| This article is the first in a series about the | | | | guide called Peter who with a friendly greeting |
| dream, reality and unfortunately nightmare of the | | | | took them out to their liveried car and drove |
| expat living in Spain's Costa Blanca. This first part | | | | them on the coast road down to their hotel. |
| deals with whom, why and how people end up | | | | There was no mention of purchasing property |
| falling for the dream of living in the sun and how it | | | | and Pete chatted to them about how he came to |
| can be the best decision ever made by some | | | | be living out in Spain. They were later to learn |
| people. | | | | that everything Pete said was virtually |
| There is a time in most people's life when they sit | | | | pre-determined by the powers that be, and the |
| back and think that there must be something | | | | soft sell that they were experiencing was all part |
| better in life. Some people have an affair, some | | | | of a cleverly executed series of steps know as |
| people opt for plastic surgery or a fancy sports | | | | the seven steps. |
| car and some people pack it all in, in search of a | | | | |
| better life abroad. | | | | 1. Introduction - tell client about yourself (sell |
| Statistics from the office of national statistics | | | | yourself). |
| show that of the 300,000 citizens that leave the | | | | 2. Company - Build confidence in the company (sell |
| UK each year half head for Australia and New | | | | the company). |
| Zealand, 42,000 head for France and the USA | | | | 3. Area - Complete a 300 km area tour (sell the |
| Canada and a massive 58,000 still head for the | | | | area & lifestyle). |
| sunny shores of Spain, all in search of a life | | | | 4. Product - find the property in their budget |
| changing opportunity for the better. The prospect | | | | within area (sell the house). |
| of a new home, new culture, new job, new | | | | 5. Finance - arrange finance (sell the mortgage |
| language and new house prove all too irresistible | | | | loan). |
| for thousand of people, couples and families each | | | | 6. Contract - complete sales contract. |
| and every year. | | | | 7. Consolidation - be nice to them, don't give them |
| With the proliferation of tv programmes catering | | | | any reason to cancel. |
| for every whim of the expat lifestyle and | | | | Now there is nothing wrong with sales, after all |
| dedicated channels on satellite television, of course | | | | everything is sold to some degree or other, but |
| the prospect of buying a dream villa set in | | | | this was a non stop 5 day 4 night sales pitch that |
| fragrant almond groves with mountain view to | | | | was clever due to its subtlety. I will cover the ins |
| the back, a pristine white washed village on one | | | | and outs, good and bad of the sales process in a |
| side and friendly locals to the other whiling to | | | | future very interesting and revealing article. |
| spend long lazy days drinking sangria and the | | | | Peter the rep was very articulate and |
| azure Mediterranean glistening in the distance. A | | | | knowledgeable and had lived in Spain for a few |
| cooling swimming pool (designed to your own | | | | years. It was obvious that he was trying to steer |
| specification of course) sits by your side as you | | | | them into certain areas and styles of houses but |
| fondly remember the drudgery of life back in the | | | | they stuck to their guns and in the end found a |
| fast lane. | | | | beautiful site on the outskirts of a picturesque |
| For some people this dream has turned into | | | | village nestled in the mountains some 30 km from |
| reality. One of my clients made the move some | | | | the coast. It was an off plan development and |
| 4 years ago and have not had a single regret. | | | | they had a choice of house styles, plots and |
| Ignoring for the moment the change in the | | | | house orientations within the plot. |
| interest rates which have seriously affected the | | | | The formalities of applying for NIE numbers, |
| ability of many abroad to continue living la Vida | | | | appointing legal representation, signing contracts |
| loca. | | | | and paying the obligatory EUR3000 property |
| They one sunny afternoon in 2004 whilst in | | | | reservation fee were all completed with little or |
| London visiting friends decided to go along to the | | | | no fuss whilst still out in Spain. |
| ideal home exhibition or the day. Whilst perusing | | | | Some five days after embarking on their |
| the many stands they came across trade stand | | | | information obtaining, non obligation, FREE |
| with a mock villa with a very reasonable price | | | | inspection visit they have committed to spending |
| tag.... the seed had been planted. Over the next | | | | some EUR350,000 on a property, selling their |
| few months they proceeded to send off for | | | | property in the UK (not even for sale yet), selling |
| brochures, purchased magazines, viewed websites | | | | their car, retiring. |
| and did the research anyone considering making a | | | | You would be amazed at the amount of people |
| move abroad would do. One evening whilst | | | | who actually purchase on these trips. During the |
| watching TV an advert caught their attention. | | | | peak in the early to mid 2000's the inspection trip |
| "Thinking of moving to Spain????? Our experts | | | | companies expected their reps to sell to at least |
| are flying into the UK this weekend for a special | | | | 40-50% of their clients. Many of these clients like |
| exhibition at Jubilee suites at Chester racecourse!" | | | | my parents were on information gathering |
| With nothing to lose they jumped in the car and | | | | exercises with absolutely no intention of |
| trundled off down the road for some no obligation | | | | purchasing and some had never even been |
| perusing. | | | | abroad before. |
| Several hours later, they had booked themselves | | | | In my clients case it proved to be the best move |
| on a "Free Inspection Tour" or should I say the | | | | that they could have possibly made with very |
| Spanish property experts had. They would be | | | | few snags along the line. They sold their property |
| enjoying a 5 day 4 night luxury break in Spain's | | | | in the UK at the correct time. They purchased |
| Costa Blanca, staying in a 4 star hotel, all meals | | | | from a reputable builder on a good site in a great |
| and accommodation would be paid for, their flight | | | | area and importantly they are surrounded by |
| were subsidised so cost no more than £50 | | | | great neighbours. They have integrated into the |
| each, all they would have to pay for was drinks. | | | | local community and are learning the language. |
| They would be given an extensive area tour on | | | | The above is an example of moving to Spain or |
| their first day to find the areas that they liked as | | | | anywhere else abroad for the right reason. Many |
| it was more important to get the location right | | | | do not. In my line of work snagging properties for |
| than the property. The subsequent days would be | | | | clients I come across a wide variety of people |
| spent looking for the property in the areas that | | | | and their reasons for making the move. The key |
| they previously deemed suitable, what happened | | | | I feel to making the move a long, happy and |
| after that was anyone's guess. So back in late | | | | successful one is to come because you want to |
| 2004 off they left a cold wet and windy Britain | | | | and not because you have to. |
| and jetted into a balmy Alicante. With the | | | | In my next article I will uncover some of the |
| temperature still in the mid 20's the scene had | | | | practices of the free inspection tour companies |
| already been set. | | | | and show you what to look out for and where |
| They were met at the airport by their uniformed | | | | you can save yourself a few pennies. |