Tips From Our Viewing Visit To Spain To Buy A Holiday Home

Pointers from our viewing trip to Spain to buy a villa

My partner and I had decided to purchase a property in Spain. Talking with some friends who were also thinking of buying a apartment it was suggested we join them at a property exhibition in Birmingham.

To get around quicker, we split from them deciding to meet at midday and recommend suitable stands to visit. They were late back however and a phone call revealed that they had brought an 'off-plan' apartment on the Costa Del Sol, west of Malaga, and were just finishing the necessary paperwork.

Frankly we thought them to be deranged to make such a quick decision. However, they knew that area of Spain well. We were more cautious. However upon their recommendation we visited the same stall and hey presto we had agreed a viewing flight to Spain before you could say 'tapas!'. I must say though that the thought of a cheap weekend in Spain was quite appealing though. A weekend trip cost £95 per person.

A month later we flew into Malaga airport and were very impressed with a warm greeting from the sales person, Virgina. We were even more impressed that she knew our names. Our very own escort was very friendly and we were whisked away from the airport in a nice BMW company car.

After viewing lots of villas and developments at both ends of our financial spectrum, we saw a development we liked at Casares Del Sol about half an hour from Gibraltar. It seemed to have everything we were demanding. It promised luxury apartments with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a high tech kitchen, set amidst tropical gardens with 7 swimming pools. Being British we had the 'stiff upper lip' choosing to mull over the prospect during the course of the evening.

We did however view some other developments with Virginia so as to be completely sure. There was no pressure placed upon us, the developments almost selling themselves. Virgina gave us sufficient help in seeing the various benefits of exactly where to purchase on a development. Consider for example things as views, noise levels, access as we get older (lift, stairs etc), proximity to pool, rental opportunity

We signed the purchase form for Caseras and handed over 4,000 Euros. The lovely Virginia treated us to a slap up meal at Casares. Casares is a pretty traditional white washed mountain village whereby our development gets its name. At this point she felt more like a new friend than a sales representative. As you can imagine we had many questions regarding them all.

We flew back to the UK excited with dreamy thoughts of spending many holidays in our home in the sun. Virgina kept in touch sometimes informing us to progress on the development and even sent the odd photographs of our plot.

My advice is to carefully select which company you book your viewing trip with. Ask where you will stay for the visit, and of course what is the cost. Finally ask lots of questions, make a list before you go and have each question answered. And once you have decided on your property, sign up with a company that specialises in villa furniture and get them to show you suitable villa furniture packages that are within your budget.