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Hi after our vist this week we are thinking it maybe more viable to merge with another couple of buyers who may be also struggling to complete.  I have spoken to Proindal regarding the problems some buyers may face and it could work.  Anyone who may be interested please contact me.

 

This message was last edited by copex5 on 5/8/2008.

Hi,

We've lost faith in Proindal. They have stalled at every point to the extent that we know no more than we did a year ago.

We went across in Feb 08 and managed to meet Sam. She had no answers - very vague.

We are in Block 4. We saw an appartment in block 6. We were not impressed with the internal finish of the development - very claustophobic.

Since then we feel that the development is greatly overpriced and not value for money. The exchange rate doesn't help either.

Since that time we have discovered that the flights from Scotland - we're Scottish - have stopped

We haven't got to the stage of applying for mortgages.

You may be further ahead than we are. Which block are you in and what stage have you reached?

the websters

Hi,

We have bought in block 5 and are hoping to complete on the 27th of May.  We are flying over on the 24th and our solicitor seems to think it will all happen according to plan.  What didn't you like about the inside as we havn't seen that yet but reading all descriptions we are lead to believe they are of a high spec.  I am disappointed to think they might not be... How would you go about pulling out.  Would you not lose your deposit which is quite sizeable.  Have you bought 1 or 2 bedrooms.  What are you proposing or what do you think you can do?

Just a word of advice. Please visit your apartment before you sign anything. I have 2 apartments in Block 5 on the 3rd floor and the 4th floor directly over each other. I went to see them and couldn't believe it when I saw the balconies. As it happens both are 3sq metres too small. I was offered money on the spot from the site manager. I was totally disappointed as the apartments were small enough to start with. I was offered a reduction of 2100eu which I laughed at. I have demanded different apartments or my deposits back. I'm not sure of my legal standing. That was 3 weeks ago I have heard nothing from Proindal or the developer.  Right now I would take my money back and run as far as I could from Almerimar. But thats only a personal thing. Just my point is check your dimensions before you sign the contract.  

Hi Derek,

We have bought on third floor of block 5 as well overlooking the golf course.  One of the things that appealed to us about the apartment we bought was the size of the large balcony.  It is supposed to be 25sqm.  I would not be pleased if it is smaller.  That was the one thing I was looking forward to.  We are checking out apartment the day before we sign.  We could be in for a battle by the sound of things.  Did you use the solicitor they recommended over there and if so what comeback did they think you have?  Nobody on this site seems to be that happy with their purchase which is a bit worrying isn't it.

Hi

 

We have purchased in Block 1 crappy view but the rep told us what a good investment they was and that he had purchased two himself I would love to know if this is true !.  Whilst at Proindal I was informed that should for example two buyers decided to buy together what would happen is the the property the purchases decide to complete on would keep its full deposit but the property the buyers decided to pull out on would lose a large proportion of its deposit due to costs already incured and the biggie is that the vast majority of the deposit that would be lost has been paid as commision to MRI.  The funds that were remaining could then be transferred to the property the buyers are wishing to complete on.  I hope that makes sense !  I am astounded that the commision was paid to MRI before completion but Im not sure where we stand on that issue.  Another ditty is that we were told that porto fino was the last chance to buy property so close to the marina/port that people would be able to invest in but we discovered at the weekend that the marina opposite porto fino (marina no 1 the quiet one) has a mass of apartments for sale overlooking the marina which are above all the commercial units below surrounding the marina. I would interested to know the sales pitch other people were told

 

 

Hi,

I'd say I could nearly tell you the name of the Mri rep who has said he bought 2 properties....ha They are so predictable. In reply to Anlo ,no I didn't use anything belong to Mri only paid them a reservation deposit. I had been forewarned. The sales rep will tell you anything to get a sale, maybe I would do the same in their situation, I don't know.  

Its not all doom and gloom and I'm certainly one who hates negativity. I think the complex is going to be very nice, it is a high quality spec, security is very good, and to be honest the finish inside the apartments, I was impressed with. And I have no doubt Almerimar is a beautiful place. If the economy in spain and indeed Europe was the same as it was 3 years ago, there wouldn't be a problem in the world. The banks would be falling over you to give you money.   

I think its all goina work out, it has to really, there is too much money tied up in Portofino. I look forward to the day we can all sit and have a coffee by the marina watchin the world go by and retiring for a siesta in our fine apartments in Portofino. 

Hi Derek,

Delighted to read your post, its a bit more positive for me.  I am delighted to read that you are pleased with the finish.  It sounded nice but we haven't seen inside.  I am bringing a measuring tape with me when I go on the 24th and will make very sure that all areas measure what they should.  I will pay special attention to the balcony as that to me is the most important part of our apartment.  I wonder if they have made all the balconies smaller.  Watch this space.....

Hi

 

We are buying a small one bedroom in block one, which is supposed to be ready for end June according to our contract, if not, we can get our money back - except the solicitor's fee I think.  It may be worth losing the deposit and buying something else cheaper.   However, I have heared that they possibly may not be ready on time.  We were there at the end of April and there were quite a few properties for sale around the marina and the other apartments are coming up - no prices on the website as yet, and I think they have yet to start the work transforming the blocks.  Still thinking about it...........

Wow - There seems to be a lot of negativity on here at the moment, where did all that excitement go. I think the problem is not with Porto Fino it's just a combination of the realisation that the time to pay is almost upon us and the problems with exchange rates/mortgages. I ask you to remember why you decided to buy in Porto Fino - I bought because at that time for the money I had there was nothing which such a good location, this has not changed. I have read about people seeing appartments for sale right on the marina but please look into this further - many have no lifts, air conditioning and no access to a pool. So I have come to the conclusion that those opting out at this stage would have done so no matter what they had bought - it's not the fault of Porto Fino so please let the rest of us enjoy it!

