Tom PowellOLIVE PRESS readers are an unreservedly happy bunch.
Despite reports in the UK that thousands of British expats are abandoning Spain in their droves, some 76% of our readers insist they are as happy or happier since moving here.
In an exclusive online poll, less than a quarter of the hundreds who responded said they were ‘less happy’ here.
In total, 64% of readers said they were ‘happier in Spain’ and 13% are ‘just as happy as before’. This stands in contrast to the doom-mongering reports in the UK press that expats are unhappy and returning in their droves.
It came after 90,000 Britons had apparently deregistered from the town hall register to return to UK shores over the last two years.
Other recent surveys also back up the theory that the sun has anything but set on the Spanish dream for Brits moving here.
March figures show that 607,940 people from EU countries are registered with the Spanish Social Security system.
This figures represents an increase of around 6,000 people (or 1%), which is the largest increase since June 2012.
Andalucia is the third highest region for foreigners registered with Social Security, at 208,381.
Brits also remain the biggest foreign buyers of property in Spain too, accounting for 15% of the home purchases here.
Why wouldn’t you be?
Although now this will anger all the Spain bashers, most who have left Spain for a supposed better life (grass is greener?).
“76% of our readers”
In fact, what the OP mean is 76% of the people who participated in the survey. That’s a completely different figure than all the readers of the OP. Statistics eh?
Best not to make surveys about “better lives” or “quality of lives” because they are unquantifiable. Derek, are you really saying you cannot have a good quality of life just because of the country one lives in?
A correct assessment of the article Fred.
Southern Spain (not the whole of Spain) is great for those who are elderly and are not or maybe never have been fit, so a waddle down to the beach or to a bar is their life including UK TV of course.
However for anyone who is truly active then for 6-7 months of the year the outdoor life is a no-no unless you enjoy sweltering heat. At least 2 people have gone missing trekking across el campo – almost certainly the heat played a part in their deaths. I also wonder if they carried enough water, dehydration will kill you very fast.
OTOH winter inland is great the air is better than champagne. The only negative for those who like a decent walk of 10 or 15 miles is that you have to change clothing. 6AM the temperature will be freezing, by noon you need to have packed shorts.
Because most Spanish are very unfit (see their record in the Olympics) and have no regard for the countryside, the foreigners can have it to themselves.
The Tierra Malos/Badlands outside Guadix was a sanctuary for us from the intolerable noise that the Spanish so love. Foxes and Ibex were always startled to see bipeds there.
It’s where they made lots of westerns, just before we left they were destroying this wonderful natural space to make – yes that’s right – another golf course. It will fail because no northern European is going to want to play golf in 40C+ temps.
For those who are old and/or unfit (you don’t have to be unfit with age)and if your home is truly legal then you will enjoy southern Spain, if for no other reason that the heat is good for old bones. However as the water table drops too low and then disappears entirely or is contaminated by sea water – what then. 10 or 15 years and that’s it.
De-salinated water say the idiots – do you know how much this water costs per litre?
we left spain 3 years ago and hope to return very soon, I cant stand the uk especially the brain washed people, we think very different to the uk brits, we are not allowed an opinion here , the jealousy and self centeredness astounds me.
The food is disgusting here but many think its great, quality of life here is zero.
can anyone tell me why many brits say the word bless when you say something, i am close to strangling the next person that says it.
coming back soon hoorah
Brits say “Ah Bless” when they are listening to someone gormless, who don’t know what they’re talking about.
“the uk brits”
Hmm, do you mean “the British” ?
“quality of life here is zero”
Whose fault is that, other than your own, Carla?
Occasionally I ask myself why I left the UK, then I watch the BBC news or have a quick read of the Daily Mail and I have my answer.
Peter: So your conclusion was to watch Al Jazeera and read the Guardian instead eh ? Sensible.
