We completed on Monday for our Menta. Just a few tit bits of info from the process which might help others
1) Allow plenty of time at the notary. We met our (spanish) lawyer there who spent the first hour translating the contract word for word so we knew what we were signing (you don't get an english copy).
2) The "rules" of Corvera are given to you then (you don't have time to read them) - these relate to things you must abide by as an owner at Corvera.
3) We used the developers bank (Banco De Valencia) for our mortgage and bank account - our contact there Lola has been brilliant - her english is first class and she sorted out bank accounts (you don't need to be in spain to set them up she said she could do them via post and email) - we did go to meet her and I think this was worthwhile. Banking there is very different. They will offer you better rates of mortgage if you are prepare to deposit some savings there in their deposit account - which gets around 2% interest.
4) Snagging - we employed Roy Howitt who was amazing - he spotted 3 pages of snagging items (nothing serious but all which need doing) and has been absolutely invaluable during the process (he is a fountain of useful knowledge). I cannot recommend his services strongly enough to any buyer - don't try and do it yourself!
5) We are going with other people's suggestions of using the €3k promotion on white goods (and a bbq probably). Some things are better value than others so do check.
6) Setting up your gas/elec/water is done via Corvera - you sign forms on the day but be prepared as it will cost to connect to all of these (not a Corvera fee but a supplier charge).
7) The site is coming along (still a building site but taking shape - we drove over to Roda to see how that looks and it is very impressive).
I'll do a separate thread on places to try for fitting out/furnishing as we have just spent 5 days in two trips driving around checking it out to get the best deals!
On completion day, we met at the notary (in San Javier) and spent an hour with our lawyer. You give the lawyers your passports and ORIGINAL NIE certificates (copies won't do so don't forget them!) which they copy and pass back. After which time, Lola from the bank arrived and there was a representative from Calidonia. The notary arrives in the room. They all speak in Spanish and the notary reads through the contract out loud - he flicks through picking out points (nobody says much - our lawyer seemed quite nervous, as did the others - apart from the notary!). At the end of about 10 mins of this, he signs it, you sign it, your lawyer signs it and your banker (assuming you are borrowing a mortgage) signs and Calidonia sign it. That's it. You then get a pack with 5/6 sets of keys to your door, two sets to your mailbox, store room (if you have one) and a pack which contains various certificates which you need to keep. Original title deeds are kept by the lender and copies will follow.
All in all - slightly bewildering and a fair bit of hanging around (allow 3 hours) but actually on reflection people were very helpful. Over the process, Roy H and Lorraine his lovely wife, Lola at Banco De Val. and Pablo at Corvera have all been helpful and patient. (suggest you take a picnic for the car as there weren't many places open nearby for a late lunch)!
Few other points to note - I work in insurance and was keen to see the buildings insurance. Long story but I didn't see it - apparently the notary won't allow a builder not to have insurance over the whole site (he sees it when he grants the licence). The bank made us take buildings and contents (buildings insurance not strictly proper since you can't really cover one flat). Which we will leave in place for now but may sort out our own at some point. Our lawyer said, once Calidonia have sold 51% of units in our "section" ie. Menta's they will probably go about setting up the Residence Management Company - it is our responsibility but it is in their interests as then the residence start paying the running costs. The management company will need to sort out buildings insurance then for all the owners. We will need to be on the ball here - see Roda forum issues regarding their management company which was rushed through leaving some snagging items outstanding.
Anyway - feeling pretty positive about the whole thing now - We hope to see some of you folk out there before too long.
Cheers
Paul and Jo