Rent to buy. If you buy, rent is 0€ a month.
Monday, September 1, 2008
You do your numbers... and agree on a monthly rent
start using the house, get to know it fully, as well as your neighbours, facilities around,.... advantages and disadvantages and then .....within a couple of years or three, you can decide if you finally want to buy it or not.
If you decided you want to purchase the house.... you will have had paid 0€ a month for the rental as all those monthly quotas will be deducted from the final price. How does it sound? A dream?
A rent to buy or rental with an option to buy contract.
We do not sell houses, but we think that it is a fantastic formula for those of you who want to move to Spain during this messy financial times.
Of course, an expert legal supervision on conditions and clauses is essential.
We love to open doors and create possibilities!
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Trust: Pedro Salinas,1950. Free translation by Maria
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Pedro Salinas: Confianza, 1950. Pedro Salinas: Trust, 1950.
Mientras haya As there is
alguna ventana abierta, any open window
ojos que vuelven del sueño, eyes back from a dream
otra mañana que empieza. a new beginning morning
Mar con olas trajineras a sea with strong waves
—mientras haya— ----- as there is-------
trajinantes de alegrías, merchants of joys
llevándolas y trayéndolas. bringing and taking them
Lino para la hilandera linen for the spinner
árboles que se aventuren, trees for a venture
—mientras haya— ------ as there is-----
y viento para la vela. and wind for the sail.
Jazmín, clavel, azucena, Jasmine, carnation, white lilies
donde están, y donde no where they are and where they are not
en los nombres que los mientan. in the names that mention them
Mientras haya As there is
sombras que la sombra niegan, shadows that deny the shadow,
pruebas de luz, de que es luz proof of light, that it is light
todo el mundo, menos ellas. all the world, but them.
Agua como se la quiera Water as it is wanted
—mientras haya— ---- as there is----
voluble por el arroyo, fickle through the brook,
fidelísima en la alberca. faithful in the pool.
Tanta fronda en la sauceda, So much frond by the willows,
tanto pájaro en las ramas so many birds on the bushes
—mientras haya— ------ as there is---
tanto canto en la oropéndola. so much singing by the oriole.
Un mediodía que acepta A midday which accepts
serenamente su sino calmly its fate
que la tarde le revela. revealed by the noon.
Mientras haya As there is
quien entienda la hoja seca, who understands the dried leaf
falsa elegía, preludio false elegy, prelude
distante a la primavera. distant from springtime.
Colores que a sus ausencias Colours that their absences
—mientras haya— ----- as there is------
siguiendo a la luz se marchan leave by following the light
y siguiéndola regresan. and they return by following it
Diosas que pasan ligeras Goddesses who pass very quickly
pero se dejan un alma but they left a soul
—mientras haya— ---- as there is----
señalada con sus huellas. marked with their traces
Memoria que le convenza Memory that convinces
a esta tarde que se muere this dying afternoon
de que nunca estará muerta. that she will never be dead
Mientras haya As there is
trasluces en la tiniebla, slides within the darkness,
claridades en secreto, ights in secret,
noches que lo son apenas. hardly nights.
Susurros de estrella a estrella Whispers from star to star
—mientras haya— ----- as there is----
Casiopea que pregunta Cassiopeia who asks
y Cisne que la contesta. and Cygnus who answers
Tantas palabras que esperan, So many words waiting for
invenciones, clareando inventions, doing
—mientras haya— ---as there is----
amanecer de poema. a poem´s dawning.
Mientras haya As there is
lo que hubo ayer, lo que hay hoy, what yesterday had , what today has
lo que venga. whatever it will come.
I love this poem by Pedro Salinas. Perfect for a September afternoon.
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 8:16 PM Comments (0)
US stocks rise.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Of the Herald Tribune:
NEW YORK: Oil prices fell sharply Friday in their biggest one-day slide since 2004, helping lift stocks that rallied early in the day on hopes that the battered U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers would gain a major investor.
The possible bailout of Lehman, viewed as one of the Wall Street firms most exposed to the housing debt crisis, restored some of the confidence Wall Street has lost as banks struggle to raise funds.
Shares of big manufacturers, including United Technologies, along with airlines and consumer-oriented companies also benefited from oil's slide, which curbed inflation concerns and led U.S. and euro-zone government debt prices lower.
Remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, who suggested that U.S. interest rates would stay on hold, also cut into the safe-haven appeal of bonds.
The dollar drifted back from its highs on Bernanke's comments because some currency traders had been anticipating U.S. yields would outpace rates in other countries.
Prospects of a Lehman white knight added to upbeat investor sentiment that was helped by soothing remarks from the influential U.S. investor Warren Buffett. Investors turned to the higher risk of equities and away from the relative safety of debt.
