We felt we needed to say thanks for helping us and being such great friends, so prepared this little story for your web site.
How NOT TO buy a property in Spain DO NOT expect you can look for a property on our own using the internet and magazines. Use the professionals like ABACASA Spanish Properties SL, Los Montesinos
Our first mistake was to book a package holiday to Benidorm (February 2005) and rent a car to do our scouting. Driving down to the Torreveija area and back each day was horrendous, not even sure what we were looking at. After several days of driving in circles, getting more and more confused, we ended up driving through Los Montesinos and we saw the ABACASA sign and stopped to look in the window. Fortunately for us it was open so we went inside. “Can you speak English? ” “Yes of course and can we help you?” was our first introduction to Elaine and Roger. We were offered refreshments as we took our seats and explained what we had tried to do on our own. They offered to help us and explained that there was no obligation. We told them roughly what we were looking for and Elaine set about preparing some brochures and getting some viewings arranged. We were still at that time looking for a new build.
We met up with Elaine and Roger the following day and spent it looking at lots of properties; we especially liked El Trampolin Hills and decided on a lovely property. We then arranged to pay the deposit the next day prior to our departure for the UK. Next mistake, DO NOT buy on impulse, yes the house was lovely but the location and facilities were not really what we wanted, so we called Roger and we pulled out of the sale. Both Elaine and Roger where very understanding
and we told them that we needed to go back to the UK and reassess our needs and that we would get back to them with what we were really looking for. (I am sure they have heard this over and over again and get no further contact)
How TO buy a property in Spain.
Several months later my wife and I prepared a specification of what we really wanted and why. We sent the details to Elaine and Roger and planned a holiday to suit the viewings; we decided this time to include resales as we did not want to wait 2 years. Elaine and Roger had planned about 15 viewings over a 3 day period with various types of properties. The first one we looked at was EXACTLY what we had specified in every way and was in a fantastic location Mirador Del Mediterraneo (close to Villa Martin) we both fell for it straight away, but hey, we had 14 more to see. We saw some places which were probably nicer inside, but wrong location and others which did not suit our needs. We went back to the first property 5 more times and settled on making an offer. Was it pure coincidence that the first property was for us? I do not think so, I honestly believe that both Elaine and Roger interpreted our needs spot on. They helped with everything to do with the purchase from the NIE numbers to getting a mortgage from the bank at a very favourable rate. The rest is history. We have been there two years and have never looked back. Their devotion to the client is absolute and I would not hesitate in recommending ABACASA. You will get more than just the service of an agent.
The icing on the cake was when I asked to be taken to Polaris World and we decided to buy a second property and chose a fantastic apartment on Hacienda Riquelme (probably the best on the resort) we hope to complete by January 2008.
We are great friends with both Elaine and Roger. Keep up the good work, Elaine you work so hard and Roger i look forward to the fishing.