Boroseagull
Well-known member
Doesn't happen with property sales/purchases now, however the 'black market' still thrives in the labour market/builders merchants etc. and this skews the unemployment figures to a massive degree.
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Buying property abroad
- Thread starter Poojah
- Start date
Doesn't happen with property sales/purchases now, however the 'black market' still thrives in the labour market/builders merchants etc. and this skews the unemployment figures to a massive degree.
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,401
https://www.thelocal.es/20161124/barcelona-fine-airbnb-homeaway
24 November 2016
'Barcelona hits Airbnb and HomeAway with massive fines
Barcelona city hall said on Thursday that it would fine home rental websites Airbnb and HomeAway €600,000 ($635,000) each for marketing lodgings that lacked permits to host tourists.
In a statement, it said it had initiated proceedings "that will result in €600,000 fines for each of them for the repeat offence of advertising tourist lodgings online" without authorisation.
In June, Barcelona announced that it would up the maximum fine imposed on home rental sites for promoting ‘illegal’ accommodation.
Under a 2012 regional law, any apartment rented to visitors in Catalonia must be logged in the province's Tourism Registry and have a permit.
In December last year, Barcelona authorities slapped Airbnb and its rival HomeAway with a fine of €30,000, then the maximum, for offering for rent homes which lacked the permit.
This maximum has now been increased to €600,000.
Barcelona, one of Europe's most popular destinations for short-term holidays, has been massively affected by the rise of home-sharing sites.
Their popularity has caused the private vacation rental market to surge and now home stays are more popular than hotels - and many local people are unhappy as a result.
They complain of rising real-estate prices as family accommodation is snapped up for business use, and late-night noise and partying in neighbourhoods favoured by tourists.'
Cadiz Seagull
Grey bearded old man
You're taking a huge risk if you go down this route these days. We tell all our sellers our buyers will not agree to any black money.
But we still get asked by sellers. We were offered a fantastic property a few months ago where the seller wanted 250k. It was worth every penny but the seller also told us he wanted an escritura price of just 50k and 200k in cash.
We didn't touch it with a barge pole. In a few years time the buyer would probably have received a massive tax bill and a fine and the first people he would have complained to would have been us. Life's too short to get involved in that sort of nonsense.
fosters headband
Well-known member
When did it stop, as I paid black money when I purchased my property and also received black money when I sold three years ago.
Seems fair enough to me.
Cadiz Seagull
Grey bearded old man
Varies from area to area. In Extremadura, it's only recently that they have clamped down, in the last year or two.
That said, it's always been illegal.
People who bought with lots of black money may well have a problem if they sell now with no black. They have to pay capital gains tax on the difference between selling price (correct, no black) and the purchase price ( the declared price, ignoring any black)
Brighton Mod
Its All Too Beautiful
How long do you intend to spend time in this property, do the matths between purchasing and renting as capital appreciation is not great abroard. Sometimes its cheaper in the short, medium and long term to rent, no deposit, no maintenance, no taxes, no capital tied up in a property you can't move on, no temptation to allow friends and family to use it rent free, no insurance, no worries and you can visit othe places in the world for your holidays without paying twice. I did the exercise for purchasing a few years ago and for me it didn't stack up. Place your ego and the need to please the family aside and look at it without emotion.
happypig
Staring at the rude boys
That's the conclusion I've come to. Was toying with the idea of buying a place in Corfu or Crete to retire to but have decided that we will rent somewhere for a year and see how it goes first; the Greece you see on holiday in July is probably most unlike the Greece you see as a resident in January.
nicko31
Well-known member
Germany is fecking brilliant .....apparently.....
Low yields but good capital growth.
Some have been talking of a bubble. I can't see it, Berlin for example is still a fraction of London or Paris cost and there's a lot of demand from new arrivals and a strong economy
French Seagull
Active member
I have not heard of the same sort of problems buying in France that you get in Spain. We have often enjoyed holidays in France, we enjoy the warmer climate, food, less busy roads and many other aspects of the hoped for life in France (I know it will not be perfect!)