Lehman, whose shares have lost nearly 80 percent of their value this year, has taken $7 billion in write-downs and several brokerage firms forecast more in the past week.
"A potential willing suitor for a company that recently has been all about headline risk is providing solid footing for the sector," said John Augustine, chief investment strategist at Fifth Third Private Bank in Cincinnati.
"We're getting more constructive on the stock market, and we would say the next big move up for financials would be when you have more willing merger-and-acquisition activity," he added.
Lehman shares jumped more than 12 percent after the Korea Development Bank said it was an acquisition target. Lehman later pared gains to close up 5 percent at $14.41.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 197.85 points, or 1.73 percent, to close at 11,628.06. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 14.48 points, or 1.13 percent, to 1,292.20. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 34.33 points, or 1.44 percent, to 2,414.71.
European shares ended sharply higher, lifted by a rebound in financial stocks on the prospect Lehman might be bought and easing oil prices.
Buffett helped equities by saying that stocks looked more attractive now than they did a year ago.
"Let's hope he is right. Most of us think he is. The bulls would agree on his comments about valuations," said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist at Brewin Dolphin.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index ended up 1.8 percent at 1,175.79, but was off 1.2 percent on the week.
The drop in oil prices added to a more than 20 percent fall in prices since mid-July and could increase the chance that OPEC will cut official production limits when the group meets in Vienna on Sept. 9.
U.S. crude fell $6.59, or 5.4 percent, to settle at $114.59 a barrel - the biggest fall in percentage terms since December 2004. London Brent crude fell $6.24 to $113.92 a barrel.
U.S. gold futures ended lower as a strong dollar and falling oil prices prompted investors to sell commodities across the board.
December gold futures settled down $5.50 at $833.50 an ounce in New York.
Bernanke, speaking at a Fed symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, said a stable currency and a decline in commodity prices should help slow inflation this year and next.
The dollar also gained on comments by Buffett, who said in an interview that he has no bets against the dollar, which further bolstered sentiment on the U.S. currency.
The dollar rose against major currencies, with the U.S. Dollar index up 1.01 percent at 76.808. Against the yen, the dollar gained 1.56 percent at ¥110.04.
The euro fell 0.89 percent at $1.4773.
The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell 12/32 to yield 3.87 percent. The 30-year U.S. Treasury bond fell 2/32 to yield 4.47 percent.
Asian stocks fell overnight to a two-year low, down for a fourth straight week, after oil's surge on Thursday sparked inflation worries and the financial crisis simmered unabated.
The Nikkei share average in Japan fell 0.7 percent to 12,666.04, and MSCI's pan-Asia stocks index fell 0.8 percent, touching a two-year low. The Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japan, slipped 0.03 percent.
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 9:31 AM Comments (0)
A bet for Zahara ( Cádiz)
Friday, August 29, 2008
I was born in Algeciras as all my mom´s family. My dad was born in Grazalema. All my blood is "gaditana" ( part form the bay, part from the mountains).... my bet is definitely for Cadiz area . Come and visit us.
I tell you... I am not paid bt Diputacion de Cadiz ( Cadiz provintial government) 
For your enjoyment this weekend.. some other pictures of my husband. Taken this summer in Zahara de los Atunes. Trafalgar Cape is at the horizon, at the right side of the sun.. Trafalgar battle was hold there. T
Oh yes... no filter was used in the photo taking. Just a small photo camera. All natural and real. Come and check it out by yourselves. Every day there.
They reflect a couple of feelings of the sea:
Flush
Serenity
Best wishes to you all,
Maria
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 8:25 AM Comments (2)
Credit crunch times can play in favour of consumers.... why not?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The National Institute for Consum , part of the National Department of Health and Consum, states in its recommended contract model for off plan purchases:
The buyer can opt for the cancellation of the contract, once he knows of the non approval of the financing by the Bank, being entitled to the refund of all the amounts paid.
Credit crunch times can play in favour of consumers.... why not?
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 12:12 PM Comments (5)
Money back through Credit Card companies
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I have got the decission by the House of Lords which upholds decission on credit card cover for overseas purchases, it says among other information:
It confirms that credit card issuers are individually an djointly liable with suppliers if a consumer has a valid claim against the supplier for misrepresentation or breach of contract. This applies to overseas purchases where the price is above 100 pounds but no more than 30.000 pounds.
- The consumer protection afforded by section 75 allows for the possibility of monay that seemed lost on a credit card purchase being claimed back.
- If you pay by credit card you can claim your money back from the credit card company if the seller fails to honour the contract, or the item is faulty or if the seller wrongly describes it or if the supplier goes out of business.
-You do not have to attempt to claim your money back from the seller first, the credit card company is individually liable
-If you are buying an item costing over 100 pounds and you are asked for a deposit, consider paying the deposit by credit card
-You are not covered by section 75 if you use a debit or charge card
-If using your credit card abroad, you will need to work out whether the purchase price amounts to more than the sterling equivalent of 100 pounds and less than 30.000 pounds.
