Welcome to Property Update No. 22 ............ and a bumper issue with New Properties and an important update regarding Money Transfer to Spain.

Interest is still fairly bouyant in Spanish property with enquiries coming in quite regularly.  We still don't have the heady days of a few years back but it is a dramatic improvement over the last 18 months.

What we have noticed is a distinct change in the profile of clients now coming over to Spain - with the current spate of cut prices, bargain properties and so called 'Distressed Sales' clients tend to be spoilt for choice and end up seeing half a dozen different agents on their visit to try and see as many houses as possible.  From experience this usually ends up with them getting totally confused over what they have seen and with whom.....and in general the majority of the houses tend to be with several agents anyway so they could probably have simplified their visit to just one or two agents.

There is also the risk that focusing in purely on the properties means they overlook all the supporting services that can be provided by an experienced and knowledgeable agent to ensure you are properly advised and your money protected.  There is no substitute for the support of a trustworthy and reliable agent.

Many agents, including CASAS almeria, are also quite happy to share properties such that if you should see a property on an alternate agent's website they can usually arrange to show it whilst you still remain with your first choice of agent.

Just as in the UK where 'Property Finder' services are starting to pop up this is also becoming more of a reality in Spain.   First find the agent you are most comfortable working with and then let them find you the property that best fits your needs.

Buying in Spain to a certain extent can be simpler than the UK as in general you do not get stuck in 'chains' however you need to remember that although fairly simple it can be fraught with danger if you do not get the best advice.

Please remember that CASAS almeria is both an estate agent and solicitor and has been providing the full range of services for many years now, however should you decide to use an alternative agent then Mar, our solicitor is still able to act for you and provide totally independent legal advice and guidance throughout your purchase.

.....so what's been added to our website recently?

Well quite a few properties actually, from Reformed Caves to Country Houses on irrigated land with fruit trees to a couple of extremely well priced new builds on 3000 and 5000m2 plots and of course not forgetting the Villas that only need you to have 5000€ to purchase!

Here is just a selection but the full range can be seen on our website at www.casasalmeria.com

Ref: R01464 - Cuevas del Almanzora - 135.000€
Fancy something different?  How about a large reformed Cave house?  This 3 bedroom house certainly has character and is fairly spacious totalling 350m2 if you include the terrace across the front of the property.  In addition to the bedrooms it has a bathroom, Kitchen and Living/Dining room.  It even has its own cave Garage!   Water and electricity are connected and the house benefits from easy access and some great views. 
The beach at Vera Playa is just 15 minutes away.

Ref: 01460 - Huercal Overa - 58.000€
Two Large Country Plots within easy reach of a local village and Huercal Overa.  Both plots have Building Licences to rebuild the existing ruins into 3 bedroom houses.  Plot A is 5044m2 and Plot B is 3187m2 - both plots have wide ranging country views.  These plots are available individually complete with licence or each house can be fully built as an inclusive package.  Each plot with licence costs 58.000 euros or the completed plot/house package is available at just 138.000 euros. 

Ref: 01461 - Overa - 250.000€
What a great house! located just 5 minutes from the motorway, 10 mins from Huercal Overa and 20 mins from the beach. Its also just a short walk to local bars and shops. This is a very spacious 3 bedroom home on a large 1365m2 plot giving plenty of room for the equally large 12m x 5m pool.  The house itself features a nicely fitted kitchen plus a 40m2 living room and all bedrooms are good sized doubles.  Outside the owners have constructed a separate covered terrace with built in seating to house their jacuzzi and for use as a general outside entertainment area.  The whole package is topped off with two separate garages and a mature planted garden.

R01465 - Huercal Overa - 150.000€
Bank Repossesion - Reformed Cortijo that currently has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen and a large living room.  In addition there are two further rooms that need clearing out which could be used as further bedrooms and/or bathrooms or an office/study.   There is also a large covered terrace.  At the rear is a stable block that can be reformed ito 2 or 3 further rooms or a separate apartment.  Water and Electricity are connected and the whole property sits on 5.000m2 of land.

