issue 1 April 2011
The First Issue! INSIDE:
Featured Properties on the Website Check Out These Fantastic Offers Before They’re Gone
Interview with the Devil An Estate Agent Talks Back
Location, Location, Location Life in a rural Spanish Village
Also:
View From the Web What’s Happening on the Website
Spain? Isn’t That Just for Pensioners? A View of Being a Spanish Resident Aged Under 50
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An Introduction... Hello and welcome to the Spain Property Portal Magazine. My name is Richard, I’m the editor and with a small piece of luck will be guiding you through buying or renting a property in Spain. This magazine is for anyone in any country who is looking for, or thinking about buying or renting a property in Spain. I have lived in Spain since March 2003. I came to Spain on my own with 75€ in my pocket and my worldly possessions stuck in a traffic jam somewhere around the M25. Now in March 2011, I’m in the process of buying a home for my fiancee, my 3 year old daughter and myself, my daughter goes to kindergarten in the next village and my fiancee has a stable job in the nearest civilization. Spain is not the place of dreams. The streets aren’t paved with gold and you won’t get a handout just because you’ve landed here and can’t speak the lingo. What you will get is a beautiful country that enjoys a relaxed lifestyle and inexpensive cost of living. I live just 30 minutes from some of the best beaches in Europe and the Summer here starts (normally!) in April and lasts until the middle of October. Contrary to newspaper reports and publications regurgitating the same stories, the Spanish Property Market is not a dead duck, people are still buying and selling houses. Admittedly the quantity is nowhere near the peak years of 2004 - 2006, but because of the horror stories reported in newspapers, there are a lot of available bargains to be had for the sensible buyer. There are many legal properties available to buy in Spain right now. Many of them are being sold by people so desperate to sell that they have dropped the price by over 100,000€ from the valuation, just to sell. After the problems with illegal properties the Government introduced new legislation to ensure that all properties bought and sold in Spain were totally legal, a new Certificate was introduced called the Nota Simple. This certificate must be renewed every three months by the seller and contains all relevant information about the property including legality of the build, size of the build, any debts on the property and the owners rights. Over the coming months I will try to bring you some of the best properties available to buy or rent in Spain. I’ll point you towards properties I think are absolute bargains, or properties I think may be of interest to people in certain areas. I’ll also keep you up to date with what’s happening on the website and anything significant happening on our Facebook pages. In the meantime, if you want to see what’s happening for yourself, check out our pages below or email me at info@spainpropertyportal.com Until next time... www.spainpropertyportal.com www.facebook.com/pages/Spain-Property-Portal/197956940216191 twitter.com/SPropertyPortal spainpropertyportal.wordpress.com info@spainpropertyportal.com
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View From the Web
What’s Happening on SpainPropertyPortal.com As this is the first issue, there’s been a lot of movement on the website, building it from scratch, testing and finally going live. Starting from a blank canvas, the idea was to create a clean looking, easy to use site. Not everyone is a whizz-kid on the internet, so from the off we had to create a website that was simple, yet uncluttered with a large search facility that was easily found a used. December passed by in a blur of Christmas decorations, Dancing Dora dolls and the occasional glass of beer. Finally in January we were able to launch a first draft of the site which went down well in test results and the first draft of the site went live on the 24th January 2011. The site is by no means finished. We listen carefully to feedback from our clients and the users of the site and try (where possible) to integrate that feedback into the portal system. If you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to consider them, email me at webmaster@ spainpropertyportal.com. The home page is made up of at least six different properties, namely three featured properties at the top, which are randomised each time the page changes and the last three properties uploaded to the website by one of our agents. On the left is the search box which should help you to narrow down the search for properties. We’ve tried to simplify the search whilst keeping it in-depth to help you to be as specific about your property as you want, or as vague. A new feature on Spain Property Portal is the video tours. We’re trying to encourage agents to do away with 360° virtual tours and instead give people a real tour with a video camera. Agents are encouraged to upload video tours to You Tube, then give us the link so we can display that with the property. If a property has a Video Tour, you will see the Video button next to the Photos Button, or you can browse through all properties with a Video Tour by visiting the address: www.spainpropertyportal.com/properties-with-videos Check out the website and next month I’ll bring you some updates about the Facebook work, Wordpress and Tweeting. www.spainpropertyportal.com
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April 2011
Spain Isn’t Just for O.A.P.’s A View of Spain From a Resident Under 35(ish!)