I dont think people actually argue against the Spanish Dream for people who want that type of lifestyle
What people are concerned about is the High Percent who the dream turns to a nightmare
Aside from “wonderful comments” above, I found I loved Spain
I’d suggest anyone thinking of going from one country/area to another, identify: WHAT makes you UNhappy where you now live, what minimum CHANGES/NEEDS do you desire in your new residence, how LONG would you rent/stay there to assess your satisfaction, WHICH potential sites might meet your needs, what ORDER you’d try them out and without “burning any bridges” behind you, could you move BACK with o loss.
For my PERSONAL DESIRES, I tried several countries/cities along the north coast of the Med. from Monte Carlo to Lisbon — Marbella, Spain proved BEST of all!
I’ll say it again. If one is not happy living in Spain, back ya bags. Not talking about people that are stuck in unsold properties but people that have legal villa’s or flats which far out weighs those illegal. Not really heard from the people with legals indicating that they are quite content in living in Spain. I know I am.
@caccia, it’s difficult even to sell legal houses in Spain at the moment. The padron figures mentioned in the article speak for themselves. The numbers of both Spanish and foreigners leaving Spain is enormous – well over 400,000 in 2013 alone. Btw, please try and write more coherently.
@Fred,
Sorry if it appeared in-coherent to you, just back from a cruise and not still swaying from the wonderful trip.
You must know people that do not wish to sell their property. I cannot understand why you are always on about people not being able to sell. Is your property legal or up for sale and if not for sale are you happy living in Spain. Everyone I know that are retired here do not wish to return to the U.K, whether they own or rent and those that have returned have been the younger generation due to no work otherwise they would still be here.
You can’t change the system and there is no point in keep going on about what you believe are the bad things in Spain. The councils were wrong in giving permission for the illegal properties, we all know that, but the powers to be said they were illegally built. There are lots of bad things also going on in the U.K which no doubt you have seen, but that’s the system and only the vote will count. If the Junta are voted in again that’s what the people want and we must accept that. Don’t know why I should be talking like this to a person that has a supposedly Ph.d. Most of it is basic common sense.
All I know is I try to keep my nose clean, play by the rules, and in all the years I have been here I have never had any problems. Law say’s change ya plates, I change them, pay your bill’s, I pay them, change your driving licence, I change it. Pay your dues, I pay it, fill in the Padron, I fill in. Pay capital gains if selling property back in the U.K, don’t like it, but that’s the law and it won’t change.
One has to accept life as it is as you well know and one tries to make the best out of the few remaining years. If one does not abide with these thing then life can be hard and everyone during their lifetime has come across problems and one being not being able to sell their property. But did they purchase hoping to make a profit, that’s debatable. I know when I purchased my first property in the U.K never thought of making a profit, happy to be able to have a roof over my head, which one could say is the case of many expats when they purchased over here.
So lets be a bit more positive about living in Spain and talk more about the good things instead of just the bad things. Life is too short and if one is financially secure and living in Spain that’s a good start and believe me Fred I know a lot of people that are in that position and would never wish to return to the U.K. I know I don’t wish to return
My old mate, 90 this month, going back to celebrate his birthday with family. Involved in five sea campaigns in the Royal Navy and decorated by the French government, has no intentions of returning to the U.K on a permanent basis. Loves it here. I have been to many funerals of expats over here and with a bit of luck he will beat me to it, we both have the same sense of humor, in-fact he has just purchased a W8 computer and gone onto the internet. Get me drift.
@Fred,
The quality of life that Carla is referring to is the quality of life in the U.K.
Spain comes second to France in Europe. U.K does not even come within the first ten best countries for quality of life.
As I have said, if you do not like living here why not pack your bags, I would if not contented or are you one of those that cannot sell your property.
@caccia, quality of life is in the eye of the beholder. Your quality of life doesn’t automatically improve because you move to another country. Only people, themselves, can improve their quality of their life, and people equally enjoy their lives in the UK and Spain. Someone can choose to live in a country and still complain about its shortcomings – that’s just normal human behaviour. And I know having a PhD bothers you caccia, as you keep mentioning it, but noone is stopping you from obtaining one, are they? I don’t live in Spain full-time, so no need to pack any bags lol.
