Property press pages yellow june 2018 whole 2

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06.2018

AGENTS VS A PRIVATE SALE.. page 26

Cheap house insurance p 28

FESTIVALS!

Reviews and what´s on when and where page 24

Get your FREE World Cup Pull out inside , centre pages...

SAVE ON HOLIDAY HOME BILLS

THE YELLOW LEMON New inside Pullout The Brand New Full size Yellow lemon,

Instead of spending money on hiring a villa or holiday cottage, more and more families are prepared to swap their homes with families overseas in an attempt to cut down on their bills.

An estimated 1.6 million people are on course to arrange a house swap this year, double the number that did it last year.

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House swapping is on the rise to save money

returns with Issue 03, more reviews, Festival blogs, gig guides, restaurant reviews, where to go, what´s on, Food, recipes and more...

SEE PAGE 4

FATHER-OF-TWO dies while celebrating on a stag weekend in Benidorm with friends

A father-of-two has tragically died while celebrating on a stag weekend in Benidorm with friends.

Tributes have been pouring in for 38-year-old Lee Okrasa after he died at the Spanish resort on Sunday 17th.

It is not known yet how he died but his popularity is evident as friends and family have raised £5,672 in a matter of hours after a fundraiser was launched to raise funds to bring his body home.

Lee did not have insurance for his trip so a family friend created a GoFundMe page in order to raise the £5,000 to repatriate him to Sheffield, South Yorks.

His partner, Lindsay, posted on the fundraising page, thanking donors for their kind gifts.

Free Unlimited Wi-Fi Already Available in 12 Spanish Airports With the aim of bringing its airports up to speed with others across Europe, AENA recently announced that free and unlimited Wi-Fi would soon be available to passengers in every single airport in Spain.

And yesterday 12 Spanish airports began to offer this new service and Internet connection provided by telecommunications company Eurona. Over the next few months, AENA will extend the

free Wi-Fi service to the rest of Spain’s 46 airports.

While this offer for business travellers and tourists alike will be available free of charge, those that require a fuller and faster service have the option of paying a fee of just 5 euros.

The premium service, which is faster (between 3 and 10 mega) and without adverts, will be perfect for visiting web pages and watching videos.

There are 3 options: basic, which will give one device a 24-hours connection across

the whole network of airports for 4,9 euro; the family pack, valid for 4 devices for a 24hour period for 9 euro; and the monthly package for 15 euros.

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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Property News Property Press FOLLOW THE STARS...Situated in

A typical stunning property at La Zagaleta - Marbella

the hills above San Pedro, La Zagaleta is said to be the most expensive housing estate in the world.

Famous home-owners include Hugh Grant and the mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, with controversial Russian president Vladimir Putin reportedly keen to use it as a bolt-hole.

Rod Stewart is said to have a palatial pad at La Zagaleta, a far cry from his early career, when he was kicked out of Spain for vagrancy.

Two Provinces Forecast to Dissolve Excess Stock in Less than Four Years

By PP

T

he excess of unsold property in Spain continues to hold the property sector back. It has been calculated that it will take half of Spain’s provinces between six and ten years before all the empty houses have been sold and the flow of buying and selling property returns to a normal rate.

There are only two provinces that are predicted to absorb their excess stock under or around the optimal time frame of 3.2 years, and they are Madrid and Navarra.

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Adding together new stock and re-sale properties, there is a total of approximately 1.65 million homes waiting to be sold. All of those empty and unsold properties in Madrid and Navarra should be picked up by a buyer within 2.5 and 3.5 years respectively.

For the majority of provinces, however, it will take an average of six years until the excess stock has been absorbed.

Nevertheless, this all depends on a number of factors, such as whether the property is new or second-hand and the location.

In general terms, the excess properties located in determined metropolitan areas or along the coast are expected to sell faster. For example, stock located in the city areas of Asturias, Navarra, Madrid and Badajoz should dissolve in 2.5 to 3.5 years. It will take a similar period of time for properties in the coastal provinces of Gerona, Alicante, Malaga and Huelva to be purchased as well.

Regarding types of property, new builds will fare much better than resales – probably because there are less of them. In Spain’s metropolitan areas, the absorption time for new builds is 3.2 years compared to 5.1 years for second-hand properties.

The only area where both types of property will be absorbed in less than 3.5 years is Madrid.

Along the coast, the excess stock of new builds will disappear within 3.4 years, while that of re-sale will take 6 years. The most active zones along the coast are the provinces of Alicante and Malaga.

However, the rise in demand for properties since 2014 has reduced the gap that exists between ‘real sales’ and those generated from the extra stock. There are currently 1.65 million unsold empty properties in total, which signifies a reduction of 72,177 units since 2015.

And, it has been calculated that the existing excess of empty homes will be reduced by a further 120,000 in the following years, despite the

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fact that there has been a rise in the number of finished properties, a greater number of inheritances and a continuing number of property foreclosures by the banks.

For these reasons, many experts in

the sector predict that house prices will continue to stabilize throughout 2018, and even go up in determined zones where there is a high demand and a shortage of excess stock.

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Editor: G. Glister adam@thepress.es Editor & Creative Designer: The Property Press and The Yellow Lemon Journalist: Trudi Hunter Writers: Trudi Hunter, Donata Findlay, Sam Kelly, Infinity International, Steve Newman.

Head of Sales: Rob Kols +34 634 311 434 info@thepress.es Advertising: +34 634 311 434 The Property Press The Yellow Lemon Web: www.thepress.es www.theyellowlemon.es

Disclaimer Views expressed in The Property Press are the opinions of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. It is possible that prices and opening hours for establishments mentioned in the newspaper may have changed since going to press, although we do aim to be corrrect. All advertisements are published in good faith. The Property Press cannot except responsibility for errors or omissions in the individual adverts or accept responsibility for works, service or goods.

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Property Press Property News

June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

Save on Holiday Accommodation Bills

by House Swapping

by The Property Press

S

ometimes the worst thing about going away on holiday to a place you’ve never travelled to before is the hotel accommodation once you arrive at your chosen destination.

It could be a matter of anything from paper-thin walls and noisy guests in the room next door that keep you awake all night to tasteless food at the buffet or a dirty swimming pool and a brick wall as the view that you look out to every morning.

Some of these things you just won’t find out about until you actually set foot in the hotel and they are certainly not aspects that are promoted in the holiday

brochure or website.

The reasons mentioned above, plus many others that you could mention, have been all the motivation required by many to begin to look at other options on how they could go about organising their holiday away.

And now, the idea of opening up your own home to visitors and exchanging a two-week stay, for example, with the owners of a similar property in a location that you’ve always wanted to go to is not such a crazy one, and has actually become quite popular.

In fact, Spain has become the second leading country in the world to offer house swaps as a means of holiday.

According to online platform GuestToGuest, there are 17,000 properties on offer in this country

Start your property search on www.javea-hamiltons.net

on their website, with the most popular regions being Cataluña, Andalusia, Madrid, Valencia, the Basque Country and the Balearic Islands.

With national tourism rising once more after three years of declining figures, it has been estimated that 60% of Spaniards were able to take a holiday this summer. The GuestToGuest website has also seen numbers of the amount of people using their website to exchange their home for another increase 100% from last year.

GuestToGuest differs from other home exchange sites in the fact that it does not ask for an annual membership fee, which in most cases is set around the 100-euro mark. They have decided against this fee as they believe that most people will offer their homes genuinely as a mark of hospitality, which they would then expect to receive in return when they travel.

The site currently has 155,726 members from approximately 180 countries across the globe including France, Spain, Italy, Canada, Australia and America.

The great thing about GuestToGuest is that it is principally a social networking site where members can chat to each other, find out about where they live and make arrangements to house swap with interested parties themselves.

For further information on how home exchange works, visit: www. guesttoguest.com

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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Property News Property Press

“John had no idea his investment fees were so high!”

by Sam Kelly, Managing Partner, Chorus Financial

L

ast week, a gentleman, we’ll call him John, (I’ve changed his name to protect his identity) came to see me. John wanted a second opinion on an investment plan he had set up when he first moved to Spain 5 years ago. Somehow, despite strong financial markets, John’s portfolio hadn’t made a penny this entire time.

