PW's Health....A slight worry......?

There are lot's of pro's & con's either way here. As it is, we will have no say in the matter so we just have to 'suck it & see'

Tony, your comment regarding being a lot smaller than promised isn't technically correct. I scaled my plans from when I first signed up and it ain't too much different from that - a couple of inches here & there. I think what was evidently apparent from the onset is that Condado properties were generally going to be smaller than those in the likes of La Torre, Hacienda Riquelme and El Valle. The theme sort of continued on Condado as each phase was released. Jardines and Naranjos obviously smaller than previous developments, then Condado penthouses smaller again, then the ill fated golf suites even smaller still. At the time, this was reflected in the purchase price. Of course, the events of the last 2 years have culminated in the possibility of securing a front line La Torre appartment (which are far more spacious) for the same price as we paid for our 'more compact' Condado properties that don't afford the luxury of being front line.

On that thought, I personally would still choose Condado above all the previous resorts (with the expectation & hope that it eventually gets most of the promised services)because I think the area is much more interesting. Go out of your complex in the other resorts and you have miles & miles of greenhouses and agricultural land without a great deal of spectacular scenery. Just head off the complex on Condado onto the service road and immediately the mountain range behind Mazarron is in view. Look the other way and the splendour of the Sierra Espuna beckons. Drive on up there and the true value of being where we are unfolds.

OK, it is going to be up in the air for a while, but once this is sorted and the whole economy starts to buzz again, Condado is an excellent starting point for picking  up the baton again and moving forward to achieve it's true potential. You can not say that for a lot of the other abandoned developments that never even got started or sit with skeletal concrete pillars scaring the landscape. If you were a developer, where would you plonk your money ? I think the high density, stack em high-build 'em cheap tower blocks that sit huddled together sprawling up along the whole coastline andsitting unoccupied with little chance of selling are the real worry for those unfortunate enough to have chosen there.

So, in summary, I'm not really bothered either way which side the coin falls. There will be issues with a slimmed down Polaris who are reluctant to spend any money other than what they must. There is also the fear that the banks will sell out to someone who then come in and cheapen the whole concept by building on a much reduced budget. We can only hope that the prestige of the Nicklaus golfing circuit keeps us where we all hoped we were going to be.

See yaz in April

Regards,

 bravo will and jackie,(not controversial) just the first bit of common sense and truth i have read on EOS in ages,

once again well said pal

A comment about voting, and the position of Polaris - or the banks.  My understanding of the rules is that all community fees must be paid up to date before you are entitled to vote, so I am very interested to know whether Polaris have paid all of the fees due on their properties, and are still paying - I have asked RPM about this - but suprise suprise, no response!

I think we should get the garden President to check this with RPM (as they may have better luck getting an answer!) and if Polaris have not paid in full we should ensure that they are not allowed to vote at the next AGM, or elect any Presidents.

Ted

Ted, i don't know if I'm speaking out of turn but RPM are once again not going to be around for much longer....and they have managed to have 125,000 euros in unpaid com fees, so there will be a few people not getting a vote. This was posted BTW by Mel on CDA.

Thanks Jill, Terry and Mick for the great chat tonight.  A few less worries, now.

June

Hello Again

As someone mentioned below the Banks wont be fussed as to who or what developer they sell the land to, as all they want to get  rightly so is their money back.

So a thought for us all and for those who want to see the back of PW, how would you feel if the Banks sold out to a developer like Masa (developers behind Camposol).

The situation aint great on CDA however if we stand back and take a look at the infrastructure of the resort, the long sweeping tree lined approach road, outer and inner ring road, the gardens, etc. PW have got the resort up to a good standard and I for one do not wish to lose this harmony and quality to a less conscientious developer.

Martin

Hi Martin,

Exactly, this is the problem, people don't realise what they are wishing for.  We all, if we had any sense, did a bit of research on PW sites before paying our deposits at CDA.  We visited La Torre and Mar Menor, we knew what prices they were charging in the bars, restaurants, clubhouse etc, and we knew that PW managed all these places.....so why would we suppose that they would make things cheaper at CDA?  We didn't want it cheaper, if we did we would have bought on a different urbanisation.  Yes a lot of what we thought we were getting is missing, but that doesn't mean we won't have it at some stage...again, look at La Manga, 10 years ago they were charging the prices in the bars that we are paying, ok they are in trouble now, but that's because of the recession.  How can anyone say that what has happened to PW isn't because of the recession?  Yes they were a bit greedy when it came to CDA but I'm sure if they could have seen into the future they would have done things different.  As you say, we have a great place, it looks great, it's clean and when you are there, you can't help feeling positive.  Bring in bars and restaurants with cheap prices and that's what CDA will end up. Cheap and nasty, and I for one don't want to go down that line.  The sports center is a different story, that doesn't belong to us as a community and now it doesn't belong to PW.  So we need to find the email address of the company that does run it and bombard them with our thoughts on their prices.  Untill the facts are on the table at the end of this 3 month period, we don't know what the future holds,  we're not going to find this out from customer services, we have to wait for the press release,  worrying times, yes, but there's nothing we can do, but wait.

