Hi

I'm new to this forum and hopefully some-one can suggest an up-to-date realestate website for properties around Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, where I hope to buy within the next 6 to 9 months.

I've tried various websites but they all seem out of date - one was even quoting 2006 prices.

Hope some-one can help.

Thanks

Val

Websites here are a waste of time, there are loads for sale in the local paper etc, you really need to see the area and negotiate a price yourself as it is a buyers market.

Hi JDR

Bit difficult to get hold of the local papers. I am Australian based at the moment.

Thanks anyway

Val

Try HERE classifieds, lots are trying to sell so most are open to offers. Look in Benalmadena an Malaga areas too.

kyero.com good siteaswell for spanish . jurdy

The following link will take you to lots of newspapers worldwide

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

I've wasted a lot of time looking at sites but now I'm happy to say that I've found a good agent who will be helping me all the way through even getting the NIE & residencia. I found out that kyero.com is listing properties in Catral which are illegal at the moment.

It's better to find a good & reliable agent. It's a buyers' market & you'll be surprised how much discounts you can get.

All agents do the NIE, residencia and padron etc, otherwise you cant buy a property over here. Property prices are set to tumble even lower over the next 6 - 9 months so yes, you should get some blinding discounts

Jo xx

Hi All

Thanks for the advice. Great forum. I'll let you know progress.

Cheers

Val

When I was looking (in 2005 - pretty much at the top of the market ) I found lots of properties on websites. On enquiring, a significant number were "no longer available ... but we've got this new one, just come in ...." so there seems to be a lot of "bait and switch" in the house-selling industry.
After I had bought, I went back to the same websites a year later. Guess what? a lot of the places I had originally asked about - and had been told were sold, were still being advertised.

One thing to look out for: agents in Spain get huge commission on a sale. So they have a great incentive to sell to you, by whatever means - including making their websites look attractive and with plenty of choice.. Although most of the bad 'uns have gone to the wall now, or gone away to easier pickings elsewhere, still be careful about what you believe: especially when they talk about things that aren't there yet, or will arrive "soon" (like roads, facilities, shops, schools, electricity etc.)

That is common practise in Spain, also every house is a different price in each agents window, can be as much as 30.000€`s or more sometimes.

Thats alot to with the agents commission. Some of them tell the owner that they can get x€ for their property and then the add on whatever they want as their commission.

A good friend of mine is an estate agent and she actually tried a while ago to get all the other agents in the area to work on the same commission of 2% She felt they would all benefit by having fixed rates and rules. But there was an outcry and she became very unpopular! Most of those others have gone now and my friend is still going!!!!

There were some agents who were charging silly money!!

Is that correct once you have engaged an estate agent by law you are locked into a contract and are obliged to pay them if you back out

Not heard that one!! I doubt it!

Jo

Depends. You are if you sign an exclusivity contract with the Agent. Know someone who had to pay Viva although they sold privately.