Chebella

Hello Fellow expats,

Thank you for reading our message.

We are looking to purchase a Townhouse in Playa Flamenca and was wondering if anyone could give us some honest advice please?

We nearly brought in Algorfa back in 2008 until we realised it was not for us for varied reasons, However, when we go to Spain which is very often we always visit good old Algorfa. We love the surrounding areas to Torrivieja.

We realise the current news bulletins is off-putting but it's now or never. So any questions to ask the agents when we visit at the weekend would be great.

Any advice would be really helpful.

Regards & thanking you all in advance
Chebella

HBG

I wouldn't ask your agent, but ask other people in the know, honest estate agents, bank staff, sensible people who have lived in the area for a while. There are some internet sites without a vested interest where you can also find honest advice.

We have friends who live in Playa Flamenca. All of their houses have drastically fallen in value over the past few years and they are falling further.

If you pay 120,000 for a normal quad now, it will be worth 80,000 by Christmas.

You can rent one of the thousands available for 400 Euros a month, and the rental values are falling too.

Rosemary

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Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Saxy

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also another point to take on board, is that rental charges can legally only be increased annually by the consumer price index!

John.

Chebella

Thanks very much for all your advice, I know we will always get a mixed view as that's what the world is about.

HBG, would you elaborate a bit more about the Playa Flamenca houses dropping in price like what your friends are experiencing. What urb do they live on & is it near to the market?

We have looked at several areas around Torrievieja and do like Playa Flamenca, also for the health option for myself.

Doe's anyone know what facilities there are for children? Being politically correct! Is is a place where "the older" community would go in the Winter as I have friends who would like to go there & blend in?

Thank you

HBG

It's difficult to reply without sounding a bit negative, but about falling house prices, there really is no other way. We know people who have bought at 200K four years ago, and those houses are now valued at 100K.

There's nothing wrong with Playa Flamenca, it has most things people want including decent beaches. The problems with unfinished urbanisations are slowly being overcome by Orihuela council but it will take a few more years.

It's not really full of expat pensioners, many younger people live there too with their children. Some of the newer urbanisations are dead in the winter.

But why buy into a falling market when there are ample renting opportunities?

Chebella

The area we are looking at is Amapolas, does anyone know this area?

We appreciate that property has been down spiralling over the past few years & probabably will do even more, but we feel it is right for us to purchase soon as we went down this road in 2008 & it doesn't feel that different other than the property we are looking at is worth more & if the market ever recovers we should make something if not have a place for our family to spend more time in for the future.

We have thought about renting but we have stayed more in hotels with our young children to help us tour the areas more easier.

adra04778

Chelbela

I would heed their advice and rent for a year, that way you are close at hand if thier is a bargain at hand, and I also think the prices will drop further, its a buyers market, so no rush, only my opinion though.

mikelincs

I would rent in the first instance. Playa Flamenca is nice, we lived there when we first moved to Spain, there is a nice beach area, and plenty of bars restaurants, most types of cooking except real Spanish. We lived on Calle Niagara, which is very close to the market, but doesn't get the traffic that much as it is a walk away, although if you get a place in either Iria III or IV there is a shortcut. I would rent as you can then check the place out and decide what YOU want.

australia11

Hi chebella
We have a holiday home in playa flamenca (parque del duque) playa is really nice area, plenty to do even in the winter months. they also building a big shopping center just down the road. 25 min walk to playa flamenca beach. we have a 3 bed 2 bath quad penthouse, for sale buy the way. but good luck anyway.
Andy...

Library Ticket

What is a quad penthouse? I haven't got to grips with Spanish estate agent terminology. To me a bungalow is a single storey building (unless it's a dormer) but in Spain it can have up to three floors according to the properties on Kyero and similar sites.

adra04778

A bungalow here in our little area of Spain , we would call a beach hut in the uk and a chalet here, we would call a bungalow in the UK !
Well my friends do, I still think as you do

lynnxa

I know what a quad is.....I had to ask on here a few years ago - it's a block of 4 houses where they all have 2 common walls - like 2 lots of semis joined back to back so none have a back door


we all know what a penthouse is...............so maybe it's just one of 4 top floor flats

phippsmaz1

Chebella, I live on Iria 111 Calle Niagara we have a private gate that takes us through to the Saturday Market and is also the shortcut to the School. Playa Flamenca has everything you need with all the necessary services in place. I have lived here for 7 years and have wanted for nothing. We also have the new Torrevieja Hospital within easy reach. You mention Ampolas, its not to everyones taste but you really need to go there and talk to the other residents. One thing to ask straight off is how much the community fees are, they vary greatly ours are only 220 euros a year which is one of the lowest, there are some places where you could be paying nearly that a Month !!. Make sure there is a communal pool, you will need it in the heat of the summer, also its a great place to go and have a natter and make friends. We are thinking about moving to somewhere a bit cooler, maybe France but as my Husband has made a good business here for himself it is something that really needs looking into, as I said we have so much here and we seem to be in the right place being close to all of it but far enough away from all the holidaymakers noise and traffic if you know what I mean. I will just let you know that My neighbour opposite has his 3 bed 2 bath house up for sale for 100,000 euros as he and his wife are going back to the UK for medical reasons. Just to say you have made a good choice in choosing Playa Flamenca its a great place to live.