BARGAIN!!! OR BARGAIN???

You know that saying that if it looks to good to be true is because probably it isn't true?

It cannot be truer when you are searching for your dream home.

A couple of years back I found THE bargain of the century. Fully refurbished detached villa, I think it was 3 bed property, with plot of land and a swimming pool, only 10 minutes drive away from the coast for 25,000 €.

25,000 €? 25,000€????????? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Yeah, exactly my reaction. So I carried on reading. The property was illegal. It was built/refurbished without asking the relevant planning permission to the relevant authority and it was built in rustic land, which a type of land where is not allowed to build anything. Which means that the relevant authority can decide to knock it down at any time. You might be able to change the status of the land and to ask for retrospective planning permission, but that will cost time and money.

Therefore you have to be veeeeeeeeeeery careful when looking at buying a place anywhere. Research the area as much as you can, even if possible go and spend some holidays in your chosen destination. And please, ALWAYS use professionals such as local solicitor or "asesor" (consultant/adviser).

When I am watching programs like "A place in the Sun" (which I am addicted to, by the way) I cannot believe when people go for the first time ever to a place, see a house they like for their budget and they decide to make an offer! Come on! What do you know about how the place really is in winter? Or what do you know of the neighbourhood, or the town itself? If there are no real facilities/amenities closed by, how are you going to cope with that?

Because, my friends, one thing is the dream and other is the day to day living reality.

So it is very good to have a dream, but you wouldn't want it to become a nightmare, would you?