I have no intention of letting others not enjoy it ! I am simply trying to find a solution to the problems sorting out the funds and I am not about to get into a argument about it.  If others have concerns and wish to mention them that is up to them. At the end of the day if you have no problems or concerns you do not have to read the posts

Hi ~Blanchard

I don't really think its negativity.  I think some people have genuine concerns.  I like you fell in love with Almerimar when I saw it and did think that Porto Fino was going to be great.  I still think that... I had a genuine concern that when we go to view our apartment our balcony was going to be a fair bit smaller than we had signed for.  The balcony is to us the most important part of our purchase.  I certainly dont regret buying there.  I think it will be wonderful.  Here's to many happy holidays....

No its not negativity Almerimar is a beautiful place and the ex pats are the most helpful and friendliest I have met,  Unfortunatley they do like to tell you a few rumours true or not that are flying around and what with the low exchancge rate and problems with obtaining funds is making a lot of people worry its just reasuring to discuss this with other people who are feeling the same.  Porto fino does look lovely but again the balcony issue does worry me as we chose an apartment with a larger than average balcony as with our other property near Murcia that is where we spend a lot of our time so I hope its not shrunk too much !

Hi if any one is sick of hearing negativity please dont read this as your sensitive nature might be offened, We visited almerimar last month for a week, We love the area as we are planning to live there and raise our children there so in that all speaks for its self, my husband calls it a little oaisis, especially when you hit the roundabout and  drive down that long stretch of road with palm trees on either side. As for PORTOFINO well what can i say, YES it is one of the only developments that has a pool YES it does have lifts, like to think so concidering there are 6 floors, but my goodness they are SMALL sorry to offend people who are soooooo sensitive on the subject, but the development is and i quote, OVER VALUED!!!! alot of people including ourselves were misinformed on the floor plans, when we seen our Penthouse i could of cried, the reason we bought a penthouse was for the view, a promised view ot the golf course, well the roof terrace walls are about 5ft 7 high as i had to tip toe to see the beautiful view of the facing block not the golf course!!! The size of the roof terrace  is about 8ft by 8ft my husband is gutted, our living space as in the kitchen combined living area is a good size, bedrooms ars small, double room has fitted wardrobes we will just about get a double bed in and will be lucky if the door closes, as for the single room, we might just get bunk beds inn, so much for proindals floor plans, and the bathroom is so small they have made the door smaller as an average door would not have been able to open, so there is my REALISATION on PORTOFINO . so unless you have viewed your property and are not happy with it remember freedom of speech for everyone, half glasses/ full glasses, nobody is trying to ruin anybodys enjoyment,

copex - please don't take my post as some sort of personal attack. I am not over sensitive to negative comments as you are implying and welcome ALL posts made. My concern is that there are so many very worried/stressed people who are being convinced that pulling out is the best option without even viewing their completed appartments. I understand there are issues with floorplans etc but we don't know this is the case with everyone. If floorplans are wrong then clearly legal advice needs to be sought and some sort of negotiating would take place.  I'm just asking for calm heads and helpful information - facts not gossip. I have contributed with update pics and info since 2005 and have found some really helpful, friendly people on here but there is a definate mood change so much so that I will take the advice from others 'if you don't like it don't read it'

I sincerly hope you are all eventually happy with whatever you decide to do.

You are absolutely right.  We couldn't have bought in a nicer place and all the reasons we all bought there have not gone away.  We are heading out in two weeks time and I am really looking forward to seeing it..  Our solicitor is adament we will be completing then so here's hoping.  We will all  raise a glass together someday soon.

Happy holidays and plenty of them..

Hi, I am just back from Almerimar yesterday and I wish I had read these comments before travelling. I didn't bring a measuring tape but definitely wish that I had. My apartment is in block 4 on the 4th floor and is probably a month to six weeks away from completion of building work. My overall observations from the trip were that the area was still very quiet, there were a good few retired couples staying in Hotel Almerimar but very few families with young kids. The apartment complex looks excellent from the outside, the external finish is to a high standard. The interior was a disappointment, the corridor/ hallways were quiet narrow and it felt quiet clostraphobic. The biggest disappointment I had with my apartment was with my balcony. The views are not great and it was fully covered. Also I had the external part of the air con unit mounted on the wall in the balcony, this takes up a bit of space. At this point my wife is going to head back out in the next few week to have a look at the apartment but if the decision rested solely with me I would choose not to complete.  I will post some pictures tomorrow of the general complex and of the interior of my apartment just to give people a sense of the size of the interior. I spoke with Sam from Proendal 150 apartments are currently unsold in the complex.

Hi

 

Looking forward to seeing those photos. . Looking forward to going out myself to see how it is progressing.  I think we are completing on the 27th of May for block 5.  Has anyone else heard yet about that block.

My Solicitor phoned me yesterday and said that i would be looking at July for Block 5 after they have the licences etc in place. This personally for me is ideal as we still yet have to find a suitable mortgage.

I have to agree with Ameleady, we went over at the end of March and I too was disappointed with the size of the apartments, I felt exactly the same that it felt claustrophobic, the balcony seemed really small and seemed to be so close to block 4, i was disappointed, I really wish I had measured up. Still pondering over what to do myself.... the plus side is, I liked the area and thought that there was great potential around there for some fab relaxing holidays.