Roda's not perfect but.......

Just back from 17 days in our Phase 3B apartment and for the most part we are delighted with our purchase. Yes, we are out of pocket and while Calidona haven't delivered anything like what they promised I do think we are making progress. But this is the first chance we have had to stay in our apartment since completing last October and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We met lots of owners and renters while we were there and nobody was complaining about the resort - in fact quite the opposite! The golf course is in fantastic condition, the Clubhouse is of a standard you would expect from a 5* resort and our pool was busy and well used by a good mix of families the whole time we were there. We now have a shop onsite, tennis courts and football pitches which look almost ready for use and The Phase 4 apartments were making good progress during our stay. We used the golf course at night to get back home, which was handy for both the Clubhouse and the new restaurant Campbells in Roda village and didn't encounter any problems.

We were disappointed that despite being told that the Beach Club would be open on the 1st June, that was then put back until the 8th June and we are now home! But that's life!

While I do agree with much of what is said on this forum and indeed there is much to be learnt from the various threads, I do think that for any outsiders looking in - potential purchasers, renters etc we could perhaps try and put a more positive perspective on to matters. We can't blame the global recession on Calidona after all!

We  agree that we have chosen the best resort in the area. It's location is the best and the resort is super.  All new developments have problems and we all know what we have experienced.  If Calidona can address issues raised then we would all obviously be much happier.

I don't think that future purchasers will have many problems as the resort is well on it's way to being completed. They are aware that there will be a delay with the hotel.  They should be able to argue a discount with Calidona or purchase a bargain resale.  I wish we had waited because we are now in a position where - if the exchange rate doesn't improve and the housing market in the UK does not improve then we won't have enough money to complete. We are also too old to get a mortgage and have no family who are in a position to take over a mortgage for us.  I made a suggestion on another thread (de vere) for Calidona to think of doing part purchase like some developers do over here.  That may help clients in similar situations to ours. Calidona should do something to help.

All I can say to new potential  purchasers is - Don't be put off by the problems that we have had  as most are now historic- just do due diligence and join us on the best resort in Murcia. You will notice that even with all the grumbles everyone still seems to love the place. I know that we do.  I envy all of you who have managed to complete.

Thank you

Thank you

Had to respond to this thread after watching a programme on Spain last night.

It was obviously about the downturn on sales in Spain and people who were having to sell up because they couldn't afford to keep their properties, people who had bought who were not happy, and last but not least those who were out availing of the many bargains at the moment.

I think we have given Roda a very bad press in the past especially after seeing this programme last night.  There were people living in 1/4 built resorts with no facilities whatsoever, open sewers etc.   Their building company had gone bust and now they are stuck there.   At least we are getting there, slowly but surely.  If we do have to wait a little while longer, then fine.  Our resort will eventually be what we have paid for.  Yes, I do know we all have issues but mine are not all down to Roda (calidona), just some of the undesirable tenants who are renting longterm.

At the moment I am happy with the resort as it is still progressing.  I do hope, however, I do not regret what I have said.

kroda

I saw this also.

Who would want to go to Costa Del Sol  or the commercialised parts of Costa Blanca anyway. It's like a different world - nothing at all like Murcia.  We have relatives in Costa Del Sol and I hate visiting - even though they have a villa with pool.

WHY O WHY does the media class all Spain the same.  Is Blackpool the same as the Lake District? NO! (Incidentally - I love Blackpool for short breaks.)

Prospective renters and purchasers listen well.  The area Roda Golf is in is superb.  Do visit and you will see that Rodas' position is the best.  The finished product will be great.   What we are all fed up with is the legnth of time that the resort has gone over and the building of the hotel being delayed and the fact that at the moment the beach club has limited openings and is open to the public. We purchased private rights which we do not have.  Make sure that you have a build start date on your contract and CLARIFY just what you are buying into  i.e. Private use of the Beach Club!!    De Vere Hotel!!   AND WHEN!! Get it in writing and included in the contract.  Make sure a competent lawyer looks over the contract (not Rodas).

DON'T COMPLETE UNTIL YOU ARE GETTING WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR. - WHAT WAS AGREED WITH CALIDONA.

I realise that I am being a bit contradictory giving warnings while saying how much I love Roda and Murcia. 

Calidona have given Murcia 'a jewel'.  I love it even as it is but we who have signed contracts must get what we are paying for and confirmation of WHEN we will get what we are paying for.

Newcomers. Don't be put off investing in Roda because it's great but be careful that all above information is included in the contract.  Holiday makers - come and enjoy! You will have a great time.

Lappie

I am sorry to say this but I am gakd to see that the buyers on this thread have now seen some the the things that I see everyday in my job and I endorse all of the advice given in by Iapple

We checked 5 properties on that resort and to every owner in the reports we advised them not to complete until the COH were issued and the facilities were completed, based on this builders, Technologica´s  reputation,. Often snagging isnt just about the dfects but also local intelligence and knowledge of the law

Every buyer chose to complete, why, because they had no bank guarntees, no protection, no good advice or support from the lawyer or agent often the same agent with the nice commercial at the start of this program. If the builder did go bust they would have ended up using theior money and with no property

All 5 owners are now with no pool or gardens but I am please to say that the sewers have been fixed now but I know this because I am still advising and helping them as they still have no COH or proper supplies and they will have to spend a lot of money to get the basic infrastructure sorted

At last what is now happening as a community is that we are trying to get a group of tradesman to help Wally get the pool and gardens finished 

