[Anonymous]

I’m really pleased I’ve found this website in time .I’m due to visit Murcia in a few weeks time to view developments recommended by Intercontinental Property Investments of Brighton. I’m dealing with a lady called Lorraine Hanson who has been incredibly helpful so far and appears to keep all her clients updated regularly. Having been stung before however by a large British property consultant I am wary to say the least.
Help needed please!

[Anonymous]

Violet,

I would go off your experiences. I have not heard of them but be aware of all of them. Don’t give any money or sign anything until your independent lawyer gives you the okay to do so. Have a look at my piece on what criteria I would require if I went ahead with another off plan.

[Anonymous]

Hello Violet,

Lorraine Hanson will be your “new best friend” until you sign up for a property and she has got her commission. After that you’ll never hear from her again!!! I know from experience how these people “work” 😈

[Paul]

Violet, be careful as Claire says about these over-helpful sales people especially in this market. We had a ‘best friend’ who completely lied to us, such people then move on to other agents like H2o etc, yopu never hear from them once they’ve done the deal.

[Anonymous]

When it comes to property, I always recommend that you deal with local people who are on the ground and know the area intimately. That means dealing with Murcia-based companies who specialise in property in Murcia.

There are so many companies now offering property in lots of different areas and countries. Common sense tells you that they are likely to be ‘selling’ a superficial selection that suits their requirements, rather than ‘offering’ a broad selection of local properties that suit your requirements.

If you want to buy property in Murcia, I recommend that you identify 2 or 3 companies that do nothing but specialise in property in Murcia. Then visit on your own steam, paying all your own costs, and remaining in full control of where you go, what you see and whom you talk to. This is the only way to discover what the market really has to offer and avoid overpaying for property.

Ignore all the ‘investment’ spiel that companies endlessly spout. In most cases it is 99% rubbish and just a way to try and convince you to buy. Do your own research, do your own critical thinking, and reach your own conclusions.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Many thanks to all of you. You talk a lot of common sense. Will have to do a lot more homework before I commit myself to an agent.
As it turns out I’ve now had to cancel the Murcia trip, which will give me more time to do the research.

[Anonymous]

@Violet wrote:

I’m really pleased I’ve found this website in time .I’m due to visit Murcia in a few weeks time to view developments recommended by Intercontinental Property Investments of Brighton. I’m dealing with a lady called Lorraine Hanson who has been incredibly helpful so far and appears to keep all her clients updated regularly. Having been stung before however by a large British property consultant I am wary to say the least.
Help needed please!

,

My wife and I spent a couple of days with Lorraine looking at properties in the Murcia region late last year. She is a really nice and I would say a genuine person. I found the trip great fun, really worthwhile and we learnt a huge amount in a short time. At no time did we get a hard sell and the properties she showed us were nice

In the event we didn’t buy in that region, instead we bought an apartment near Javea direct from a developer, yet she still keeps in touch with email news and tips.

IMHO she is not a run of the mill sales rep and I think you could do a lot worse than taking a viewing trip with her.
Martin

[marios]

Of course it is possible bluechip could be Lorraine Hanson (its his first post)but I am sure Mark may be able to tell.

I only said maybe

[Anonymous]

It’s very easy to denigrate someone you don’t know isn’t it? Obviously most of the negative posters to this topic have had bad experiences with Estate agents? Or maybe they know someone who knows someone sho heard that someone had a bad experience….
I should point out at this juncture that I also am not Lorraine Hanson, who did however, arrange for my partner and I to buy 2 offplan properties in Murcia. The first one of which completes next week. Lorraine is a very professional, pleasant and above all trustworthy lady,who knows the Murcia area very well. At no time did we experience any “hard sell” or any pressure.
And she is still our best friend!!!

[Anonymous]

It is refreshing to hear a good review about an agent on this forum. I’m sure anybody wishing to buy in the Murcia region would be well advised to put Lorraine Hanson in their address book. She must be one in a million…literally!! 😉

Thanks for the info. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi Violet – I too am not Lorraine Hanson – but I have bought two properties through Lorraine who has always been helpful, informative and honest – we are still in touch and I look forward to her e-mails updating me on what is happening out there. When you go on your sales trip it will also be a lot of fun!! Best of Luck.

[Anonymous]

Call me cynical!!! 😀 BUT, it’s interesting to see 3 new posters on this thread all singing the praises of Lorraine Hanson. I wonder why you all suddenly found this forum. Most people coming here have major problems or are seeking advice. How did you all know LH was being mentioned? Hmmmmm ❓ 😉

[mike]

@Claire wrote:

Call me cynical!!! 😀 BUT, it’s interesting to see 3 new posters on this thread all singing the praises of Lorraine Hanson. I wonder why you all suddenly found this forum. Most people coming here have major problems or are seeking advice. How did you all know LH was being mentioned? Hmmmmm ❓ 😉

Claire, you are so cynical. I bet Lorraine Hanson really respects her clients intelligence too

[Anonymous]

I’ll remain cynical too. I think there is reason to be here. But hey…why am I bothered?..I’m not! It was an intelligent observation. 😉

[Anonymous]

“PLUS VALIA TAX
A one-off tax on the sale of a property, it is calculated on the appreciative value of the land the property is on and varies between towns. It is common for this tax to be paid by the purchaser”

A quote taken from Lorraine Hanson’s website.

[Anonymous]

Seems it is common practice for the purchaser to pay Plus Valia – see Cesar’s post on another thread 26 March – if the purchaser does not challenge any abusive clauses in the purchase contract

Looks like the new law will prevent this happening in future.

[Anonymous]

@Claire wrote:

Call me cynical!!! 😀 BUT, it’s interesting to see 3 new posters on this thread all singing the praises of Lorraine Hanson. I wonder why you all suddenly found this forum. Most people coming here have major problems or are seeking advice. How did you all know LH was being mentioned? Hmmmmm ❓ 😉

I can tell you how LH new about the message and thats because I told her, I got one of her regular ‘newsy’ emails about the Murcia region earlier this week and it reminded me that she probably didn’t know of this forum. I guess she mentioned it to some of her other ‘satisfied’ customers who have since posted. I am not suprised they also felt they would like to support her.

When you find someone that is prepared to go the extra mile in service remain friendly and helpful even after you buy a property from someone else, its a pleasure to give them a hand.

I am sure she is someone in a million. I make no apologies for recommending her and if some other members of the group benefit from contact with her it will be to their advantage.

It may have been my first post on this group but I have a number of posts on Ex-Pats and owners abroad and the Costa Blanca Discussion Forums which should help establish my integrity, you might also be interested in seeing a preliminary web site I put up in February about the new apartment we were buying http://www.pueblomontecala.co.uk

[Anonymous]

LH has been in touch with me. All I can say is that her approach was pleasant and tactful. I can also confirm that the positive posts were not autobiographical, (she wasn’t blowing her own trumpet).

In due course I’ll look into the company, but for the time being let’s close this thread.

Mark

[Author]

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