‘Although now this will anger all the Spain bashers’
followed directly by FRED then STUART
THE SPAIN BASHERS!!
caccia, if you are genuinely happy with every aspect of living in Spain then you have nothing to worry about and it should not matter what anyone else says about living in Spain, positive or negative, it does not affect you at all. If someone does not like living in Spain anymore and wants to leave, why should you care?
It is disingenuous to endlessly gloss over the horrendous problems that many people are having in Spain which affect both foreigners and the indigenous population. Talking things up does not make them go away and only a fool would deny that the Spanish economy is shot, the housing market has collapsed and unemployment is sky high. It is impossible to live in a place with these problems and not be affected by it one way or another.
People have every right to complain about the Junta de Andalucia, they are a basket case and are largely responsible for the collapsed housing market in Andalucia affecting thousands of Brits. They are not fit for purpose and when people move to another EU member state, they have the right to expect certain standards which the Junta and the Spanish judicial system do not meet.
The demolitions issue has moved into a whole new area now are we are really talking about a violation of human rights. Too many people have been affected by this and even if they do not have a demolition order, their house may not be fully legal and they cannot sell it. Nobody wants to be trapped in a house they cannot sell and far from wanting to make a profit, many would happily take a loss and move on.
It is pointless banging on about people who do not want to sell their house – that is at the moment, their circumstances could change tomorrow and then they would need to sell. In a workable, functioning property market, one can normally expect to find a buyer within six months if the price is right. Unless and until this is the case, the property market is not functioning.
The bottom line is this, Spain needs to decide whether or not it wants a thriving residential tourism industry. If it does, it needs to get its act together and create some workable property laws and make it an attractive place to invest with various tax incentives. If not, then the whole thing will gradually die out but god knows what will replace it.
Residential tourism is just like any other industry, it needs hard work and innovative ideas to survive in today’s world, it does not just land on a plate.
@Fred,
One of the reasons people move to another country is to improve their quality of life otherwise why move, therefore tell me what other reason do people wish to move to another country. (other than running away from something) As for the PhD do you think it makes you any brighter than someone that does not got a Phd. I’m sure there are many that have done pretty well without a PhD. (I was too busy in the armed forces but done pretty well since, now retired and financially secured). Virgin boss done well, Marks & Sparks done well, X factor done well, the list is endless. By the way mate, my No.1 son has a PhD not a OU PhD and has held top positions in top companies worldwide and spokesman for these companies to governments, written and published books that are use in Uni’s, given lectures and achieved highest awards from the industry so don’t try to belittle other people with your stupid innuendos of having an OU PhD it just does not become a person with an such an education. By the way my No.1 one’s kids (grand-kids) are at Uni full time, Kings College London, studying law, another one full time at Portsmouth Uni studying Biology. Another son has various degree’s, again full time study at Uni in France with post degree in England with his own business in the U.S.A, so please don’t come out with all that crap about education. Know doubt I could leave you standing if it came to the building of houses and the running of a business. (Had 6 business on the go at one time) but I don’t try to belittle people with such trivial matters, that’s called education not a PhD and know doubt would sack anyone that stole from me even if it was a sandwich.
Grow up little man and stop moaning about life in Spain. As I have told you before, if you wish to make your point join the marches of these people to the town halls, stand beside them as the villas are destroyed instead of just writing your comments like a lot of other people that only make comments on this site.
@Jane
No point in replying to you in detail. I think if you look back on comments I have made not only on this site but others speaks for itself.
What do you expect people to do about illegal building. It’s happened and there is nothing you personally can do about it except moan. Okay, moan once, moan twice but it’s forever moaning of people on these sites.
One of my first comments last year was that pensioners that were financially secure and in my opinion would have a better quality of life in Spain than in the U.K. I have lived here for 20 years and still stick by that. Pensioners I know of, where I live, do not wish to return to the U.K. All live in legal villa’s, legal apartments or rent, but love living here.
