Relocations post covid your experience, thoughts and advise

[jdeefd]

Hi Ducks,

Thanks for the info, I was wondering if people bring containers over for renovations ie complete kitchen and  bathrooms, tiles ect . I would imagine lot more viable to source on island though. Nice to hear builders  cost not as expensive. I am fingers crossed looking forward to spending some time over there as soon as possible. thanks again
p.s I would prefer to spend Money locally as it helps recovery and business for the future. as long as the costs aren't through the roof .

[classic]

Good Morning, I have an excellent Spanish builder who did a complete refurb for me, his prices are reasonable and he is efficient - 6 weeks to gut the property and restore, sometimes I had 6 builders in the house! I would strongly advise using the proper legal Spanish people for anything you need and many of us on here can advise nearer the time. Enjoy making your plans while you are waiting

[jdeefd]

Hi Classic,

Thank you. its funny as I am chewing at the bit to fly over buy this property I have seen and get stuck in . But reality is COVID and common sense prevailing, with some great advise off the forum. your right life is to short . I  take before and after pictures when I renovate property in the uk . Great to look back on. I really like the contemporary look at the moment. Not everyone's cup of tea. I saw a lovely villa just near Lajares nearly complete. Just at the bottom of a mountain walk .  I really like the local rock used as well. well lets see how things go .thanks again

[Cotillo_Tom]

Hi JD,

Before you even think about bringing over a container,  check out the situation with regard to import duties. You will find that they can be pretty high thereby making cheaper to buy here. Hence so few bring a car over!!

Tom.

[Will]

. Is it safe investment ? , enough to spend my life saving on ? in another 5/10 years all these activities I do and would like to do may have faded with my age increasing. would I be able to sell up and move on if I changed my mind and returned to uk or wanted to move on elsewhere ? . I am hoping this will be a good investment and give a good return. (Researching 3 bed villas, seem to rent out well in the area) . 

If you're thinking of putting all or most of your savings into one property that's by definition high risk. What happens if there is a problem with the property or area? What happens next year if most of the flights get pulled? 

I've been watching the Spanish websites for property prices for awhile. What I see is

In general property on the island is more expensive than the mainland for similar properties.

This seems to be getting worse at the moment because mainland properties are dropping faster than those on the island.

In part this is off set by the fact that you can rent out the island properties for longer periods . Mainland beach properties OTOH can have higher rents during the shorter summer high season.

If you're thinking of renting to non holiday people then I think the rents won't justify the higher local prices. 

If you're buying for yourself to live in then none of this really matters. If you need the rental income I'd be careful.

[jdeefd]

Thanks Cotillo Tom, I am fact finding at the moment. I was just wondering on that one .Thanks

[jdeefd]

Hi Will,

Thanks for the advise, One of my question was, Are there people on island renting out property quite easily over 20 weeks a year. I can rent my house in Spain easily for July August,but more difficult in winter ,cheaper rental and less demand . 
Is fuerta a lot better with the year round warm Weather. crating more demand for holiday villas throughout the year ,What are the busiest months ? school hols ? July Aug ? 

Yes it would be holiday rental I was thinking would be the market I was looking at. But Its more for myself and fam. but was hoping for a good return on rentals if I say went to the uk for 1  month or even 3 months . I agree property is cheaper mainland Spain but winter sun is what I love . as I said earlier Fuerta seems to have everything I am looking for . 

Anyone on here renting out quite successfully ? pre COVID , This is going to be a lot harder come what may now ,sadly its going to effect the future for us all. So much uncertainty  right now for yourselves, myself  and globally  .  Fuerta looks to have handled it very well.  

I am on fact finding mission and I have been planning a semi retirement plan for awhile. I will make this happen . what's  not to  like on this lovely island. please if you have any positive stories or loves of the island not mentioned ,let me know

Another question is how hard is it to say work part time if your from the uk ?  ,If a family member was hoping to work say bars/Shops or day cruise yacht ect. ? 
I know because of how bad COVID has hit everywhere its probably sounds a dumb question but I still need to know. (I can guess the answer )


 You know I have even thought of trying a totally new small business venture out there, but would feel more comfortable dealing with property. 

Thanks for Input will ! appreciate the that,  stay safe everyone

[Will]

I never thought there was a high or low season. I guess it might depend on which country your guests are coming from but in general I always had the impression of a constant flow.

The problem in general is you need to guess what the future is going to be. Early in the week one of the travel groups claimed travel would return to normal in 2023. I assume they mean on average. 

Post brexit I wouldn't expect it'll be easy for UK workers to pick up legal work.

[windermeregolfer]

I never thought there was a high or low season. I guess it might depend on which country your guests are coming from but in general I always had the impression of a constant flow.

One of the reasons we chose Fuerteventura / Canaries was that the Weather during the months Nov to March in mainland Spain and Portugal was so unpredictable, we had a number of golfing holidays in Portugal  Jan to March wet & cold with heating on during the evening, here we haven't had the heating on for 2 winters now 

[Ducks]

Busiest times are always school holidays. July & August, December, Easter, and whatever weeks half-terms fall on (Halloween, etc.). Absolute peak seems to be July/August and the two weeks around Christmas/NYE. 

Medium busy: January, April, June, November.

Quietest times: February, early March, May, September, early October. 

This is based solely on my own experience, but there are definite swells during the school summer hols and over the Christmas period. We had family staying just before Christmas last year, and the difference in the hotel as it got closer to the day— it was like the crowd doubled every day from the 20th. They left Christmas Eve, and it was absolutely bonkers busy then. COVID aside, rents during those periods are should always be healthy. Outside of that, it's hit and miss depending on your pricing and offering— and also on return business. 

In our complex, I would say a good 50% or more of the renters over the winter period are returning visitors who pick a house or complex, and keep coming back. We see the same people every year: they'll return to the same house if possible, and another house in the same complex if not. Repeat business keeps a lot of folks here afloat, I think.