It’s still safe to buy in Spain

With the shocking news that a retired British couple have been forced to live in a garage since their luxury villa in Spain was demolished by the authorities last year, Taylor Woodrow de Espana is urging purchasers to buy from a reputable company.

The only major UK house builder in Spain is reassuring homebuyers that Spain is still a safe place to buy as long as they do their homework. The warning follows reports that Leonard and Helen Prior are living without running water or electricity a year after watching their beloved £575,000 villa at Vera on the Costa Almeria being bulldozed after it was declared illegal by the regional government of Andalusia.

Victor Sagué, sales and marketing director for Taylor Woodrow de Espana, said: “The shocking case of Leonard and Helen Prior strongly highlights the importance of letting your head rule your heart when it comes to buying a home in Spain. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and taking your time before making a decision.

“Buying abroad is a huge investment and no one wants to risk losing their hard earned savings by purchasing a home that’s likely to fall in value or that doesn’t have the correct planning licence in place. We’ve had many recent queries from our customers worried about whether buying in Spain is a sound investment. Last year’s news of a potential property price crash coupled with the current horror stories of illegal building practices and homes being demolished, has understandably unsettled those looking to buy there.

“Despite the negative publicity we want to stress that demand for new homes from both Spaniards and foreign investors is still high, and although it’s true that the boom period we have experienced over the last ten years has started to even off, there are still good and safe long term investment opportunities to be had if you do your homework.”

Taylor Woodrow de Espana has spent the last 50 years building a strong reputation as a house builder to trust. Its partnership with Safe Buying Experience (SBE), a scheme which has been launched to provide a safe and secure process for buying property in Spain and a one-stop shop offering a range of independent professional services, should help reassure buyers that their money is safe. The housebuilder also has some savvy tips and suggestions to help purchasers make a wise investment and avoid the cowboys.

Do your research – don’t be fooled by beautiful photographs and bargain prices. Make sure you understand what you’re buying and always buy from a good quality developer in a beautiful area that reflects Spain at its best.

Track record counts - choose a well known company with a good track record. Taylor Woodrow de Espana has been building in Spain for 50 years and prides itself on its experience and the high levels of service it provides throughout the whole home-buying process.

Check guarantees - make sure that any property you choose has a structural guarantee and the correct building licence. Taylor Woodrow de Espana has all of these in place meaning your finances are secure.

Trust the experts - A reliable and competent team of professionals is a good indicator of a quality company. Taylor Woodrow de Espana has expert teams that can give you legal and financial advice, and help you through the whole process of buying a home in Spain. SBE provides an additional reassurance that your home is legal and above board.

Customer loyalty - Knowing that other people have bought a property from the same company and that they have had a good experience is really important.

One couple who knows only too well about the importance of buying from a reputable developer is Debbie and Andrew Pettingill. After suffering at the hands of cowboy builders the couple are now the happy owners of a beautiful apartment there, thanks to Taylor Woodrow de Espana.

Debbie said: “We researched various companies in Spain, picked one and bought a home from them off-plan. We began to worry when nothing seemed to be progressing. Every time we visited to see how our home was coming along we learned about more problems and we came away very worried about our investment. In the end it got to the point where we were so concerned we decided to cut our losses and pull out. We only wish we’d gone to Taylor Woodrow de Espana sooner as this would have saved us a lot of time and trouble.”

Victor concludes: “Despite receiving a battering from the press this beautiful country has retained its number one spot as the most popular place for Brits to buy abroad. Smart people know that buying bricks and mortar is a sound investment and we have a fantastic selection of developments in various regions across Spain, with up to a quarter off prices.”

Those looking to snap up a slice of the Spanish sun should take a look at Taylor Woodrow de Espana’s developments in the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca where prices start from as little as £150,348*.

Taylor Woodrow de Espana is the only major UK house builder in Spain and has been building quality homes there for 50 years. With a reputation for trust, the company provides a specialised service and dedicated team within the UK and Spain who can help and advise homebuyers through the entire process of choosing, buying and settling into a new Spanish home, safe in the knowledge that everything about the purchase is legally above board.

For more information, visit taylorwoodrow.es

*Subject to currency fluctuations