My sister and I have booked an inspection trip to the Mercia region with Parador Properties at the end of April. Any ideas of particular towns and villages suitable for a family with children? What sort of jobs are available for English speakers? Is there a good transport network for non-drivers? Are there any areas with particularly good state schools for primary and secondary ages where the children don’t speak Spanish but would be integrated into the system fairly easily? Are there any areas to avoid which are predominantly inhabited by tourists? We are looking to live somewhere where the ratio of spanish to english is in the spanish favour ie 80% spanish 20% english.

Any advice before the end of April would be greatly appreciated so that we can have a more concentrated visit and so that our imminent move will not be full of disappointment.

Hi,

If you are going with one of the large Companies like Parador, me experience is that you will not have a great choise of your location, it will most likely be this is what and where we are building, do you like it, yes or no.

If you want to have a choice of where to live and to move soon, then try an independant Agent. With an independant, you can give them your brief of just what you want, where you want it.

With an independant you will be on a one to one trip, your hand will be held from start to finish and you will get what you want without the pressure. In many cases, the larger Companies employ commission only sales staff, though not in all cases, but this may lead to pressure selling.

I know some one who went with a large Company about 12 months ago and there had been 12 on the bus during the day but only 10 in the hotel and the two missing one’s had been saying all day what a wonderful bargin, they would be buying, you have to question just what they are doing.

If you still go with the large company, do not be swept along with the all inclusive service of mortgage and legal services, do you own thing and save money.

If you want a good Costa Blanca Agent, then contact me on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I will dig it out. It is the agent we used when we bought in 2006

Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for the post. We have been told that our tour will be 1 to 1 basis; no group inspections. We would, however, be quite happy to receive the details of the agent you used as another option in our hunt. Can you e-mail them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (system is currently down!). Thanks

Kate

Hi Kate,

Will dig out the information for you tomorrow and send it down.

If you are getting a 1 to 1, then things must have changed with selling, I still see some of the others who come to our complex selling the remaining apartments in groups, but they are not Parador as Parador build and sell their own sites.

Just dont get carried away with the excitement of the ride, will they be wanting 3000 euro from you before you leave?

Think about independent legals etc.

Dave

Hi Dave

Can you tell me is there a problem with the language barrier if you go with an Independent agent/legals. don’t want to be taken for a ride.

Thanks Caroline

gekko - 12 March 2007 12:31 AM

Hi Dave, thanks for the post. We have been told that our tour will be 1 to 1 basis; no group inspections. We would, however, be quite happy to receive the details of the agent you used as another option in our hunt. Can you e-mail them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (system is currently down!). Thanks

Kate

Hi Kate
I worked for Parador prior to returning to the UK, I can put your mind at ease about the way they operate. The tours are on a one 2 one basis and you will be shown a selection of properties and areas based upon what you tell them. The sale team are not trained high pressure salesmen but more like ex pats earning a crust to stay in the sun. They do recieve commissions if they sell but their whole business is based upon referrals and they sell to approx 50% of the people they see.
My advice would be to do some homework before you go, be assertive about the type of area and property you want.
Parador do not build or own any of the properties you will be viewing they are purely brokers and take their commission from the developers. It is worth noting that the sale price for all the properties is the same if you buy through Parador or go direct.
Good Luck
Graham