Just back from Corvera - a positive view

Good afternoon to one and all. This is going to be a positive and encouraging posting, so I apologise now all of the people reading this forum was completely negative views.

We have recently returned from a week at Corvera visiting our new Magnolia Villa on the development in phase 2.

We were impressed with what we have seen so far and believe that in time Corvera will prove to be a beautiful place to live and spend time on vacation. It has the makings of a very beautiful place that will be incredibly peaceful and relaxing.

I know that there are many frustrated owners and investors out there but there is nothing we can do but wait and hope that the world recession ends soon and financially for all of us things pick up. This is not the fault of Calidona.

The golf course is looking fantastic and there were a few owners playing on the course at the time of our visit. We met the golf professional who introduced himself to us, and hope that the clubhouse will in time be finished to match the quality of the golf course surrounded by it.

We also visited equestrian centre. We believe this to be one of the jewels in the crown of Corvera. The owners and stable hands introduce themselves to us and facilities, and gave us a guided tour of the stables and horses. It was a joy to behold and this is going to be a fantastic place to spend some hours watching the horses and riders being put through their paces whilst the non-riders are sipping their beer and wine on the terrace. We cannot wait to go back and will be there in mid-May and look forward to seeing the further progress that develops over the next few weeks.

We also met Lorraine and Roy of the inspectahomes spain, for the very first , having spoken to them on many occasions on the telephone and by e-mail.

Lorraine and Roy have made the process of completing and buying our Villa  and the snagging process far less stressful than it would have been without them, and I would recommend to anybody out there that is about to complete, to use their services, and quite frankly I do not know how we would have managed to get this far without them.

They are kind and considerate incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and more importantly value for money.

The first day of our trip to Spain Lorraine and Roy met with us and transported us in their vehicle to all of the discount furniture warehouse stores and linen shops that they knew. Here we priced up and compared with larger stores and returned to the stores they initially recommended to us to buy most of the essential items for our Villa.

FCE were fantastic value for sofa beds and dining room furniture, the bedding box were brilliant and good value for all types of bedding and towels. and the Style House for garden furniture and beds, again fantastic value. These were all Lorraine and Roys recommendations.

Good luck to anybody about to complete, have faith and give it time I'm sure it will all be worthwhile.

Hi Balloo - I think I might fall into the category of the "half-empty" brigade.  That said I am genuinely happy for those people that have completed and are pleased with their purchase. 

Unfortunately (and I guess you knew that was coming) I would be more re-assured that the promised / contractually oblidged facilities would be delivered in the future if this was calidona's first attempt at providing a resort.  However it isn't and there have been no real explanations put forward as to why key facilities on Roda have not been provided in the good times.  For example the hotel foundations were started 4 years ago.  Why are people taking legal action on Roda? 

In truth, I'm failing to see what makes Corvera a resort that distinguishes itself from the rest of the developments in the area?  Although De Vere themselves are struggling with the present economic climate, the use of their brand and backing or at least a sign of partial commitment at this stage would be really welcome.  I doubt however that this will happen at all now as they will not want to be associated with a development that has a future of courtroom battles hanging over it.

It's good news that the equestrian facilities are being delivered.  However the cynical side of me sees this as the cheapest option in ticking the boxes of the advertised facilities.  To offer a contract to provide this to an outside agency requires very little capital outlay or risk and I wonder why Calidona consider that there is sufficient demand for this service and not for the clubhouse. 

Blaming non-completors or the present economic climate to not finish the clubhouse will just provide an excuse for a prolonged stalemate.  Are non-completors collectively blaming the economic climate and exchange rate for not completing?  If so, is this justifiable?

When I placed a deposit on Corvera, the single most important thing to me was the presence of De Vere.  This would make the resort a 5* place, I was even told (in the presence of Calidona sales staff) that De Vere may use my property for additional accomodation for guests wanting to stay as a group eg a family (they have time share on some resorts in the UK so this is not something that was wildly optimistic).

The person who seems to have arranged the deal also seems to think that this was what he brokered -

http://petertill.com/

I don't apologise for this post and ignored the first time you placed your identical post.  However by putting it in twice I felt that I needed to respond.  I just can't get away from the point that many people haven't completed because they know that what they thought they were paying for hasn't been delivered.  Hopefully Calidona / Corvera will start to appreciate this and be more flexible in their approach to non-completors as it is clearly in the interests of everyone to get this resolved.

