expat2be

Hi All,

I just wanted to know if any of you had any recommendations with regards to trustworthy (is there such a thing? ) estate agents in the Northern Costa Blanca region? There are a few holiday apartments we're looking at in the Javea area, 2 of these on with Hamiltons of London. Have tried to scour the web and haven't found anything negative about them as an agent.

Cheers!

Lionda

Try this link http://www.mycasa.eu/index.php the proprietor is a thoroughly nice guy and a decent honest bloke. I recommend him

expat2be

Thanks for that, any other recommendations? we're particularly keen on Javea.

snikpoh

If you're looking for a holiday villa then 'James Villas' are very good. If your looking for longer term accomodation then there are a variety of websites to use.

Alternatively, try going direct through 'Owners Direct' or 'Independent Owners'

expat2be

Thanks but we're looking to purchase a holiday apartment, not rent.

snikpoh

OK, Sorry, it wasn't clear.

Hamiltons are good but I haven't personally dealt with them - just what others have said. There are a lot of agents in Javea, all of them strugling to stay afloat. Last week when I was there, I talked to a few and no one is doing any business!

What this means, of course, is that it's a buyers market and not only the price can be reduced but also any agents fees. It's not uncommon for sellers to try and pass these on to the buyer!

I would suggest a visit to see the number of 'for sale' signs and take a view as to who the main 'local' players are.

Best of luck.

expat2be

Thanks, we were over in Javea in November and did all the usual window shopping at the agents but didn't make any direct contact with them as we had not completely decided to purchase at the time. We're going back again in the next couple of months so will actually speak to the agents and view a few properties to get a better feel for what our money will get us. We probably won't buy until towards the end of the year or if the market is still bottoming out (who knows!) then maybe wait until next year. We only want an apartment at the moment for holidays but in the next few years all being well we plan to move our full-time and will then purchase a villa.

Dessiree

The bloke that owns Hamiltons is a family friend, you really can't go wrong with him, totally genuine and a nice guy.

HBG

If you want to get a feel for the current market in Spain, you could try some of the banks repossession sites for the area you are interested in, a lot of them have an English-speaking section. Cam bank are big mortgage lenders in Javea.

spain

have dealt with Hamiltons and nothing bad to report. They did have an office in Gandia but dont think it did so well (allegedly) so they "relocated" it to Moraira while they looked for new premises as there were "issues" with the landlord (allegedly)

re agents fees in Spain. When you are selling what happens is the agent asks how much you want for the property eg 100,000 they then add their commission on top of that, be it 3%, 4%, 5% or whatever, some used to charge a set amount eg 10,000€ so the price you will see advertised in agents windows will always include their commission fee. When an offer is made by the potential buyer its then down to the owner to try and negotiate the agents fee down if they want, either way whatever the end selling price will include the commission and is handed over on the day of sale usually at the notary office

snikpoh

This is not always the case. Some agents do this and then advertise as 'fees included', others will say that either the fees are to be split, the seller will pay them or even that the buyer has to pay them. Just make sure that you know how the agent works before making an offer.

painterhombre

although it may be a bit too far up the coast for you, you could try our estate agent in Lliria (Valencia), Craig holden, (http://www.rawlinsholden.com/) superb chap, honest and hard working and very helpful.

which is RARE with realtors./ Give him a call,say "Guy in Lliria" recommended him, you never know he might have something..........

good luck

SueG

Hamiltons are a franchise operation

painterhombre

...........who also charge you 2 months rent (equivalent) a non refundable months rent as a "finders fee" if you rent thru them! (+ rent upfront, + deposit) which can add up to several thousands just to rent somewhere off them


allegedly.

expat2be

Thanks for all the replies, we'll follow up with the agents mentioned. We're in no rush so will only go with an agent (and property) that we're completely happy with. Have also noted your warnings re: our the agent fee's can work.