fantastic views of the Carrascoys, Espuñias and beyond with magnificent sunsets. There is a brick storage shed in the garden, split between an ample log store and separate general storage room.

pleted but not yet opened new airport near Corvera.

The main cities of Cartagena and Murcia are again just over 30 minutes away offering great days out and huge shopping opportunities. In less than one hour you can also be in the “Wine Centre” of Jumilla and even quicker into the spa towns of Fortuna and Archena (highly recommended). The nearby motorway (3 kms) leads to all of these and is also access to other reachable places such as Alicante, Madrid and Granada.

The property is set in a traditional small Spanish village, just 10 minutes from the town of Fuente Alamo and is on the boundary of the Sierra Carrascoy National Park.

It is just over 30 minutes to the beaches of Puerto Mazarron , Bolnuevo and Los Alcazares, five minutes from The Hacienda Golf resort and 15 minutes from the com-

All paperwork is up to date and the property is fully legal. Rates are about €250 per annum. The property is all electric with additional mobile gas heaters if needed. The log burner provides heating which permeates through most of the main building. The owner also cooks ribs in an oven dish on the top of it. Why waste the heat?

Call +34 644 887 843 for more information

www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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Area Focus... “Take a tour of the villages of this area to get a true feel for rural Murcia�

Sucina

The perfect location for a base whilst on a golfing, walking or cycling holiday!

Sucina is a small quaint village which has become surrounded by golf courses and resorts. Situated off the RM1 between Murcia and San Javier, it is the perfect location for a base whilst on a golfing, walking or cycling holiday.

The village consists of a mixture of old and new. The church and its square are still at the heart of the village and there are some old houses to be found in the surrounding streets. There are also many newly built houses, and the British influence can be seen in the church square with the cafes which advertise ‘fish and chips’. That said, this lovely village has retained its charm and history.

Places of interest & ideas of things to do in Sucina Village Centre Small centre with a selection of bars and cafes.

Walking or cycling in the surrounding countryside Golfing at some of the numerous courses that surround this are.

Ideas of places to twin Sucina with to make a great day or night Sucina is a great little village to take a wander around

if you are visiting the area for a game of golf at nearby La Peraleja or Hacienda Riquelme. It provides a real insight into how the small villages of Spain have been developed to incorporate an international population.

Take a tour of the villages of this area to get a true feel for rural Murcia. Twin a visit here with a stop at Avileses, Balsicas, San Cayetano or the larger town of Torre Pacheco

www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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N

. . . e l fi o r P y n a p m o ew C

GeckoSportswear - Bespoke Rugby and sports clothing

A successful rugby team runs on several crucial factors, both in terms of the playing staff and the manner in which behind-thescenes components are accounted for.

A sturdy scrum or scintillating backline play can often come about from having things right off the pitch as much as on it. Look like a team – play like a team!

It is vital, then, that rugby squads have pristine kit to don before the first whistle goes, which is where GeckoSportswear comes in.

The kit specialists have forged an extremely reputable name for themselves over the course of a number of years, delivering bespoke rugby attire for all manner of teams based upon withholding the Core values of our sports. As well as holding the design specs for hundreds of differing styles of kit and their own in factory design teams, GeckoSportswear welcomes entirely new concepts, and have a genuine passion for ensuring that whatever the customer requires is exactly what the customer gets. We don’t palm you off with a stock kit – it’s bespoke to you and our timelines for manufacture are made clear from the start. Gecko Sportswear Managing Director, Bob Lovell, explained a little behind the company’s philosophy: “When a rugby club or organisation chooses to shop with Gecko, we feel it’s extremely important that the whole process is one which reflects our reputation.

“Having been involved in Rugby within the Armed Forces at all levels we know what we

Dan, Nicky and Junior in GeckoSportswear would buy and are keen to pass that knowledge onto our customers. If we don’t wear it when we train or play, it WON’T have the GeckoSportswear logo on it to our customers “With this in mind, from the initial enquiry stage right through until the team takes to the field in their eye-catching apparel, Gecko Sportswear will be part of the process the whole way through. Any amendments to what the customer wants, no matter how small, are dealt with in good time and with a smile on our faces!”

A close knit family company we have now secured teams as far as Fiji, Spain, Dubai and across the UK supporting events as Newquay 7’s, UK Fiji 7’s and the Charity Sporting Prints Rugby legends project based in Scotland

who have chosen GeckoSportswear as their kit supplier for all events including Dubai, raising money for Team Endeavour and Thailand raising money for the Nak Suu Rugby Academy. The Scottish CSP Rugby Legends Veterans 10’s to be held in June 2017 is in aid of many Scottish Charities and Ambassadors for the CSP Rugby Legends Project, Junior Paramore, Nicky Little and Dan Scarborough are all big supporters of the events and GeckoSportswear (pictured) As we open our Spanish based offices this month we are also starting a training and match facility just south of Alicante catering for all sports to come and train and play fixtures in the sun.

