Hi - let us introduce ourselves

There is a little uncertainty about this

The original plan was for a much bigger development but now under the PGOU only the first phase is being approved

[ the others will no doubt follow as the local council support it]

Part of this is the new road and revised social facilities as per the new brochure we received early Jan 2007

It therfore seems likely that it will be the new infrastructure  that will have to be built in tandem with the properties

We will all need habitation certificates so as I understand the law the local council will not issue them [ or should not ] without the infrastructure

This may not apply to the part built properties if the building licence was issued before the developemnt was stopped and they are legal

This is perhaps a broad view as I am not a lawyer and I am just applying broad principles of my experience with other purchases

Hi everyone.  You may remember my last post when I told you that we were going out to Mojacar/Garrucha for a few days at the start of last month.  We had a good look round at re-sales and settled on a property in Vera Playa and the purchase of that house is going through at the moment (fingers crossed).   We visited several estate agents, spoke to three independent solicitors, two gestorias etc and as soon as we mentioned that we were purchasing on ACC, they either laughed, raised their eyebrows or looked concerned.  The general concensus over there is that IF ACC ever gets built the facilities will never be what was originally planned and we were advised to pull out.   We also visited MRI to tell them a few home truths but of course, the manager was out of the office (he never bothered to phone us) but his PA told us that the money was in a FUNDS PROVISION CLIENTS ACCOUNT in Marbella and gave us a contact name.  I telephoned this lady several times over the few days we were there and she was adamant the money was waiting for us and she would email all the details to me.   Well, well, no email from her since, despite many from me.  Their solicitors are as bad as HUMA and MRI.  So, here we are still waiting for the return of our deposit.  All this with MRI and ACC hasnt put us off buying in Spain though, I just think you have to be careful where you buy and who you buy from.  We are pleased with our recent trip to Mojacar and Garrucha, the weather was way better than we expected.  25c and sunshine all day long.  Nippy in the mornings and the evenings but thats only to be expected in November.   There are lots of new places for sale right along the coast from Mojacar to Aquillas, many ready to move into and lots of resales too.   So, we have finally decided to pull out of ACC, we've waited two years now and we have chosen not to wait any longer.  I wish all the ACC buyers that are still hanging on the very best and hope it all turns out well for you.   We will be happy in our house and will wonder why we went down the ACC route in the first place.  I know its early still but we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a great 2008. 

Hi Karen

Glad you enjoyed your trip - good luck in finding your dream home.  You should get a super deal at the moment, but take extra care if you decide to buy off-plan again.  But of course you know that after this experience, eh? !!!

Funny you should mention MRI - everytime I've gone into the Mojacar branch, the sales consultants are all "busy on appointments and won't be back in the office today"!!! 

Considering how quiet the market is here at the moment, they're certainly unbelievably busy........

This (and 2 other experiences) have put me off buying in Spain, but I wish all of you the best, whatever and wherever you decide to purchase.

Well Val

Dec/Jan is always quiet in the Estate Agency business including UK and of course MRI is not 'perhaps' the firm to put you on 'anywhere'

Sounds as though Karen has found what she wants and I'm sure that it will be a good buy

And it is a bit of a shame that you have allowed your experience with MRI [ & others] to put you off a location in Spain which, besides being very nice, probably has more growth potential of any location in established EU  

I just like this part of Spain which is why I will winter here from 2009!

Flip the coin for a moment - why are there so many properties for sale on the market at this time ? (Yes I can understand the reason for plenty of off plan) .........It worries me , that given, Spain , as all us Brits know, is a wonderful country , great climate, etc.. etc.... we love it there , so why now the 'Exodus' of people selling ? It appears that way or am I just too close to the whole subject and it's not really the case ?

Is it that sellers are trying to get 'best price' before any crash i.e investment return  - don't know.

Is it that buyers are a little cautious about buying in Spain due to all the alleged irregularities, therefore it has created this current glut of unsold - don't know.........

Readers. What do you think ?

Hi Phil,

I think it's a combination of things.  Certainly because prices have become as high as they now are then people are looking to buy in many different countries where they think they are getting a bargain!   The main reason I think though is the bad press Spain has had over the terrible planning problems.  Everyone in this country must now be aware that even if you go through 'respectable'  agents and follow all advice you are still likely to end up with a problem.

I'm sure, in time, the situation will change and Spain being the wonderful country it is will manage it's building and it will become a better place because of good planning.  In the meantime................................we just wait or get out.

Hi All

There is just one thing I want to know.   What are Parador doing to get us our money back from this fiasco with HUMA.   To get back the £475 that I paid into the holiday club, I had to threaten them with the fraud squad.   And that was just for a lousy £475.

The laugh of it is, They sent me a mail merge letter thanking me for my custom and offering me payments If I recommend them to other clients.    Well I do recommend them......I recommend them to Watchdog U.K. and the media.    I wrote to them and guess what....yea....no reply.....Does that surprise anyone

Les