Excellent post Mr U - exactly the reasons why we purchased on Corvera and exactly why we wont be completing until they honur their side of the agreement (or they give us our money back).

Baloo,

I am with you....... i am positive about Corvera and what it will be, but we will not be able to stop the Victor's out there from putting a black cloud over it.

i purchased a property at Corvera knowing that for at least the first two years i wouldn't receive any rental returns and that all facilities will not be ready - i didn't go in blind a 2 try to encourage year window has always been my thoughts and plans. It does't stop me wishing that the clubhouse is ready etc.... but in time it will be.

I do have sympathy for those who cannot complete due to personal financial reasons but not much sympathy for those who took a gamble and thought that buying a couple of properties will give them a quick return. Thats the gamble they took and should live with it and not try to encourage and influence others not to complete because all the facilities are not ready..... i have seen that occurering on many forums including this one.......

I am due to be Corvera next week (first of 4 hols this year) and i am looking forward to using the golf course, swim pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, game of footy, cycling and generally having a great family holiday on a resort with not much to do!!!!!!!!!!!! happy days :-).

Hi Chris,

Just a quick note to wish you a great holiday at Corvera! In addition to the list of activities you have mentioned, you can include a few more I think.

There are two 'paddle courts' beside the tennis courts, they are smaller than the tennis courts and the game seems to be like volleyball only with small paddles. I haven't played it yet, just saw the courts there on my last trip. I'm not even sure of the correct name for it!

There is also an area there where you can play 'Petanque' (I had to look this one up on the internet to find out what it was!). Its a game kind of like bowls only played on sand by two teams, each team trying to throw their 'boules' closest to the target (which is a smaller boule or ball that is thrown out on the sand at the start of the game). Think bowls in three dimensions??

You could also try visiting the Equestrian Centre.

You mentioned the Golf Course, but we musn't forget the putting green, pitching green, and the driving range.

There are also a number of playgrounds for the kids, I'd say there's about 8 to 10 in all. They are scattered around the resort and have slides, climbing frames, 'rocking horses' etc etc.

There are also a few places where there are (adult) exercise machines placed on flat sandy areas. One is a kind of 'stepper', another is one where you get up on it and swing your lower body from side to side whilst holding on to two handles higher up. This must be great for your abdominals! You could break your morning walk around the resort by a short stop at one of these places...

Also, just a few suggestions on places to eat. There's a village about ten mins away called Banos Y Mendigo (its signposted to the right as you travel from Corvera village back towards the autovia). In the village is a restaurant called 'Puerto', its beside a small hotel of the same name, opposite the filling station. We ate there a few times last month, and found it quite good value and very friendly staff. You could also try Airemar (on the C3319 opposite Murcia Furniture), its good value and friendly service. Both are basic enough but good to try out and see what the locals are eating!

Also if you drive down the C3319 towards San Javier and take the turn for Balsicas (takes about 15 - 20 mins) there's a Chinese restaurant where they do an 'all you can eat' buffet for E8.95! They do starters, mains and dessert and you can go for more of anything you want, all for a total of E8.95. For the mains you pick your raw meat e.g. pork, beef, chicken, prawns and then pick your sauce and they'll cook it right in front of you. Beer/ drinks are extra of course.

We did try 'El Cojo', its the green place on the right as you come into Corvera village from the autovia. Frankly it wasn't great, and we'll be slow to go back. Dubious hygiene in my opinion...

Thats about it, hope the above is of use. Enjoy!

Ian

Ian

Life must be wonderful without any expectations, you can never feel let down. No 5 star hotel.......hey who cares, good old Calidona have put some sand down so we can throw boules. No health club and spa.....so what, have you seen the bits of wood they've left lying around that you can step on, fantastic. No bars and restaurants...... not a problem, we'll just drive miles to some poxy dive and get food poisoning. It amazes me the rubbish you lot accept when you've paid for so much more. I could cry sometimes reading these 'positive' posts..............you've been royally ripped off, open your eyes.

Dave

"You have been royally ripped off" - does it include you as well (in which case it's all of US). Please clarify, before I could make a point or two........

