Spanish estate agent fears return of ‘cowboy agent’
If there’s any comfort to be drawn from the collapse of Spain’s property sector, it’s the disappearance of the ‘cowboy’ estate agent - but for how long? Costa Cálida-based estate agents, Mercers, already fear an influx of shady here-today-gone-tomorrow agents hoping to cash in on Alhama’s new Paramount Pictures theme park and the business it will create.
Director Chris Mercer comments, “Mercers has weathered the property storm of the past few years well and, in fact, prospered as house prices fall to decade-ago levels. The unqualified, unregulated chancers have left the arena leaving professional customer-centric agents such as ourselves free to do their job. However, the impending arrival of a Paramount-branded leisure attraction is inevitably going to see the return of the cowboy after a fast buck. Buyers should exercise caution and seek out true customer service from a long-established award-winning agency like Mercers.”
After 14 years on the ground in Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Mercers is without doubt the number one choice for Costa Cálida and operates a business based on old-fashioned values and service. Whilst the Paramount Pictures theme park, literally four minutes’ drive from Camposol Golf, is very exciting for Mercers and its future sales prospects it also rings alarm bells. Proprietor Chris Mercer MNAEA has 28 years experience in Spanish real estate and has seen the bandwagons rogue estate agents jump onto purely due to the opportunity for quick profit. Mercers can only hope that Paramount does not prove to be that next bandwagon.
Michael Bartok, Executive Vice President of Paramount Licensing, recently paid a visit to Murcia and the region made a good impression on the businessman. He confirmed Paramount’s intentions for a ‘new generation’ theme park with hotels, dining facilities and shopping outlets and promised a visual masterplan of the project would be available within six months. The ‘Condado de Alhama’ site extending across 3.5 million m² is almost certainly the location for the theme park, unless unforeseen circumstances derail negotiations. Paramount Pictures will not be taking part as an investor in the project, but will give access to intellectual property from a vast library of films and provide branding, conceptual master planning and design for the project.
Mercers specialises in low- to medium-priced properties in Murcia, in particular within the Golf Resort of Camposol, Mazarron, where two bedroom terraced homes are priced from as little as 50,000 euros (42,500 pounds).
For more information, visit spanishproperty.co.uk.
On the Market:
PW02
Apartment, Condado de Alhama, Murcia
Key-ready three bedroom one bathroom ground floor apartment on the well-known golf development of Condado de Alhama. Conveniently located equidistant between the communal swimming pool and children’s play area, the property is very bright with patio doors from both the lounge and master bedroom. Wheelchair and pushchair friendly, the apartment also has a designated parking space and benefits from the resort’s gated security system. Perfectly placed for the newly announced Paramount Pictures theme park as well as Corvera International Airport due to open in 2011.
Price €95,000 euros (approx. £80,900 GBP)
FOB76
Villa, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia
Superb Fortuna-style villa of 150m² and set on a 350m² plot. Arranged on two floors, the property has two bedrooms and a bathroom at entrance level with an additional two bedrooms, bathroom and large lounge below. This bonus space would be ideal for teenagers, older relatives or an additional rental income – the choice is yours. The main kitchen is fully fitted with white goods, windows have security grills and there is an alarm system. Outside the garden is more than ample for a swimming pool and the rooftop solarium has fantastic mountain and countryside views. Within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants and benefitting from the surrounding 18-hole Camposol Golf Course as well as Blue Flag beaches within 15 minutes’ drive.
Price €119,000 euros (approx. £101,340 GBP)