With ever growing Rugby Legue and Union teams appearing Spain is keen to host any age, level or ability.

win 4 tickets for Terra Natura Murcia worth upto 100€!

Terra Natura Murcia has always been in love with animals and they have been their main priority since the park was opened in 2007.

Since few months ago, the park has changed some aspects related to the idiosyncrasy of Terra Natura Murcia.

The education has become the basis of all activities, internal and external. We are focused in increasing the quality of our services as we want visitors to enjoy while in the park and also increase their animal knowledge.

On the other hand, Terra

Natura Murcia has the only Water Park in the Region of Murcia. Aqua Natura offers swimming pools appropriate for children but also for older visitors. All visitors can enjoy our smooth slides, our slides prepared to be used with the parks floats (for one or two people) and our higher slides only suitable for braves.

All water areas are always supervised by lifeguards and there is a medical service during the Water Park opening.

Come and enjoy the amazing and refreshing adventure in Murcia, the city of sun and only a few minutes from the city center.

HOW TO WIN:

SIMPLY LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! sEARCH: A LIFE IN SPAIN COMPETITION ENDS JULY 31ST

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6 Rules For A Successful Purchase In Spain 1.Buying Analysis: Decide first, what kind of home you’re looking for: apartment, villa, duplex? . What area or neighbourhood do you prefer? . What is your price point? . What size are you looking for?

2. Are your finances in place? You’ll need a local bank account. . Do you have the money in place or will you be requiring a mortgage?

To open a Spanish bank account, you’ll need this: * PASSPORT * N.I.E. Certificate (Spanish Tax Number) * PROOF OF ADDRESS; Utility Bills, Bank Letter, etc. * 6 Months Bank Statements Plus the following, if it’s a mortgage in Spain you’ll be applying for: * Last P-60 * Latest 3 Salary Slips * Tax Return * Letter From Employer (stating occupation, title, income, bonuses and length of occupation) * Other Sources Of Income (investments, savings, rentals, tenancy agreements private pensions, state pensions, etc.) * Credit Report (Experian, Equifax, etc.) * Declaration Of Assets (property, investments, etc.) * Pension Income (if applicable) * Purchase Contract * Proof Of Deposit Paid 3. When viewing homes, don’t make the major mistake of looking at too many. It’s easy to get carried away, but you’ll get so confused, you won’t even remember which houses you’ve seen! Try to let your trusted Real Estate Agent narrow your favourites down for you. If they’re doing their job correctly, they should know which home would suit you best, and save you time and energy on the legwork!

4. Crafting your offer. This is where the magic happens! You’ve found the right home, and now you’re ready to make your offer.

We’ve all seen the television programmes where they encourage a buyer to make a “cheeky offer,” well reality is, that just doesn’t happen anymore. Go too low – they won’t want to know! You need to be guided by your Real Estate Agent, as they will know more about the vendor than you. So trust their skills and let them help you make the perfect offer. One that a seller, just cannot refuse!

5. Don’t buy without a Lawyer. There are lots of people around that offer legal services to help with your purchase, but beware, if they are not a Lawyer, they cannot guarantee the legalities of the property. At least with qualified Lawyers, they are part of a governing body, of which they are bonded. I’ve seen too many times, where people tell me they have a Lawyer in place, and they don’t even realize their appointed “Lawyer” is only a Fiscal Representative. Lawyers fees to do the conveyancing for a purchase, should be around €1,000. More? Is too much more!

6. Do you have the correct paperwork? Apart from your passport for identification, you will need to have an N.I.E. number (Certificate). This is your Spanish tax number. You can apply for these through the Spanish Embassy in your own country, or

you can apply yourself through the National Police Station, in the “foreign” (Extranjeros) department. If you don’t want the hassle, then there are plenty of companies around, that can assist you with the application. You can even give your trusted local Lawyer Power Of Attorney, to apply for this number on your behalf. The general cost through a Lawyer, is €100 per person. If you choose to apply through the Embassy, this process is extremely slow, so be aware if you’re in the throws of applying for a Spanish mortgage and need it quickly, as the bank will not process the mortgage without having your N.I.E number.

Preparation is KEY, the KEY to your new home in Spain! www.alifeinspain.com - july 2017

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