If any of you wants me to send the full note. Please let me know.
Best regards,
Maria
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 10:30 AM Comments (5)
The immense beach: Zahara
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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Published at 8:09 AM Comments (3)
Maria asks for help!
Monday, August 25, 2008
I am trying to find this book... (and the time to read it). It is so important to be focused on an integrated vision of your life when you are a mum, lead a team of proffessionals and work for dozens of clients at the same time. There is no other secret: mission, direction, integration, honesty and loyalty to principles.... yes, it is hard but it is soooooooooooo freeing!!!
Help!!
Maria
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 9:52 AM Comments (2)
25% less. House prices. Spain
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The man on the throne is the " Buyer", as you can read, it says in Spanish " Comprador" which means "buyer".
Today, in the paper edition of " El economista", two journalists of that paper haggle with Estate companies and get important discounts of 25% of the price.
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 10:54 AM Comments (2)
Your rights when swapping properties
Thursday, August 21, 2008
For those of you who are using the swapping scheme... lots of luck and wisdom and my offer on legal advise:
Here you have got:
A good SWAPPING contract revised by your lawyer is needed ( each party a different one lawyer. Important)
What are the obligations of the contract parties in a property swapping?
1. To transfer ownership rights of the swapped property or goods.
2. To deliver the property or the good. ( possession)
3. To vouch for hidden deffects.
4. To guarantee a peaceable possession.
5. To vouch for someone else´s senior rights.
6. To pay correspondent expenses of Notary and Registry accoring to Law.(unless the contrary is agreed).
7. To pay those taxes required by Law.
Please let me know if that scheme works for any of you.
Do you like Tinajas?
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Lorenzo ( Lawrence) is the name of the sun
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
and he is staying here, even with the financial crisis and the crack of the real estate market,
our idiosincrasy and our food, our weather, our lifestyle will also be staying here, in Spain... that is why I always think the market of sales of second residences for Northern European will survive... always.
Anyhow , I am a bit discommoded about the panorama of empty developments in Spain and have been recently sharing my perceptions and ideas with a friend of mine who is the sales director of a good development company in my area.
I had mentioned to him, on a phone conversation at the beginning of the summer, as a suggestion for him to increase potential buyers, to use the scheme of " rentals with options to buy" and , after some weeks, he and me met again with Patricia and Rocio ( two wonderful women of the Costaluz Lawyers team) in Alcaidesa Golf Club.
A wooden table: one man among three wise women..... capitulation .... no doubt. "We will say to him how to do it....."
 There...hum.... the simplicity of the building in white walls and old red brownish tiles, the great golf course below, the stunning views at the bottom: Mediaterraneum, sailing boats,rock of Gibraltar,Malaga Bay... influenced my spirit to say to my friend....OK.... come on... how do you want us to help you selling these wonderful properties that your company has here? This cannot fall into limbo, this cannot get bored.. we need to activate these forces.
I know you can imagine how distressing is to see such good products under the dust and realise how much you, my EOS people, would like to be enjoying them.
There should be ways to activate the sector now, even in these financial moments....
Is it not true that we might be too scared on the global status of economy? and ... is it not true that some prudent initiatives are needed ?.....at least for not dying by fossilization 
We, human being, are not made to see things happen but to make things happen.
Back to our table and our man at the Golf Club: we discussed further on the renting with an option to buy scheme... I think it is the proper formula for these times: you rent and pay a reasonable rent quota, then after 2 or 3 years... you can opt between buying or not. Of course, you having a full say for the protections of your rights as purchasers/ consumers... with good independent lawyers by your side... just by your side.
Another formula would be to delay completions for a couple of years or 3 and keep paying just reasonable quotas in the meantime.
That, together with some good discounts may work. Don´t you think so?
He is checking on these with the financial directors of the company. They need to get involved too.
What would you suggest? Please post your views.
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 8:56 PM Comments (0)
Alcaidesa picture
Sunday, August 17, 2008
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Published at 8:55 PM Comments (0)
The preserved secret
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I have decided to change the title of the post as.... the original one was reported by the Net as " peligroso"
Do not recommend people to go to Alcaidesa because...everyone will fall in love with the place...
I have been having a good chat with the Sales Director of a very good development company there. During these last couple of years, we have had the oportunity to interact with many development companies and have developed our six sense on getting to know who is who in the Real Estate arena in South Spain and CostaBlanca.
I was always greatly and positively surprised with the way this salesman conducted all the negotiations with us: full respect, always answering our letters, emails, phone calls... doing the impossible to get close to the clients... a really honest, proffessional, polite and nice man.... Many people in his proffession need to learn from him.