Kind regards......

Yes, it includes me, which is why I'm so bloody angry.

I will try and be as positive as possible here

I would dearly love to buy a 2 bed apartment on South Island BUT

1. No one in the right mind is going to plough money into something that is so up in the air

2. All Calidona are doing at present is trying to kid people left right and center, they fence a square peice of land off sand it up and build a wooden shed hey ho we have an equestrian center HOW NAFF (privatly rented that is)

3. After a wonderful day playing golf, sunbathing or playing with the family the last thing you need is to have to get in the car and drive to another village (cos there aint anything in Corvera village) for a drink/meal, what you would really like to do is choose one of the reastaurants in the promised commercial center or even the Hotel restaurant on site and casually stroll on down

You look at Polaris they are supposed to be upto the neck in debt yet here they are at Hacienda Requelme building the town center

There are people who have purchased on Corvera who obviously have high hopes for the future and who talk about recovery

FORGET IT there is never going to be a recovery to the premium prices people are paying here, people say when the airport comes along it will be different  WHY what difference does a bloody airport make

Corvera 2 bed apartments will be going for €100,000 and less for many years to come so if people want to pay double that and more well thats upto them but for me I will wait and see what happens before I go anywhere near

The people who have withdrawn from there contract obviosly see sense

The people who are still going through with the purchase at these prices very good look to you but prepare the take a big hit financially whatever the outcome wether it be now 5 years or even ten years

Hi Johnmac and welcome to the Corvera forum. Nice to see new contributers.

The main thing to remember is we all have differing views and ways of dealing with the problems life throws up at us, most of which are somewhat self-inflicted.

a personal view to your points .

1. Everybody who has paid a deposit on an off-plan developement has ploughed money into something that is 'up in the air'.

2. An equestrian centre has only a couple of  real necessities...... Horses and somewhere to ride them. It is situated outside the developement boundaries so that it can be used by the public in general which makes it much more viable as a business.

3. There are at least half a dozen eateries and bars etc in Corvera town. Perhaps you haven't had the chance to look around properly as you may have only driven down the 'through' road, or maybe you are looking for glitzy up-market restaurants which I will grant are not in Corvera.

4. Lets see if Polaris are still building next month. Unless the business as usual face attracts a financial backer as they are no doubt trying to do with their continuing developement, I think not.

5. People who are withdrawing from their contracts are facing the real possibility of paying their 30pc deposits and ending up with nothing. People who are going through with their purchases may be losing equity of the same but at least have a some part of their original dream in concrete. Personal choices good luck to all. Don't forget we will already have lost similar amounts on our UK properties but we won't be asking for our money back on them.

6 If an airport makes no difference then Murcia would not be building one. Anybody wanting to play at Corvera for a short stay will not have to hire a car for 3 days or whatever to add to their costs. There are lots of hotels built near airports as it makes good transient business. This is why I firmly believe Corvera will have it's hotel before Roda.

Steve and Jane,

Agree with everything you have posted

Chris

DITTO..

' People who are withdrawing from their contracts are facing the real possibility of paying their 30pc deposits and ending up with nothing. People who are going through with their purchases may be losing equity of the same but at least have a some part of their original dream in concrete. Personal choices good luck to all. Don't forget we will already have lost similar amounts on our UK properties but we won't be asking for our money back on them.'

Sorry Steve but utter nonsense. I am suing so I expect to get my money back as I have the law on my side. If at any time I change my mind I can complete on my purchase. As for my UK property falling in line with my Spanish properties, this is just not even close to being true. Why don't you just get on with enjoying your house?

Hi Jim

I understand that you believe you will recover all your money as you believe you have the law on your side. Corvera probably also believe that they have the law on their side as the contract you signed never mentioned anything other than the property you signed for agreeing to pay in full upon completion and habitation license being issued within 18 months of final planning permissions being granted. They have delivered the basic minimum of the letter of the contract and therefor expect to be paid. I'm not saying that you wont win your case but am certain that they will argue against you using 'Consumer' law against them as you already own a property rental on Roda and this can just be viewed by some as a rental investment and therefor a business. Businesses are not generally considered to be mere consumers.

I do however wish you all the best as you are one of the genuine contributers to this forum.

