Advice on purchasing an apartment

You need to find out as much information about this apartment block as possible before even considering buying. 

There are a few retail units underneath the apartments at the front like a vets, a cafe, a furniture store and an estate agent. The retail units at the rear are sealed and unused. The retail units at the side are derelict and open to the elements.

You need to inquire if the existing residents are subject to a community and find out the communities financial situation to see if they are in debt and you will inherit a share of the debt.

I understand many of the residents in this block are Spanish and by default the Spanish do not like paying their share of community fees, if applicable.

You also need to find out the mix of nationalaties as English residents you could be seriously outnumbered. If there is a community in the block and you are in a minority  it could cause you long term problems. I have friends in that situation because they did not do their homework or were not advised of minority nationality ownership by a zelous sales agent.

Sucina is a reasonable Spanish town with new estates added on primarily for non Spanish owners, expats etc.

You are obviously attracted by price to this block. There are alternatives if you are limited by budget. Message me for more details if you are interested to learn more. Regards Al

Good advice, especially about community charges, when it comes to annual meetings you will be a minority at getting your voice heard, try arguing your point against Spaniard bun fight, nigh impossible. We tried when we owned an apartment, the community charge, in the space if 4 years rose astronomically, we sold.

Hello Anton 1888, thank you for your reply, we are still viewing apartments in Sucina, we love the place but it’s difficult knowing where to buy.

Hello Rascalmate, thank you for your reply, we are currently looking at an apartment in calle San Jose around the corner from the bodega bar. It looks like a mixed community in the block, could I ask what problems you may think this would cause and also the community fees haven’t been paid by anybody as yet so the real estate doesn’t have a clue how much this will be, he is guessing around 20-25 euos per month, could you shed any light on this please. Many thanks.

Hello Ginger, thank you for you reply, we are currently looking at an apartment in calle San Jose and the community charges have not been paid by anybody as yet so the real estate can’t tell us exactly how much they will be if we decide to buy, he’s guessing at 20-25 euros per month. Do you think this could be a problem for us in the future, many thanks.

We are very sceptical regarding community charges. If you can speak the language, attend AGMs, argue and object to resolutions, or get someone to do this for you, things will probably go ok, I have just recounted our experience.

Benita, the OP was asking about the pitfalls of buying an apartment in a specific place. One person that responded pointed out the pitfalls of buying in that particular locale. I replied with pitfalls we experienced in an apartment complex in Isla Plana. Neither of us were trashing things just pointing out things that make it awkward for foreigners. OK people are in positions that speak English that can change, majority if residents are .english that can change, at the end if the day you still have to fight your corner and it us nit nit easy. Perhaps where you live things are idyllic and you feel no need to attend @n AGM, but if things change you will remember Rascalmate and my advice.

Before buying any apartment you need to contact Community President/ Secretary or Administrator and ask for the statement if any debts there and their will advise you on correct community fees. Estate agent is the worst to ask such a questions, everything is peanuts for them, but community fees could be quite high in some places if there's manned security, lifts, pools, gardens etc. Who you think would be paying for that? In such locations apartments is most likely ovned by British so you would be benefiting from that, but this is why you need contact Community Heads or Administrator to find out whose the neighbours are.

But the worst is non payers and you can't get decent maintenance because of that.

Not much you can do if there's still undeveloped buildings around, obviously would be nicer if you can get an apartment in well established area, would prevent from nasty future shocks. 

DON'T listen to everything what slippery agent saying ( I've been told new Corvera airport will opens 2012 and Paramount park nearly done!!), find out what license building or apartment have.

To be honest, buying out there is not a chase so do your research and wishing you best luck!

Sound advice. Our apartment was beautiful but problems with the community charges were becoming crippling. The apartments were owned by some Brits, ?Germans, .dutch, Belgians, even a Norwegian, but the majority were Spanish. Many if these Spaniards we’re judiciary and their families from Madrid. To argue at meetings was nigh impossible. One Brit, fluent in Spanish, offered to represent the at the AGM but after the meeting one Brit complained he hadn’t given permission the vote was nullified. Brits are their own worst enemy, so frightened people are going to do better and out do them.