Ref: R01459 - Huercal Overa - 250.000€ (neg)
Spacious 3 bedroom House with 45,000m2 of Irrigated land planted with fruit trees and located close to Huercal Overa.  The house itself has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (one en-suite) plus there is another room that could possibly be used as a further bedroom, office or storeroom. It has a large family kitchen and a separate living/dining room.  Electricity and water are connected and there is good access from the main road.  It also benefits from some tremendously wide ranging views.
The owner is willing to negotiate on the price

Ref: R01468 - Arboleas - 220.000€
A good sized family home on a large plot and within easy reach of amenities.  This is a 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom villa on a 700m2 plot located in a residential area close to the village with good views.    The house is well fitted out with a modern kitchen with granite worktops, and both airconditioning and radiators are installed in the living room and bedrooms.   Mains electricity is connected as is water plus there is a back-up water deposit.   A telephone with internet connection is also installed. Alongside the house is a garage suitable for 2 cars.

Ref: 01467 -Almanzora Valley - 175.000€
Recently completed 3 bedroom Villa on a 450m2 plot in a village in the Almanzora Valley.  Here is an opportunity to get a brand new villa ready completed on a decent sized plot with some great views for a very reasonable price.  All paperwork is in order and utilities are connected ready for you to move straight in.  Should you reqire a pool we can arrange to have one installed for you as well as getting the garden landscaped.  Within easy reach of the motorway providing quick access to the beaches and major towns of Almeria.

Ref: R01304 - Huercal Overa - 220.000€ (neg)
New detached Villa with Integral Garage and Pool set into the hillside and benefiting from some great views.  The garage is set in the basement with the main living area and 3 bedrooms on the ground floor.  On the top floor as a single studio room which could be divided into 2 rooms leading out on to a large 25 m2 terrace.  There is also an 8m x 4m pool.  This will make a wonderful family home with a primary school in the local village and the main town of Huercal Overa and the motorway just a short drive away. House Completed - Price Reduced & Negotiable.

Las Mimosas - Urcal - just 5.000€ !!
Yes, just 5.000 euros downpayment will get you one of these semi-detached 2 bedroom villas.  You then pay the equivalent of a monthly rent of around 400€ but you fully own the property.  Forget about only getting 60-70% mortgages - these will provide you with a 93% mortgage!
Obviously any mortgage is subject to status but if interested give us a call and we will let you know if you qualify. Alternatively these are now also offered at an outright price of 75.000 euros (originally 123.000 euros). Please bear in mind that additional costs will be incurred for taxes and legal fees plus fitting out kitchen.

Don't worry........new properties are coming onto our books all the time so your ideal property might be available but just not yet reached our website.   Please also remember that we work with other local agents to help find you the new home you really want so just ring Peter on 01367 240013 and he will look to see what else might be available to you.

Decided Almeria is not for you and want to look further afield?

We have links with agents right up through Murcia and the Costa Blanca with a wide range of properties and prices so once again just give Peter a call and chat through what you are looking for.

We have just heard from Moneycorp that there are new regulations being introduced on 1st November 2009 that will apply to all Foreign Exchange companies.  These regulations are being introduced to provide further protection for payments made by customers - something which Moneycorp as part of their ISO 9000 quality certification already had in place.  However these regulations also impact what instruction Moneycorp can give to EU banks such that they will no longer be able to tell the Spanish bank to charge their 'Receiving Charges' back  to Moneycorp instead of charging the client.  With some Spanish banks this was a major cost saving for the client - especially with the larger transfers associated with a property purchase. 

Please note that this will affect ALL FX companies so none will be able to state that they absorb these charges any more.  However as this saves Moneycorp the cost of this charge it does mean they will be in a position to offer slightly better exchange rates to even things out.

As it is now the responsibility of the Spanish banks' customers to pay the receiving charges I would recommend that you check with your bank what their charges are and if particularly high look at changing to an alternate bank.  If you have not yet set up a Spanish bank account then we can arrange one with Banco de Andalucia and ensure you get the best possible terms for your major transfers on your property purchase.

Moneycorp will still remain one of the most competitive and reliable FX companies available to you.

Click on their logo for more details and don't forget to mention CASAS almeria when you talk with them to get the best rates!

Many thanks for your continued interest in our company and if there is a particular area, type of property or topic you would like to see featured in a future 'Property Update' then please just let me know.

Many thanks,
Peter

All property details and prices in this newsletter are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press but we are unable to take responsibility for any errors and omissions or changes on the part of our vendors

Casas Almeria Gestion S.L.L.,  Urb. Costa Fleming  118 bajo,  04600 Huércal Overa,   (Almeria),  Spain