After a few hours of intensive English we were nearing our destination, to the obvious relief of many Spaniards. Many investors use a local holiday lettings or management agency, which advertise for tourists and handle the bookings.
A reasonably priced plot may actually become a very expensive plot if the tricky topography requires levelling and the construction of costly retaining walls before build can commence.
As much or as little as you like. The local phrase "water is for frogs" apparently sums up the contempt in which non-alcoholic drinks are regarded.
Spanish citizens are unable to avoid the law of obligatory heirs thus ensuring that their estate remains in the family for ill or for good.
"Some Irish homeowners may not even know that they are not tax-compliant, due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with Spanish legal and tax systems. Representing Andalucia, there was a vibrant Flamenco Dance Show, and lessons for beginners.
"This can amount to a very large liability. Resorts in Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria and Thailand, all became popular alternatives to the Costa del Sol in the past couple of years. But as the coordinators are keen to point out, there is a big difference between classroom English and real-life-English. The authorities are far more concerned with the issue of Inheritance Tax, another area that we intend to tackle in a future article. For those of us who have assets in more than one country is especially important that we plan ahead by making a will well in advance.
Small farming towns like Catral have seen their foreign populations rocket as the region has overtaken the Costa del Sol to become the number one spot for foreign residents. Unsurprisingly, the potential to experience "the real" Spain is far more opportune than a holiday on the beach, or a city break.
Therefore the importance of being clear about ones intentions is vital to the surviving relatives. "This can amount to a very large liability.
Does the seller really own the property? Even in the case of married partners who are UK citizens, the surviving spouse of the deceased would only be entitled to half of the Spanish estate if no will was made to state otherwise.
"The process is simple.
So for many, the days of Andalucia as an attractive property buying market are long gone - or are they? Also, it means that you only have to put one telephone number into your speed dial to keep track of the whole process.
That means you need a sizeable capital gain before your investment breaks even. We face financial ruin. The larger the plot, the larger the natural areas and therefore the greater the amount of privacy and distance from your neighbours.
The problem is several thousand Brits got there first. "The estate agents put us in touch with a local solicitor who assured us everything was fine. Representing Andalucia, there was a vibrant Flamenco Dance Show, and lessons for beginners.
However, once the build process is underway, the information superhighway can take the strain.
The current owner is liable for the full amount. Hundreds of the homes have been built inside a nature reserve, with many of them sold to expats seeking a new life in the sun or a holiday home.
Of course, the house takes up a certain footprint, but you would generally not choose to landscape all of the remaining land.
Our team in the UK and in Spain guide homebuyers through the entire process, from the lifestyle visit to view the properties, through to helping customers settle in to their new home.
"Some Irish homeowners may not even know that they are not tax-compliant, due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with Spanish legal and tax systems.
The contractor informs us when he has to order certain materials giving the client the opportunity to change their mind up to this point if they wish.
Deals are always there to be done.
Trooping on to the bus, the Anglos - consisting of Australians, Americans, Canadians, and myself as sole Brit - were immediately assigned to nervous-looking Spaniards for the duration of the journey. Deals are always there to be done. It's a whole week of interacting with native Spaniards, in Spain, without the agony of guilt for being sorely remiss in language skills.