The value of property
on the Costa Blanca has risen substantially in the last
two years and is set to continue at a steady growth
rate, making Spanish property a sound investment opportunity.
More and more British are opting to build their own
property rather than buying re-sales, but are often
not familiar with the necessary building permissions
and regulations.
British house-buyers
have been convinced that their dream property in Spain
can be bought at a very reasonable price (if you believe
large Spanish property companies quoting two year old
prices) - the reality is that they are no longer cheap,
and neither do they meet the insulation levels that
the British are used to.
Estate agents do
not actually need any formal qualifications to operate
in Spain so it is advisable to check them out before
using them. One other thing to be aware of is that competition
in Spanish property sales is huge and many agents are
in it for short-term gain and high commissions. Often
their commissions can average anything between 5 - 20%
on top of the actual asking price!
Bad weather conditions
affect the British more than others. It is a fact that
after their first winter in Spain they will arrange
for an installation of a heating system. Solid floors
and pillar systems are barriers to a streamlined central
heating installation, therefore routing of pipes are
torturous and make the installation look messy.
On average 50 central
heating installer advertisements can be found on the
“Costa Blanca News” every week, why?
The very poor breeze
block constructed Spanish homes are very badly insulated,
if at all. Evening and night temperatures drop, which
means that inside your house you will have practically
the same temperature.
Gas heaters produced
1 litre of water vapor for every kg of liquid gas and
this will add about 24 liters of condensation to your
already damp home.
It
is claimed that the Microclimate of the Costa Blanca is
good for you, but they conveniently forget to tell you
that the dampness you have to suffer during the winter
months is not too good for your rheumatic and bronchial
conditions. Soon sufferers of these conditions will have
to install a decent overpriced and expensive to run, central
heating system. The "No heating necessary in Spain"
hardly stems from honest vendors.
The winters of
2002 and 2003 on the Costa Blanca have been cold and
wet, and the pattern continues.
So much
for the winter, what about living in temperatures 85F
to 95F for 6 months in a none insulated home?
The summer of 2003
was said to be the hottest summer for 50 years and made
living conditions extremely uncomfortable.
We
have spent many months looking at alternative building
methods, and have now done our homework and come up
with an answer.......Before buying property on the Costa
Blanca, view your alternatives!