I love Spain. I just wanted to get that out of the way before anyone accuses me of being biased. If you’re looking for an article that says otherwise, you can turn the page now. I’ve lived here for eight years, in the same area but I’ve moved to different villages in that time. In truth, I moved to Spain on a whim. I had an argument with my boss at work a few days before I came to visit my stepbrother who lived here. At the time it wasn’t such a big argument, just a difference of opinion, but because the argument wasn’t finished and I was told to reconsider my opinion over the course of the week I was on holiday, it brewed into something a lot bigger than it was and on the plane home I decided (unknowingly if truth be told) that if my boss was still of the same opinion I would move to Spain. In hindsight it wasn’t the best way to make a decision, I was probably being a bit (very? You decide) childish. Some would call it sticking to your guns, others would say it’s just plain stubborn. Anyway, I went to work the next day and had a meeting with the boss. We spoke about the disagreement and I told him that if he refused to see things my way he could expect my resignation the following day. He didn’t, so the following day I resigned and booked my flight, the rest, as they say is history. I now have a young daughter who I adore, a beautiful fiancee and a job I love. The sun is normally shining, even if it’s a bit chilly in Winter. Spain has been good to me, I love the relaxed pace of life, most of the people and most importantly the fact that petrol stations always have a gang of old men outside smoking and arguing about the cost of bread or some other matter of life or death. I’ve even come to the decision that when setting up a petrol station in Spain people go to the Petrol Station shop, say I’ll have that one and the sales person will then say “Ah good choice sir, that model comes with six old Spanish men, 2 of whom are bent so double as to nearly be walking on all fours, included is four rickety old chairs for them to fight over, plus 3 Premium Petrol Pumps”. I used to work in London, on Exhibition Road in SW3. It used to take me an hour and 45 minutes to get to work and the majority of my life was spent on a train, tube or stuck in a traffic jam. My social life isn’t as good as it was in the UK, Saturday nights can be very slow where the best entertainment is sometimes watching the village drunk feeding dog biscuits to his dog with his mouth, other weekends can be much better. On the whole I don’t miss the UK social life. It could be because I’m over thirty now, it could be because I have a daughter or it could just be that the nights we do go out to Fiestas and nightclubs on the beach are that much more enjoyable when they are few and far between, I don’t know. Spain is not just for old people. There are many of us younger Ex-pats living, working and generally enjoying life here. There is a social life in places like Torrevieja, Mojacar or Benidorm. If you live in the sticks like I do, Nightclubs are a short drive/taxi ride away. For me, the benefits of living in a more relaxed way of life far outweigh the drawbacks of earning less and having less choice between which Nightclub to go to this weekend. info@spainpropertyportal.com
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April Featured Properties
Our Recommended Viewings on SpainPropertyPortal.com
AR688 Villa for Sale in Arboleas, Almería Large 2 Bed Detached Villa Private Pool and Seperate Garage Reduced from 130,000€
125,000€ View this Property on the Website
SDV583 Duplex for Sale in Loma Cabrera, Almería Beautiful 2 Bed Duplex Lovely location Communal Pool
89,500€ View this Property on the Website
CLA 1907 Country House for Sale in Oria, Almería 4 Bed, 3 Bath Character House Massive 281m2 of living space Stunning Scenery
119,000€ View this Property on the Website www.spainpropertyportal.com
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April 2011
April Featured Properties
Our Recommended Viewings on SpainPropertyPortal.com
AS741 Apartment for Sale in San Juan de los Terreros, Almería Top Floor 2 Bed Maisonette Pool and Private Solarium Sea Views
115,000€ View this Property on the Website
FMAH581 Villa for Sale in Albox, Almería Spacious 4 Bed, 4 Baths home 10x5m pool Jacuzzi 2650m² plot with fabulous views
239,000€ View this Property on the Website
LV547 Duplex for Sale in Mojacar, Almería 2 Beds Duplex with Sea Views Short walk to the beach Fully equipped kitchen, an immaculate property
149,500€ View this Property on the Website info@spainpropertyportal.com
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April 2011
April Featured Properties
Our Recommended Viewings on SpainPropertyPortal.com
CLA 1228 Townhouse for Sale in Arboleas, Almería Amazing Bargain, fully Reformed Back garden and dip pool Lovely location
50,000€ View this Property on the Website
VIP1566 Apartment for Sale in Mojacar Playa, Almería 2 Bed, 1 Bath, 300 mtrs from Mojacar Beach Great quality build Being sold at a reduced price
85,000€ View this Property on the Website
AS781 Country House for Sale in San Juan de los Terreros, Almería 270m2 build in 2 properties Proven income generation contained 2 bed Private pool, 1200m2 garden