We have access to three airports, or have the option of driving back, the property market is slower, but it is amazing what you can get for your money - even with a poor Euro rate at the moment.
We can not speak from experience as we have only just purchased a property. It took a few months to go through, we found an English speaking agent and Notaire (solicitor) we hope to make a better life for ourselves and move.
If it doesn't work out we will have given it a go and will sell up and come back. Take a look if you wish http://www.domainedefrance.com/
I will have to change my name I guess from Plymouth Seagull!
We have access to three airports, or have the option of driving back, the property market is slower, but it is amazing what you can get for your money - even with a poor Euro rate at the moment.
We can not speak from experience as we have only just purchased a property. It took a few months to go through, we found an English speaking agent and Notaire (solicitor) we hope to make a better life for ourselves and move.
If it doesn't work out we will have given it a go and will sell up and come back. Take a look if you wish http://www.domainedefrance.com/
I will have to change my name I guess from Plymouth Seagull!
Good luck, hope it works out!
neilbard
Hedging up
- Oct 8, 2013
- 6,280
sod1
New member
I've just purchased an apartment off plan, it's a very simple process. The construction company prepare a contract, make an appointment at the 'notary office ', arrange an official translator. The translator goes through the contract with you, you sign the contract and are given so many days to pay up. I sought advice from many friends here before I decided which company to deal with, they all suggested the same one
French Seagull
Active member
A risk, but it was a dream so it is time to give it a go.
Thanks for the good wishes I am sure I have a great deal to learn!
The Birdman
New member
how much are the villas is it a good time to buy are the prices low.
Chief Wiggum
New member
- Apr 30, 2009
- 518
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Chief Wiggum
New member
- Apr 30, 2009
- 518
Good luck with your move [MENTION=29832]Plymouth Seagull[/MENTION]
We have been in Dept 87 for 16 years now, full time. The kids have all grown up here, are now adults with duel nationality and each doing their own thing. It has been a huge success for us, but equally I have seen it become a living nightmare for others.
My one tip is to try and retain a foothold property in the UK. Selling up entirely is risky in that if it should all go tits up in France you may never be able to afford to buy back in the UK.
As you say, you won't know until you give it a go so follow your dreams.
The other point I would make is that in France the buyer pays any estate agency fees which are very high ( 5 to 15 % of the value of the property on average) and so huge savings can be made dealing with sellers direct. Look for the private ads on sites like greenacres.com (many English selling on here) or leboncoin (if you speak French) and then if you eventually decide to buy, engage an independent French/English speaking solicitor (notaire) to conduct the legalities. Buying in France is relatively safe in this regard as the whole process is strictly controlled.
We have been in Dept 87 for 16 years now, full time. The kids have all grown up here, are now adults with duel nationality and each doing their own thing. It has been a huge success for us, but equally I have seen it become a living nightmare for others.
My one tip is to try and retain a foothold property in the UK. Selling up entirely is risky in that if it should all go tits up in France you may never be able to afford to buy back in the UK.
As you say, you won't know until you give it a go so follow your dreams.
The other point I would make is that in France the buyer pays any estate agency fees which are very high ( 5 to 15 % of the value of the property on average) and so huge savings can be made dealing with sellers direct. Look for the private ads on sites like greenacres.com (many English selling on here) or leboncoin (if you speak French) and then if you eventually decide to buy, engage an independent French/English speaking solicitor (notaire) to conduct the legalities. Buying in France is relatively safe in this regard as the whole process is strictly controlled.
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Mr Bridger
Sound of the suburbs
Yes it's a good time, Portugal has been in a slump for some time now but just gradually beginning to turn round. We bought a 3 bed villa with own pool for €252,000 in 2008. Not sure if we'd get for it now. Have seen similar villas on the site for €300k
French Seagull
Active member
We are going to be in 47 on the river Lot a week today, we are aware we have a great deal to learn, and will probably make several mistakes, if we don't do it now though, it may be too late!
Do take a look www.domainedefrance.com open to any advice
The French agents fees were 20,000!