[Anonymous]

I would be grateful if somebody would offer me some advise. We are thinking of moving to spain with our family which consists of my husband and two children one two the other four and me. We have been looking on the internet at properties in southern spain as this is where we wish to be. I have requested a brochure from andalucian dream homes who are based in southern spain and they have contacted me with there information and it sounds good but we are not sure and would like some advise or if anybody else has had dealings with them to let us know what there experience was like.

We would be very grateful for any advise 🙄

[Anonymous]

Simple answer

Rent before you buy

[Anonymous]

Agree with kpw4v on this.

Have a good look around first and don’t forget many of the ‘larger’ agents load the price on new build and resales by adding on their huge commissions which you the buyer pay. Sometimes you can pay 10-30% (in some cases) more than the property is worth so don’t bank on breaking even by selling-on for a long time. Some agents will tell you otherwise, they tell you what you would like to hear which isn’t always the truth.

It’s a buyer’s market so look around before making offers.

[Anonymous]

Hi Emma,

In your original email to me (which I asked you to address to the forum) you also mentioned two other points.

1. That you had been offered an inspection trip – £99.00 for a four-day visit to view properties, which included flights and accommodation.
2. That you had been informed that, if you saw a property you wanted to buy, you would have to put down a deposit of 6,000 Euros.

Inspection trips
I think they are a classic false economy that put you at the mercy of an estate agent. I would buy my own flights, rent my own car, get my own accommodation, and then enjoy being in control of my visit, and not beholden to any estate agent. If you go on an inspection trip, paid for or heavily subsidised by an agent, you can rest assured that they won’t let you out of their sight. They will try and control what you see and hear, which is hardly the best way for you to get a balanced view of the market. Save a few hundred Euros on your visit, but maybe pay through the nose for a property. It’s up to you.

Deposits
I’m not sure what the case is here, but note that some agents insist that you pay a deposit of 6,000 Euros just to make an offer on a property (that is just to pass on the offer to the vendor). This is nothing more than an attempt to place obstacles in the way of you changing your mind.

When buying property in Spain, don’t pay anything to anyone until you get the all clear from an independent lawyer who has done an adequate due diligence on your behalf. At which point you can sign a contrato de arras (deposit contract), or go straight to completion and the deeds. You do yourself no favours by making any payments before this.

If anyone wants to give Emma feedback on this company please, as always, do so by PM.

Mark

[Anonymous]

The €6,000 reservation deposit is standard practice for Interagency Network members such as ADH.

To my mind it does no one any favours except the agent holding the deposit. It’s a huge disservice to their vendors – who aren’t even told an offer is on the table unless the prospective buyer pays the agent the six grand.

[Anonymous]

thanks for your responses they are a great help. We were lead to believe that the 6,000 euro deposit was across the board which ever way you bought a house

thanks for all your helpful advice 🙂

[Anonymous]

I would use the utmost caution with this company. They are of the same “school” as Awful Estates. They are even giving them a run for their money!

[Anonymous]

Have you had dealings with andalucian or have you heard bad things

[Anonymous]

Personally, I have not had dealings with ADH. I have heard adverse reports about them, but then there will always be someone who has had a bad experience with the “Big Boys” of estate agents in & around Marbella. They all work the same way & I would NEVER use any one of them again. I certainly would not go out on one of their escorted week-ends. You would be better to “milk” their wares and go independently. They will probably only show you off plan or new builds. You only need to read the posts on here to see the horrendous mess many of us are in. There are a lot of unscrupulous people/companies out there. You are like a goldfish swimming in shark infested waters!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your advice it is really appreciated. I am sorry to hear about the mess you are but hopefully from your comments it will save other people from the same thanks again 😮

[Anonymous]

The other reason for renting is to take alook at the work prospects, especially with a young family. Earning a living here is extremely difficult with unemployment over 11% and very poor wages.

[Anonymous]

I too would recommend renting a property first , as others have already said, some of the “big boys” agents , charge very large commissions , so the vendor has no choice but to add these to the asking price, meaning property sold by these companies is almost certainly over priced.
Also the 6000€ deposit that the IN network take, is split 50/50 between the vendor and the agent should the sale fall through, so they have a vested interest in taking as many deposits as is possible !!

Lorraine

[Author]

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