jackytoo

Or an Agent flogging them, I can smell them

Carol&John

Hi Janh,
Here are some "need to know" questions:
Does this golf resort have a "comunidad de propietarios"? Have you asked about the payment of community fees? Who is the administrator? Does the developer pay for their unsold properties into the community funds? Can a "golf resort" turn into a "mancomunidad" in a few years time?
"spainlite" perhaps in the sense you might have been implying, but not necessarily lite on your purse.
Why not enjoy holidaying in same locale for a few more years in a rental? The selling prices will not increase, imo. Then you'll see for yourself perhaps how long it will take for the unfinished areas to be finished.
May I suggest another thought to consider? In 5 - 10 years time (depends on the ages of your sons), their preferences on holidays with parents may change considerably?

Carol
P.S. Just read your recent post. Yes, consider other options - those with less overheads, imo.

Mitzyboy

You will hear all kinds of nightmare stories and worries about newbuilds, but it doesnt need to be like that

Buy on an established area / urb
Dont believe everything the agent or builder tell you
Use a totally independent solicitor to verify everything
Have a contract drawn up with everything set out in writing so there can be no misunderstandings
Visit the area in the winter and the summer

steviedeluxe

Why not just buy a place in one of the many towns or cities around Spain? Plenty of golf courses around, you know! If you must have access to sandy beaches, I can recommend the small town of Cabezon de la Sal in Cantabria (santander airport). It's only a few miles from the amazing resort of Comillas and Oyambre beach, but being a few miles inland the prices aren't so crazy. Lot's of sports and activities in the area too - sea sports, mountain sports - even ski-ing in winter in the Picos. Plus there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the town, so no need to drive! Of course this is just one possibility - I'm sure the other posters here can give other suggestions.

jackytoo

I read that there are 5 Town Halls in Cantabria that are awaiting the decision to demolish or not, usual suspects and usual projects.

mofieldhouse

I'd certainly reccomend buying a resale rather than off plan or from one of the big agents. We got our money back after pulling out of buying off plan and bought a resale. We are very glad we did. We believe it is very hard to do so now. Companies big and small are having lots of problems. Check out established urbs that have already got all the facilities. There are a lot of bargains to be had at present and with a good solicitor you should avoid any pitfalls.

Janh

Offended by the suggestion I'm an agent- because I'm not and the inference is I'm promoting PW- well I'm not: I wanted information about them. Have to say that our experience with them so far and what we have seen is positive and thats also why I've been looking for additional info. Are things what they seem? This forum was recommended as a source of good advice.

Thanks for the input from other posters- we're out there in three weeks and plan to have a final rece in the area before any big decisions. I would like to go back to Medina Sidonia as I believe there's a new build area there too. So we're going to travel there first and drive across. Thanks mofieldhouse you've just confirmed what I was thinking really and probably why I wanted more info on PW.

In some respects the choice is vast and more affordable to us now- as most of you are saying no point rushing. Semi retirement beckons so best to be sure.

Mitzyboy

Well ........ based on what I have heard from a friend who has bought from them, I would recommend against. He too found them very helpful. Then he paid his deposit.

Tooterelli

Read the house price crash website. There's a section about Spain!

jdr

I am sure there is a page aout every country ?

spainrico

Here is the latest in the Polaris World saga.........

http://www.spainsolicitors.com/last-newsletter.asp

Ducky1372

If you haven't purchased no polaris world resorts already - then please think very carefully before you do.

My mother and father in law own 2 properties on two different sites and are still having a big legal battle over 2 further properties they were purchasing on a site that didnt get built (Polaris were refusing to give them the money already paid back, even though they are no longer going to be building the complex!).

The two main sites in Murcia (Mar Menor and La Torre) are both very nice sites but are no longer owned by Polaris but by the banks. The properties are lovely but with the current climate they are not really able to get many rentals and it is costing them a lot of money. If you are thinking of buying and have a car to get around then now is a good time as the prices are dropping!

Good luck to you and I hope you find a lovely place to live.

missile

There are several PW sites and some are better than others.

I have a friend who bought on PW and he is very pleased with his purchase.

I know a solicitor who bought a villa for himself and an appartment for his guests on PW.

Not my choice but each to their own. If you are a keen golfer looking for a holiday home? There are some good bargains on offer go for it

Rambling Rose

My sister & husband bought a villa from Polaris on the Mar Menor resort several years ago. They use it as a holiday home and rent it out over the summer as much as they can.

On the whole they have been pleased with it but there have been problems.

Polaris pulled out of running the place so they had to set up their own committee to organise gardening etc. Intercontinental had the hotel to start with but also pulled out presumably because the place wasn't doing well enough. So lots of the facilities orginally there/promised have been reduced and/or got more expensive. The restaurants aren't open all year round for example - only for the very short summer season.

Apparently a large number of property owners haven't paid their annual maintenance charges which obviously reduces the budget for running the place.

Renting the place out has been reasonably successful though. Not many people are there in the winter. I went down last May and the place was almost deserted so I couldn't imagine living there all year round.

Rose