Reply to: Holiday homes!!!

[Old Hack]

I love San Sebastian, it have amazing restaurants and bars and it seems to have eluded the want-to-be wag types from Essex who like to visit Cannes, Nice and Monaco looking to become some rich-saps trophy piece.

There seems to be quite a bit of land for sale for a reasonable price. I am tempted to buy a plot, as the economy is in such a mess out there, i reckon builders quotes would be very competitive.

I liked it an awful lot too; like you say, like the south of france, but without the baggage (or traffic amazingly). I would be surprised if the land was cheap cheap or more relatively cheap. It seemed expensive in Summer.

You will be lucky to get "good weather" hence the reason for it's known as the 'Green Coast'- a wet and temperate oceanic climate..and as goes with a wet and miserable climate I found the Basques to be a bit dour in their outlook, especially around the SS area.
Last time I was there shed loads of EEC wonga was being lavished on the place ...seemed to be a sop to the Nationalistic minority

I think you'll find that the Green Coast more applies to Santander and West, to Ortigueira, Vigo, Coruna way, which we found a bit grey and wet in parts, a lot like cornwall. As soon as we headed to Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastien, we found it much better, weather wise, with a nice 28 degrees for a couple of weeks.

The Basques did seem to be completely uninterested in anyone else but themselves, granted. The Vuelta was ging on when we were there, so we had a good look at that as well. Spectacular scenery around that way, and strangely alpine (for me, for it was my first visit and I didn't expect it to be almost Germanic).

And why does Basque look like an East European Language?

[Troll]

What about northern Spain. Away from the Costa del Chav. Great food and good weather most the year, around San Sebastian is very nice (although a bit pricey). I keep checking every week for properties around there as Spanish property prices have plummeted.

You will be lucky to get "good weather" hence the reason for it's known as the 'Green Coast'- a wet and temperate oceanic climate..and as goes with a wet and miserable climate I found the Basques to be a bit dour in their outlook, especially around the SS area.
Last time I was there shed loads of EEC wonga was being lavished on the place ...seemed to be a sop to the Nationalistic minority

[Ketchup]

We drove all along the northern coast of Spain this summer, from Oviedo to the border and were quite surprised just how high prices were/remained on the coast to be honest. We loved the area and thought it would be good to buy out that way, but, yes, surprised. Oviedo was cheaper, of course, and more Cornish than Med, but stunning none the less.

I was very surprised just how upmarket San Sebastien was to be honest; felt a bit like Portofino, or Monaco in parts.

I love San Sebastian, it have amazing restaurants and bars and it seems to have eluded the want-to-be wag types from Essex who like to visit Cannes, Nice and Monaco looking to become some rich-saps trophy piece.

There seems to be quite a bit of land for sale for a reasonable price. I am tempted to buy a plot, as the economy is in such a mess out there, i reckon builders quotes would be very competitive.

[Old Hack]

What about northern Spain. Away from the Costa del Chav. Great food and good weather most the year, around San Sebastian is very nice (although a bit pricey). I keep checking every week for properties around there as Spanish property prices have plummeted.

We drove all along the northern coast of Spain this summer, from Oviedo to the border and were quite surprised just how high prices were/remained on the coast to be honest. We loved the area and thought it would be good to buy out that way, but, yes, surprised. Oviedo was cheaper, of course, and more Cornish than Med, but stunning none the less.

I was very surprised just how upmarket San Sebastien was to be honest; felt a bit like Portofino, or Monaco in parts.

[Ketchup]

What about northern Spain. Away from the Costa del Chav. Great food and good weather most the year, around San Sebastian is very nice (although a bit pricey). I keep checking every week for properties around there as Spanish property prices have plummeted.

[Old Hack]

Not Canet Plage area by chance? That is indeed mobbed. Argeles is also mobbed - St Cyprien where we are is between the two, and has a lovely quiet beach - pure bliss

If you have any advice on renting and tax situation that would be brilliant to know about. We just rent through the local agent who are on site, and mates rates cheap cover electric kind of money to people we know, interested in renting more, but the challenges of getting a reliable remote agent, and the taxes are putting us off!

To be honest, from Leucate to Cerbere was unbearable, for me.

We don't rent out at all. IN fact, buying through an SCI means you can't legally let the place furnished. So sorry, but we can't help there. We saved 20% by buying through the SCI, and we reckon that is worth a least 3 years rental money anyway, and we have built up some impressive favours letting friends and family stay.

[alreadypacked]

I was looking for winter sun, so I bought in Sharm in Egypt. I even "worked from home" on one contract.

Will not be going there this winter or maybe next. But I knew the risk when I bought.

Good things about my apartment:

it is on a front line resort, no problems about security and direct access to the beach.
Water and Ele are on pre-paid meter cards, no bills or standing charges. I only pay for what I use. Also if family or friends use the apartment, I am not left with a big bill.