John was helpful enough to bring along all the valuations he’d been issued since he started his plan, along with some Fund Fact Sheets.

From these documents, I quickly realised that the funds that had been recommended to John had incredibly high entry and ongoing fees. These anomalies were directly related to the fact that these funds were not FCA regulated.

FCA regulated funds cannot make non-disclosed payments to financial advisors, yet the funds John’s advisor had recommended actually charged the client a 5% entry fee, all of which was subsequently paid to John’s advisor here in Spain, and also paid John’s advisor a hidden ‘trail’ fee of 1% per year. This explains the incredibly high ongoing fees, which were 3 to 4 times higher than I’d expect of an FCA regulated fund.

In addition, the client had also paid open fees to his advisor – 3% to set up his plan and 1% annual advisor fee.

To add insult to injury, around 18 months ago, John’s advisor had switched all of John’s funds because his firm now had access to a new ‘exclusive’ fund. This cost John another 5% of his portfolio, to buy into a fund with absolutely no track record, which subsequently underperformed.

John’s total fund and advice fees

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over 5 years were close to 25%, over three-quarters of which had been paid to his advisor.

Due to the complex way the fees were disguised and layered, John had no idea his investment fees were so high. There were only 2 small reassurances I could make. Firstly, he was not alone – 10,000s of expats in Spain have been set-up with similarly over-priced portfolios as this is widely practised by firms here. Secondly, it’s a very easy problem to solve. Stripping away these hidden fees and putting the client into a high-quality portfolio can be done within a few days.

John now has a diverse portfolio of FCA regulated funds, with a strong track record from well-known, UK based investment institutions, none of which charged an entry cost. His total fund and ongoing advice fees are down to just 1% per year, meaning John will save significant amounts in fees over the coming years which will have a positive effect on the growth of his plan.

The exact overall fees paid will depend on the specific situation so may vary.

If you’d like further information on anything discussed in this article you can contact Chorus direct on 965 641 163, visit www.chorusfinancial.es or email info@chorusfinancial.es.

Chorus Financial is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), licence Number FSC1118B & registered with the UK FCA, ref. 539348.

June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

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Property Press Property News

Five of the most common costly house issues

I

by Donata Findlay

t’s making more and more sense for those in a position to buy to do so in Javea, especially with the current scarcity in long-term rental properties.

However there are a lot of potential ‘nightmare’ properties out there, which could land you in a position of having to choose between forking out a lot of money or being stuck with an uninhabitable and unsellable property.

Here are five of the most common issues to look out for: 1.

Illegal construction This is most commonly seen in villas, where extensions and illegal builds have been carried out.

It can include elements on the plot such as garages, guest apartments, or swimming pools built without permission, or underbuilds converted to living space without the required consents and approvals.

Make sure the paperwork is thoroughly checked before purchase, and that the property description and square meterage match on all of the documents.

The town hall can demand that such irregularities be demolished or returned to the original state if the proper permissions were not sought.

The issue is not just applicable to villas however – extensions to apartments or townhouses such as glassing in or walling in of nayas or building on existing terraces can also raise issues here.

It’s not just the town hall you’ll have to contend with here but also the community of owners of the complex where your property is situated.

2. Damp The Javea ‘microclimate’ can be unbelievably humid at times, particularly in the summer. This means that conditions are perfect for damp to breed, and many houses and apartments simply don’t have adequate ventilation.

Breathing in the spores is a huge health hazard, especially for children and the elderly.

Existing problems such as allergies and asthma can worsen, and prolonged exposure can also cause respiratory infections and problems with the immune system.

Rising damp can occur from foundation level, and localised damp patches can appear in various places throughout the house – check around windows, on ceilings, inside wardrobes and cupboards, and in underbuilds.

The problem for buyers is that interior

damp can be all to easily concealed with a fresh lick of paint.

Damp can be treated, but this can be costly depending on the severity and how long it’s been left unchecked.

3.

Boundary Issues Again this is something that needs to be very well investigated when the prepurchase paperwork checks are being conducted, as legal fees involved in rectifying or investigating issues can be extremely costly.

Issues here could include issues over land ownership and boundary lines with existing neighbours or hidden rights of access over your property.

If there is building work or plans for development next to the property there can be potential plans in place for new roads being built over an area of your propert, or for existing roads to be altered or widened. This could result in you losing part of your plot.

With apartments in complexes make sure terraces are actually owned by the apartment, and that the paperwork matches up in regard to this.

This is especially important with older properties where communal terraces can be gradually sectioned off and ‘claimed’ by long-standing tenants over the years, without officially belonging to a property.

4.

Shortcuts on the original build Worrying cracks or gaps on the walls should always be investigated. These could be related to shortcuts being

taken with the build, with foundations being laid incorrectly or to an insufficient depth.

The cracks can also allow damp to penetrate more easily, piling problem upon problem.

Building that was done on an unsuitable or incorrectly prepared plot can lead to subsidence or major movement and cracking on the walls of the property.

This isn’t limited to the house itself , it can also affect driveways and carports, or terraces and paved areas.

Recent construction nearby can also cause problems, such as cracking to boundary walls, leaking pools, or damage to previously laid pipework and cables.

Damaged and leaking water pipes can quickly and easily rack up a fortune of a water bill, aside from the costs of getting them dug up and repaired.

5.

Electrical issues Older properties in particular might require a complete rewire, the costs of ON THE PULSE which may need to be factored in when considering a purchase.

A common fault in Spanish properties is the fuses tripping because of overload – which might be caused by something as simple as someone trying to watch TV and boil the kettle at the same time.

For a family home this is an obvious inconvenience.

Sparking plug sockets, flashes of light and/or small shocks when you plug something in, and occasional overheating (and melting) of plugs are also dangers with the older wiring systems.

The house may be fairly erratically wired up too – with light fittings and sockets unevenly and randomly positioned or power outlets in short supply. A more minor niggle in this area but still something that requires extra costs to rectify.

These issues are by no means exclusive to properties in Spain – however it is much less common here for a building survey to be carried out on a property prior to purchase.

Many local builders or tradesmen will generally be happy to accompany you on a viewing of the property to check for obvious defects. There are also companies who will carry out a survey on your behalf and provide you with a report.

There are an abundance of properties on the market, and it is possible to pick up a bargain, especially if you’re prepared to put in a bit of work to restore and refurbish a property.

Official Property Valuations Now Available Online Through Tinsa

O

ne of the procedures that you have to go through when buying and selling a property in Spain is that of getting your property valued. This is usually arranged by the bank, who tend to use valuators associated to their entity.

Many agents and lawyers advocate contracting the services of an independent valuation company, as the likelihood of gaining a fairer and perhaps more realistic valuation is possible.

Tinsa Tasaciones Inmobiliaria is one of the leading property evaluation companies in Spain, and is often quoted by the media and news agents when giving statistics about property and the sector in general.

This month, Tinsa is set to launch its new revamped website, a much more modern, simple and userfriendly site that will help visitors, including individuals and corporate companies, understand the realestate market, the energy efficiency certificate, property valuations and the processes involved in buying and selling a home or other type of building.

The site will take less time to load than before and it has been adapted to the format of smartphones and tablets.

As well as the addition of innovative multimedia content, a greater integration into social media and a wider range of services offered, one of the main improvements and novelties of the Tinsa website is the possibility for clients to instantly

obtain the quote for an official valuation of their property and then pay for it online.

A spokesperson for Tinsa has announced that the final details are being put into place to the e-commerce side of the site, such as online valuations, arranging an energy efficiency certificate (EEC, from 75 € + IVA) and other propertyrelated services, and will be ready to go in a couple of weeks.

Tinsa will be the only company that permits clients to obtain an official valuation that will be recognised by the notary online and in an instant.

