derbyflan

Anyone know of good estate agents in the Valencia/Alicante area?

MnM

Reliable and estate agents don't usually go together in the same sentence just kidding, of course!

There are so many, I don't know where anyone would begin (except for the newspapers and online) and the market is really slow at the moment, they would roll over and do triple summersaults for a sale, so it's a good time to have a serious look at what's out there.

I was told once (and I think it's a great bit of advice) that if you go into a town that you like and enquire at the local cafe you might come up trumps with a great property and no estate agents fees.

One thing I strongly advise EVERYONE is DO NOT BUY a property straight away. Rent for a while and see how you like (or dislike) the Spanish way of life (or expat way of life) whichever describes you best

derek500

Try this website, http://www.comprarcasa.com/

It's a Spanish wide network of local agents.

Mitzyboy

www.spanishselection.com

Mike Kirtley
Top man

spain

I second that recommendation - Mike is a very genuine guy and nothing is too much trouble - not at all a pushy salesman

Also look at http://www.kyero.com/ there are lots of estate agents advertising (the same) properties on there so you can take your pick

derbyflan

Thank you all

jonsol

AH, Now , you see people are giving you names of organisations that use numerouse estate agents, but you asked for GOOD agents, I seem to have met one, but until I complete and see for myself, I cant really tell.

derbyflan

Can you let me know when you've decided if they're good or not please?

Ta

spain

but what makes a "GOOD" agent ???

You need to have your wits about you and know all the ins and outs ie the buying procedure, also use an independent solicitor - Even if you use a "recommended" agent this would be my advice

MnM

That's good advise jonsol

We work with several, but I wouldn't personally recommend any due to the fact that after extensive research on the net I have found properties they offer (as supposedly exclusive deals) with other agents at lower prices!

They have been caught out one too many times and backtrack with various excuses/explanations.

An example off the top of my head would be a beautifully reformed finca in the Jalon valley which is up for sale. I have been following it's progress very closely over the past year. It is advertised in at least 4 different estate agents as well as by the owner directly on the net. The highest price is €1m and the lowest €700,000 That's a massive difference as far as I'm concerned I absolutely fell in love with it when I first saw it at €950,000! Can you imagine if I had recommended it to a client and then saw it advertised at €700,000. I would have been gutted!

MnM

There is also a vendors direct website.

click here

Now, although these properties are advertised directly by the owners and no estate agents are involved, it does NOT always mean that the prices are "reasonable or even realistic". What we tend to do is find out where the properties are located and take a drive around the area looking for other "se vende" signs on similar properties and call them, making comparisons.

Best of luck

spain

and also here

http://homesonsale.co.uk/

mikelincs

We used Parador Properties, and had no problmes, but we were buying a resale, so all properties were perfectly legal with all paperwork.

Mrs eddie

We used Parasol Networks....can not recommend them enough.

www.parasolnetworks.com

They are fab....sorted everything out for us.....don't think we could have done it without them. They sorted out things we didn't even think of.....

They are based in Oliva...Valencia but have properties and agents all over.

Best of luck x

spain

The only thing I would be wary of if an agent covers a very large area is they will usually work with other agents swapping properties - therefore sometimes you will be paying double or even triple the % commission - UNLESS you get a very good agent who agrees to share the original agents % - but that doesnt happen very often

just something else to be aware of in the buying minefield