Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Was considering purchasing a property on Camposol Urbanisation but after watching the programme recently I am not sure.
Has anyone got any advice on this please.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

The problems were only on part of the huge Camposol Urbanisation, so a visit to the area and a very good look round for any signs of cracking etc would be the best way to check it out, but do not buy without looking.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

My advice would be to find a structural engineer, buy him a drink and get some advice on what to look for.

I had a friend who was one, and he came out to look our place over. I was worried about a couple of cracks, but he wasn't. They were vertical cracks and were where the terrace wall joined the house, and the old garage joined as well. They were built on almost as an afterthought, and weren't keyed in well, so they move slightly wrto the house. His comment was, 'No biggie.'

The ones that he said to watch out for were stepped cracks esp on the corners. These indicate that the corner is dropping (or worse where the centre of the house is rising.)

Get clued up before you go because knowledge is power.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Although I know nothing of the area or the urbanisation, considering the vast amount of properties for sale all over Spain is it really worth the risk of buying there. Looking at a web page about the place there appears to be many problems that could be ongoing.

Graham

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I saw the programme and regardless of the kind of structural problems being reported, I could not for the life of me see why anyone would have wanted to buy a property there anyway - it just looked like an enormous, soulless housing estate of identikit properties stuck in the middle of nowhere in a not very attractive landscape. What was it that the OP found appealing?

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I am with Lynn on this one - apart from the problems and the fact that you need to go outside to go to bed - it looks a horrible place to live. What is the point in moving to Spain you may as well go and live on an housing estate in the middle of any city in the UK.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Must admit I only saw part of the programme, but from what I saw it wasn't only the horrendous damage, but the fact they people suffering didn't seem to be getting any joy in getting it sorted. The builders gave the usual waffle, but the owners featured seem to have been left with completely unsellable, dangerous properties. Agree with the other comments, why on earth would anyone even consider buying in such a godless, depressing place. Price?

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I don't know the Camposol site, but property prices in Spain are going into meltdown. Whoever buys CAM bank in September won't pay more than a quarter for their extensive property portfolio and throw the whole, toxic mess on to the market at something like 40% of their current value.

Property-wise, CAM is the fourth biggest bank in Spain and other banks are bound to follow. It might be wise to delay buying in Spain for a year or so at least.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

From the programme it seems to have been a huge place built in the hope it wold get all sorts of businesses, leisure services etc, but in the downturn they have not materialised. There are many other urbanisations, built much closer or in small towns that would be more suitable, and as has been said, pleanty of places that people ant to sell, so should be no problems. I didn't like the look of the place on the programme.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Sound advice.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

According to the following chart, Sept 2011 is the next bottom of the market. After that we've got 2 years of growth! (I think I'll stick to buying the odd lottery ticket though!)


http://www.moneyweek.com/~/media/Mon...450&h=338&as=1

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Very Bad Advice!!!

Clearly, many people are not in tune with the Spanish housing market.

Firstly, CAM is no the 4th biggest in Spain.
Secondly, The Spanish have a tremendous ability to resolve problems like this without making much of a fuss.

Thirdly, The Spanish Housing market is very localised and cannot be referred to in general terms. For people that know their market there are excellent deals out there. It's just a case of negotiating an acceptable price based on future expectations.

I should also point out that all that matters for the banks is Valor Tasacion.
Currently, that represents a 20% drop from peak. the peak was 2005/2006 (not 2007/2008, as the public seems to think!!)

My OH is now buying a property that is the equivalent of 35% of current valor tasacion. In other words, he is buying at year 2001 prices. Official prices doubled from 2001 to the peak in 2006.

All the people that told him to buy in 2005 are now saying that 2011 is NOT the time to buy. The majority are wrong again.

So, if buying, do your numbers and don't worry about media panic.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

OH and myself visited the place about 4 years ago.
Then, the houses where already falling apart. The urbanisation is built on a sloping side towards the sea (not really a mountainside). It is divided into four separate area's. We went to the highest part first and looked down towards the sea which was about 5 km away. My immediate thought then was: NO greenery in sight, no bushes or trees, no colour except sandy brown similar to the desert.

We talked to several people (maybe we did not talk to the right ones) but the general feeling was that they did not want to live with the Spanish.