Any property up to 300 square metres will be eligible for this, and payment can be made by credit card or through Paypal (from 250 €).

This new service offered by Tinsa, which is used to guarantee mortgage loans and inheritances, is an important step in modernising the valuation process and making it quicker and more accommodating for the customer, cutting out unnecessary long waiting times by carrying out the valuation online and finalising the procedure via email and bank transfer.

For further details, please visit: www. tinsa.es (the site is in English and Spanish)

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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Property News Property Press

What is the Difference between a Ground Floor and a Top Floor Apartment in Spain?

by The Property Press

O

n average, a top-floor apartment will set you back around 264,947 euro and measures approximately 112 square metres, while a standard ground floor has an average surface area of 91 square metres, and a price tag of 146,845 euro. In both cases, this would consist of two bedrooms and one bathroom.

Therefore, for those that prefer to live higher up, they would have to invest 80% more money for the privilege. This is also partly due to the fact that there are many more offers of ground floors than there are áticos, which naturally pushes the price up on the latter.

Some of the main reasons why people opt for the apartments at the top of a building include more natural light inside the property and better views. However, living in an ático also has its disadvantages, especially if the building itself is very old. If it is not maintained properly, those living on the top floor could experience leaks from the roof or humidity.

Top-floor apartments are also more susceptible to changes in temperature, which in many cases could mean investing in some type of insulation for the winter and air-conditioning in the summer. Personally, my apartment is always warm in the winter due to the

amount of sunlight received during the day and the fact that heat from the apartments below rises to keep mine warm. Much of it depends on the type of windows you have and the position of the sun throughout the day.

With regards to ground-floor apartments, they are usually always the last to be sold, but, on the plus side, this means that you can often manage to save a lot of money and even get very good discounts. It is always worth going to check out a ground-floor property because it isn’t necessarily always a given that it won’t have any windows and is dark. Some of them have interior patios or much more outside space.

Differences in autonomous regions The most expensive and largest áticos are to be found in Madrid. Here they cost an average of 557,590 euro and have an average area of 144 square metres. This is contrasted with those in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, where they are priced at around 145,390 euro and those in Cantabria are the smallest at 78 square metres.

Regarding ground-floor apartments, the most economically priced are found in Extremadura, at 101,397 euro.

The most expensive and the smallest are located in the north of the country in the Basque Country and Galicia respectively.

The greatest difference in price between the two types of property has been registered in Madrid. An ático

costs 192% more than a groundfloor apartment. At the other end of the scale, the least amount of difference is in Cantabria, where top floors are only 13% more expensive.

The largest offer of top-floor

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Property Sales Return to Over 1,000 a Day

Property Press...

T

he rate at which property sales have taken place in Spain from the beginning of the year until June have finally returned to over 1,000 a day, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Public Works.

This is after five years of sales falling below this mark during the same period.

From 2004 until 2007, the number of homes sold between January and June repeatedly exceeded the 2,000 per day mark, with 2006 and 2007 bringing in more than 2500 operations a day.

During the first semester of this year, the number of property sales has increased by a rate of 9.7% from the same period last year, with 190,135 operations being signed before the notary in comparison to the 173,285 in 2014.

This means that approximately 1,050 properties a day were being sold, a figure that had not been reached since 2010.

According to experts, these statistics reveal

that the real-estate sector is moving towards stabilization and normalization, and not a second property bubble as some have expressed.

Today’s market shows that not even half the amount of properties are being sold as was the case in 2006 at the height of the property boom in this country.

2010 was the last year that property sales exceeded a four-digit figure for the first six months of the year until now. During that year, 260,243 units were sold, the equivalent of 1,437 a day. The property market crash and the economic crisis have held the sector back in the years since.

The following year, 2011, was the first year that sales did not reach 1,000. During the first six months, a total of 165,211 operations were recorded, averaging out at 912 per day.

The following year, this figure was reduced to 844, and 2013 ended up beinf the worst year in recent history with just 753 units being sold.

If the rate of sales for this year continues, we could close 2015 with more than 383,000 transactions, although this figure could also be much higher as the second half of the year is usually more active than the first.

apartments for the whole country can be found in the Balearic Islands, while in the north of the country, such as La Rioja, Asturias or the Basque Country, only 2% of all property offers include topfloor apartments.

Ground-floor apartments are pretty abundant in Castilla-La Mancha, where they make up 13% of all offers, while the fewest offers are to be found in Galicia and Navarra where they only make up 3% of the total.

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

FESTIVALS - QUIZES - GIGS AND SOME GREAT INSIGHT INTO WHAT TO DO

EVENTS - REVIEWS AND SOME PRETTY SMASHING ARTICLES INSIDE - EVENTOS - OPINIONES Y ALGUNOS ARTÍCULOS BONITOS EN EL INTERIOR

INSIDE..

Festival Reviews and previews ........

Homes and Gossip Across Spain on Page 19 .....

A Great review of the Montgo Rock Festival .....

See Montgo Javea Page 14 - 15 .....

See Our Free World Cup Chart pull out Page 16 - 17 .....

Puzzles, quizzes, San Juan and more

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

13

Javea rocks out to to-Montgo Rock

by Donata Findlay

T

he 2018 Montgo Rock festival returned to Javea on the 11th and 12th of May.

Since the event began running 6 years ago it’s gathered a cult following and is notorious for showcasing the best upcoming bands the region has to offer.

This year it didn’t disappoint.

The iconic posters for the festival could be seen pasted across the town in the months leading up to the event, which as usual was great value at €25 for a day pass and €45 for the weekend pass.

Also available were the special ‘Palco Rock’ passes which included dinner and a free bar in the VIP area.

Situated a short walk from the seafront and next to the Nou Fontana Canal, the layout of the festival this year included two stages, plenty of areas for relaxing in the sun, and an array of food trucks and stalls for eating and drinking.

There was also the ‘hippy market’ area for those who fancied a browse between performances. The camping area was bustling and conveniently situated right next to the event – this accommodation option seems to be gaining in popularity.

As usual the aim was promoting the best emerging talent in the region, with the addition of appearances from both upcoming and established artists from around the country.

This year there was emphasis on the inclusion of female artists, with the acts Vinila Von Bismark, the female led Badlands and all-girl groups Agoraphobia and Femme Fractal.

With a dedicated area for families with children the event was even more family friendly this year. Free admission for children under 12 added to the attraction.

Valencian girl band Femme Fractal were in place, entertaining the younger festival goers with their restyled versions of classic rock hits – passing them the live music bug early!

The Friday night kicked off with the indie rock sounds of Embusteros, and continued into the

early hours with performances from some amazing musical talent.

Highlights included the unique and seductive stage presence of Vinila Von Bismark and both punk and rock vibes from Galacian girl band Agoraphobia.

The legendary Tequila had the crowd bouncing. Their performance was the first in a farewell festival tour of the region for the band, after a 40 year career together.

Also performing were The Vibrowaves, Dûrga, Rulo y la Contraband and the outstanding La MODA (La Marvillosa Orchestra del Alcohol).

Closing the show in the wee hours of Saturday morning were the Madrid band Sexy Zebras, with a blistering performance and their customary attitude and energy.

On the Saturday morning there was music on the beachfront Mananeo Stage at Montgo de Bongo. Playing were Lost River Bastards and Nixon, with a short notice substitution of Peranoia from the previously scheduled Deliri.

Back at the main arena the Saturday session was in swing with Indian Hawk, a recently formed group who opened in style with their country rock sound. Definitely one to watch.

The evening also saw the return to the festival of Valencian group Badlands, who went down a treat. Grand Canyon rocked the crowd with an exclusive festival appearance, playing their classic rock covers and having an absolute blast doing it.

Other performances of the Saturday included Desuariados, Santero y los Muchachos, Sidecars and La Raiz.

The alternative rock band Kitai closed the festival with a stellar set, doing the event justice with their hard hitting guitar riffs and distinctive vocals.

All in all another awesome success for the Montgo Rock team!

Every year the festival is growing in popularity and notoriety, and attracting music fans from Spain and beyond.

