Hi to All!
New photos under 'Shared Photos'.
Visited the SG site on the 8th of January, work was full in progress~very, very BUSY!
Builders everywhere, construction noise, etc.etc.
We bought an Albatross on Poligono-M23 (one of the last poligono's starting to build from 'Phase 1' - I think....).
So far, our house had only the basement/cellar standing. Sales representative informed us that we can expect our house to be ready for moving in sometime in the first quarter of 2008~his somewhat safe estimate was February 2008. Their was a flurry of building going on on Poligono M-23 so his estimation seemed correct.
The official MASA office on the site was just starting to be built while I was there. This will provide us with 'after sales' service for all future residents.
As was mentioned earlier in previous threads, MASA will only hand over the keys to all homeowners once the whole of 'Phase 1' is finished. Therefore, even if your particular home is 'finished' and ready for moving in before this time, you will only be handed your keys once the whole Phase 1 neighborhood is also 'finished'. We were told that this is being done to save us the awkwardness of having to live in an 'active' building area that would present us with a myriad of inconveniences.
The main drive leading up to the site, although not yet paved, was already lined and planted with palm trees. Whole of streets were built with houses, surrounding property walls, front gates etc. Entire areas already seemed almost done. The edges of the street curbing were already installed. Manholes in the streets were standing. There were people installing electrical wires (?) from the mains boxes located in the outside front garden wall.
Private gardens on each property will not be landscaped by the builder~it's up to each homeowner to do it himself. We were told that from between € 900-1300 you can get a very nice garden landscaped (including soil. all the plants, trees & all labour costs).
There are no communal swimming pools on the SG site planned in order to keep initial building costs down (AND any future service costs for homeowners). The home plots are large enough for each homeowner to be able to install a small private swimming pool if desired. We were told that the price for a small pool that fits on an Albatros plot will cost between € 10.000 - 15.000. Yearly maintenance (including all chemicals) will then be roughly: € 300.00.
Since 2006, Spanish law requires the installment of solar panels on all new buildings, so from what I understand, all the buildings will have one placed on the rooftop. Almost all the homes that I saw, already had one on top. (The original 'pointed roof ridge' on the Albatros had to be 'flattened out' in order to place them.)
Air conditioning comes 'pre-installed'...but from what I could physically see: this is only for the living/lounge area. I didn't see any 'pre-installed cables' in any of the other rooms.
The cellar under each Albatros is gigantic! Standard delivery is: tiled floor, walls and ceiling: painted white. We looked at one home where the private owners had added additional walls to create a third bedroom to their property. It looked very nice indeed. They also had had all the walls plastered, and had installed a lower ceiling with 'click-in' panels.
The color of each home is pre-determined by the original architect plans. This is what is approved by the city government and this is what will be delivered. Homeowners are not allowed to choose a particular color.
We were told that a free furniture pack was included in the purchase price, but the person who showed us the house, was not sure of it's content. Does anyone have any information on this? I also understand that the kitchens will be delivered without any appliances.
Each homeowner will also recieve a 'MASA card' enabling him discounts for a variety of goods/services. (Entrace fee's to the future Sport facilities, Spa, Social Center...discounts for tiles, furniture etc from selected MASA approved shops etc.)
It is as of yet unclear to me if a HYPERsupermarket will be on the SG site. I know that a few smaller shopping centers are planned. Has anyone heard anything about this?
Am excited about this whole project, and am looking forward to making the move over to Spain! Hope that all goes well, and stays on track according to the timeline for delivery in 2008.
Much regards, Michael