As I said, maybe we spoke to the wrong people but why come to live in Spain when you have that sort of attitude.

We saw an estate agent who insisted that we should have a look at some property. That was his biggest mistake! The property that we saw was too small to swing a cat, and outside spiral staircase took us to the roof,well it would have done had it not come away from the wall! The estate agent said that the property was one year old!

The overall feeling was that this was a large housing estate, think Milton Keynes although I would not want to insult anyone from Milton Keynes.

We would never even consider living there and we were happy to leave the place.

This of course is only my opinion and as everyone is different the place probably appeals to many others.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

So you think the market has bottomed and is ready to rise? I'm impressed that you should have such inside information when the world seems to be tanking.

Prices are low, and the current dip in shares has the smart, cash rich people buying shares like there's no tomorrow.

By all means buy a property now if you like it and want to live there indefinitely.

However, if you want to buy for investment, I'm damned if I know anyone who is saying "Buy, buy, buy!"

From what I see here, with a lot of people who want to sell and can't, and lots of newbuilds standing empty, there is no sign of an upturn any time soon.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I think I saw a progra,mme on this place too, but I can't be certain. Certainly looking at what they showed, I would rather stick needles in my eyes than live there.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I have to say I agree with this analysis (although like on all things I could be wrong). It may be the case that Spanish companies (eg Indra, Zara, Ideateca, Iberdrola etc) are doing well on the external or export side. Also tourism is up this year, and efforts are being made to attract new markets eg the Chinese. But there is always a long time lag before this can substantially affect employment rates. Until local Spanish are back to work permanently and confident of the medium term future, who's going to take up the slack and buy the properties? I doubt it'll be the Brits in any numbers, especially as their pound doesn't buy many euros nowadays. Additionally, the banks are being forced to be very careful with their lending - gone are the days when money secured against a property was seen as a sure bet.
There again, a sudden upsurge in the UK economy, and a dramatic fall in the value of the Euro against the pound? It could all change quicker than we think. But who knows the probability of that happening? It could also get worse. :unsure:

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I take it you don't know any estate agents;) Most property is still overpriced, especially what the banks are selling. Time to batten down the hatches, not investing in property in euroland.

I didn't see the programme, when was it on?

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Yeah, ok, it took me a couple of minutes to work the meaning out of that.

:rofl:

karma on its way.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I wouldn't want to live there even if the house was a gift!
It looked dire enough on the program, but it's such a worthless place that even Google Earth didn't bother going too far in! :thumbdown:

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Take a look at this link, then please go look for a house elswhere.
http://cracamposol.com/news/?cat=7&paged=2

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I'd just like to let you all know that I've lived very happily on Camposol for the last 7 years.

Surely, all of you must have enough common sense to know that this type of programme ALWAYS shows the worst possible scenario??.

The landscape is absolutely brilliant. we are surround by mountains and lots and lots of countryside, yet we are only 10 minutes drive away from some of the best beaches in Spain.

OK, we have had problems, but these ate now being sorted. I have travelled round Spain quite a lot, and most villas in this price range seem to be tiny little boxes with no ground.

My villa is 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom on 420 sq meter plot, and don't forget when Paramount Theme Park opens in a few years ( about 15 kms away) and with the new airport (about 20 mins drive away) prices are going to soar.

I would advise anybody thinking of buying on Camposol, to definitely come and have a good look round - I think you will be pleasantly suprised!!

Forgot to mention, we also have several bars, a huge supermarket, various other shops and a 4* hotel

If anyone would like 'photos of my villa. please ask - and NO I'm am NOT selling - am VERY happy here

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Paramount studios is a dead duck. A bit like the Disneyworld legend they used to sell property on the CDS.

I don't know the place but it looks dreadful on video.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Sorry to disagree - but Paramount is very much alive!!

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Ex-Pat, I am not too sure that it was Camposol you visited ?? Camposol does not slope towards the sea ! But if it was Camposol you visited, then it sounds like the house they took you to see would be the smallest available (1 bedroom, mainly used as holiday homes), but there are loads of beautiful houses of varying sizes on the urbanisation, so maybe it was dependant on your budget that you were shown that house.