It might be wise to be quick off the mark buying tickets next year – with over 90% of the available tickets being sold for 2018 it’s looking quite likely that Montgo Rock 2019 could be a sellout.

Gig Guide!

On the way, Junes is on the website - And July onwards in the Yellow Lemon... admin@theyellowlemon.es send yours in now

Local & Spanish News The Yellow Lemon

Four beaches in the local area of Javea and Moraira have been awarded the coveted blue flag.

T

hree beaches in Javea, Playa de la Grava in the port, Playa del Arenal and Playa de la Granadella, have retained this prestigious award. For the first time the marina Club Nautica de Javea received blue flag status in the marina section for its work in promoting the protection of natural areas and for respecting environmental issues.

In Moraira and Benitachell four beaches also retained their status, Cala del Moraig, El Portet, L’Ampolla and Les Playetes.

For the popular Arenal Beach, this is the 30th year of winning the award, a fabulous achievement.

Spain has led the way

by Trudi Hunter again this year with 696 beaches and marinas being awarded the coveted Blue Flag, way ahead of the nearest competiton of Greece with 535. This world-renowned eco-label is trusted by millions around the globe and in order to qualify for this prestigious award a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-

related criteria must be met and maintained. The Comunidad Valenciana as a whole has been awarded 132 blue flags, three more than 2017, and is now the region in Spain with the largest number of awards.

The beach at La Granadella has recently been voted as the best beach in Spain through a poll conducted by Spanish TV channel Antena 3.

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

15

Reviews and News The Yellow Lemon

Restaurant Review

The Beautiful Restaurant that has it all SeeMontgo

I

f you are looking for a restaurant that has eveything then look no further than SeeMontgo in Javea.

This amazing venue has recently been refurbished, actually rebuilt might be a more appropriate word. It took three months to complete and what a transformation, but it was worth the hard work because Seemontgo definitely has that wow factor now.

Situated in Karting Javea in its own large grounds it has a lovely light and airy modern style restaurant and outside on the very large terrace area you have lots of space with seating, including comfy sofas and canopy covered tables and chairs, as well as a gorgeous pool and sun beds. You will be served from the wooden Cabana Bar with a large variety of BBQ, Fish and Meat dishes.

There is a different menu del dia available everyday, with a choice of 5 starters and 6 main courses.

The price of â‚Ź16.90 includes bread, and a dessert or coffee and a drink at lunch time, although the drink is not included in the evening service. Some examples of these wide range of top class dishes are; Magret of Duck, Baked Cod, Arroz a Banda, Pasta Carbonara and Supreme of Salmon Outside you will find a small play area for children plus a large permanent stage for their live music events. The style of music they feature reflects the lovely chilled atmosphere here. Utilising every minute of the day you can also take part in some early morning Aqua Zumba and keep fit classes.

The owners Antonio and Arturo Rey, 'brothers first, partners second', have many years of experience between them having run the very successful L'Almadrava in Javea Port for six years, and SeeMontgo is already building up a similar reputation.

This venue is exceptionally appropriate for private events and can cater for up to 500 people. So if you are looking to book a special event then Antonio will be very happy to put together a package just to suit you.

So if a relaxing, comfortable venue with great food, live music is what you are after, and maybe even a dip in the pool then get along to SeeMontgo locaed in Karting Javea.

Have a look at their stunning surroundings on their instagram account www.instagram.com/seemontgo/ And on Facebook www.facebook.com/ SeeMontgĂł-relax-eventsrestaurant-358755467934844

Note...

These are UK times

Note...

These are UK times

Note...

These are UK times

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

The Yellow Lemon Spanish Guide

BeachTennis

By Trudi Hunter

B

each Tennis was over the weekend of the 16th to 19th June

The fifth edition of the Javea Beach Tennis Tournament went international as it continues its evolution as an emerging sport with participants confirmed from countries as far away as Japan and Venezuela in addition to those from Spain and France.

For those not in the know Beach Tennis is an up and coming sport that differs from normal tennis in that it is normally played as a doubles game, obviously on a beach and uses a Padel style tennis racquet with no strings and with a ball that is softer than a normal tennis ball. The softer ball means that the game is played at a slower pace as it is essentially a volleying style game as the ball is not allowed to bounce. It is a very dynamic game with scoring virtually identical to normal tennis.

The court layout is different with the net being 1.7 metres high and because it is normally played in hot countries proper preparation of the sand is most important including the cooling of the court with water.

There were federated categories played throughout the day on Saturday, with the final phase played on Sunday with a cash prize of 2,500 euros to be had.

The event has the support of the local mayor and council as it certainly boosts the Arenal beach as a sporting venue. We hoped you poped on down and watched some energetic and entertaining sport.

Gig Guide!

On the way, Junes is on the website And July onwards in - the Yellow Lemon... admin@theyellowlemon.es send yours in now

Holi Sound Festival came to Gata de Gorgos

By Trudi Hunter

H

oli or 'festival of colour' is an outdoor dance festival based on one of the oldest and most famous parties in the world.

Although traditionally celebrated in India, more recently this quintessential party preferred by thousands of young people has been celebtrated in Germany, London and of course Spain.

The music and colour make it a unique show with the main part of the event the launching of coloured powder

to a countdown every hour, plus the 3 Dj's featuring in this year's festival, Javi Mengu, Jannjo Garcia and Mitch Van Staveren.

This ancient and religious fesitval celebrates the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and end of winter and for many a day to meet others, play and laugh and to forgive and forget. Traditionally this free-for-all festival has people smearing each other with colours and drenching each other with water guns. Anyone and eveyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, this festival is a great equalizer, an event in which there are no differences between people because of their origin, sex or social status.

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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The Happy Freuds Local Rock Band

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his local Javea rock band kick started the fabulous San Juan Fiestas this year.

They played an eclectic mix of original material along with some classic 70's style rock favourites as well.

This very talented young multinational band consists of Jack Hunter from the UK who is the lead singer and bassist, two Swedish brothers Teo Holstrom singer and lead guitar and Victor his younger brother on drums, Sergio Cañadas on guitar from Spain completes the

By Trudi Hunter

line up.

The group has played more than 50 gigs together over the last year in the Costa Blanca, no mean feat when you're trying to fit in with work, university and college. These guys give a very dynamic, energetic and loud performance on stage, but have been known to tone it down for their 'unplugged' sets which are more suitable to smaller venues.

They are also known in the local area for their work arranging and running a number of festival events for charity.....so these hard rocking boys all have a heart of gold too.

This major event if just the

beginning of a very busy summer for these boys with a schedule that's taking them all over southern Spain including headlining events down south in Villa Martin and Albrox, plus they've been selected as co-headliner with Dutch band “El Fatso's” first tour of spain starting at the end of July. Check out their facebook page, Happy Freuds, to find links to all their up and coming events and more importantly links to their own recently released songs, Background Noise, Overcome and Song X with a few being recorded as we speak.

Gig Guide!

On the way, Junes is on the website July onwards in the Yellow Lemon... admin@theyellowlemon.es send yours in

What´s going on The Yellow Lemon

International Yoga Day... June 21st

Y

oga is quickly becoming one of the most popular, if not the most popular workout regimes among those who are looking to gain flexibility, strength and even lose weight.

To celebrate this years International Day of Yoga and coincidently the Summer Solstice, which both fall on the same day this year, Yoga teachers Kate Moss and Francesca Stutely have planned this event to bring people from the community together that involves leading people through 21 Sun Salutes on the Arenal beach, in Javea. A sun

salute, for those not in the know, is a series of continuous poses.

This free event will began at 8pm on the beach outside Geographic.

For all you early birds out there, in recognition of the Summer Solstice these guys gathered to watch the sunrise at 6.30am. So if you were interested in both events it was be a long day.

Be it Sun or Moon, early mornings or in the evening you’ll find a Yoga Class to suit you with Kate also organising her usual Full Moon Yoga Class which will be on June 27th at 9pm.

