Episode 93: Annemie, Who Purchased In Mojacar

Intro

Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast, where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain. 

They tell us what worked, what didn't and what they do differently. Next time. 

I'm Beth Davidson. And today I'm speaking with Annemie, from Belgium, who purchased an apartment in Mojácar.

This might be the fastest buying process I've heard about on the podcast, as Annemie went from viewing her dream home online to being handed the keys in just three months.

She worked with estate agent Spanish Property Experts to find her dream home in Spain.

Check out the show notes at Keyro.Com/podcast to find links and resources mentioned in this episode.

Body of Transcript

Annemie:  I'm from Belgium and I bought a three bedroom apartment in Mojácar, Almería. 

Beth:  Incredible, and congratulations, because this is all quite recent. Not just congratulations on buying the property, but congratulations on buying the property in the middle of a pandemic. 

Annemie:  Yes. When I went to over, everything was red zone as well, Belgium and Spain, yeah. 

Beth:  Wow, so, when did this process begin for you? When did you first start looking? How long have you wanted a property in Spain?

Annemie:  For some time, of course, I was waiting for the budget to be in place. And I started looking, I think maybe in June, basically on Kyero, on the website of Kyero.

I looked then according to my budget. I just wanted the South of Spain. I had no particular area I was interested in. I was looking, looking, looking, and I kept on coming back to one particular apartment, which I really liked, as well as the compound - urbanisation. I just kept coming back to the same one again and again, and it was also in my price range. 

Then by the end of, it was end of July, yeah, I decided to contact the real estate agent, which was Daniel from Spanish Property Experts. I think the bank was selling more than 20 or 30 apartments. It was a bank repossession. I basically just fell in love with the place. So, he said there were a few left, but I think with the three bedroom one, there was only one left.

The funny thing was he was actually living there. So, I thought to myself, if he lives there, it can't be a bad place, if he lives there himself. That kind of gave me confidence. So, yeah, that's how it all started. I just fell in love with the place. I didn't know the area. I didn't know anything. I've been only to Murcia once and, as a child, to Salou and that was it. 

Beth:  Wow, amazing, so what was it that meant that you fell in love with it? You're sitting at home, you're on the internet and presumably you're seeing pictures of this place that you keep coming back to. So, what was it? What made you keep coming back to it?

Annemie:  I would say I was particularly looking at the finishes, the finishes of the apartment I could see were very high quality. Also, the surroundings, the architecture on the outside, as well, was very cozy. I thought, if you buy in a place where you're going to spend more time outside, because of the nice weather, it's also important to like the outside, and the outside is amazing architecture. It's really nice. There are Palm trees and pools, and it's just like you cross the street and you're at the sea. 

Beth:  Lovely, so the location and everything just sort of fit. Was Daniel able to give you some fairly good advice on the area, if that's where he lived, was he able to sort of tell you what the town was like and what the area around it was like and all of that kind of stuff?

Annemie:  Well, at this point we were just talking on the phone because I had not been over. So what he did, he said, "Okay, I'm just going to walk outside and take my phone, and video just the ones which are left." What I appreciated is that he said, "Personally, I would take this one," which happened to be the one I chose. He said, "This one, I think, had some humidity problems." So, I could feel that he was honest also. It happened to be right next to his apartment. 

Then we started talking about the price and all that. It was a bank repossession, and we gave them an offer and he did the (how do I say) the bargaining with the bank. It turned out exactly as he said. He said, "I think I can deduct this much exactly." He managed to reduce the price exactly as he said.  

Beth:  Wow, and it's great to have that relationship with your agent and just be really honest and just be able to talk openly, I think, is really important to the process. 

Annemie:  So, I was already sold. I was, "Oh yes, yes. My friend were saying, "Are you nuts, in the middle of COVID, buying a place without going, through an agent you don't know?" So, I said, "Yeah, maybe I should take the plane." 

I went at the beginning of August. So, Daniel arranged everything. He arranged the accommodations, and he made other arrangements. The pool where I was staying, at that time, was covered because of the regulations for COVID. So, he gave me the keys so I could go and swim there. He showed it to me, and when I saw everything, it was just exactly as presented on the internet. 

So, it was like a dream come true; exactly as I imagined it. It's moments like that where you feel also that you can trust someone because you don't feel it was presented in a better way than it was in reality. It was exactly as it was presented, and I was not interested in viewing other properties because that was the one I wanted. It was love at first sight. 

Beth:  That's so nice. I think if you've had that good feeling from seeing it online, and then good conversations, and then you have a good viewing, that's kind of ticking all of the boxes.

So, at that point, on that visit, did you talk more about money? Did you sign paperwork? How concrete did it become? How, how serious was it? 