June

I dont like Camposol! However on camposol there are a similar number of properties to Condado, yet look at the facilities.

They have a large Supermarket, A large DIY store, Several Banks, Barbers, Shops, Estate Agents, Coffee Shops, Bars, Restaurants, Take aways, Petrol station, Function rooms, Bodgea, Butchers etc ect.

We have 1 bar, 1 Supermarket and 1 restaurant?

People slate Camposol, but I would like to bet that most people on Condado have made several visits to Camposol, because they have far more facilities than us!

I wouldnt be adverse to Masa putting up some villas or apartments, if they are still trading?

What is the point of putting up more apartments etc ? Take a walk around, and see how many properties are still unsold, especially around the Penthouse area.

The project needs to be refinanced. It is in no-ones interests to see the resort fail. The owners [ new or current ] then need to finish off the infrastructure, which will improve the overall look of the development. It will then become more attractive to new buyers. New buyers means higher occupancy, which will lead to higher demand for services. At this moment PW cannot sell the properties that they have already built, so lets forget building more.

Of course most residents of CDA have visited Camposol, but by nessecity, not choice. Masa have totally let down the Campasol residents, and the development, so they would not be a good choice.

PW set out to be 5*. They are a victim of the recesion. If you like Campasol, and what it offers, then you should have bought there, and not on CDA.

Mark

What is the point of putting up more apartments etc ? Take a walk around, and see how many properties are still unsold, especially around the Penthouse area.

The project needs to be refinanced. It is in no-ones interests to see the resort fail. The owners [ new or current ] then need to finish off the infrastructure, which will improve the overall look of the development. It will then become more attractive to new buyers. New buyers means higher occupancy, which will lead to higher demand for services. At this moment PW cannot sell the properties that they have already built, so lets forget building more.

Of course most residents of CDA have visited Camposol, but by nessecity, not choice. Masa have totally let down the Campasol residents, and the development, so they would not be a good choice.

PW set out to be 5*. They are a victim of the recesion. If you like Campasol, and what it offers, then you should have bought there, and not on CDA.

Mark

I think most of us are aware there are striking differences between Condado and Camposol. I would much rather have the 1 supermarket, 1 restaurant & 1 bar all staying open, doing good buisness and flourishing for the time being than hope for a vast array of choice that did not have a hope in hell of surviving. Now I/We are not 'Condado snobs' and have visited the bars, shops and restaurants at Camposol on many occassions some of which I'm sure we will continue to do so, but as long as Condado deliver the level of service & quality expected, that is where we would want to be.

Nobody can fail to be impressed with the entrance to Condado and it is clear that the intentions were there from the start to provide a high quality product. Even though things have came to a grinding halt just recently, is is only in the last few months that internal roads were still being worked on and landscaped to form the full loop round the golf course. Go to camposol and drive from the shops to the hotel and golf club and note the condition of the roads and pavements. That is Massa. I'm afraid they are not in the same league, as much as everyone knocks Polaris.

We need to consolidate on what we have got and ensure everyone pulls toghether to help out in whatever way we can to keep our resort alive & ticking.

Regards,

This message was last edited by Billbo on 15/01/2010.

i know everyone keeps knocking Camposol, we know how much PW charge for drinks etc, but when I bought on cda i was looking at Oasis opening so we wouldn't have to use PW bars etc, because Oasis was going to be open to outside businesses, so in fact we were buying into somewhere that would have had similar facilities to Camposol. Remember you see more people on Camposol in the day shopping and then having a coffee in one of the cafe's. How long did the surgery stay open for!!. Didn't see many people using that, and lets face it you wouldn't call that place 5 Star1

Mark, I dont like Camposol, I said that at the start of my last post. I am just saying they have far more facilities.

I put my deposit on Condado in 2005 (before the planning was refused then regranted). I chose condado because I was advised, by Polaris that they would have far more facilities than Camposol, they even stated the Oasis would be complete by 2009. I know people who put their deposits down later, were advised 10 years, but I was told far sooner.