Not much one could add to this except people must also accept life in Spain is not all bad, for some yes, but for other’s no, and people are buying here so it can’t be that bad for some. People will take advantage of others, It’s built into the human structure, property prices at the lowest at the moment and people will take advantage of this. They don’t care what it had cost you or what problems you have it’s what they can get it for. “How much is the asking price” €250k, “Well will you take €150k”.
Not only in Spain but in the U.K also, just watch Homes under the hammer program and see when homes have been purchased and renovated what the seller is asking.
@Jane,
Just read back on your comment MAY 3RD, 2014 1:58 PM
You quote:-
“The bottom line is this, Spain needs to decide whether or not it wants a thriving residential tourism industry. If it does, it needs to get its act together and create some workable property laws and make it an attractive place to invest with various tax incentives. If not, then the whole thing will gradually die out but god knows what will replace it”.
Spain does require a thriving residential tourism and have laws to govern this. The problem is that over the years it had been abused. What do you mean by various tax incentives.
Each country have their own tax incentives no more so than the U.K. can you please give an example.
Caccia calm down, you’ll give yourself a heart attack. You sound very unstable and it’s clear that you were never in the forces.
“One of the reasons people move to another country is to improve their quality of life otherwise why move, therefore tell me what other reason do people wish to move to another country”
Actually, no. People move to another country because they think they can improve the quality of their life. It’s all about perception. Whether it does improve ones life is personal to the individual. That’s why it’s called “the Spanish Dream”. Quality of life cannot just be magically applied to people by a survey and the truth is that you can achieve quality of life anywhere.
And then we are back to your waffle about sandwiches and my studies, which I won’t enter into because they are off-topic and, well, so pathetic as not to even warrant an adult reply. What a shame it is that you had to come back after that cruise. Can’t you make it longer next time, say a decade or so lol.
@Fred,
It shows just how stupid you really are and if that’s the kind of education you supposedly have had you certainly need to study a lot more. As for a heart attack I take people like you in my stride, dealt with arrogant people like you before, brainless and stupid. Know nothing about life except to moan.
Adult reply, that’s your problem, it’s like talking to a kid when talking to you, grow up little boy and I do take offence when accused of not serving my country. Did you, or were you still in your daddies pants. Pity you did and remain there.
Your assessment of people wishing to have to a better quality of life just increases your stupidity. Most people would have visited the country they wish to move to during their life time perhaps a few times on holiday’s etc before making that decision and would have experienced the type of life and quality they wish to have. I’m not talking about people like you that have to work for a living but people that are financially secure, perhaps one day when you grow up you will know what i’m talking about. It would appear you are uncertain of what a quality of life is which indicates you are not a happy person and have yet not found your place in life due to being part here, there, and anywhere. People move because they don’t have to think they know.
So please don’t reply as I find you argumentative, obnoxious and a person that drift’s from the subject. I have better things to do then waste my precious time on a waste of space like you. Perhaps a cruise may do you some good as a lovely warm breeze may blow those cob webs from your limited brain, that’s if you can afford it of course.
Could you please moderate Fred and block any comments pertaining to me as I find him argumentative and most obnoxious and not keeping to the subject.
Many thanks.
Many of you have way too much time on your hands and are spending way too much time griping. I’m sure that would be the case, be it that you’re in Spain, the UK, or elsewhere. Read through these comments and see what an embarrassment you are. My word. Living abroad, I would think you would have a better perspective on things. Should I ever move to Spain, I pray you are not my neighbor.
@Christopher Alexanderr,
Quite agree with what you have said and if you ever decided to move to Spain there must have been a reason like so many happy expats living here. Spain is very rich in culture, wonderful climate, wonderful food and happy people.
There a thousands of legal villas and apartments if you intend to purchase, if not be just as happy in renting.
Short, sharp and sweet.
