Paying off my spanish mortgage

Condado Excursions
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30 Jun 2008 12:00 AM by smivs Star rating in Oldham - Jardin 2,.... 700 forum posts Send private message

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Hi All,

I thought I would share with your our experience from our visit this weekend and hopefully will assist answering a couple of questions for some of you.

On Friday (27th June) we had an appointment to snag our property on Jardine 2 (3 bed).  I went armed with a huge pad and a pen to write down absolutely every little snag I could find however insignificant, the list of faults eventually amounted to half a page with the most serious of them being small scratches to one of the wardrobe doors.  3 of the doors need adjusting slightly along with the external gate, a couple of loose taps and really minor trivial things which will take the workman about 30 mins to rectify.  after the snagging and the list agreed by both us and polaris each keep a copy and 30 days to rectify etc etc.  We were then presented with another form to sign when asked what it was it was a form for polaris to be key holders for a period of six months and the best bit "FREE OF CHARGE" then the option for a further 6 months at a cost of 75 euros.  This is to allow for the workmen to have access while sorting your snags but also if you give polaris permission via e-mail they will allow any deliveries to take place (furniture, white goods etc) what a relief I was wondering how I was going to do this and this service for the free 6 months is a great relief.   I don't think this service is widely promoted and it should be as it will assist lots of people I accept it is purely a key holding only service and they don't check your property but its one less worry for now... The apartment will also be cleaned for you and you can tell them when you want it cleaning either when its empty of furniture and then left for you or just before it is furnished ready for your first visit then its over to you.  We did around 470 miles over the weekend looking for furniture, white goods etc etc and wanted to order it then and have it delivered towards to the end of August - well forget it, August is just a total nightmare as everything stops in Spain.

Our completion date was supposed to be 1st July but guess what the habitation cert is not ready - oh what a surprise, now estimated within the next couple of weeks.  The apartment should be left empty of furniture whilst they complete the snags and our next visit is at the beginning of September hence why I wanted the furniture delivered late August.  We went everywhere had a total nightmare weekend when it came to the shopping, no problem finding the items but getting them delivered at that time of year forget it...  believe it or not after all the bloody miles we did we ended up back at the polaris furniture shop where I had said from the start that there was no way I would be buying from...... to be fair I couldn't really fault them on the deal I got after the discount and they take all the stress away from you. We should have just looked there in the first place and then stayed by the pool at La Torre.

Stores visited were Carrefour (hypermarket) Murcia - good for white goods, electrical items, pots and pans, lights all reasonably priced and free delivery (yes you guessed it not in Augusto !!!) - Eroski similar to larger stores of Tesco/Asda - Leroy Merlin huge store like B & Q warehouse sells all similar items - Gines Navvero furniture/hardware store - some nice unusual items fairly priced but we struggled with the language barrier but we did understand no delivery in bloody Augusto !!!  Ikea is handy also in Murcia if you like their furniture does not particularly appeal to me but very handy for all your kitchen bits and bobs.

Jardine 2 was still somewhat being finished and the grass had been laid but not yet taken needs a month or so but I'm sure will look great by the time we return in September.  I have got a list of lights fitting and measurements of the rooms should anyone want them.

Anyone want to ask a question just let me know - hope this helps

Jackie and Andy

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01 Jul 2008 10:47 AM by scapa Star rating in Beds, England & Jard.... 880 forum posts Send private message

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Hi Jackie and Andy

Thanks for the info it was very interesting and you talking about August, when speaking to a furniture supply company the first thing I was told by that company was that completing in August is not a good time!
As the whole of Spain shuts down for a month! And if you don't get your orders in well beforehand then can you imagine the backlog of orders the companies will have when they all start up again! This could take another six weeks on top of normal delivery!

I must admit though I keep forgetting about the snagging process, which could take upto 30 days after completion.  Didn't know about PW 6 month freebie that's good news!

Is there anyone out there that has actually moved into a Jardine yet?   If so who is it?  

We all must congratulate the first one !!

Good luck to all!