A lot of people talk about Polaris trying to build a 5 star resort, I dont think Masa intended to build a 1 star resort, it just ended up that way! I worry what condado will be like in 10 years?

In my opinion the only 5 Start resort in the area is La Manga Club, that has the facilities, bars, restaurants and a world class reputation, but even that place when bankrupt, so nowhere is safe!

i agree that Campasol isnt 5 star, i was intrigued bythe recent prices,until i heard the stories about build quality.have also heard rumour that many are still on builders electric!!!!!! i certainly would not be happy to live there, however, the amenities are very welcome in comparison to CdA.

For those who are satisfied to have 1 bar, 1 restaurant as long as its Polaris, give it time!!!! when i visited in November i was outraged by the service given by the bar staff in Foro. when we used cushions to sit on the terrace, the waiter came to retrieve them claiming that where we were sitting belonged to the restaurant. we asked what time the restaurant opened..... 2 weeks was the reply. our response (in spanish) was well when the restaurant opens, we will move. he replied well its rainingin Murcia so the cushions had to go inside!!!!!! we laughed so much.

what im saying is i agree with Darren, no one expects to give less than their best but Polaris have made promises that they have failed to keep. it will be interesting to see how things progress.

what i do know is that the region of Murcia is keen to establish their tourist trade in the area and are putting a lot of support to the development . it just may not happen overnight. dont forget the new airport is still ontrack for completion this year.

Mark Hicks (Hicksey)

Hicksey,

If you read the post properly, you will see the words 'but as long as Condado deliver the level of service & quality expected' right in there. Don't know if you have ever read any of my previous post's on PW's level of customer service, but you will find that I have been highly critical of the type of things you mention.

Regards,

I'm trying to keep out of most of the debates but am actually wondering what Jack Nicklaus has to say about the development, lack of facilities and financial position of Polaris World? Although he doesn't own PW his own company (Nicklaus Enterprise or what ever) is certainly heavily involved in PW and not just Condado.

G

Currently in Spain and been to Terrazas site yesterday and believe me there is not a workman in sight!!!!  there are meetings taking place on an hourly basis (no exaggeration) at the head office with "suits" everywhere.  The poor guy at Polaris head office doesn´t even know if he will be in a job from one day to the next and couldn´t tell us anything.  I saw the big cheese Hernandez coming out of the head office and I almost rugby tackled him to the ground I´ve never seen someone run so fast........!!  They are expecting to have some sort of press release next week as as most people will expect they will probably be handing over properties or part of the Polaris empire to pay off the outstanding debts but at this stage nobody knows exactly and everyone is spreading their own rumours!!!   The overriding feeling is that nobody wants to see it go under as it is a major employer in the Murcia region never mind a major builder in the tourist/holiday homes business.  There were plenty of people on the golf course at Condado today with buggies flying around the place which is encourageing to see.  I personally don´t think there is too much to worry about at the moment for Condado, time will tell, but there certainly is a lot to sort out particularly on the resort management side of things.......  People not paying their community fees which to me is an absolute outrage and I for one wouldn't hesitate to knock on their front door.  Name and shame I say !!!!!!

I had actually decided to dip out of EOS etc as at this time I'm merely a  part owner of a 2 bed apartment and felt I was just rambling on about my own opinions which didnt amount to much in the greater scale of things.

But- I have also read and been told verbally that people haven't been paying their Community Fees( some of that debt could be PW not paying their due for unsold properties) and some is down to individual owners and it is an outrage . How dare they not pay when the rest of us are keeping CdA running- some people have no shame!. People can disapprove RPM and PW but to be taking off your neighbour is a complete disgrace. Someone has to pay upkeep, lighting, garbage collection garden maintenance , pools cleanage etc, and those people who aren't paying their dues are little better than thieves in my book. I hope when this is sorted the new management system really sorts this out- what those thieves probably dont know is that the laws have really changed in Spain and they can and will loose their property, they think keeping under the radar will mean no-one knows but times have changed. I know there are people on Condado  who have upped and left their debts  elsewhere and settled on CdA, but it is galling that those of us that followed the rules are paying for them. They should be ashamed- 125,000 euros havent been collect by RPM and some of that is from individual owners who should be ashamed to show their faces!

Hi Jackie

Just got back from a party (no golden buggy theres!!) Anyway glad you are out there reporting back to us what's happening! It is not good times for us at the moment but I hope the sun is shining there!  Keep us in touch and one day this "Golden Buggy will go 'round the golf course" !!LOL!

Hi Quietman,

You say that €125,000 are outstanding in community fees for CDA. Where did you get that figure from?