@Caccia, you said it – people “wish” to have a better life. They are not guaranteed a better life when moving anywhere. Going on holiday is nothing like living in a country – that is one of the problems with using a holiday to gauge what living in a country will actually be like. So you’ve answered your own question.
“I have better things to do then waste my precious time”
So why do you keep posting ad hominem replies all over this blog then? Truth is, you love trolling. As for moderation, we all know who was caught red-handed posting with multiple blog aliases don’t we? Yes, it was you.
“not keeping to the subject” says the man who brings up my PhD and sandwiches in a thread about the Spanish Dream. if you were really an army man Caccia, you’d have the discipline just to ignore my replies. So prove it to us all.
Hmmmm. Well, I logged into this as I am considering moving to Spain (from Scotland) as I retire this year. This has been quite an eye opener. Hope my question is not a dumb one, but, is there any opinion out there as to what is LIKELY to be the end result of these illegal buildings issues. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
@John, there may be an amnesty, there may not. No one knows at present, but to date all the people with illegal or irregular homes (through no fault of their own) will have a property they cannot sell or mortgage. Good luck with it, Spain can be a good place to retire to, but be very careful. I would consider Portugal first. It’s close by, has a proper registry of properties, and has some great tax incentives for new foreign buyers.
John, Fred has given you very good advice all of which I agree with. Portugal is definitely a better option at the moment because they have far more workable property laws and they have a very similar climate. They also have a better tax system i.e. no asset declaration taxes for residents, no plus valia (an additional after sales tax over and above CGT) and they did have another tax incentive whereby you pay no CGT for the first 10 years but I don’t know if that is still the case. They also have lower purchase taxes and some good opportunities for new builds with some great energy/cost efficient house designs with solar electricity etc.
Moving on to the so called illegal properties in Andalucia, as Fred said, nobody really knows what is happening and frankly, the current regional government is unlikely to do anything to alleviate the problem and the only real hope is if they get chucked out. They have the power to end it all tomorrow and hold a full amnesty but they are terminally stupid and refuse to do so and instead prefer to preside over a collapsed housing market with no confidence whatsoever.
If do you decide on Spain then it is better to rent first and decide if you like it enough to stay. If and when you do buy, make sure you use a reputable lawyer, choose your property carefully and only buy when the housing market has improved sufficiently to enable you to sell it on again if you want to. Don’t get stuck with a property you cannot sell. Don’t go resident without taking some advice from a tax expert, they have an asset declaration tax law whereby you have to declare and pay tax on all your overseas assets over a certain amount – you should bear in mind that the current threshold could be reduced at a later date if they decide to do so.
And finally, keep your place in the UK if you can afford to. We did and we are very glad we did too. I sincerely hope you are happy with your eventual choice.
@ John J Murray
Not being clever but your guess is as good as ours, what I would say say is don’t be put off. Do your homework, make sure any property you consider buying has an escritura, you can check the property on the Spanish land registry (cadastral), I would suggest not buying a new build but a property that is very well established (far less likely to have issues). Don’t rush and don’t leave your brains on the air plane, don’t let anybody talk you into buying a property in a manner that you would not do in the UK. God Luck Buena suerte.
@John J
Please don’t listen to Fred the tax dodger. Why not ask him if he lives in an illegal property. The biggest moaner on these sites, besides he does not even live here on a full time basis, flips about all over the place.
I have for 20 years and in those 20 years have not known anyone to purchase an illegal villa or flat.
Portugal, keep it. Free health care but it’s highly recommend to take out health insurance policy which can be quite expensive.
Spain, also free health care and rated the best in Europe, also rated 2nd to France for quality of live.
Depends also where you wish to live, coastal or inland. coastal more life and activities than inland.
Recommend you rent first if you intend to purchase a villa, get’s a chance to know things and people. If purchase a flat, no problem, coastline area all legal.
Rent for a flat at the moment quite reasonable. €500 pcm gets a nice 2 bed fully furnished (approx £423 at 1.18)
Much more to add but if you do decide to come, visit first, rent for 3-6 month’s and then come to a conclusion. Don’t let the moaners put you off and you will not be happy in Portugal.