Jackie




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01 Jul 2008 12:58 PM by Billbo Star rating in Hartlepool & Jardine.... 654 forum posts Send private message

Hi There Jackie & Andy,

Wow, well there's a turn up for the books - Polaris offering a free service. It is a good bit of buisness accumen to have the vision to see that a lot of people will require just that (someone to simply open & lock up for deliveries etc) and not the fully blown keyholder service -Conado will obviously not achieve real rental potental for some time to come. This type of gesture will get people back on board and be willing to 'spread the word' that not all is bad about Polaris customer service department. To be fair, the fact that Polaris are taking care of the arrangements with the NEI numbers and shuttling people back and forwards should also warrant some credit. Hopefully this could herald the start of a step change where, in these more difficult market conditions, Polaris have realised that they have to work a lot harder once the contracts have been signed and not just concentrate on the next series of sales completions. They will also have noted that people have become better informed on where they can get thier furniture from and how much they are paying. Ultimately they need to compete to stay in business.
I am also purchasing a 3 bed so would be obliged if you would PM me with your list of room sizes, lights, window widths etc.

Regards,

Will.

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Will

( & Jackie if it's not controversial !! ).



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01 Jul 2008 6:02 PM by JHMurcia Star rating. 753 forum posts Send private message

Hi Jackie and Andy,

How does the Polaris discount work? Over time I've emailed them about various prices for furntiure and appliances and have had only the list price sent onto us.

We wondered how the August holiday would affect us all given the furniture rep we spoke to was wondering ot loud how they were going to cope anyway with deliveries given the huge numbers of apartments even without holidays. I think it must be manyana time! I suppose it could have a knock on effect with the habitation certificates too. Determined not to stress about that. We are spending 4 days in Los Alcazares and hope to complete mid August, if not its POA and time on the beach.



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Jan & Mike



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01 Jul 2008 7:21 PM by PDMG Star rating in Northern Ireland / J.... 95 forum posts Send private message

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Hi Jackie / Andy,

Thanks for the info, we are flying out on Saturday & staying in La Torre for a week.

We snag on Tuesday & complete on Wednesday....habitation certificate permitting.

I had heard about the 6 months free key holding & it sounds like a no brainer.

Please could you let me know where you ended up buying your white goods???

I am dreading the thought of a week's traipsing round furniture shops.........so it will be interesting to see what PW have to offer......thanks for the tip!!

We are looking for a minimum hassle solution to get the place furnished & kitted out asap for a decent price.......my diy skills are absolutely non-existant & the only things I'll be putting up in the apartment are my feet.

cheers

Peter




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01 Jul 2008 7:52 PM by Paulinebryce0708 Star rating. 33 forum posts Send private message

Hi Jackie and Andy,

Thanks for the info.  We are due to complete tomorrow on Jardine 13 and will be surprised if we do.   We are arriving on Wednesday for 2 weeks and have the thought of going through what you have.  I also never thought about purchasing furniture from Polaris but if they are competitive with prices and have good delivery times then we will definitely do it.  Does everyone automatically get a discount; or do you have to apply for it?  Our kids are hoping for a holiday and us too, so the less running around the better!     If you could kindly give us a note of your light fittings and measurements that would be most helpful.  Do you also have a note of the dimensions for the appliances in the kitchen?   I am sure they have been posted before but can't seem to find them.

Best of luck with everything.

George and Pauline


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01 Jul 2008 8:20 PM by andyclarke Star rating. 207 forum posts Send private message

Hi everyone. I am on garden 13 and completed yesterday by poa, no problems everything went through properly, had a really good agent and solicitor, I've sat back and they have done all the work. So everyone make sure you have people you can trust, and who know the system. Andy.


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01 Jul 2008 9:01 PM by angelbabe911 Star rating in JARDIN 13 . 489 forum posts Send private message

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Hi Andy

I am going to be living on jardin 13 and completing in 2 weeks so good news to see that everything went through, I take it habitation certificate was ready then?

Anyway Congrats on completing and I am sure we will all meet at some point.