from
self
299,000€ View this Property on the Website www.spainpropertyportal.com
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April 2011
Interview With the Devil
We Find Out If the Staff at Calida Homes Property Consultancy Really Are Normal Human Beings Excerpts from an interview in January 2011 with Richard Clarke the founder of Calida Homes Property Consultancy, an estate agency based between Arboleas and Albox, which has been helping clients relocate to Spain for nearly 10 years. Richard who was also an estate agent in the UK has owned property in Spain for 25 years. He and his wife have two children, four dogs and 3 cats one of which closely resembles Gollum. Richard and his family currently live in Arboleas, Almeria. What do you think of the editors heading for this article? Not a great deal. So don’t all Estate Agents get tagged in this way? Your eyes do look a little red... Ha ha . Yes I am a bit tired as have been out with clients on viewing trips for 5 days straight. I’ve no doubt many would be buyers who’ve had experience with the 99€ viewing trip brigade or the supposed estate agents whose offices turn out to be deckchairs or car boots may feel they’ve had an encounter with the cloven hoofed one but I don’t think you’d get that sort of feedback from any of my clients. Confident words, what would you say to people who are worried about finding a reputable Estate Agent in Spain? Find an agent who has an office at a fixed, permanent address. Do your own research into that agent as to how long they’ve been running and search the web for feedback. We’ve been in our office at the same address for nearly 10 years, reputable agents will always be in the same place and available. The cowboys tend to work from home, meet you in a bar and will generally not be forthcoming with information about themselves. Luckily a lot of these have disappeared in the last few years, but there are still some about. I know you’ll be asked this a lot but what about all the houses being demolished in Spain? I do get asked about this to the point where it´s becoming tedious. I really appreciate it’s a cause for concern but I wish that people would look at the facts. I can’t comment on other regions so I’ll concentrate only on the Almeria province as this is where we specialise. There has only been one house demolished in 2008, which was owned by the Pryor’s and who have info@spainpropertyportal.com
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since been awarded compensation for the demolition. Yes, one house is too many but I think you’ll find far more people have fallen foul of planning regs and compulsory purchase orders over the same period in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. There are, I know, other properties under threat of demolition but nowhere near the number reported constantly in UK press and television specials. If there were so many why when they are showing a house being demolished and there are so many to pick from do they always show the same one. Good agents know the properties which have been built illegally without proper planning and will give them a very wide berth. What do you like so much about the Almeria lifestyle? Well of course the sunshine, long summer days and lower cost of living. Since day one we’ve had an overall feeling of contentment. I can’t put my finger on it but we all enjoy life and feel at home. Do you enjoy running a property business in Spain? Yes very much so. We have been here in the same office for close on 10 years now and over that time have found homes for more than 300 clients. When I look back at this I realise what a great achievement it is to not only find the house but we’ve helped get kids into schools, organised medical registrations even fixed a water leak whilst a client’s been away. Many of these clients have become personal friends and through this you become part of their lives. I have been to weddings, seen their kids go through school and been invited to stay at their homes around the world. Very satisfying. What do you think of the property market here today? How long have you got? I know it´s a real cliché but I genuinely believe that now is the best time to buy. It has been a very tough two years during which I’ve seen the off plan market plummet in favour of resale properties being sold at bargain prices and large character properties with equally large price tags fall out vogue and being replaced by smaller more affordable homes. I’ve found that there are three trains of thought being widely put forward by buyers: 1. There is a huge surplus of available property in Spain especially from the banks. This may be true of other locations but in Almeria only a very small percentage of sales were made using mortgage finance. Also the types of property purchased via mortgages were almost exclusively apartments or villas. Hardly any character properties come onto the market via the bank repossession route. 2. Mortgages in Spain are easy to get, even 100% ones. Sadly this is far from true. Mortgages are very tough to get and 100% ones are nonexistent. There are some good deals on properties repossessed by banks who will often assist with financing even in some cases offering far lower than usual rates and deferred payments. 