If you want the answers to what yoga is and what its benefits are, practising it yourself is the best way to learn so contact Kate on her facebook page Yoga Javea with Kate Moss and begin your journey to a healthier more tranquil lifestyle.

Stand Out!

Advertise in The Yellow Lemon - e: sales@theyellowlemon.es

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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The Puzzle Room The Yellow Lemon

Codewords

Quick Crossword DOWN 1 Frightened (7) 2 Buffoon (5) 3 Break of day (7) 4 Protect (6) 5 Celtic priest (5) 6 Pepper (7) 7 Southern states of the USA (5) 13 Learned (7) 15 Dried seedless grape (7) 16 Cut apart (7) 17 Unpowered aircraft (6) 18 Young attendants (5) 19 Channel port (5) 21 Embarrass (5)

ACROSS 1 Charged with an offence (7) 5 Hoodwinked (5) 8 Oak nut (5) 9 Perplex (7) 10 Large house (7)

11 Duffer (5) 12 More profound (6) 14 Pact (6) 18 Unit of weight (5) 20 Lassos (7)

22 Diverge (anag) (7) 23 Proverb (5) 24 Asparagus shoot (5) 25 Toothed wheel (7)

PUZZLE ANSWERS SEE PAGE 23

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Scribble Pad...

AWKWARD

ERROR

MISTAKE

BLOOPER

FAILURE

MIX UP

BOGGLE

FAULT

MUDDLE

BOTCH

FLUB

OFFEND

BUBU

FUMBLE

SKEW

BUMBLE

GAFFE

SLIP

CONFUSION

MANGLE

DOLT

MISPRINT

June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

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The Yellow Lemon Festivals

The not to be missed party of the year, the Fiesta of San Juan

T

his is the most important two weeks in the Javea fiesta diary and although there is a long programme of events planned to interest just about everyone from street parties, parades, bull running, paellas, late night live music, Dj's, Fancy dress parades and much much more, the last two days are very special.

To understand the traditions of this two week party here is a quick guide. The focal point of Fogueres de San Juan is the Quinta, a group of young people who celebrate their coming of age during the year with invitations from the local town hall asking them to form that years Quinta. Not everyone accepts because it is a very expensive obligation, for the girls the dresses alone can cost more than 2,000 euros. But many do accept as it is a great honour to represent the town as a Quinta, and it's not just the Spanish that are involved many foreign residents have taken part in the past.

Next you need to know about the Peñas, and whilst the Quinta are the central figures of the San Juan the Peñas are the heart and

by Trudi Hunter

soul. These are groups of friends joined together with the sole aim of enjoying the fiesta. A Peña can be just a handful of friends or a whole street of neighbours. Traditionally they take over a vacant unit or garage for the fiesta and have a great time. Without them there would be no fiesta.

The Famous 'Nit dels Focs' One of the most spectacular events of the two weeks is on the 23rd of June the day of San Juan.

This celebration of the arrival of summer is held in many places in Spain, each with different ancient traditions most of which will no doubt include rituals, magic, fire, gunpowder, water and music.

In Javea this night is celebrated like no other, indeed it has been afforded a distinction from the Valencian authorities acknowledging its draw for tourists and visitors from surrounding areas.

Last year it was estimated that more than 10,000 people participated, that's a lot of people.

Remember this is Spain and health and safety rules are definitely not the same! Read on and you will see what I mean.

This amazing night starts at about

11.30pm and ends about 2.30am, so remember to have a siesta that day so you can enjoy all this evening has to offer.

A huge crowd will start to gather at the Portal Del Clot ready to start the fire jumping, yes I did say fire jumping. All around the streets piles of stick and branches will have been placed and the aim is to follow the route and jump over all 6 of them. Many brave the high flames, many wait until the fire burns down to just embers and some are just happy to watch from the sidelines.

The atmosphere is electric with crowds cheering, bands playing, chanting and singing.

You will see many people wearing home made floral crowns. There is a workshop earlier in the day where you can go and make your own crowns as well as piles of the flowers placed around the old town that you can help yourself to make your own. The tradition after all your endeavours to make these crowns is of course to burn them for good luck in the final fires...!

After you've completed the route follow the crowds to the biggest bonfire, no more jumping, this one's going to be huge. The crowds will gather round dancing and singing.

But the night is not nearly over yet.

Next comes the Correfoc, which literally means 'running with fires'.

Hooded figures completely covered in protective clothes push their way through the crowd spraying the area with sparks from Roman Candle type fireworks all to the primitive beat of drums. The crowds taunt the hooded 'monks' so that they will chase them, while overhead firecrackers and catherine wheels rain sparks down from above. If you want to join in wear old clothes and a hat or bandana. For those not so brave the procession makes its way to the Plaza Del Constitucion where you can watch from a distance.

The drums continue and a huge framework of fireworks gets set of by a “flying demon”. Then the night is over.

The day of San Juan

This is the final day of the two week fiesta, the actual holiday of

San Juan, is celebrated with a fun packed day after a special Mass followed by the 'Mascaleta' at the car park in Avenida Palmera. The 'Mascaleta' is a firework display with no colours or pretty patterns, just several minutes of loud explosions that rock the town.

There are parades I abundance including a float parade with bands in the early evening.

As midnight draws near the Plaza del Consititucion will fill to bursting as the crowds wait for the amazing firework display choreographed to music that lasts about 20 minutes.

There is still one more thing to do to end this wonderful two weeks and that is to burn the fogueres (a three storey wooden statue) that has been built during the fiesta band the raucous handing over of the reins to the next group of Qunitas.

For the full programme and more in depth detail please go to javeamigos.com

At Matrix Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing

B

by Steve Newman

razilian jiu jitsu is more than just a sport. It’s more than a martial art.

Brazilian jiu jitsu can change your life. You hear a lot of people talk about the jiu jitsu lifestyle, but what does that mean? Does it mean you train all day? Does it mean you surf and then head to class? Brazilian jiu jitsu’s benefits go beyond anything you can see. Often it’s the things you can’t see that have the biggest impact on your lifestyle.

The Physical Benefits

Walk into the Matrix Academy in Javea and talk to some of the students who have just started training Brazilian jiu jitsu and ask them what it’s has done for them. Some might respond with things like, “I lost so much weight,” or, “My body is so much more flexible now.” Some might talk about how much strength they have gained or how they are in better shape. The fact that Brazilian jiu jitsu will change your body cannot be denied. You can physically see your body changing as you continue to

train. What you don’t see is the improvements in your overall health as a result of training.

Keep this in mind when you get frustrated training. No matter how many times you got submitted, you are still doing something positive for your health.

One of the biggest benefits of Brazilian jiu jitsu is the mental improvements that are often overlooked. First, the process of learning a technique requires as much mental activity as it does physical. In order to learn a technique you must practice it over and over.

You study the technique just like you would a subject for school, and then learn to apply it. Learning to apply the technique can be the most challenging part. When attempting a new move during live rolling or drilling it can be difficult to complete. In order to improve you must keep attempting the technique over and over again.

Then drill it some more and try again for months, sometimes years before you start catching people during rolling.

If you are the type of person that when things get hard you

get frustrated and quit, BJJ can help you overcome that. In life when things get frustrating do you walk away, No you keep pushing forward and that is what we aim to do in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well. Just like learning a technique, if you quit you will never learn. This is true for any goal. On the path to reach that goal there are going to be times of frustration and if you stop you will never reach the top.

If you have any questions then please feel free to contact myself Steve Newman at www.matrixmartialarts.es or via Facebook, Instagram or whatsapp. 652 101 684 Come in today for a FREE Class

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

Javea Rock Academy T

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by Trudi Hunter

he Javea Rock Academy is about learning how to play music in a band, building up live performance skills, playing gigs and writing and recording original songs. It has been running in Javea for many years and has touched the lives of many children encouraging young and inspiring musicians.

It’s exciting, it’s educational, it’s friendly and most of all it’s fun. Twice a year the Academy puts together events to showcase the childrens achievements.

