“Spain – Built to Last” says Mrs Hibbert from Milton Keynes
Buying a new home is a stressful experience at the best of times but buying a home overseas has an even greater set of challenges. You may not speak the language, the buying process may not be familiar, the legalities might be different from the UK or the build quality might not be up to scratch.
So what can you do to mitigate these issues and ultimately reduce the stress of buying abroad? Some of the soundest advice is to buy in an established, familiar location and through a trusted company, one with a solid track record.
With almost 51 million visitors to Spanish shores in the first 10 months of 2011 alone, an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2010 there has to be some seriously good reasons for this huge number to flock to the Iberian nation. The warmth and welcome you receive from the Spanish is just one reason why people return year after year, not to mention the ease of accessibility with direct flights from nearly all major airports in the UK.
So once you have been sold on Spain, what next?
Choosing a sales agent is the first hurdle. The experts suggest you find someone tried and tested. Do not be lured in by a man on the street offering the “finest fincas” or the cowboy builder with “the cheapest homes on the Costa del Sol”. Do your homework and unearth the credentials behind your chosen agent and the developer. How long have they been established? Are they a member of any official organisations such as the AIPP? What is their track record? Do they have any happy clients you can speak with?
This done, you then need to decide whether you want a new property – freshly built and untouched, or a resale. Resales come in various forms and there are no guarantees with any of them. Buy yourself a hacienda on a hillside and the roof might need replacing or thinking of buying a slightly cheaper distressed sale property that was built 10 years ago – the price might look good but where are your guarantees?
For most, especially first time buyers, buying new makes most sense and your builder should be able to give you all the guarantees to ensure complete peace of mind.
So what are the benefits of buying new?
ü No DIY –called ‘turn key’ in the trade – you get the keys and in you go.
ü Increased efficiency – EU laws insist that houses are more environmentally friendly than they were 10 years ago. Buying a new house today, be it in Spain or elsewhere in Western Europe does mean your fuel bills should be lower.
ü Less stress – with new properties there are no chains and no waiting for secondary solicitors.
And what guarantees will you get on a new build?
Marc Pritchard, Sales Director of Taylor Wimpey Spain, explains what you can expect from this British owned house builder in Spain:
“We find that many clients enjoy dealing with us simply because of our British heritage. Britain has been cutting edge of building for centuries and our clients know that we have a very strong reputation to uphold.
“Aside from our UK roots our success comes from the customer service we offer. Staff speak several European languages and our customer service line is open 24 hours a day so whether you are in a different time zone or having a problem in the middle of the night – you can rest assured there is someone on the end of the phone waiting to help you.
“Health and safety is at the core of our business – carried over from the UK operation. Daily site inspections ensure the safety of the development during the build process and this in turn ensures we have built to the highest standard with the minimum number of hazards.
“And I should mention Taylor Wimpey Spain’s commitment to the local community and the environment. We have been granted building rights to areas just because of our dedication to this area of the business.”
Mrs Barbara Hibbert of Milton Keynes bought a property from Taylor Wimpey in 2005. She talked about the success she had buying her second home:
“People should understand that when you are buying a property from Taylor Wimpey Spain you are not buying a second house – you are buying a home. Somewhere every bit as good as the quality you would expect in the UK. These houses have been built to live in – not just to holiday in. The detail and finish are of such fabulous quality that you know this house has been built to last.
“Things like decent sized fitted cupboards make it home from home and the utility room is invaluable space that is often forgotten on second properties. The kitchen and bathrooms are every bit as lovely as their counterparts in my UK house. I have been completely overjoyed with our purchase and we love our time in Spain.”
If you are thinking about buying a property in Spain then the superb Lagunas del Sol on the Costa Blanca could make the perfect answer. This development is a residential complex, set in a beautiful rural area and located close to Rojales.
The properties have been built on two floors with 2 or 3 bedrooms, a garden and private parking. All the properties have been built to excellent specifications and enjoy outstanding views towards the swimming pools and gardens. With the beach just 10 minutes away this is a perfect balance of seaside and retreat.
These properties are built and available now from €114,920. Contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.