I too live on Camposol, have been here for 8 years, and also work here for a Spanish company. I regard myself as lucky to have chosen Camposol to make my home, having visited many other urbanisations in the area that do not have the facilities that Camposol has. Although there are a lot of Brits that live here, as soon as you step out of the urbanisation, you are then in a very spanish environment. This is so unlike many of the other towns in the area, and that was why I chose to live here.

I appreciate that there are some people who have problems with their houses (isn´t it the same on most large urbanisations?), but that programme was very misleading in that it somehow forgot to mention a few pertinent facts about 2 of the cases that they highlighted, which actually would have had the viewer looking at it in a different light altogether. One of the people they were talking with, wasn´t even standing outside his own house, and they made it look like the house he was standing at was falling down ! Not the case, that particular house has no structural problems whatsoever, it just had a new wall built that hadn´t been plastered etc. These type of programmes only want to shock, wouldn´t be good viewing if all they showed was the positive aspects would it ! I also don´t understand what the people on that programme hoped to achieve by doing that - ITV aren´t going to get the house fixed for them, they don´t care - all it´s done is reduce even further the value of their property ! I also feel that the programme made a mockery of the people who have genuine problems with their houses, and are trying to resolve these issues by going through the correct channels (pardon the pun).

To the original poster, I would say, that while there are some problem areas, there are more non-problem areas, so best to visit Camposol, take a look around, speak to people who live here, to make up your own mind. After 4 years here, I bought my second house also on Camposol, now would I have done that if the whole urbanisation is falling apart ?

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I've lived on Camposol for 6 years and can say without fear of contradiction that the TV programme was a complete joke and exaggerated the issues it claimed to be highlighting by a factor of about 10,000%. It is true to say that we have been shafted by the local council for many years but they are all now out of a job, and the problems that we DO have are slowly being dealt with by the new administration.

It just goes to show that you cannot believe everything you hear in the media!

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Once again lots of advice from people who dont live on Camposol.well I do and have done for 6 years,while not perfect most of us have a wonderfull life with a thriving social life.Yes it is a large urbanisation but it is not all falling down and how can you say it is barren and desolate,have you been,the walking and scenery is fantastic in this area if you get of your back side and look for it.We know the couple that were on Homes From Hell and it was very sad,and yes there are more like that on Camposol,but dont class all of Camposol as the same.I presume all the negative postings come from people who live on wonderful urbaniasations.so please dont moan about something you have no Knowledge about.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I think you presume wrongly, Maureen - I was one of those who expressed disbelief that anyone should want to live on this development, but I certainly don't live on any kind of urbanisation myself. I live in the historic quarter of a large town (our street has been in existence since the 14th century). I prefer older properties in a location with some character to it. Other people, of course, would not choose to live in a town at all but prefer rural seclusion - each to their own.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I'm with you on this. I just don't get the idea of living on an urbanisation, but as you say everyone to their own.
PS I don't understand the Campo either.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

LynnR ,just because you prefer to live in a town,does not give you the right to be critical about where other people decide to live,especially if you have never been here.You know nothing about our life style so unless you can speak from experience regarding Camposol you are in no position to run it down.

P.S And I though every one would know the Campo refers to the beautiful Spanish country side that surrounds our low rise development.

Maureen.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I think the answer to all of this is in the title of the programme. HOMES FROM HELL! The programme makers are not out to sell property but to highlight problems, some of which, in certain cases, the blame can be laid fairly and squarely with the purchasers. [Buying property in North Yorkshire on a cliff edge and then being upset when the land erosion happens quicker than expected, or buying a property on a known flood plain.] However, Camposol is not in either catagory, it is a very large urbanisation and yes, it has had its problems, but it does not affect the whole place. I feel dreadfully sorry for those who find themselves with villas with various problems, the blame for which can be rested with unscrupulous builders and lack of supervision from the previous council administrations. Almost all of the purchasers there could have been in the same boat, purely luck of the draw that we aren't, but on the whole Camposol, is a wonderful place to live. Yes, it has a largely British population, but the community spirit there is second to none. We have active social lives, and the new council administration has chosen to have a mayoress who is doing her level best to improve things in all manner of ways.
We have the first F.A.S.T.system in Spain, which for those of you who don't know is a group of first responders who will arrive to help in cases of medical emergency, usually before the ambulance can get there. We have two commercial centres, a health centre, our own correos, and soon to have a pharmacy. Given the average ages of the population there, for many, living in a Spanish town would not really be a good option, as for many of us although we try to learn Spanish, we will never really become fluent speakers.
So to all those who want to 'knock the place', just remember that we can't all want the same things or like the same things and please don't patronize or pity us because we don't need any of it. Most of us are extremely happy with our lives here. Incidentally we don't all go outside to go upstairs to bed, as these properties have self contained units of bedroom and shower and solarium on top the the two bedroom, two bathroom accommodation below, which is an ideal solution to visitors who may want a little more privacy!
Before condemning a place that many of you have only seen on the television perhaps you may like to take a proper look and only then can you be in a place to offer advice to someone who may like to consider living here.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