This event, being held at Javea Quo Vadis, on the 17th of June includes: The Indecisives and The Uprising.

The Javea Rock Academy has been running for many years under different teachers and is now headed up by Christian Pearl, Enrico Garcia, Adam Daniels and Felix Laube. Each bringing his own individual talent to the academy.

Christian is a band coach and piano tutor with many years of experience; Enrico is a professional musician who teaches drums; Adam is an experienced guitar and keyboard player and Felix is a vocal coach, studio engineer and bass coach.

Get yourselves along to this great events and support these up and coming musicians.

Students In one of the Academy Studios

Are Music Festivals Just For The Young?

by Trudi Hunter

likely to be dealing with hard ground and blazing sun.

But whether you’re young, middle aged or just plain ancient, why do we love music festivals. Of course top of the list is the music, there is no doubt that music has the ability to draw anyone in for an action packed weekend. Then there are the In the UK it used to be that the people, with music festivals bringing here are definitely youngster’s rite of passage was a in people from around the country, two trains of thought weekend away at a music festival to and from all walks of life creating an about this. Whilst the enjoy their first taste of freedom, but audience that is friendly, personable, average age of some of the headliners now with the high prices, it’s the 30+ and fun. Combine the music, people, at festivals is getting older every year old, guardian readers with good camaraderie and fun and there you year, with Barry Gibb (70) playing jobs and a mortgage that can afford have it music festivals are, simply, just at Glastonbury this year and the the tickets that can range from 200 tohappy places. timeless Rod Stewart (72) performing 400 pounds, with the average spend at The Isle of Wight Festival, a lot of once you’re there a lot higher. In So what are the signs that you’re festival goers are in their teens and Spain the tickets don’t appear to havegetting a little too old to attend:early 20’s with those nearing 30 reached the UK prices and instead of 1.

You don’t recognise a good wondering if it’s all getting a bit too the muddy fields and rain you’re morenumber of the performers! much to handle.

2.

You look around and realise

ANSWERS

T

SUDOKU

you’re the only one sensibly dressed for the weather.

3.

You’re most worried about where you can sit comfortably.

4.

You can’t face the thought of lining up again and again 5.

You have no inclination to pitch a tent and sleep on a groundsheet.

6.

You’re worried about losing your glasses, because you can’t see the stage without them.

7.

You know that hangovers last 2 days now and that’s the whole festival over and done with.

8.

You’re now sitting as far away from the stage as possible to enjoy the music.

9.

It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing your most comfortable shoes your feet still hurt.

10.

You have nightmares about using the portable toilets for weeks after the event.

QUICK CROSSWORD

All that aside everyone loves music no matter what age you are so do what you want. Go to that festival, eat, drink and be merry. Age ain’t nothing but a number. Roam free as well, you never know you may catch an unknown act that turn out to be fabulous.

CODEWORD

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The Yellow Lemon Festivals

Revisión

June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

REVIEW

Top picks for our festival faves this season

T

he temperatures begin to rise and the festival season hots up once more in Spain. For those of us lucky residents here, we are well aware of the wonderful culture, food, climate and a charm that is incredibly infectious.

But in the last few years we have seen a growth in music festivals throughout the country attracting top musical acts from all genres from all over the world. With sun sea and sound, what is not to love about a Spanish music festival? This month we take a glimpse at what is on offer for music lovers in the Spanish festival season.

Primavera Sound

When & where: 30 May - 3 June 2018, Barcelona Headliners: Arctic Monkeys, Björk, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Lorde, The National, Migos,HAIM, Tyler the Creator, CHVRCHES, Fever Ray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Beach House, and more Early bird tickets are now available for 2019 for those that missed out on the fun this year. We will see you there.

Vida Festival

Where - Vilanova i la Geltru when June 28 -July 1 A much smaller festival than the others on this list, Vida Festival has only been around for four editions so far, but has already attracted the likes of Phoenix, The Flaming Lips, The Divine Comedy, Lana del Rey and Primal Scream. The festival takes place in the town of Vilanova i la Geltru about 30 minutes south on the coast from Barcelona. The festival has a chilled, family-friendly atmosphere and a more intimate feel than some of the bigger events on our list.

This years line up includes Franz Ferdinand, Los Planetas, Nick Mulvey and Curtis Harding. With a ticket price of just 95€ for the 4 day festival with separate camping charge of 22€ and family tickets for just over 200€ this could be an ideal choice for a family holiday with a twist.

Festival Internacional de Benicàssim

Where - Benicassim when - July 19-22 A staple on the Yellow Lemon team calendar - the festival better know as FIB is famous for its all-night party atmosphere, attracting music revellers young and “older” from across Europe for some of the best pop, rock and electronica acts of the moment.

As with most festivals in Spain, Benicassim allows time for off site activities at the beach or nearby water park during the day and

camping is included in the 4 day ticket at 155€ which is famous for its wonderful atmosphere but hot hot mornings after late nights. For a comfortable alternative, hotels and apartments are a plenty and here’s hoping for an upgraded taxi system in place for this summer.

The line up doesn’t disappoint with our old favourites of the festival such as The Killers, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Madness, Liam Gallagher, The Charlatans, Bastille and Wolf Alice alongside Travis Scott, Rag n Bone Man, The Kooks and of course The Pet Shop Boys.

Mad Cool Festival, Madrid

Where - Madrid When - July 12 - 14 With coastal venues having the monopoly on the festival scene in Spain, Mad Cool is set to give them a city run for their money. This is an incredibly varied festival in just its third edition this year but Mad Cool have managed to attract an amazing line up to rival any other.

3 day tickets at 190€ sold out quickly and that's hardly surprising as this is surely 2018s premiere rock festival line up. A new release was made available from 6th June so hurry or buy your single day

location for a great weekend of music vibes. The festival campsite is located on the adjacent mountain, the Arraiz, which tickets at is higher than 94€.

Kobetamendi and therefore provides even more spectacular views.

I am pleased to say that steps have been taken to reduce the environmental impact of this year’s festival, such as the introduction of reusable glasses, more recycling centre locations with recycling containers, and an Accommodation awareness raising campaign costs will add to the cost with city price hotels but with such both before and during the festival. There is also a cashless a range of musical genius spread over seven stages for each evening wristband system which can be topped up online for buying from this seems to be a price well worth the excellent food stalls drinks and paying. Check out the line up here merchandise. and book your tickets now!

This is a family festival with all ages welcomed and under 10s admitted Where - Kobetamendi, Bilbao free of charge - a 3 day ticket is when - 12- 14 July just 135€ with a 10€ charge for headliners include Florence camping. +the Machine, Noel Gallagher Between music and hangovers, and his High Flying Birds, The you will have time to visit some Chemical Brothers, The XX, parts of this amazing city. It's not Gorillaz and James. so big but it is really beautiful and Set in the beauty of this the downtown area - “El Casco mountain and natural park Antiguo” - is amazing. You can with panoramic views of the walk around and eat pintxos - like city, BBK Live is an idyllic tiny tapas - for very little money.

Bilbao BBK Live

partying long into the night. A weeks

by Suzie Q

You can also follow the river and see the amazing architecture - but the most important thing to visit is the Guggenheim. This amazing building, designed by Frank Gehry, is a must-see if you're in the city.

Now in its 13th year BBK Bilbao Live seems here to stay.

4ever Valencia Fest

Where - Valencia when - 29 - 30 June On the 29th June at 18:00 Valencia will open the gates to a brand new festival on the Spanish scene.

The setting in the Marina gives a mediterranean backdrop to some exciting names from the music scene who have all performed in Valencia over the past 30 years.

Simple Minds, The Prodigy, The Kaiser Chiefs, Jesus and Mary Chain, Killing Joke and Manic Street Preachers will perform alongside local bands over the two days.

Aimed at an audience that seeks a unique festival experience combining music, sun, sea and gastronomy in an incomparable setting - tickets are affordable at 50€ per day and the closing acts will be down by 2 am for those who like to avoid the long party nights and taxi queues of other more established festivals.

