The apartments are much smaller than advertised.

It would appear the purchasers on Casares Del Sol Suites/Pueblo Real Golf also believed the sales pitch as we did at CDS as to what size their apts would be.

The sizes advertised are:  Accomodation 89.75 sqm    Terrace  31.03sqm     Total 120.78 sqm (CDDS brochure)

I was over there a few weeks ago and took the opportunity to walk onto that complex during one of Spains Bank Holidays (whilst the security guards were asleep) and actually measured some of the apts in block 6 on the CDSS map. All the 2 beds are the same design and having checked out 4-5 to get a feel of size of which they were identical, picked one to measure. The real size of the apt as we would like to look at it, i.e the overall measurements from one end of the apt to the other including the internal walls are way below what they are advertising. Measuring all the rooms, halls, wardrobes, bathrooms etc, ie the "living areas" it came to just under 60 sq metres with the brochures stating 89.75 sqm. That is 30sqm less than advertised!  That makes the communal areas very expensive. The terrace measured 21 sqm against 31 in the brochure. The crazy thing is if you scale it of their own brochure it comes out even less!

There were guys who bought on CDDS who were telling us they were getting a far superior development to CDS and wouldnt listen to the warnings we were trying to give them about Interlaken. A few of us from CDS were trying to give them the knowledge of what we learned on CDS to make them proactive and not reactive. The whole point of this website is to share experiences for the benefit of all. I remember my last posting on this site many months ago stating something like, "we are only trying to give you the benefit of our experience, if you choose to bury your heads in the sand so be it, be proactive not reactive" 

Check all the earlier posts, and your contracts.

Ian

Dear Ian

Thanks for your posting.  I'd just like to make a couple of points.

Firstly, a technical one.  The brochures (as is the norm in Spain) refer to the "built size".  As discussed with my lawyer, and as others may be aware of, this does not equate to what you regard as the "real size".  I assume you discussed this with your lawyer before signing anything?

The built size is different from the "floor space in flat" size for a number of reasons.  In respect of these apartments, one of the reasons is the storage room in the basement, which is included in the "built" size but not in your "floor space" calculations.  In addition, please note that the terrace is approximately 30 m2.  However, the first and second floor balconies are 21 m2 - as per the legal contract.

Secondly, I turn to quality and both developments as a whole.  It is in all of our interests how both developments work out as well as the rest of the Casares area as a whole.  That is because if your apartments look horrible then that negatively impacts on the value of ours and vice versa.  In addition, please note that the materials being used in our development are superior (as detailed in my contract).  You will notice this when the final roughcasting and finish takes place.  In addition, our devlopment comes with a rental scheme already in place including 3-year rental guarantees.

Anyway, to conclude.  It is in all our interests that both developments end up looking great.  Hope you agree !

Regards

James

James

The purpose of the posting is to make people aware of the situation.

The brochure lists "Accomodation Area" as 89.75sqm which i dont believe inc store or garage space.

I would presume most  purchasers reading the brochures would assume the Acc Area to be living area and not store/garage areas, which are normally listed as seperate areas with most of the other developers. I do know developers inc the superstructure as part of the overall construction meterage but this only accounts for a couple metres overall. Interlaken have a nasty habit though of inc communal areas as part of the overall meterage.

So does your contract state:   Acc Area 60sqm, Garage 15sqm, Store 15sqm, Terr 30sqm  =   120sqm.

Would you really buy something with only 60sqm of living area for a starting price of 300,000 plus.

With regard to the guarenteed rental, this is reflected in the price you paid in the first place. They are in fact giving you back your own money over a three year period.

I hope it all turns out ok for you but we were promised so much by Interlaken that did not materialise hence the warning.

Forwarned is forarmed, its up to you, but judging by your response I feel you may be connected to the developer!

Ian

This message was last edited by Ianmack on 5/26/2007.

This message was last edited by Ianmack on 5/26/2007.

Connected to the developer or bought the flat on information other than a brochure? I don't know which but I would hazard a guess that it is the latter.

Incidentally, Ian, you never answered a previous questions a few months ago about due dilligence. I may end up thinking you are somebody so bitter and angry about buying a flat on the basis of a brochure rather than sound legal advice that you will now spend all efforts spouting forth ill-informed nonsense about a development with no relation to you. Surely not though.

Anyway, your obvious smugness about being "correct" notwithstanding, many thanks for the "information".

These comments are a bit harsh. I am a purchaser from the CDS site and wish to emphasise that Ian's purpose was to warn you guys or to assist you in avoiding the pitfalls that 500 other purchaser's have encountered with Interlaken. Its not just the brochures that were incorrect / the contracts were inaccurate too, the lack of professionalism, the quality of materials etc  . We were all presurrised by our solicitors into completions as this is the process over here.

Captain and James,

This is my first posting for many months because of the not knowing who you are conversing with, if it is a genuine buyer or you have a connection with the sellers or agents.

There are many people on CDS are not satisfied with the apartments, the surroundings, their lawyers,Interlaken,the agents. Nearly all genuine buyers have admitted they made mistakes mainly because they trusted all connected with the site. I had personal friends connected with this site which leaves a bitter taste.

If you are connected with the selling the site I totally see your reasons for posting. I do not see your reasons for leading some other punters up the garden path.

If you are genuine buyers, you need all the advice you can get and you will be able to tell the genuine members who post on this site.  They tend to be the ones who want to warn you about the pitfalls of buying through Interlaken and on CDS. I cannot believe anyone would not find this sort of info useful , informative and helpful.

 

 

 

 

This message was last edited by Damon on 6/4/2007.

Ladies and Gents

Just thought I would set the record straight re my comments on the CDSS development.

1.  I am a CA living in Edinburgh and I have absolutely no connection with the developer.  I can only assume the suggestions that I am connected to the devloper are because I have some positive comments to make about the CDSS development?

2.  CDSS is a completely different devlopment from CDS.  For starters, MLH are (thankfully) not involved what so ever.  The only connection is Interlaken.  While CDS appears not to have worked out brilliantly!, Interlaken have completed many other developments with far better results.

3.  The slow down in the Spanish property market, combined with the excess number of 2 beds and 2 baths, is unlucky and is not anyone connected with the CDSS development's fault.  Nor is the rise in Euro interest rates.

4.  Property prices dipped in the UK during the 80's.  Sensible people help on to their properties and have funnily enough ended up quids in now.

All in all I remain confident that the CDSS develpment will work out well, look good and in the LONG TERM prove to be a good investment.

Sorry to let you down but there is a connection between the promoter MLH and Interlarken. The wording in the CDSS brochure is word for word what was in CDS brochure r. The sales man Jan sold us our apartment on CDS and I witnessed him in the Casares del sol suite offices talking jibberish to CDSS clients . I approached him afterwards and asked him out right about the actual size of the apartments. I asked him if the size advertised (89 M2) included  a portortion  of communal space not shown on the drawing and he said it did. I said this is misleading clients as to the actual size of thier apartment - he had no answer.  What you have got to remember is that you have the company Marketing the apartment and they can set up thier own company and change names very easily ,then you have the developer - Interlarken and then you have the builder arcasa ( or something similar). Be sure inyour contract it also stipulates\the additional services you think you are buying into onsite. Swimmingpool tennis courts, .

 

WE bought our apartment as a\ holiday home ,not to flip but to enjoy 12 months a year. The site its self is enviable but the finish is appauling. Check out block 11 and 11 a where the finish is 100% better, these blocks were built for the directors in connection  the finish onthe out sidfe is very different qusality to other blocks on  the development  ,well there is surprise there then !! not.