My house has mountain views in most directions, is within walking distance of a general shop (open 365 days a year), bodega, several bars (which I cannot hear any noise from), an English butcher's and a Ferreteria.

The nearest town is 6km, and the beach a 15 minute drive away. There is an 18 hole golf course on site (not that I play golf, but it's there anyway) and within a 40 minute drive are the historic towns of Murcia and Cartagena, now featuring vast out-of-town shopping facilities. The local Port has history going back to the Phoenicians, and is next door to a quaint old fishing village, now a favoured holiday spot for the Spanish.

15 minutes north of me is the beauty of the Sierra Espuna mountains, and in an hour or so I could be skiing, but if I fancied something a bit different I could make a 2 hour journey south and experience the 'real' Wild West, a fascinating site featuring the locations where the original Spaghetti Westerns were made.


Sadly none of this was mentioned by ITV- I wonder why?

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I'm entirely neutral on this discussion, but I'm surprised that a whole bunch of new members, with their first posts, have suddenly rushed to the defence of a place that nobody else seems to know.

I've driven past Mazarron several times on my way south and it seems a pleasant enough place, but I must admit that the hinterland looks a bit barren.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we would like to say hello and welcome to all of these new members and thank them for their input. We do not know the area at all so cannot make any comments about it but know that whenever an area is highlighted there are always some who love it and some who hate it. Good job that we all like different things and that we do not all want the same out of life in a different country.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Yes that's quite surprising, call me cynical but.....
So many new posters from the same place and the timings of the posts all grouped together, it does seem a little strange... and wouldn't be the first time someone has assumed multiple identities here .:huh:
Could it be perhaps they are all the same person using different names....someone with a vested interest perhaps, one of the posters does admit to owning two homes there.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Well I can assure you there is only one of me.may be the residents of Camposol are getting a bit fed up of the constant knocking of were we live.Yes the show was called Homes From Hell and none of us would deny there are some.but we are not all living in crumbling wrecks.
HBG you said it all when you said you drive past Mazarron and the hinterland looks boring.May be you should stop some time to explore,we ran a walking group which averaged about 40 people every two weeks,we walked for 3-4 hours with a lunch in various spanish restaurants,this we did for 5 years,and believe you may the scenery was stunning.
We have a panoramic view of the mountains from most of the houses on Camposol,and yes some of the land is barren and brown earth but then is not most of this part of Spain
Again one of me, and as the show was talking about Camposol why should you be surprised that the majority of postings are from there.

I would hate to live in a town but I would not be rude about were people choose to live for what ever reason.

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I said in my welcome post that it is a good job that we are not all looking for the same things in Spain. As human beings we automatically stick up for what we have chosen so I am not at all surprised to find that there are a few new posters from an area that is being knocked. We all endeavour to find a place that ticks a lot of boxes for us so I am pleased to see that this is what has happened for you.

Rosemary

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

Hi Megmet

The answer is quite simple. Our community has it's own dedicated websites, and yesterday yours was pointed out to us, so a number of us have decided to set the record straight. Nothing surprising about that, surely?

cheers
John

Re: Homes from Hell ITV re Camposol
 

I do not know the area at all, have not seen the programme so am not influenced in anyway at all. Can you tell me something about the mix of nationalities, shops, facilities and anything else of interest? Also what drew you to the area in the first place.

Rosemary