Potential buying

Good Morning!

Possibly looking to buy, and considering several resorts. Can anyone tell me where you can get a listing of community fees for different places, and what they actually include?

I've tried several 'estate agents' but all seem very vague an unclear, they just want to know when we would like to view!!

Thanks for you time in advance

Alan

A estate agent will not do any leg work until you can show some commitment..like viewing what they have on offer ..once you have viewed and show a interests in buying ..the estate agent will start making calls on your behalf for the information you require..if you are looking at golf resorts with manicured grass / lifts / 24 HR security / multiple swimming pools and so forth you can expect to pay around €2,000 per year community fees ..I have a Villa on what's call a gated community we have one large community swimming pool / and a part time janitor that keeps the pool and the complete site litter free we have 180 properties on the site and pay €180 per year community charges..I would think that estate agents are getting hundreds of enquiries per week from dreamer's .

Hi Albee, there is no straight answer unfortunately. Even if you do get an answer from the agent when you buy an apartment in Spain you are also buying into your share of the maintenance of that block. In La Torre Golf Resort (where we used to own an apatrment) we looked on as owners in a nearby block paid more than we did as there were more debtors in their block! So, lesson learned.... our monthly fees were not fixed and dependent on the financial reliability of others. Nobody pointed that out to us when we were looking to buy! Good luck.

The community charges can vary greaty between properties on the same development and it's something the Agents should provide details of but are reluctant to.There are charges for each community within a development, for the development itself, for the local council and government taxes. Non residents pay non-resident income tax, or a tax on rentals which applies even if you only let family and friends use the property. 

In our case we have a small-detached villa/townhouse with is's own drive in a community of 8 properties with a small shared pool. Across the road is another community of 19 terraced townhouses with two large pools, underground garages, lifts and communal gardens which is significaantly more in terms of community fees than our place. 

As well as looking at the fees, look at the community contracts and make sure you know what is included, and where, especially which pool is yours.  Also don't assume that amenities such as the golf course give discount to residents and if it is a Golf and Beach resort - ask about the beach.