Carol

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01 Jul 2008 10:49 PM by smivs Star rating in Oldham - Jardin 2,.... 700 forum posts Send private message

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Hi All

A little further information from our recent visit which mat assist:-

Full postal address of Condado as follows:-

Jardines de Alhama (or whichever phase you are on)
Jardine ??; percela (apartment number)
Condado de Alhama
Ctra Mazarron Km 33
30840 Alhama - Murcia
Espana

Electrical goods seemed to me to be best from Carrefour Hypermarket, Murcia I got the following prices for stainless steel goods (not just silver coloured they were cheaper) as follows:-

Dishwasher - make Icecool - 279 euros AAB rating
Washing Machine - make Samsung A rating 299 euros
Fridge Freezer - make bluesky 499 euros A rating
Microwave - Make Horno 119 euros
Flat screen TV - make LG 32 inch all singing all dancing 599 euros

All of the above were on special offer at the time but I think it is a store that constantly has offers on different items.

Stainless steel pack from Polaris (fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and microwave) 2315 euros
Silver pack as above 1708.67 euros
White pack as above 1382.72 euros 5% discount was offered to me on these packs

Lights on the 3 bed apartment:-

3 outside lights (2 front, 1 back)
2 lights in the living area
1 light kitchen area
1 light hallway
1 light in small bedroom (bedroom 3)
2 lights in each of bedrooms 1 and 2
2 lights in bathroom (one of them was above the sink but from the ceiling not the wall for a light above a mirror I suppose)

Measurements for various items:-

Dishwasher or washing machine space in the kitchen 600 deep 600 wide 875 height
Fridge freezer space 600 deep 625 wide 1870 height
Washing machine space on rear patio 26 in wide 36 in high depth not really an issue

Livingroom floor measurements from patio windows to kitchen counter 149 in from side wall to edge of kitchen counter 8 ft (sorry forgot to write down the additional width from the end of the counter to the other wall - guess at approx 2 1/2 to 3 ft)

Bedroom 1 106 in x 118 in
Bedroom 2 119in x 92 in
Bedroom 3 79 in x122 in

Inside of the wardrobe should you wish to put drawers in 20 deep x 40 wide (just measure half of the wardrobe)

I did measure the windows for curtains but it all depends where you should want to put the curtain poles etc as above the window frame is plastic housing where the outside blinds are:-

The front patio window was 7 ft x 6 ft 2 in wide
All the bedroom windows measure the same I have measured from above the plastic housing which is where I plan on putting my curtain poles but this is obviously personal choice 54 in H x 54 in W
Bedroom patio window 92 in H x 74 in W

Sorry for the mish mash of old and new measurments I still work in feet and inches when I can !!!!

When we went into homesyle there were more staff than customers but it was later in the day. The guy could speak excellent English and was extremely helpful even when I messed him about a little he just smiled and carried on. What I didn't get my head around at first ,which may assist you, is that I didn't want all the items in the furniture pack as the apartment would have been far too cluttered. He basically said that I could swap and change anything I wanted however once you break the pack the items are priced individually and therefore a hell of a lot dearer. If you take tha furniture pack complete as it was you also get a discount as you are buying one of their properties (10%) 5% on the white goods pack (although you can get these items cheaper), then the silly thing is it is worth it to just throw the items you don't want in the skip...!! or sell them to a neighbour.... It's mad really, my furniture pack was exactly 4000 euros delivered, unpacked, fixed and fitted and the rubbish taken away. Works out at about £3,360 at today's exchange rate and for that we got the following:-

4 single beds (which zip together should you want doubles) Including mattresses and headboard for each bed
Bedside Cabinets
Bedside lamps
Pillows
Dining table and 4 chairs which extends to a fair sized table would easily seat 6 (this is going on the back patio as too big for apartment)
Large mirror and shelf
Double bed settee and armchair for living room (bed settee is a 2 1/2 seater settee)
Large coffee table
small coffee table
table lamp
2 x tv units
1 Wall unit (glass fronted)

Beds seems to be dearer to buy in Spain compared to the UK, at the end of the day I was happy with what I have ordered and all the hassle taken away.

Hope this helps

Jackie and Andy ;)




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02 Jul 2008 6:49 AM by gommins Star rating in Birmingham. 29 forum posts Send private message

Thank you 

This comprehensive information is very useful.

We are due to complete on 11th July Jardines 13.  and you have supplied some useful tips.

For anyone concerned about habitation certificate.  Request a copy via your sols and Polaris as early as possible.  We have requested one and been told we will receive a copy by email today.

I will keep all informed - especially if they keep their promise.

