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Frequently
Asked Questions
What makes Sunset
Casas different?
There are thousands of estate agents here in Spain, providing varying
degrees of customer service. The Sunset Casas promise is to provide
professional and honest service from your first enquiry all the way
through to helping sort out any after-sales snags.
We offer an extensive selection on new and resale properties in and around
the Puerto de Mazarrón area. We do not offer properties over a very wide
area as we feel our ability to maintain our standard of customer service
would suffer as a result. As we are based here locally, all our staff know
the area, the properties and the new developments intimately.
Why choose
the Puerto de Mazarrón area?
The beautiful Costa Cálida, or ‘Warm Coast’, boasts some of the most
stunning scenery in Spain.
Forming the coastline of the autonomous region of Murcia, the Costa Cálida
spreads over 250 kilometres between the provinces of Alicante to the south
and Almería to the north.
Unlike in other
areas of Spain, the autonomous Murcian government has resisted the
temptation to over-develop, preferring to preserve the natural beauty of
the stunning, rugged coastline. The Bay of Mazarrón is a jewel in the
crown of the Costa Cálida and continues to be one of Spain’s best-kept
secrets. Surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, it is difficult to imagine
how the coastline could ever be over-developed.
It would appear
that the Costa Cálida climate may also have health benefits - according to
World Health Organisation statistics, this coast of Spain is one of the
healthiest places in the world to live. The area enjoys at least 300 days
of sunshine per year. This climate, combined with locally-produced fresh
produce, ensures that its residents have an enviable quality of life.
While maintaining
its small Spanish town feel, Puerto de Mazarrón is large enough to have
all that you need, such as supermarkets, furniture and sports shops as
well as healthcare facilities.
If you do wish to
explore further afield, there are plenty of wonderful places to discover.
Bursting with intriguing history and tradition, Murcia formed part of the
last Moorish stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula.
A variety of peoples have left their indelible mark on the region and the
cities of
Murcia and Cartagena boast some incredible architecture. Murcia,
the province's beautiful capital city, is a busy commercial centre, which
also offers a wide selection of boutiques and designer outlets, as well as
Ikea and a variety of Hypermarkets.
The Bay of Mazarrón
can be easily accessed from Alicante and San Javier (Murcia) airports.
Many cheap flights are available from a variety of locations in the UK and
Ireland. The nearby Corvera airport is also due for completion in 2008.
The Parque Natural
de Espuña is also easily accessible from Puerto de Mazarrón, a must for
keen walkers and climbers with more than 25,000 hectares of highlands and
pine forests.
Will my
property be freehold?
Yes, all Sunset Casas properties are freehold.
What about
after-sales service?
Sunset Casas prides
itself on the quality of its customer service. We have Spanish-speaking
staff in our offices who are employed to provide you with only the best
after-sales service.
Can I obtain
a Spanish mortgage on my property?
Yes. Spanish banks will normally lend up to 70-80% of valuation to
non-residents. Spanish banks are keen to get your business and, as a
result, are well adapted to the requirements of the foreign purchaser.
Our staff at Sunset Casas have assisted many customers obtain a mortgage
here in the Puerto de Mazarrón area and thus have a very good relationship
with the local banks. Our after-sales staff can help you decide on the
best product for you.
The bank you choose will ask for proof of income. Most mortgage products
in Spain are repaid on an interest and capital basis, with a maximum
length of 30 years. However, some lenders have introduced products such as
interest-only mortgages, for a limited amount of years of the loan term.
What would
happen if I purchased a property off-plan and the developer went bankrupt
before completion?
Sunset Casas only deal with developers who produce evidence that they have
bank guarantees or insurance policies in place.
If a developer did suffer financial difficulties, such as bankruptcy, the
purchaser’s lawyer would arrange for the return of all monies already
paid, plus interest.
Sunset Casas only recommend developments that are fully vetted and have
their licences in place.
Is the
buying process different for resale properties?
The resale's process is relatively straightforward. Once you have decided
on the right property you will need to negotiate a final agreed price with
our assistance and with the help of your lawyer.
Once a sales price is agreed you will need to make a reservation deposit
of approximately 10% of the value, which will take the property off the
market.
The sale will go to completion once your lawyer has satisfactorily
completed his/her searches and your funds are available to complete the
purchase. A typical timeframe for the whole process is 3 months but this
can be shortened or lengthened as required.
Do I need to
be there in person to sign the title deeds on completion of my property?
It is not a
requirement to be there in person for the signing of the title deeds.
Power of Attorney can be arranged so that your lawyer can sign on your
behalf, if you're not able to be present.
How much should I
allow on top of the purchase price for other costs?
As a rule of thumb, allow for approximately 10% of the purchase price.
These are as follows:
IVA (or transfer tax) 7%
Stamp Duty 1% - payable on completion of new build properties.
Notary & Land Registry Fees, approximately 2%
Legal Fees, approximately 1,200€
PLEASE CHECK FIGURES.
What are community
charges?
With most new property developments in Spain, the purchaser automatically
becomes a member of the Community of Property Owners (Communidad de
Propietarios). Each owner’s contribution is usually related to the
size of their plot or apartment. This money is used to cover the expenses
related to general maintenance, repairs, insurance etc.
What is the most cost
effective way to transfer my money to Spain?
When paying for your property, you may have to convert from your local
currency to euros. We can help you organise this in the most
cost-effective way. Contact us to find out how we can help:
info@sunsetcasas.com
Please note that the information above is
intended for guidance purposes only and that Sunset Casas advises all its
clients to take appropriate and independent legal advice before purchasing
a property. Some of the information contained in this section comes from
third parties, and Sunset Casas S.L. cannot be held responsible for any
errors or omissions.
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