Buying Property in Spain.

Every year thousands of British buy a property in Spain, some just for a holiday home but many move out here permenently. What ever the reason may be, its always advisable to ensure you choose the area most suitable for you and your family. Prices are rising every year,but you still get much more for your money here than in Britain...

Coastal propertys are approximately 20% dearer than inland, so it maybe tempting to buy inland, but it's always advisable to make checks on your chosen area, as it may not come upto your expectations. Then after putting down a non-refundable deposit, you may find out that the property you are planning on buying is not connected to all services such as water, electric, telephone and sewage drainage. So it could be too much of a culture shock having to get your water delivered, or the cess-pit emptied once or twice a year!

Once you do find your property, whether its a run-down finca, apartment or one of the best villas around, the buying process is the same. As soon as you pay your deposit, the property will be taken off the market. Your lawyer will then write out a contract of sale, agreeable to both the the seller and the buyer. After which he will do all the necessary checks to ensure the property is free from all debt from the previous owner, and is rightly their's to sell!

It's always wise to remember while you are looking for property here in Spain, the price advertised is not the total cost. On top of the purchase price you should always add on approx 10%, this is for your legal fees and taxes.

If you are planning on buying a resale property its quite normal for the sale to be completed in only a couple of weeks.

So happy house hunting.....don't let the horror stories you may have heard about buying abroad put you off. The best advice I can give you is to, just do your homework on the area you have chosen. A lot of people have taken the plunge and regretted it, but everyone that I know out here are very well settled with no intention of ever going back to the UK (me included!!)

Spanish Artist's.

Some of the worlds most renowned artists have originated from Spain.
To name a few -
Francisco Goya, born in Saragossa. 1746 - 1828.

Pablo Picasso, born in Malaga, 1881 - 1973.

Joan Mirò, born in Barcelona, 1893 - 1983.

Salvador Dali, born in Figueras is the most recent, 1904 - 1989.

Here in Lloret you can purchase your own piece of artwork, a portrait of yourself done in almost any style you choose! Take a walk on the sea front early one evening, and you will see artist's painting their subject's.

So you can take home your very own piece of Spanish art for only about 20 - 30 euro!!

Fireworks in Blanes.

Still on the subject of fireworks - all this week in Blanes, has been another yearly event, the International firework competition, with seven different teams competing. One every night of the week. The competition has been running since 1906. The town also has all sorts of other activities going on to celebrate the fiesta of Santa Anna.

The display is held in the last full week in July - this week it began on the 21st and ended last night, the 27th. Starting at 10.30, each display must last 20 - 25 mins and continue none stop for the total time.

The boat operators did a good trade from the local beaches taking spectators down to see the show. They were running untill very late at night, and made a special effort to make the boats look very decorative, with lights and trimmings etc - and even serving champagne!

The winning team (as yet I dont know which one) will win 7,500 euro + trophy, 2nd will win 5,100, and the 3rd wins2,400 euro.

 

 

Lloret de Mar - Fiesta.

Last night on the beach front in Lloret de Mar we saw the spectacular fireworks display, each year seems to be bigger and better than the one before!

These photo's don't do the display the justice it deserves, the atmosphere all over town was incredible. Spectators were at every possible viewpoint, there were thousands of people just on the beach, even more than is normally there sunbathing throughout the day!

The noise from the fireworks was even quite frightening at times, as the loud bangs echoed off all the surrounding buildings. All the spectators applauded and cheered after each series of fireworks, an attmosphere you just can't capture on camera.

SO WELL DONE LLORET DE MAR, EVERYONE HAD A GREAT NIGHT !! 

Lloret de Mar - July Fiesta.

Today in Lloret is the yearly fiesta, which celebrates the towns patron saint - Santa Cristina.
The fiesta starts with a procession of boats of all shapes and sizes. From the beach in Lloret they head down to the small bay of Santa Cristina, once there everyone tucks in to the traditional Catalan dish of estafado, (something like our stew !)
Then tonight is the huge firework display, set on the beach in Lloret, this is a sight not to be missed. All the road along the sea front will be closed to traffic before the display gets under way, and everyone gathers at various points all over town to try get the best view.