The Yellow Lemon Team are excited that Valencia will make a welcome return to the Spanish music scene and will be there to report on the event as it unfolds.

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

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Property Press Buying and selling

Agent sale versus Private sale What are the pros and cons ?

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he property market is on the rise again in Javea, with both prices and demand showing an increase again in the last quarter.

For the majority of buyers the most straightforward option is to search with help from one of the many estate agents in the area. However, private (direct from owner) sales are becoming more and more common too.

For some buyers this seems like a great option, with the potential for more scope for negotiation. Others may be feel a little uncomfortable with the idea, especially if it isn’t the normal way of doing things in their country of origin.

So what are the main pros and cons of agent sales versus private sales? The most obvious place to start with is the price of the property.

The seller of a property pays the agent’s commission, so when this commission is removed from the equation it (in theory) leaves the floor open for the buyer to negotiate a better deal - providing they’re aware of the current market and realistic prices for the area and property type Viewing the property with the current owner can be a definite bonus when it comes to having any questions you may have answered there and then.

Of course this isn’t to say that the owner can’t be present when you view through an agent – they sometimes

are.

But with Javea being a seasonal resort many owners leave keys with selected agents to conduct viewings on their behalf, and the agent may not have the information you need to hand to answer queries. This can cause (sometimes lengthy) delays while the owner is contacted and matters are discussed.

On the flipside the agent, especially if they’re long established and know their stuff, might know information helpful to you about the owner’s situation, how long the property has been for sale, or how keen they are to complete - which could help you negotiate a good deal despite the commission.

One of the main issues putting buyers off of private sales is the fear that they may end up in a ‘holiday homes from hell’ scenario. It’s true there are con-

artists out there, but the media tends to report only the most horrific cases.

And there are hundreds of private sales that complete without a hitch.

Prospective purchasers might assume that when listing a property the agent will have met the owner, and been shown at least some of the paperwork relating to the ownership and legality of the house.

This isn’t always the case however, and there have been instances of agents being misled by owners about the financial circumstances or legality of their property.

Long established and trustworthy agencies have definite benefits – knowledge of the local area, Spanish language skills if you don’t speak the lingo, helpful contacts if you need something checked out.

They’ll also be able to talk you through

by Donata Findlay

the buying process if you’re unfamiliar with the Spanish system, and may have links to other agents or to properties not yet officially on the market that might suit your needs – this can lead to a deal being struck with a slightly lower commission if it removes the need for marketing and advertising fees.

Private sellers may also have extensive knowledge of the local area and language too of course. However many of the properties for sale are second homes or holiday home investments, where the owner has only ever spent part of the year (or the occasional holiday) in Javea.

When it comes down to parting with your cash, an agent will encourage you to pay the reservation fee, to secure the property while the requisite legal checks are being carried out.

Typically you’d be expected to pay an amount of between €3000 and €6000, and sign a contract committing yourself to the purchase unless legal issues or irregularities show up during these checks.

This also effectively ‘freezes’ the price of the property at the price of your accepted offer, and takes the house off the market – the owner will be in breach of contract if they sell the house to a buyer with a better offer.

With private sales, on completion of the checks you would generally pay 10% of the property price to secure it until finances are in place, or move

straight to the purchase stage if you’re in position to do so.

But until you’ve had the checks done and paid the deposit to secure the property the owner could feasibly sell the property from underneath you to a higher bidder.

Which type of sale is best is a tough one to call, almost impossible in fact.

As anyone who has been through the process can attest to, buying a property in Spain is a potential minefield.

And depending on the experiences buyers have had, there are many conflicting opinions out there!

There are some fantastic and genuine local agents in the area, who will go out of their way to help you find your perfect home. There are also some truly appalling ones however. Similarly there are and will always be both honest and dishonest sellers.

With both types of sale you may have a lot of pressure put on you to make a decision and jump in with both feet.

But if something seems like it doesn’t fit or you’re nor satisfied by a half baked explanation then it’s your right to investigate as much as you need to or to walk away – the stories of rival buyers waiting in the wings are generally wildly exaggerated.

And bear in mind that although there are certainly bargains to be had in the current property market, something that seems a little bit too good to be true (despite the type of sale) possibly could be!

PROPERTY PRESS - June 2018

27

Buying and selling Property Press

Google Map pins – simple but effective when selling your Spanish home…

by SpanishPropertyInsight.com

W

Spain?

hy is it so difficult to find the exact location of a property for sale in

When looking to buy a new home in Spain you can understand the frustration of buyers who are unable to discover the exact location of a property being advertised.

Buying a property in your home country is much easier when you already have some understanding of areas and their benefits.

Equally, properties will often be advertised with an address or location plan to give buyers a better understanding of where the property is. When looking to buy a property in a new country, it is hard to imagine searching for a property without any real

understanding of where it is.

When a property is advertised in Almogia, Malaga for example it could be anywhere within 164 square kilometres!

In many other European countries an address is given that allows buyers to research that area, check out schools and amenities and even check out who the neighbours are.

Googl Street view even allows potential buyers to do a “virtual” drive past.

So, why is this service rarely available in Spain and why is it so difficult to find the exact location of a property?

The answer is that standard estate agents

Don’t make currency exchange a headache!

by INFINITY INTERNATIONAL

I

n today’s technology driven world, people who understand the currency market exchanging currencies has never been and the options that are open to them. don’t want their competition (other agents) easier.

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One way around this is to buy or sell privately insurance policy in a foreign currency, the Marbella, Calpe, and Javea in Spain, and every with the help of Creative Property Marketing first move is to line up a regulated specialist client has their own expert personal consultant currency exchange company. who display the exact location of all who will spend time understanding their needs Why use a regulated specialist currency and goals from the outset” properties they are advertising for sale.

The benefits to buyers are obvious but when exchange company? The first part is very To find out more about how much you could important. UK regulation is thought of as one of save on your next currency transaction or for selling, the benefit of selling with a Google the best in the world, and companies that come a free, no obligation consultation, contact the Map pin can be equally important… under that regulation have to use segregated team at Infinity International by calling London * The buyer can immediately see the accounts for client money, so that those funds +44 (0) 203 355 5377, Spain +34 966 260 777, geographical location of your property and proximity to local amenities, airports, schools are ring-fenced and not touched, but remain Portugal +351 914 815 969 or France +33 (0) 4 22 84 02 26. etc. thus giving them a better understanding the ownership of the client. of whether your property is suitable to them. A specialist currency exchange broker, as * Selecting, ‘satellite’ on Google Maps, allows opposed to a company that is part of a bank, run a risk free business. As soon as the client the buyer to see an aerial, ‘real life’ image of wants to buy or sell a currency the broker will the property. This enables the buyer to see interact with the wholesale market straight immediately what surrounds the property, away. The idea that the broker plays with client and in turn, avoids waste of time viewings money is false. for both buyer and seller. If a buyer wants Currency companies are far more flexible than complete isolation or close proximity to banks, in the fact that forward contracts, limit nightlife, a Google Map Pin Locator will orders and a personal service are available. immediately enable them to see if the Also, the rates provided by currency companies property they are looking at, fits the bill. are generally better than banks which means * In most cases, a buyer can even do a “drive more currency in the destination bank account. by viewing” using Google Map ‘street view’ As we struggle over the Brexit hurdles, it is – what better way to determine whether more important than ever that clients speak to a property is suitable from the comfort of your own home.

So, if you are buying a property in Spain or selling one, the benefits to using a company that offers exact locations with Google Pins and Street View are immeasurable.

It saves time and money and can alleviate the “wasted viewing” scenario.

Whether you are buying or selling, visit the website of Creative Property Marketing and see just how beneficial the use of Google Map pins really is. They are great believers in the fact that buyers need as much information as possible to make a more informed decision and for sellers, why not make the most of your location when selling.

