Hello, I am new to this site and have signed up as we are in the early stages of purchasing an apartment in Costa Esuri. Having read very differing posts, blogs etc on various websites, I would really appreciate some useful feedback on what it is really like to be an owner there. I would also appreciate any help with regards to a good solicitor to deal with purchase etc. I hope my prospective neighbours will help with some feedback be it good, bad or indifferent.

have a look here - your area has it's on forum on British Expats

Ayamonte Club

We are very happy indeed to have bought in CE and love it there. No regrets at all.

Regarding lawyers we had a horrible experience with our lawyer - and we arent the only ones. They made the buying experience so upsetting for us that at the beginning we thought we had made a horrible mistake. Add to that bad experiences with the developer and we were ready to drop it if we could.

We would also have paid more for a decent service. Recently Adiemac posted a recommendation

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...4&postcount=19

However when we had the keys in our hand and were in control - everything changed and we love it there

Please note that lawyers estimate the cost and often unless you ask (and we had to push incessantly) - they wont give you the refund.

Ours was a 4 figure sum and so very important (so were others I have spoken to - all in 4 figures) ..... If others havent asked for a full breakdown of costs - its in your interest to do so.

Good luck and hope you join the CE community

Jon

Hi, we are owners on Rago 1 and absolutely love the place. The only problem we have is that we can't get over there more often. Definitely worth posting on the other "Costa Esuri - Rago 1 - Las Encinas" thread, as this will get you specific answers on Rago 1. Link is below...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=558822

We had a rough time with our solicitor from Ayamonte, but a lot of people recommend a lady called Gloria Crespo based in Huelva? If you such the threads you may find her contact details. I have no commercial connection with her!!

Its not only the solicitors charges you need to clarify in detail, it is also the other charges when you do complete. EUC, Council Tax, Wealth & Income Tax, Community charges and Inter Community charges etc. I don't want to put you off but these are the things your solicitor probably won't mention to you.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase and may see you on Rago 1 soon??

Hi Christine,

We have just completed a purchase in Rago 1. We used Jorge Iquacel as our Lawyer. Jorge is based in the UK which is one major advantage, he speaks very good English, which is another and is always very helpful as is his assistant Ana. We were originally buying a property on a different part of Costa Esuri and when the Developer failed to complete the project Jorge helped us recover most of our money with a view to recovering the rest through the courts.

Thanks for all your replies so far, am feeling heartened by them. Sounds like we may have a better experience as there is no developer involved, apartment in complete and bank owned. I will take all your advise about solicitors and have a look at links provided. I can taste the Sangria already

Chris x

Just a note of caution here. Ayamonte has just had the worst wetest winter in 70 years. Yes you may buy of the bank (and they may have paid all outstanding charges as mentioned above just get your solicitor to check) but do visit the apartment before signing and check for water ingress. If there is any make sure they put it right and pay for any work necessary.

That apart welcome to Ayamonte club and if you are 1/4 as happy at Esuri as us you will be well satisfied.

They are saying it is 'sold as seen' but will reduce price for any problems we identify prior to purchase we have decided, once we get the finances sorted to pay for a snagging report, thanks for info tho, we can now ensure the snagging co. pay particular attention to damp

There are a couple of RICS snagging professionals around in Spain but non that I know of in the Huelva Province. Get the best job done that you can it will save heartache down the line.

A common source of water ingress on Las Encinas (Rago 1), and no doubt elsewhere, this winter was the communal "chimneys" on the roofs which serve the ventilation / air extraction systems in the apartments. It's amazing how far a small amount of wind-driven water gets. All sorted very easily, thanks to the input of our block President and the helpful co-operation of ADA, by (I think - I'm no expert, shoot me down in flames if I've got the technical detail wrong) putting some form of louvred insert or something of that nature, into the half-moon openings on the sides of the chimney stacks. Well, we shall see when the next 1 in 75 year event happens.

May be worth checking if the Bank or other current owners have done / are prepared to do that on your block.

Also, a lot of top floor apartment owners on Las Encinas (and again, no doubt elsewhere) have had problems with the watertightness - or lack of it - of the roof terrace. Another point worth checking if you're buying on the top floor.

That being said, the guy who did our snagging for us when we bought on Llas Encinas back in '07 said he was impressed by the build & finish quality compared with the Rago 2s, and said that Fadesa had obviously learnt some lessons from their experience of the first phase.

It is a top floor apartment we are going for so will make sure snagger takes a good look, we are on hols in Portugal end of Aug, so will be visiting to have a good look around again as it is a couple of years ago when we first viewed CE

We have just completed on top floor Bloque 3 Portal 2 and despite last Winter's weather there was no evidence of any damp in the Bloque or the Apartment. A friend of mine owns elsewhere in Las Encinas on the top floor and he has had no problems either.

I have to say though that this wasn't true of every Portal we looked at so worth checking out but from memory most seemed ok

At this time of year it will be very dry unless on the day you visit there is a summer storm humidity will be very low. BEST TO LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE CEILINGS and note any staining and also down the top foot or so of the walls. Welcome to CE it should be a lot busier than your last visit especially end of August. Do call in at Jags for a drink it is the new amenity alongside the 18th on the west course. Teedup also has a top floor apartment not far from you so you could PM him for tips on what to look out for.

Thanks for that, it seems like a really friendly place to own, was thinking you definatley need to hire a car whilst there, is that the case?

If you have not visited much before YES! You can then find your way about and enjoy both Portugal and Ayamonte.

If you search you will find that it is possible to get to Ayamonte by public transport from Faro airport also there are Taxis at about €80 each way if you really search out of season you can get a small hire car for less than that.