05 Jan 2007 10:32 AM:
We have completed on our property with Palmera at Mirador De Las Palmeras (same development as 'Patpur'). We too thought we were having a nightmare but you have to put it into perspective - would you buy a property in the UK that isn't going to be built for years from an estate agent and pay a deposit amounting to thousands to said estate agent as opposed to the builders without contracting an independent solicitor?
We have had issues with Palmera with regard to specification but in fairness, we have had that in the UK when we have purchased new.
We did contract an independent solicitor when it came to completion but just wished we had done that in the first place - they were worth every penny if only to stop Palmera trying to make us complete before we were ready, ableit they helped us sort our NIE numbers when we were there to complete and also sorted out our utilities connections, non-residency with the town hall, etc.
Must be said, we are delighted with our purchase, we took a chance on the word of a salesman on the phone and a quick visit to a bit of overgrown grass but I think our satisfaction is due to the salesman at their East/West? Sussex office at the time realising what our exacting requirements were with regard to location/facilities.
I know it is alright for me to pass comment 'after the horse has bolted' but regardless of what stage you are at I would urge you to bring an Independent Spanish Lawyer without delay.
The solicitor Palmera 'includes in their fees' actually works for Palmera so how independent is that? Also, I think they have a 'common' director with virtually every builder they use, they certainly did in our case!
Proceed with caution, without rose coloured spectacles and I'm sure all will be fine in the end - just check your contracts because this is the only legally binding article with regard to specification, size, etc, etc - no sales literature has any legal contractual value (eg; we didn't even get wall cupboards in the kitchen 'cos it just said 'fitted kitchen' in our contract.
Also, if there is a furniture package included - don't expect too much. If you can negotiate a deal for a reduction and source your own furniture, I'd suggest you do that, if they've told you to look on Sol Rent for what you can expect, forget it, that is not what you will get! W wouldn't bother buying a 'furniture package', furniture is so cheap in Spain you'd just have to order approx 8 weeks before you wanted it but if you were to order say 12 months in advance without a definate delivery date (to tie in with your visits over there). Oh, and don't think that you will actually get the white goods, kettles, toasters, cutlery, etc, etc if they have told you that you will.
Well, hope we have all learned something - we'll certainly know how to go about it next time if this experience hasn't put you off completely! I'll be buying in Spain from a Spanish Estate Agent and contracting a Spanish Solicitor before I pay a penny in future. Oh, and perhaps we'd better stop watching a Place in the Sun - I know that's what started me off wanting a place over there!
Maxine
Thread:
Palmera Properties
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