So please when you do potentially have a little moan about the developer think, I do with my properties all finished and OK but remembers if it isn´t on a contract then it may not happen

interesting programe and even more interesting post from inspectahome , whilst feeling sorry for the people concerned if they went into the contract with no bank guarantees etc and then chose to complete against professional advice and without a coh then the age old saying of buyer beware springs to mind .

i fully agree that roda is capable of being a 5* resort which as a lot of people have commented it clearly is not at the moment , the situation highlighted in the programe does not make calidona right in the way they have dealt with issues (or not as the case maybe) the unrest in most cases seems to stem from calidonas lack of clarity and indeed integrity regarding the lack of facalaties and indeed when if ever they will be provided perhaps some communication on the matter would put a lot of peoples minds at rest !!

i think a lot of lappies comments are spot on , but it does highlight just how shoddy calidona have been in this situation and getting what we are expected to pay for is proving rarther elusive at this moment in time .

just because we havent got raw sewage running through the resort doesent make it right !! just not as bad as some .

YOU PAYS YOUR MONEY AND TAKES YOUR CHANCE !!

This message was last edited by searay on 18/06/2009.

The problem is that often the buyer is stuck, frightened of loosing all of their money if the developer folds as seen with the San Jose problems

On one recent situation I actually sat with the client in the offices of their new lawyer as he advised that he knew that this developer was going to file for administration, he advised to complete so as not to loose their money or have to get involved in a lengthy leagal case, and he was right as 2 weeks later the developer folded

Unfortunatley until the systems change and more lawyers are hel accountable then things won´t change but we keep lobbying

inspectahome

quite agree , strange how spain takes all the eu money , yet still behaves like a third world country , riddeled  with corrupt lawyers , agents and developers yet as customers we appear to have very little recourse .

perhaps one day things may change who knows .

YOU PAYS YOUR MONEY AND TAKES YOUR CHANCE .

Although we are all disappointed at the lack of promised facilities on Roda (as yet!) another thing to bear in mind is that we are unaware of the actual financial position of Calidona and how rocky or otherwise this may be.   If we all took out legal cases against them to try to enforce the building of currently uneconomical commercial properties or to ensure that the beach club was private with no external revenue etc etc it may just be enough to tip them over financially and then file for bankruptcy, leaving us with half built phases and who knows maybe even an empty clubhouse!   Phase 4 is progressing nicely, the tennis courts etc are complete and there are certainly plenty signs of continued work.  Perhaps we should consider that Calidona may well be a well run company with directors making sensible decisions to survive in the current climate meaning that in the longer term they can provide us purchasers with everything on their original plan, unlike so many other developers in Spain who simply were able to walk away.

While many phase 4 purchasers may be up in arms at the lengthy delays perhaps some of them will also be grateful in the future if, by the time they have to complete, the exchange rates, valuations and mortgage deals may have improved greatly on those that phase 3b purchasers had to face at the later part of 2008!

I think we're very lucky to have a quality product and hopefully patience will pay off.

The fact remains, and I have no axe to grind as I do not sell properties, is that Calidona is one of the only developers where I do not hear any rumours on the streets regarding financial problems

The golf course is actually being used

Again in this weeks Spanish papers we read that Polaris are trying to sell assets to the bank to clear their debts

Peinsa and San Antonio and San Jose have left clients high and dry by pulling the plug on developments and we are staring checks on finished properties at Corvera where there are plenty of workers

hello all                 

 i so the program on tv last night it told the truth about certain areas of the costas ,but i think the program makers should also show the good parts like roda golf and roda village { where i own a town house} i travel around the area alot i think we are very lucky to have good roads footpaths cycle paths and street lighting beautiful beaches and the mar menor as well as lots of moden top cl ass         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            resterants and bars .you d             on't have to travel far from this area to see places like the ones shown last night  

You are so correct. There are so many beautiful places in Murcia. It has so much to offer and as I said Roda Golf is in a fantastic position.

I would not put anyone off purchasing on Roda Golf because the resort is so near completion so they won't have half the problems that we have had.. Yes - The hotel has been put on the back burner and Calidona have not been fair in the way we have been treated. It has all been one way. We are losing money re exchange rate/ global economy etc. but they don't seem to be losing anything. It does not seem fair.  However we put our faith in this company and we got bitten.  New purchasers do not need to be in the same position.  Just be very careful re the contract.

Roda golf is and will be a fantastic purchase because it is so special.   Again!  I LOVE RODA GOLF.

LAPPIE

lappie

i would echo what you have said , for me the biggest problem lies in the fact that calidona will not even commit to building the facalaties , so i still do not know if the resort will ever actually be completed , your comment as to the resort being nearly complete phase 5 is mothballed and there is talk of a phase 6 you may find yourself living in an uncompleted resort for many years to come still with no guarentee of hotel or commercial center , if calidona would commit to these facalaties them i am sure a lot of people would be much less frustrated and possibly some of the negativity towards them would dissapear .

Phase 6?  Never heard of that before. I agree. We need everything we are paying for or some form of price reduction if we do not get it in a reasonable time.   We were personally told all licences were in place but we were unaware that the 'build licence' for each phase is staggered so the 18 months allowance for the build if pie in the sky. It could be years away because we are not covered by our contract for this as there is no start date for the build in it.

Stupid of us or what.  We have been stupid but new purchasers can stop themselves falling into the trap and GET THAT START DATE in your contract along with a clause that you will only complete when everything promised is up and running as promised.

Pay for what you get but hold part payment back. Thats only fair isn't it???

Lappie

the problem is you you will not get a price reduction , and they will not commit to building facalaties .

the phrase "thats only fair" is not something calidona are familiar with unfortunatly .