3. The economy here is on its knees and especially in the housing market sales are at best sluggish. There is no doubt many people and businesses over last two years have been experiencing financial difficulties. But a visit to Almeria will show a thriving, resilient community which is definitely on the up. From October last year sales have been extremely buoyant and January this year was our best ever and we have even seen prices starting to climb. Richard Clarke was talking to Spain Property Portal Magazine in January 2011. To contact Calida Homes Property Consultancy, visit their office at Avenida 28 de Febrero, 25, Albox call them on (+34) 950 430 763 or visit their website www.calidahomespropconsult.com
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April 2011
A Snapshot of Life... Arboleas Style
Life in a Rural Spanish Village Isn’t All Beach, Beer and Bikinis. Here We Take a Look at the Real Spain Arboleas is a small yet pretty town in the Almeria region on the southern coast of Spain. Arboleas has a population of some 5,000 but this can be somewhat confusing as the main town with its imposing town hall encompasses around 200 hamlets, each with their own name and distinctive style. When I was asked to write an article about the town my main worry was “How can I encompass 8 years of living within this warm and friendly community into a fair but informative page?” I suppose a question which is always foremost when people visit, “why here?“ There are a number of answers to this question, but the most important answer is that I wanted to be part of a real Spanish town and community as opposed to a tourist urbanisation. At the time I had two children both of primary school age, so naturally I wanted them to benefit from the Spanish education system and I loved the fact that the town itself is primarily peaceful yet is just 30 minutes away from three of Almeria’s nicest beach resorts and two airports both attached to large cities were within the hour. This was more important to us when we first arrived as we made regular trips back to the UK, but the longer we are here, the less we seem to make the trips. For myself, my wife and for visitors when they came to visit, we wanted to have some nice bars and restaurants within easy reach. In Arboleas, we weren’t disappointed. Whether it´s large hotel restaurants like the Hostal Meson or the more intimate patio bars like Pablo’s in the main church square or the Palmeras, you’re always assured, not just of fantastic fresh tapas, but all manner of great food. I never ate fish before I came to Spain, I was always more of a meat lover and whilst www.spainpropertyportal.com
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Ox steak is a firm favourite, locally caught Sardines and Sea Bass are now also a staple. It wasn’t really important when we were looking for a part of Spain to put down roots as I’ve never been a particularly sporting type but without really knowing how, sport and exercise has crept into my daily routine. Tennis, horse riding and diving are just a few of the local activities I take part it in but there are so many more that are within easy reach: football is an important part of local life, especially since the World Cup, there are a number of golf courses within a few minutes drive, fishing is very popular here with numerous lakes full of many different varieties, skiing is just 2 hours on the motorway in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. I’ll have to leave these until I have a bit more leisure time. Well that´s the WHY covered but what about the in-between and the now? There’s far too much happened over the last eight years to cram into a couple of pages and when I started writing this I didn’t want to just paint a rosy picture of Spain, I wanted to provide a realistic view of life here but why the heck not, life is Rosy, very Rosy. Today is the 26th of February and at 10am it was gloriously sunny and 24 degrees. I had my morning cup of coffee on the patio and then walked through the citrus groves to the Street market. I bought some fruit and veg for the week then ambled into Palmeras where a meet up with friends both Spanish and English is always assured. I whiled away an hour there enjoying a nice plate of Paella, a cold cerveza or two and soaked up the sun. I then went home for a picnic lunch and after took a short drive down to Mojacar beach where at 4pm is still wonderfully warm and sunny while I’m sitting here outside a bar writing. This truly is a magical time of year. Tomorrow I’m taking my now 16 year old son to a motor rally through the nearby forests of Lucar and Seron. A whole days entertainment and if we spend 15 euros it will be pushing it. OK so the internet here is not fantastic, grasping the language can be a little tough and yes we do get flies in the summer. I’ll live with that and sit here sunbathing with my cold beer awaiting the wild horses that would be required to drag me back to the UK. Regards from Arboleas, Almeria
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