P.S John. Spain also have a registry of properties if they are legal, I think they call it an Escritoire.
It’s a wonder why Olive Press allows certain people to use these site’s.
BREAK THE LAW OR CONDONE OR ENCOURAGE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY.
Hey Derek,
Is that Fred, must have had a few beers to many.
His quote:-
“Spain can be a good place to retire to”, Hehehe
@Jane,
Do you live here and if so are you a resident?.
Caccia, I’ve always said (in threads going back years which anyone can read) Spain can be a good place to retire to, if you have the funds to do so and if you are not solely reliant on a small pension. But would I recommend it based upon all the things I now know? No, I would not.
John, If I was coming to Spain now, for the very first time, I would not buy purely on the basis of the mistreatment and injustice that so many people find themselves in with regards to retrospective illegal and irregular properties, of which there are hundreds of thousands across all of Spain. I would want to live in a country with proper justice system and a proper land registry and property laws. Spain is also an expensive place to purchase a property (with 10-11% purchase taxes).
It’s a wonder to me why the OP allow the self-confessed troll to use this website. You should seriously ignore everything he tells you. As you can see from his replies, he only wants to engage in abusive and disruptive behaviour.
For clarification. Yes, I do live in a legal property in Spain (as far as one can know) and am currently resident in Spain, where I pay all my taxes. I also sleep very tight lol.
@Fred,
So you have been trolling for YEARS, my first reply on OP was in the latter part of last year and you are just reiterating what my first repose was at that time, since then you have been abusive and argumentative to any suggestions regarding the quality of life for financially secure pensioners.
Your quote:-
“Spain can be a good place to retire to, if you have the funds to do so and if you are not solely reliant on a small pension”. IF YOU CARE TO LOOK BACK FREDERICK, EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS SAID.
Now I get your drift, profit loss on your property and now stuck. Don’t believe you are telling the truth about paying your taxes, perhaps local ones, as you had already admitted on OP that you had no intentions of indulging other assets.
I shall bounce back what you once said to me PROVE IT.
John, don’t just take my word for it, life in Spain is good if you are financially secure just like in any country except Spain offers that much more but rent first, have always advised this, not because of illegal properties but for the area where one wishes to life.
Come and see for yourself, don’t be put off by scare mongers that can’t sell their properties and if this it’s not the case of being stuck with unsaleable properties why are they still here.
JOHN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF LEGAL PROPERTIES FOR SALE, COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.
@Caccia, there is trolling and there is comment and debate. You fall into the trolling category because you were caught red-handed posting under multiple aliases, which is a common troll-trick. You got caught, and that was proven.
If you are financially secure “any country” (your words Caccia) can be a good place to live, and you also finally admit that it’s finance that buys a lot of the “quality of life” you speak of. Spain does not have a monopoly on the quality of life. People can see the justice system in Spain and how it affects the most basic of human rights, a home. Beware that they could treat you like that too, if things go awry. It is pleasing to see you agreeing with me on things now Caccia. Btw, how can I be ‘stuck’ if I’m not even selling? Doh.
@Fred.
I only use one name “caccia”. Could you please indicate where I have used multiple aliases.
Fred, please do me a favor and stop making a fool of yourself, did you say you had a OU PH.d. Didn’t say “finance buys quality of life”.
I said quote:-
“John, don’t just take my word for it, life in Spain is good if you are financially secure just like in any country except Spain offers that much more but rent first, have always advised this, not because of illegal properties but for the area where one wishes to live”.
Spain 2nd to France for quality of life. And I passionately don’t agree with your assumption that I agree with you regarding your thoughts, in-fact you have changed your tune and seen the light, your quote:- “Spain can be a good place to retire to”,
Trolling, you have been doing it for years. So please stop sending stupid comments to me. If you are happy here say so and don’t continue with argumentative comments, it’s not becoming of a person that supposedly has a OU PH.d.
