Property in Spain- Any experience?

[HowardB]

Has anyone got any experience of buying an appartment in Spain? I am emerging from the most stressful 4 weeks of my life! We hope to move the boat to the Costa Brava, and have a landside base nearby, eg an apartment to overnight or overflow if there are lots of us. We saw a beautiful 3 bedroom apartment with 3 balconies and a sunroof for barbecues ("Braai's" as I'm South African) overlooking the soon to be doubled in capacity marina etc etc. All looked great, but the vendor has been an absolute B@~#%&D all through. Unreasonable at every turn. Pushed the price up 35,000euro's since "agreeing" the price. No contracts so far. I am pulling out now and cutting my losses, and he will possibly sell it for more to someone else. I don't care now. Sod him!
Wierdest thing is that after all the aggro, it turns out that he's from the UK. London.
As bad, was the way that the bank (RBS) dragged their feet at every turn, putting delays (and unnecessary costs) in to floor us at every turn!
It has been a "learning experience", and if anyone has had similar experiences, offers advice or wants advice... ...

I Look forward to normality and lessening of stress. Nearly cost £44,000 just in lost cash to the shark of a vendor. Thank heavens for wise solicitors. I never thought I would be saying THAT now did I??!!

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[DepSol]

my mate is just buying a place near alicante has had loads of probs and this was a new development!

we got ours years ago on the Costa del Sol and nevr had any probs.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

2003 is going to be a good year for me

 

[Divemaster1]

We got ours in Costa Del Sol four years ago... No problems.... but then again, we have a Spanish speaking solicitor in the family, which helped a lot....

<hr width=100% size=1>Alf

 

[DavidJ]

The Costa Brava is great. In our boat towing days we went their three consecutive years. Two in Ampuriabrava which I guess you know about and one in Port de Llanca which is much quieter and charming.
We rented an apartment through 'Spanish Harbour Holidays' who probably get involved in sales as well. In Ampuriabrava (also spelt Empuria-brava) there are many agents on the front and I guess because it is such a huge complex and volume of buying/selling would have their processes resonably sorted.
David

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