Well here we go and I am as normal ready to be shouted down regarding my comments but with close to 100 inspections, done now, and I have met most of these people, I believe that I am qualified to provide some feedback

I don´t actually believe  that the debate on the forum  is really going anywhere now as there are clearly now 3 camps, those who have completed and actually are happy with their properties, and using them, very similar to what happened on RODA with the debates betweenowners on phases 1 & 2, and  3

The 1st group are the people are those that have completed, furnished and are actually using the properties and enjoying the resort and area, with a minimum number vocal on the forum , his group seem to love the location, the free golf and are using the local town and of course visiting the beaches at Mazzaron and the cities, a couple have even been horse riding already

The 2nd those members of the various legal groups that may, or may not have visited the site, may or may not be investors, but will be critical of anything positive said about the site.

The 3rd group are those people who have buried their heads in the sand ignoring any communications from the deveopers, hoping that everything will go away

It is interesting that a number of the most recent inspections that I have carried out have been for previous members of the legal group, with the inspection reports going to Johnathon for the completion process

Now I do not agree with the way that people have been treated by the developer, the lack and halt of the building of the clubhouse, but the truth is that only thing that will change anything, is when the people taking the developer to Court. When this group actually get a case into the Court system and  win a judgement, something I believe has been delayed, by recent changes in the status of the original legal group.

You can argue about this all you like on here, a bit like the hotel arguement on RODA but it is only the Courts that will decide

I know that the actions that were taken based on the basis that the contracts were unfair and misleading ahve been to both local and the court of appeal and Calidona won the cases, I have a copy of the judgement vai my own lawyer.

As far as the comments about the town and area are concerned these are definatley unfair as there is a reasonable selection of bars and restaurants locally which have not become fish & chip placesand still  serve good quality well priced food and drinks

Yes i t will be difficult to rent but over the last weeks we understand that most of the Corvera managed propertues have been rented out, mainly to Spanish families visiting places like Caravaca for the Easter Fiestas but again most people that have completed have purchased for their own use and enjoyment and are not relying on rental income

As far as Polaris are concerned, sites where we also carry out inspections, the general feeling of people there. especially on Terraces and Condado is similar as they have there own problems still waiting to see if Polaris will survive

Comment for Johnmac I am always slightly suspicious of somebody who´s 2nd signature on the forum are for a snagging company that is actually an estate agent based in Pillar

I believe that it is still very important that I keep people uodated ,a swith comments on the equestrian centre and I will et people know as soon as I see anybody working on the clubhouse

Just one thing for anybody that is considering completing after June is that the IVA, VAT to the UK, increases by 1% from the 1st June and by 2% on everything else, a lot of money on a €200k property

I now sit and wait for the expected onslaught of comments

SO WHAT?

i M IN CORVERA ... ENJOYING IT AND VERY HAPPY... LIFE IS TOO SHORT ...

Hi Steve

You have made a decision which you are happy with and I am genuinely pleased for you. You are making some assumptions however about my case which are quite incorrect and your opinion conflicts with a trained and reputable Spanish lawyer, who unlike yourself has all the facts about what I received in writing from Calidona.

I think those who have completed should get on and 'live their dream' and stop wasting their time berating those who see a reality which we think is different for not following suit. Enjoy your home in the sun please but please do not presume that because you have made your choice that you are entitled to berate others for making a different one.

Jim

Hello Roy, in the past I have pretty much agreed with your comments and it seems to me that you provide a decent service to people in their purchasing process. Although I have always felt that had the developers actually employed a half decent after sales service then your services would not be required – still you are seemingly filling a gap and bless you for that, I know a number of people are grateful for that.

Roy

I find your comments at best unnecessary and at worst patronising and offensive.If you don't feel the thread is going anywhere perhaps you should stay out of it.

With regard to your assessment that there are three clearly three groups, I don't belong to any of these so save your insight. Why is there such a determination to pigeon-hole people amongst the pro-campaigners? I would guess there are as many reasons for completing or not completing as there are buyers.

Why do you feel so compelled to adjudicate on this forum so often anyway? Did you feel Corvera was worth investing in with your own money? If you didn't please leave the forum to those who did.

Jim

Perhaps it is time for someone to start a new thread for the negative comments about Corvera.