When buying a home (especially in a new area, let alone a new country) it’s important to tick all the right boxes, and La Finca Golf, with its far-reaching views and location in the heart of the Costa Blanca, certainly did that for Ken and Rita Mathers who have just bought their property in Spain with the help of MASA International.
The couple, who have recently retired, decided to take a look at buying a property abroad and after considering Turkey and Greece initially, they finally decided to take a look at what was on offer in Spain with its relatively short flight time, and of course the healthiest (and one of the sunniest) climates in Europe. A viewing trip with MASA was arranged and, like many, taking their first step into the foreign property market they were keen to make sure that, should they find a property to buy, they would be in the hands of capable people.
As Ken told me, ‘We needed to be reassured as it was our first excursion into the foreign market but after we’d had an informal chat with MASA International and Abaco – local solicitors based in Torrevieja - we were confident that we were in the right hands to both buy a property in Spain and have the legal details dealt with. And to be honest, the whole way through the process we have been kept informed, and Paul Payne from MASA has been at the end of the telephone whenever I’ve needed a question answered.’
Preconceptions about buying a property in Spain
Another preconception about buying in Spain for the Mathers was that they would be put under pressure from a salesman keen to earn his commission but both Ken and Rita’s chuckle as I asked them the question hinted at a different story. Apparently the salesman was even telling Ken – while they relaxed on the golf course on the last day of their visit – to be ‘really sure’ and to take all the time they needed – even if that meant going back to the UK for a while to consider, what is always, a major purchase.
What really pleased Rita and Ken about the inspection trip was that their time wasn’t wasted. The helpful (and obviously busy) guys at MASA had listened to what it was they were looking for in Spain and prepared properties that would offer similar, yet distinctive, options for them. Settling on a beautiful house in LA Finca Golf they found the place that ‘ticked all the boxes’ as well as being in a beautiful part of Spain.
Choosing the right location, property and people to help
From their new home in La Finca Golf, a short evening walk into the typical Spanish village of Algorfa will reward the Mathers with a superb local wine and traditional, and local, paella for their efforts and a 15 minute drive will deliver them to the bustling seaside town of Torrevieja with its busy town centre and clean beaches. Ken and Rita chose the area because of the traditional Spanish feel to the area but with the freedom to get everything they need within easy reach.
It’s easy to see why Rita and Ken decided on La Finca Golf for the location of their Spanish home; close enough to fellow expats and Spanish neighbours and yet far enough away to escape and relax. For the next few days Ken has plenty of those ‘odd-jobs’ to do in preparation for their next visit in January and as he went about his chores I asked if they were pleased that they bought through MASA, and if so would they recommend buying property in Spain through MASA to friends
‘Of course!’ the couple replied in unison, and Ken continued, ‘As we’ve already said, no pressure, help when we needed it and a selection of properties that had all had a good deal of thought gone into them as to whether they would be suitable for us before we arrived. So yes, of course I’d recommend MASA, that alone made the viewing trip so worthwhile, but I still plan to give Paul Payne a good few calls to pick his brains…it’s just a shame he hasn’t time to join me on the first tee!