I refrain from saying who he is because I do not want to make public promotion of any company in order to keep our independence... and EyeonSpain´s philosophy and style....but privately, if anytime , anyone asked me about a reputable, serious company... I would always advise to go to this people first.
It is so refreshing to see developers who really care for the natural environment ( he is a biologist, by the way) and who care for clients...
Today, we shared our passion for clients service and for having you happy here, and for the wonderful world of second residences in Spain, and for offering our culture and our goods to foreigners......
and for.... Alcaidesa... I need to confess.... I am love with that area and am soooooo happy this people are working around.
Do you want to come to our area??
You are welcome to come anytime.
Very best wishes,
Maria
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
Ps.- Please correct us our failures... we are pleased to hear that.... and we need it to grow as a company.
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Alcaidesa: do not recommend people to go there....
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
because...everyone will fall in love with the place...
I have been having a good chat with the Sales Director of a very good development company there. During these last couple of years, we have had the oportunity to interact with many development companies and have developed our six sense on getting to know who is who in the Real Estate arena in South Spain and CostaBlanca.
I was always greatly and positively surprised with the way this salesman conducted all the negotiations with us: full respect, always answering our letters, emails, phone calls... doing the impossible to get close to the clients... a really honest, proffessional, polite and nice man.... Many people in his proffession need to learn from him.
I refrain from saying who he is because I do not want to make public promotion of any company in order to keep our independence... and EyeonSpain´s philosophy and style....but privately, if anytime , anyone asked me about a reputable, serious company... I would always advise to go to this people first.
It is so refreshing to see developers who really care for the natural environment ( he is a biologist, by the way) and who care for clients...
Today, we shared our passion for clients service and for having you happy here, and for the wonderful world of second residences in Spain, and for offering our culture and our goods to foreigners......
and for.... Alcaidesa... I need to confess.... I am love with that area and am soooooo happy this people are working around.
Do you want to come to our area??
You are welcome to come anytime.
Very best wishes,
Maria
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
Ps.- Please correct us our failures... we are pleased to hear that.... and we need it to grow as a company.
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Published at 10:19 PM Comments (4)
On the importance of passion
Friday, August 8, 2008
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Entrepreneurs Stress Importance of Passion
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Great companies are not created by people motivated by money, said Klaus Hommels, private investor and 2007 European Business Angel of the Year, at the International Entrepreneurship Conference recently held at IESE’s Barcelona campus.
Investors, entrepreneurs and senior executives at the conference agreed that great companies were instead created by people with passion and the ability to sacrifice.
Ignacio García Nieto, chairman and founder of the financial group Riva y García, stressed the importance of completely immersing oneself in the business.
The impact of intrapreneurs, who generate innovation and creativity within established businesses, was also discussed. Rafael Suñol, executive vice president of Catalana D’Iniciatives, discussed creating “an entrepreneurial culture within the company.”
Five IESE alumni related the keys to their success as entrepreneurs during one of the conference sessions:
- Eusebio Díaz-Morera, chairman of EDM Holding, said: “making money is not a motivation, but a result. It’s important to enjoy what you do.”
- Enrique Quemada, chairman of One to One Capital, suggested “distinguishing yourself, having a positive outlook and be convinced of your success.”
- Andrea Christenson, president of Kathe Kruse Puppen and member of IESE’s International Advisory Board, said “your work should make you give more of yourself.”
- Carlos Nueno and Marc Subirats, founders of Advance Medical, stated that entrepreneurs “have to think big and in the long term – invest in talent and have complete control over the company’s profits and losses.”
The International Entrepreneurship Conference was organized by IESE’s Center for Family-Owned Business and Entrepreneurship and coordinated by Prof. Pedro Nueno.
New extracted from the IESE website: http://www.iese.edu/en/home.asp
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 9:21 PM Comments (1)
Learning never ends
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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Published at 11:31 PM Comments (0)
Back from holidays at Costaluz.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Back from Holidays to Costaluz, it is so refreshing to see how the team has been working marvelously without me and with full effectiveness.
Before us... August month. With an air conditioning machine with us... thanks God!
We will be preparing new services and products for the course ( September 08 to August 09) and will be doing some readings, courses and training for the crew on " team building" abilities . I love the management of human resources and enjoy greatly to see around people working with enthusiasm and passion. Need to say that before you, my clients, my workers are my preference.... well, well, well....that is in for your favor too as in a " we win, you win" model of thinking, enthusiastic workers bring excellent services to you, my dear clients.
Of course, we will be improving our clients care too, specially with an online system for updates on your cases, we will be starting to work on that this month. Courts are closed so... no progress will be made in the judicial procedures.
Best regards,
Maria L. de Castro
By Maria L. de Castro
web@costaluzlawyers.es
www.costaluzlawyers.es
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Published at 12:59 PM Comments (1)
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