Down side, not much resale value at the moment.

[VectraMan]

I'm toying with buying a place abroad for holidays and the like!!! I know some forum regulars have these places but who are you, where are they, and when I'd you buy?!!!

I see you've already made a start on learning a foreign language.

[d000hg]

My mum has a lovely 2 bedroomed place that can sleep 6

That's a special kind of holiday.

[Gruffalo]

OK, there are a couple of points I can add, as I have bought out there.

I'd avoid the Med, like the plague, as you can't get about, it's just way too busy in summer, and personally, I prefer a holiday to be a quieter affair. We were in the Perpignan area for a few days in August and couldn't ait to get out.

Not Canet Plage area by chance? That is indeed mobbed. Argeles is also mobbed - St Cyprien where we are is between the two, and has a lovely quiet beach - pure bliss

If you have any advice on renting and tax situation that would be brilliant to know about. We just rent through the local agent who are on site, and mates rates cheap cover electric kind of money to people we know, interested in renting more, but the challenges of getting a reliable remote agent, and the taxes are putting us off!

[Old Hack]

OK, there are a couple of points I can add, as I have bought out there.

First things first, don't rent it out, it's too much hassle for not a lot of money. I'd avoid the Med, like the plague, as you can't get about, it's just way too busy in summer, and personally, I prefer a holiday to be a quieter affair. We were in the Perpignan area for a few days in August and couldn't ait to get out. We bought in Poitou Charentes (Charentes Maritime) as it has about the same sunshine as the Med, is quieter, and cheaper. The local Marie has a whole heap of powers, including sending the Gendarmes around to check on your taxes (no, not kidding) and if they think you are pissing them about, they can get quite mardy. One thing you should not be doing, is pissing the Marie or the Police Locale off.

Right, about the purchasing of the property.

There are things called Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI), which are kind of like trusts. We have the whole family as equal shares in one in France. SCI's are viewed as corporate affairs by HMRC, so you can make the SCI a shareholder in your UK Ltd, and thus pass it enough money, from your Ltd, corp tax free, and then use the money to purchase the property in France. You can't ever let the property furnished, however, but you'll save 20% by passing money straight from the Ltd. We purchased it this way, and the whole family now have a place they can holiday in.

PM me if you'd like further details. There are lots of stuff you should know about, including getting people to work on your property, etc, etc.

Houses in France are absolutely stupidly cheap at the moment. When we bought ours, we even had the chap give us his 4 yo 318d BMW as part of the sale. If you sit tight, you can bag a bargain.

[hyperD]

How about a caravan in Wales?

[mudskipper]

How about a caravan in Wales?

[Gruffalo]

I'm toying with buying a place abroad for holidays and the like!!! I know some forum regulars have these places but who are you, where are they, and when I'd you buy?!!!

Is it worth doing now interest rates are so low?!!!

My mum has a lovely 2 bedroomed place that can sleep 6 in a coastal town close to Perpignan in the South of France.

Key considerations:

1. My mum bought it because she likes the area, and has friends who holiday in the area.
2. Based on point above, the July to August short season for the locals to rent it for good money is not so much of a problem.
3. She has a local agent who rents to the French for top money, but the last couple of years has had just 2-3 weeks rental from the French. I have had a couple of lets to friends, colleagues etc.
4. Are you wanting to rent it out at all? I would be wary of internet renting, hence very happy to rent for top money for a couple of weeks with a good reliable local agent.
5. Getting there. Loads of budget flight airports nearby, Perpignan, Girona, Beziers, Monpellier, Carcassonne, Barcelona. All within 2 hours. However, all are served by RyanAir. Which is flaky, but good for the time being!

Which country are you thinking of? Spain is bankrupt, so you will get a good place for not a lot of money. But, it is in Spain.

Perpignan is great as cheap and easy to get to, and very French - Eg, no costa del brits or anything of that nature. There are some Brits in the complex, not many, but very nice and upper class types. No trouble or any hassle which counts for a lot.

The pad has a good pool, local shops, restuarants etc and 10 mins from the nicest, most empty beach you can imagine with stunning views.

What matters to you? What is your budget? Where would you like to go to / avoid?

Does climate matter much? South West Catalan region of France is the best for weather in the main, but the mountains in the region make it a little unpredictable, but no problem as loads of good places to explore, and any cool / cloudy day tends to change quickly.

Lots of things for you to think about!

Mum's pad out there cost around 200K Euros I believe.

Oh, if renting, French laws are bonkers now, they are thinking of a law that assumes 80% occupancy if you rent, which is clearly mad. Takes a lot to argue the case in pigeon French that you really are just renting for 2-3 weeks only with the local agent.

Sandique (rent for the pool, upkeep etc) around 2000 Euros a year, which the rental income more or less covers.

Hope this helps a little?

[v8gaz]

You could have got somewhere really nice if you hadn't blown all your dosh on exclamation marks!