Annemie:  He then introduced me to... Because I didn't know anything about the process of buying a house in Spain, how it goes, etc., so, Daniel really took me step by step through it. He also introduced me to an English speaking lawyer, which was Angela Morales. So, I gave them power of attorney and they did everything for me: from water, electricity, opening bank account, NIE number, everything. 

I would say that anything that did not need to go through the lawyer I always passed it to Daniel as an attachment with WhatsApp or whatever. I even digitally signed documents and it all went really smoothly and exactly as he said. I think that the time he said it was going to finalise, that was exactly by the time it finalised.

Beth:  Had you bought property before in Belgium, or was this the first time you were ever buying property? 

Annemie:  No, no, I had bought also in Kenya. That was one of the reasons I was looking in Spain is because I lived a long time in Africa and I really missed the weather. I thought Spain is a good location. It's like the church in the middle. Yeah, I had property before, and sold, but yeah, every country has different regulations. 

Beth:  Yeah, this is what I was going to ask: Was it very different to when you've done it previously in Kenya? 

Annemie:  Yes, Kenya Africa, goes slow. Everything is slower and more complicated. In Belgium it goes faster, I would say. I think, normally, it takes three to four months. 

Beth:  Okay, yeah, so, still this process (with Daniel sorting everything out for you) was very quick? 

Annemie:  It was, yeah, and he really took me step by step because I had a million questions. I used to call him, sometimes, late at night about something that jumped in my head and, whichever time he would always be responsive, and always take action immediately. If he said, "I'm going to do it tomorrow," it was done tomorrow. That's one thing I appreciated it as well. 

Beth:  Fantastic, and so what happened then?

So, it we went through and you completed by, are we talking September now, of 2020? 

Annemie:  Yes. 

Beth:  But obviously that was still, am I right in thinking there was still a lockdown in place in Spain at that time? 

Annemie:  Yes, I went back again in November, because it was a bank repossession but no one had ever lived in it, so, it was basically like buying a new apartment.

The only thing was that it was perfect condition, no water had ever run through sinks or toilets. It just had to be cleaned because it was never used. Again, it was still red zone. I think the first time I went it was orange and the second time it was red, something like that, yeah. 

Beth:  Yeah, they have a slightly different system in Spain to what we have in the UK, but yeah, so the orange zone and the red zone, that makes sense to me.

Annemie:  Yeah, because then when I arrived there, the day after there was locked down in Mojácar, so we could not leave a Mojácar, but as I went there just to clean up the place, I only stayed for the week and then it didn't really bother me. 

Beth:  So, what they do in Spain, am I right in thinking that they locked down by individual town?

Annemie:  Yes, they decide because I got an email recently that Vera was in lock down, which is a town a bit further on. Also, when I was there, the first time, Daniel took me around to where I could buy electrical material; where I could buy, you know, furniture, stuff like that; where nice restaurants were because it's not fully furnished yet. I decided, because I like interior decorating, to go for it myself.

Beth:  Yeah, nice, what kind of style? I'm interested, if you're into interior decorating, what sort of thing do you choose when it's a new Spanish property where no one has lived there yet, you've got all of these options, what type of thing did you choose? 

Annemie:  It's a bit of a challenge because normally I like the country style more, but this one is modern, literally, new apartment, so, I have to go more modern. And because, obviously, an apartment will be smaller than a house, you can't really overload it. So, you have to pick "lighter" furniture. You can't put really heavy furniture in there. 

Beth:  So, quite minimal. Is it quite minimalist?

Annemie:  Yes, yes, it should be minimum, yeah. 

Beth: It sounds lovely. So I wanted to ask, obviously, it's all pretty new and you haven't made it over there loads. We're only in January of the new year as we record this. What are your plans for the future? Let's pretend, let's imagine a pandemic free world. What type of thing are you thinking? How do you think you'll use the property?

Annemie:  The original idea was to go there on holiday, partially, and then partially rent it out. But, I'm also getting near to 60, so, I thought maybe not in the not so distant future I would like to maybe permanently live there, but it might still take a few years.

Beth:  Yeah, totally, and I suppose you want to spend some time there to make sure you like it; make sure everything is there as you need. 

Annemie:  Yes, I went there and I, literally fell in love on my computer screen, and it was the same thing when I got there. And I loved the area. It's very tropical and very nice. It felt like being in Southern California or something. It was very, very cozy, yeah. And it was very hot then, as well. It was in August and it was above 30 then. 

Beth:  I suppose, for you, is that part of the appeal is the climate, the heat? 

Annemie:  Absolutely. 

Beth:  What do you think, day to day, what types of things do you think you might do? I'm just sort of trying to paint a picture of the area and the kind of lifestyle. 