If you are searching for a home in Spain or looking to sell a property in Spain, please contact Creative Property Marketing: Website: www.creativepropertymarketing. com Tel: +34 951 400 228 E-mail: info@creativepropertymarketing.com

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June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

28

Property Press Insurance

Which Companies Offer the Cheapest House Insurance?

by The Property Press

T

he subject of home insurance has recently come to the fore once more. After several years during which prices have dropped, most likely due to the lack of demand because of the property slump, this type of premium has now seen prices rise slightly (+1.3%), and, as a result, insurance companies are back offering their wares.

Competition between companies has also accelerated, and, as it the case with similar insurances, the price is often the main reason why one company will win clients over others.

During the property boom years, house insurers could barely keep

up with the demand as the majority of people that purchased a property through a bank with a mortgage were required to take out a home insurance policy as part of the agreement. With the crisis, insurers were obviously hit hard.

Consulting agency Global Actuarial has carried out a detailed study into prices currently being charged by home insurance companies and what exactly is on offer for this price. The four companies with the lowest prices on the market at the moment are: Mapfre, Plus Ultra, Reale and Zurich – all fairly wellknown names.

The average price charged generally for a home insurance policy for a typical property in a large city, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao or Seville, is around 278 euro a year.

With each of the four companies mentioned previously, the average

price is lower than this: • Plus Ultra: 234€ • Mapfre: 241€ • Reale: 274€ • Zurich: 274€ The consultancy company gathered data for three types of property to arrive at their conclusion: a 70 sq. m apartment; an apartment of 85 sq. m; and a 200 sq. m duplex family home.

The first has 70,000€ insured on the building and 20,000 for contents. The average yearly insurance price offered by insurers is 173€.

In the second case, 85,000€ is insured for the building and 30,000€ for contents. The average

insurance policy would be 228€.

And in the final case, with 200,000€ building insurance and 50,000€ for contents, the average insurance policy would cost 433€ a year.

However, many companies cannot solely rely on a low price to capture new clients. Some, more than others, are also very conscious of the importance of offering a wide range of services, and an excellent service at that too.

Some are even offering services like repairing electrical goods, such as kettles, or even distance IT support and assistance with fitting together and putting up IKEA furniture in a bid to stand out from other companies and attract new clients.

It's Not All about Blablacar - There Are Other Options

by PP

D

espite the fact that the legalities of car sharing were recently up in the air as taxi drivers in Madrid and Barcelona protested and went on strike in defiance of this concept, travelling with strangers who are going to the same destination as you, or carpooling, is now almost as popular and normal as catching a bus or train.

With legal problems now ironed out, car sharing is once again at the forefront of people’s minds when travelling long distances with a limited budget. Blablacar is the company on most people’s lips, but there are others that may be more suited to your needs.

It’s not a new idea - Carpooling or car sharing is not a new idea. In fact, it’s been around for about 40 years. It was common in northern European countries to share cars for the journey to work, or if several friends or colleagues were travelling long distances at the same time.

What started this idea was the petrol crisis in the 70s when prices soared and people couldn’t afford to fill their tanks and carry out their usual journeys.

Nowadays, while the price of petrol is often a considering factor, it’s not the only one. People these days may well be able to afford the petrol, yet they choose to car share for environmental and ecological motives.

Born in France - Blablacar was born in France about five years ago as a solution when that Christmas all the train, bus and aeroplane tickets to travel from Paris to outside regions had either sold out or were priced way to high. Nevertheless, it was the subsequent prolonged public transport strike that really boosted car sharing as a reliable and popular method of transport.

From this point, the owner of Blablacar set to regulate this business legally and expand outside of France.

A few years later, Blablacar arrived in Spain and was warmly welcomed as many Spaniards struggled with rising petrol prices, extortionate toll booth fees, public transport fare increases and the economic crisis.

It wasn’t long before Blablacar became a huge hit – to the point where bus and train companies began to get worried.

Who’s out there now? - As the concept of car sharing became more and more popular, other companies sprang into action, although Blablacar is still the best known.

After being deemed illegal in Spain by the Government, the company was forced to make slight changes to the way it works and now asks for a small commission for managing and admin charges. The additional amount is around 15% of the amount given to the driver for petrol, but is relatively small and only a couple of euro at the most. This money will go to the Government as tax.

Amovens - Amovens is another popular car sharing company, who is now making a big show of the fact that it doesn’t charge any extra commission to set up a journey between travellers, and payments can be made in cash on the day.

With Blablacar clients now have to pay by credit card in advance.

PRICE: 2,750 Euros

PRICE: 3,995 Euros

MAKE: Seat MODEL: Ibiza ST FR BODY TYPE: Estate TRANSMISSION: Automatic FUEL TYPE: Petrol

MAKE: Chrysler MODEL: Sebring BODY TYPE: Saloon TRANSMISSION: Manual FUEL TYPE: Petrol

MAKE: Chrsyler MODEL: PT Cruiser BODY TYPE: Cabriolet TRANSMISSION: Manual FUEL TYPE: Petrol

DESCRIPTION: First registered 30/09/2015 and having just covered 22,400 kilometres, this stunning example is virtually unmarked throughout.

DESCRIPTION: First registered in 2003 and having only covered 103,000 kilometres, this is a very cheap way in to a full size family saloon car.

DESCRIPTION: Or 5995 on Spanish plates. This stunning 2005 example has only covered 55,000 miles and comes complete with service history.

PRICE: 6,495 Euros

PRICE: 7,495 Euros

PRICE: 7,995 Euros

DESCRIPTION: First registered in december 2005 and having only covered 99,000 kilometres, this stunning example is truly a credit to its' previous owner.

DESCRIPTION: This stunning Dodge Stealth ( also known as a Mitsubishi 3000 gt ), is truly a credit to its´ former owners and would fit well within any collection.

DESCRIPTION: First registered in 2000 and having just covered 140,000 kilometres, this is a great example of one of Mercedes´ most desirable cabriolets.

PRICE: 12,495 Euros

FEATURED CAR OF THE MONTH

MAKE: Toyota MODEL: Prius BODY TYPE: Hatchback TRANSMISSION: Automatic FUEL TYPE: Petrol

MAKE: Dodge MODEL: Stealth BODY TYPE: Coupe TRANSMISSION: Manual FUEL TYPE: Petrol

MAKE: Mercedes MODEL: CLK320 Cabrio BODY TYPE: Cabriolet TRANSMISSION: Automatic FUEL TYPE: Petrol

June 2018 - PROPERTY PRESS

30

Finance & Economy Property Press

700,000 new millionaires were created in 2017 thanks to surging stocks and rising house prices.

S

pain’s credit rating was raised one level to A- by S&P Global Ratings, which cited expectations that economic growth will outpace the euro area and that the government’s budget deficit will shrink.

“We raised our ratings on Spain in view of the country’s continuously strong economic performance, accompanied by a solid current account surplus and ongoing budgetary consolidation,” S&P said in a statement Friday announcing the shift to its seventh-highest ranking.

Spain’s economy is recovering from a property crash that forced a banking bailout back

in 2012 and has expanded for 18 quarters in a row. The Bank of Spain earlier this week raised its growth estimates through 2020 and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Thursday that the country had met its 2017 deficit reduction target agreed with the European Union.

The ratings firm, which previously had a BBB+ rating for Spain, also maintained its positive outlook on the nation, meaning it could lift its credit score further within the coming two years.

Such an upgrade could come “if the government achieves greater consolidation of public finances than we currently

expect, and we observe further improvement in the monetary transmission mechanism,” S&P said. Further easing of political tensions in Catalonia would also support an upgrade, according to the firm.

This latest upgrade by S&P follows a similar move in January by Fitch Ratings, which raised its score for Spain to Awith a stable outlook. Moody’s Investors Service, which has the nation at Baa2, will give its next rating decision on April 13.

The Bank of Spain this week predicted growth of 2.7 percent in 2018, having previously estimated 2.4 percent. The central bank said risks from the Catalan independence crisis last year hadn’t fully materialized while exports and looser fiscal policy will support continued expansion.

Despite the bullish assessment, the Bank of Spain also warned about risks of fiscal slippages this year that could see the pace of deficit reduction slowing.

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