If your hard up let me know, perhaps I might start going to bingo to raise some money for you.
Grow up little man.
@Fred,
Everything is for sale if the price it right. Could tell you a story about that but then you would not believe it.
If your place is not for sale then you must really love living in Spain, “must be the quality of life” you enjoy.
Wonderful photo top of page of two happy pensioners, If not pensioners two happy people.
@Caccia, everything is certainly for sale in Spain, the property I eventually purchased wasn’t even advertised as being for sale. Who needs estage agents? It saved the seller a small fortune and got me a big discount. I am renovating currently and then I may sell, who knows?
A quality of life has nothing to do with specific countries. You are confused and think that because Spain is sunnier it is somehow ‘better’. I purchased in Holland a couple of years back and that has a much better quality of life. It has proper systems and procedures in place, business is much easier to do in my sector, and the population are much more educated. For me, it is better. It’s a personal thing, quality of life. It’s not a one-size-fits-all concept.
That photo is really cringing isn’t it? It’s not you is it Caccia lol?
PS. I’m 6’3 so ironically I think you’re very likely to be more of a “little man” than me (whatever that means). Perhaps height was the reason you couldn’t get in the forces Caccia? Either that or your unstable nature perhaps?
Big thanks to Jane, Peter, Fred and Caccia. I do plan to visit for a week in August to check out areas and then take a 3 month winter rental this Nov – Jan. Your points are very useful.
P.S. Fred, Caccia….kiss and make up ;)
@John J
Pleased to hear you have not been off in visiting Spain.
August you will find can be quite warm with plenty of fiesta going on especially in Malaga. Hopefully you will catch The Three Kings on January 5th in most villages and towns.
@Fred,
The property you purchased was only worth what you paid. Nobody saved anything.
There are lots of properties over here sold like that.
I’ve purchased properties and land in the U.K like that, nothing new.
The first parcel of land I purchased back in the U.K in the 60s was like that and the freehold of 6 shops and church was also purchased like that, in-fact I think I can go one better. The 6 shops and church cost me nothing and made me a small fortune when sold years later. Work that one out.
@Caccia, the landowner was planning to sell multi-agent and therefore saved around 5-8% at the time. He therefore saved having to pay that fee to an agent, so you are incorrect when you say ‘nobody saved anything’. I must say I am surprised that you find it difficult to work out such trivial property matters. I’d rather not get involved in your strange property dealings Caccia, and instead stick to reality lol.
@Oh dear Fred,
Had you though that the 5-8% was allowed for in the original price. When you do eventually sell your property would you calculate added costs to the price if done through a multi-agent.
If sold privately it’s a case of barter until a price is reached where both parties are satisfied. In which case prey tell me, who wins or loses.
@Fred,
P.S No strange property dealings, it’s business me boy!.
Caccia, the price of a property is only what someone is willing to pay for it at the time. The 5-8% was most probably factored in, but it’s all part of the negotiations. I have a Russian couple interested in it currently, and it’s on for nearly five times what I paid for it, so fingers crossed lol.
@Fred,
Pleased to hear the good news and hope all goes well for you.
Please let me know if all goes well, it’s about time some good news is welcome.
P.S Pleased to hear you will be making a good profit.
Why thank you, but early days yet.
@Fred,
I think I have mentioned this a few times before on one of these sites. Do you watch “Homes under the Hammer”. Brings back memories.
Unfortunately at the moment Spain is not like the U.K regarding the steep rise and demand on property. The daughter of female friend living in the U.K had her two bed flat up for sale in the U.K, it was gazumped, I think around 12 times.
Love to hear when people do well and unfortunate when people do not. Building in the U.K seems to take a turn every 10 years or so, experienced it, once sold a newly pair of three story detached houses at more or less at cost price just to unload, could even direct you to them on Google Earth plus many other places I had built all with the 10 year NHBC warranty.. But that life I’m afraid and hope the Junta in Spain do have a change of heart for these trapped people but I doubt it.