Annemie:  What I would do there is definitely swim every day, as soon as the temperature is fine. Take walks by the sea. I'm also slightly obsessed with the Spanish Galgo (dog). I have two of them. I'd like to just live much more outside. That's the whole idea, to not live inside. 

I think that sunshine just changes everything. It makes you happier. You don't have to wrap yourself in clothes thinking, "Oh, I forgot my gloves. I forgot my shawl." It makes you feel much more free, much freer and happier when the sun is shining and the sky is blue, you know? I talk about experience, not imagination.

Beth:  Yeah, I totally agree. I'm totally with you. And you talked about your dogs there. What is the plan for them? Can you take them, do you leave them behind with someone when you'll be going for trips? Not when you moved permanently, obviously, but just when you go for trips at the moment, is there a plan for that?

Annemie:  It depends, if my daughter is at home she can look after them. Unfortunately one died last year from age. I had it for a long time. 

Beth:  So, you wouldn't take him with you. Is there an option to take him with you from Belgium to Spain, with the pet passport? 

Annemie:  Yeah, you can take them on the plane, but since he's already 13 years, I think that the trip might be a bit too... It's a big dog, as well, so going cargo, so, I think it would not be advisable. But, I wanted to go to where they abandon the dogs. 

Beth:  Yeah. Like a rescue, a rescue center? 

Annemie:  Yeah, there's one I checked. It is 20 kilometres from there, for only Galgos. So I'm just lucky.

Beth:  Amazingly, you can get more when you move there permanently. That sounds great. 

Annemie:  Yeah, yeah, the idea is to go and help them, maybe once a week or so. 

Beth:  Yeah, cause there's lots of rescue centres, isn't there, for Galgos, specific. 

Annemie:  Yeah, for Galgos, for Podencos (dog), yes. 

Beth:  Yeah, well, it sounds like a great plan.

My last question to you, (because we've reached the end) is just if you were going to give some advice to someone, maybe who'd been a little bit derailed by the pandemic and it had set some plans back or they changed their mind. What advice would you give, having done it in a year where there was just added challenges?

What would you, what would you say to someone? 

Annemie:  My personal experience is that it did not affect the purchase that I made at all because everyone kept on operating. Nobody was closed down, and also, I was lucky to have Daniel, a real estate agent, who took me step by step. So, I think, also, giving power of attorney to a lawyer who you can trust, or is referred to you.

I think it should not stop you. The only, maybe practical thing might be, is to go over. At the moment it's prohibited, in Belgium, to leave the country. So, maybe traveling would be a bit of a challenge at the moment, but apart from that. I see no reason why not to buy a property there. Besides, we started vaccinations now and, with a little luck, by summertime (hopefully) they should be finished. 

Beth:  Fingers crossed, and the house can be what you remember. The flat can be what you remember from the pandemic. Rather than just a really stressful year, something amazing came out of it for you. 

Annemie:  Yeah, yeah, absolutely, yeah, even me, I had comments, like, "Are you going to buy now?" Also with the idea of renting, and the winter was coming anyway. So, they were saying, "Yeah, and you're investing something it's not going to last forever." I think, maybe, that now you can probably do better deals than when everything starts picking up again. 

Beth:  Yeah, interesting, keep an eye on the market. 

Well, thank you so much, Annemie, for chatting to me today. I'm so pleased that it all went really well and many more exciting years there once we can travel freely. 

Annemie:  Yes. I hope so very soon, yes. 

Beth:  Brilliant, well, have a lovely day, thanks so much. 

Annemie:  You too, thank you very much. Thanks, bye.

Outtro:  

• Thank you for listening and thanks to Annemie for sharing her experiences and to Spanish Property Expert for making this episode possible. 

• For those who are wondering, a Galgo is, essentially, a Spanish Greyhound. 

• And it's such a lovely idea for Annemie to move close to the shelter so she could adopt another one in the future.

• I also love that this episode is another example of how the pandemic didn't ruin Annemie's plans to move. And that the whole process seemed even quicker. 

• Remember, if you like what you've had, you can search this agent's properties and more on Kyero.com and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

• This podcast was produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.
  • Whether your dream home is a rustic farmhouse surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.com
• We love hearing how these podcast episodes have helped you find your dream home in Spain. Please do continue to share your feedback with us, and if you’ve enjoyed this episode we’d really appreciate you taking the time to review and rate our podcast on iTunes or your preferred podcast listening app. Your feedback, reviews and ratings help us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.
• And, when you’re ready, here are three ways we can help you:
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Pre-intro

• Tune in next time when I catch up with Trevor, from Dublin, whose main aim was to find some culture.

• In his own words, "He wasn't looking for somewhere where they just sit around a play bingo in the winter. He wants a bustling neighbourhood full of Spanish life. 

• Find out next episode what he found.

• I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next time!