Very exicted now, but my head is spinning - are you all the same??????


Regards

Chris & Ja



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Chris & Ja Jardine 13


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02 Jul 2008 6:00 PM by smivs Star rating in Oldham - Jardin 2,.... 700 forum posts Send private message

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My solicitor has said another couple of weeks for the habitation certificate, should have completed yesterday but didn't happen... oh well at least i won't have to pay the mortgage yet !!!  Happy days

Jackie

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02 Jul 2008 7:47 PM by ceadjp Star rating in Hartlepool. 50 forum posts Send private message

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Jackie and Andy

Can I ask what you have done about curtain poles etc.  I was going for a package simply cos my husband is useless, but  they are proving too expensive.  I was very interested seeing Homestyle have fairly decent prices but after reading your post  you never  mentioned  poles, towel  rails, shower screen etc (anything  really which requires diy) or are you  a  handy man  who can do everything  himself?

We are supposed to complete on Jardine 10 on July 14th if habitation cert is ready - have emailed solicitor twice but have still not had a reply!  Not looking good.......

Jackie


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02 Jul 2008 10:15 PM by smivs Star rating in Oldham - Jardin 2,.... 700 forum posts Send private message

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Hi 

Going over in September and taking my Dad along with his tools !!!! Dad's are good for fixing things....  We will be buying the poles from somewhere like Carrefour or Leroy Merlins as Polaris are very expensive with some things the down side is that you have to put them up yourself.

To be honest didn't ask for a price in relation to the curtain poles etc but youcan e-mail them for a price if you want to.  Let me know if you need an e-mail address

Jackie

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Jackie  
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03 Jul 2008 8:50 AM by Lindsey Culley Star rating in Leeds/ Jardin 5, Con.... 121 forum posts Send private message

We could do with a good DIY chap on the Jardines or even a Joiner - anyone out there??????

A dab hand at putting up curtain poles, bathroom accessories etc - you would be inundated - put my name down!

Lindsey



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03 Jul 2008 9:32 AM by scapa Star rating in Beds, England & Jard.... 880 forum posts Send private message

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Hi Lyndsey

I totally agree!  Is there any good DIY men out there who is on the Jardines?

We should start a new topic asking this because I reckon they would make a fortune!!! 

Jackie




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03 Jul 2008 12:14 PM by ebeechey Star rating in Los Belones, Murcia,.... 89 forum posts Send private message

Hi guys

I am able to provide a handy man who will be able to provide all the services you require for Jardines. The person is my father and he has been working in Spain providing these types of services for the last 2 years.

He has already been booked to complete several jobs such as curtain poles, fitting of lights, fitting of shower screens and bathroom fittings etc etc.

If anyone would like a quote for any type of work then please send me an an e-mail and I will get back to you.

Thank you

Emma
emma@snagitmurcia.co.uk


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03 Jul 2008 12:16 PM by ebeechey Star rating in Los Belones, Murcia,.... 89 forum posts Send private message

Hi guys

I am able to provide a handy man who will be able to provide all the services you require for Jardines. The person is my father and he has been working in Spain providing these types of services for the last 2 years.

He has already been booked to complete several jobs such as curtain poles, fitting of lights, fitting of shower screens and bathroom fittings etc etc.

If anyone would like a quote for any type of work then please send me an an e-mail and I will get back to you.

Thank you

Emma
emma@snagitmurcia.co.uk


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03 Jul 2008 1:31 PM by scapa Star rating in Beds, England & Jard.... 880 forum posts Send private message

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Thanks Emma

Will be in touch,when you have snagged for us.






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03 Jul 2008 2:07 PM by angelbabe911 Star rating in JARDIN 13 . 489 forum posts Send private message

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Come on Girls....Whats happened to equality or have I been single far too long to think that its a mans job .... I usually do my own fixtures, fittings , and putting together of funiture is one of my favourite pastimes ha ha ....Seriuosly though all you need is a tape measure , drill and a couple of raw plugs and Bobs your uncle jobs a good un

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03 Jul 2008 2:35 PM by Lindsey Culley Star rating in Leeds/ Jardin 5, Con.... 121 forum posts Send private message

I must admit after I had said DIY chap on my previous posting I did realise it could jut as well be a chapess!


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