always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become

We left our intrepid pair Janet and John on the doorstep of their possible dream home in a state of nervous apprehension. The agent, Jose Miguel had just informed them that allegedly there was another buyer in the frame expressing keen interest to buy the same house.

This information was forthcoming as soon as Janet and John had mistakenly become very excited about the prospect of finally finding their potential new home overseas. Jose Miguel wanted 6000 Euros immediately to secure the property for them. So what to do now? Jose Miguel had become their friend; there was a certain amount of face involved now. They had been with him for two days, and he was the agent who seemed to be the honest one of the three they had already met. Remember it was Jose Miguel who had offered in his brochure another villa for 25,000 Euros cheaper than his rival. He had gained their confidence and their respect.

Obviously they wanted to acquire the villa. It’s perfect for their needs but John still wants to think about it whilst Janet has a touch of the sun and wants John to use his credit card! It’s an interesting phenomenon when visitors from the UK and Northern parts of Europe come to the warm sunny climates of the Mediterranean; they lose all sense of reason and logic. Janet’s natural character is quite formidable. She is normally a stoical and frugal soul with a sensible attitude towards life and especially money; although she would usually get her way with the purse strings John always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become

he prospect of finally finding their potential new home overseas. Jose Miguel wanted 6000 Euros immediately to secure the property for them. So what to do now? Jose Miguel had become their friend; there was a certain amount of face involved now. They had been with him for two days, and he was the agent who seemed to be the honest one of the three they had already met. Remember it was Jose Miguel who had offered in his brochure another villa for 25,000 Euros cheaper than his rival. He had gained their confidence and their respect.

Obviously they wanted to acquire the villa. It’s perfect for their needs but John still wants to think about it whilst Janet has a touch of the sun and wants John to use his credit card! It’s an interesting phenomenon when visitors from the UK and Northern parts of Europe come to the warm sunny climates of the Mediterranean; they lose all sense of reason and logic. Janet’s natural character is quite formidable. She is normally a stoical and frugal soul with a sensible attitude towards life and especially money; although she would usually get her way with the purse strings John always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become

mber it was Jose Miguel who had offered in his brochure another villa for 25,000 Euros cheaper than his rival. He had gained their confidence and their respect.

Obviously they wanted to acquire the villa. It’s perfect for their needs but John still wants to think about it whilst Janet has a touch of the sun and wants John to use his credit card! It’s an interesting phenomenon when visitors from the UK and Northern parts of Europe come to the warm sunny climates of the Mediterranean; they lose all sense of reason and logic. Janet’s natural character is quite formidable. She is normally a stoical and frugal soul with a sensible attitude towards life and especially money; although she would usually get her way with the purse strings John always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become

henomenon when visitors from the UK and Northern parts of Europe come to the warm sunny climates of the Mediterranean; they lose all sense of reason and logic. Janet’s natural character is quite formidable. She is normally a stoical and frugal soul with a sensible attitude towards life and especially money; although she would usually get her way with the purse strings John always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become

always makes that final considered decision. On this occasion however she has been in the Spanish sun for five days and caution is thrown to the wind. Likewise John, had also always been taught to be cautious, but now was reacting to the sunny day, blue sky and his Wife’s enthusiasm.

Spanish estate agents are a curious lot. Some will grasp a client when they become enthusiastic about a property and insist on receiving a “Reserve”. This is not a deposit, it is not subject to contract and is not returnable should the client decide against it or find they can’t afford it. In most cases it acts to re-assure an owner and the agent that the client is a serious buyer. However it is not bound by any legal formality other than it reserves the property for a period of time to allow the client time to organize the deposit ahead of anyone else. It is unusual by UK practices and difficult for the first time buyer to understand, but it is common practice.

John knew from his head to the socks in his sandals that this was inappropriate behavior but it was his heart that was forcing the issue. Janet’s enthusiasm for the project overwhelmed him, but just then he remembered something else he had read that morning on the internet from his Hotel room. Haggle. A sense of Englishness returned as a cloud hid the sun momentarily. Where was the fair play in this situation? So John made a bid, Janet almost fainted at the audacious behavior of her usually erstwhile Husband.

The property was advertised by Jose Miguel for 255,000 Euros. He did not disclose this until they had arrived as the budget he had been given by John was approximately 200,000. John’s offer was for 225,000. John then went onto say that if the owner needed time to think about it that was fine as they were here for two weeks and they could come back next week! In this way John had p