Despite being bordered by only one other country (Spain), Portugal has an intercontinental feel. The culture, architecture, language and cuisine have all been influenced by centuries of global travel. Living standards are high due to the advanced economy, peaceful governance, and emphasis on moral freedom for its citizens. The weather is uniformly warm in the summer months, while temperatures in winter vary depending on location. For example, you’ll find snowfall in the mountains, mild microclimates by the coast and subtropical islands. But it’s the stunning variety of terrains that draws so many tourists and expats to the country. You can hike in the national parks, walk the cobbled streets of the historic villages, search the Atlantic horizon for glimpses of North America from dramatic cliffs or lounge on one of the many glittering beaches. The Portuguese have a hospitable nature and you can expect to eat freshly sourced ingredients cooked simply and served with a flourish. Fish, squid, smoked meats, olives, cheese, bread and local wines are plentiful and you’ll find produce markets and restaurants at every turn. Feasts are central features of many of the festivities but you’ll also find music, dancing and night-time revelries at the frequent celebrations throughout the year. The north of Portugal is rocky and rugged and famous for the port wine-growing region, the Douro Valley. Rising up from the rural interior are wild mountains dotted with hunks of granite and flowing from them, the wide, fertile Tagus, Guadiana and Douro rivers. Lisbon is the most densely populated city, closely followed by Porto, and the southern Algarve region is a tourist hotspot. The Madeira archipelago is made up of 8 volcanic peaks, only two of which are inhabited and there are 9 islands in the Azores offering pale beaches, thermal lakes, geysers and black lava fields. This land has been fought over by Celts, Goths, Greeks, Romans and Moors, each of whom have left their architectural marks. Modern property development tends towards spacious, open-plan homes with echoes of these historical styles. The people of Portugal revere a rural life and as a result, there are a lot of villas or plots of land for development available in the countryside. In contrast, the cities and coastal regions are filled with affordable apartments. The road networks are good, air travel is quick and easy from northern Europe and America and there are high-speed international trains from connecting cities in France and Spain. Children are legally required to be in education from six to eighteen years old and there is a range of schooling options for international students, from public state schools, private faith schools or international schools. There is a state healthcare system in Portugal too. EU citizens can access it for free once they’ve registered and received a healthcare number (cartão de utente).

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Beautiful weather, excellent food and wine, world-famous art and culture and low living costs are just some of the reasons you should pack up and move to Spain. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and also one of the most geographically varied. With some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world, breath-taking mountainous regions, fertile plains, and sun-drenched isles, there is something to suit every preference. Visit Spain and you’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers, mild winters, with snow in northern and mountainous regions. If you love art and culture you’ll have much to discover in Spain, which is home to some of the finest architecture in the world. There are ancient marketplaces, Moorish palaces, and the fantastical structures of Antoni Gaudi, not to mention the Dali museum, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim, Fundacio Joan Miro, and the numerous festivals which regularly take place throughout the country. Spanish food is as varied as its landscape; the Spanish are absolutely passionate about their local cuisine. Tapas is popular worldwide, and you’ve probably sampled at least one of these delicious little dishes. The variety of tapas offered in Spain is huge, and varies from region to region and also according to season. Spanish markets are abundant with huge fruits and vegetables, thanks to the long months of sunshine. The great news as a prospective buyer, is that food, like the cost of living generally in Spain, is very affordable and of excellent quality. Moving onto more practical matters, the healthcare system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world, spending 10% of its GDP on healthcare. There are also excellent transport links throughout the country, with modern metros, high speed trains connecting most cities, long distance coach services between major cities, and bus services in all major cities and towns. It’s no wonder that Spanish public transport is known to be some of the best in Europe. For those wishing to venture further afield, it’s easy to travel from Spain to other parts of Europe by plane, train or bus. And of course, with 36 international airports, it will be easy for friends and family from back home to come and visit!

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Are you looking for a change of scenery? &nbsp;If this is the case, France should be at the top of your list! This magnificent country is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes with a wide range of settings to suit everyone's tastes and a rich history that will captivate you. Starting with the southern part of the country, the warmth of the people will greet you at every turn. This region is well-known for its sunny weather, sun-kissed beaches, outdoor celebrations, vibrant markets, and music festivals. Over a glass of wine, people gather to celebrate life, exchange cultural traditions, and foster an environment that is warm and welcoming to visitors from all over the world. As a matter of fact, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/occitanie-0l58192">Occitanie</a> region in the southwestern part of France is truly a one-of-a-kind destination with its diverse offerings of landscapes and activities. With direct access to the Mediterranean coastline and the majestic mountains and ski resorts of the Pyrenees. &nbsp;Coastal cities such as Montpellier also offer a rich historical and cultural heritage, this region is an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy the nature, history and culture of France. A little further north, nature enthusiasts will find a peaceful haven in the renowned French Alps, known for their breathtaking alpine scenery and outdoor activities like downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. With the largest skiing area in the world, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/auvergne-rhone-alpes-0l60750">French Alps</a> offer unforgettable experiences for all kinds of nature lovers, all year long. Finally, with their world-famous cuisine and vibrant arts scenes, French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux offer an unforgettable experience that combines the best of urban living and cultural heritage. Regarding the cost of living, France is a great place to call home. Although prices have increased in recent years, it remains more affordable compared to other European nations like the UK. With a strong economy and an excellent quality of life, &nbsp;You can experience a comfortable lifestyle without overspending. Also, the French culture offers a more relaxed and laid-back way of life that will have you feeling right at home in no time. Why not seize the moment and fall deeply in love with a property in France? Start living your dream today by preparing for your move and reading our location guides on different regions and provinces in France. &nbsp;

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If you’ve not made up your mind yet where you want to buy a property, explore our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/regions">region guides</a> for a broad overview of an area. Or if you have your eye on a particular area of Spain, take a look at our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/provinces">province guides</a>. Find out what it’s like to live there, where the top locations are to buy a property, and discover what services and amenities could be on your doorstep.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or perhaps you already know which city / town you want to move to, and want to find out more about what it’s like to live there, things to do for expats, healthcare options, schools, jobs, and transport services. If so, check out our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/cities">town and city guides</a>, which offer a deep dive into all these topics and more.&nbsp;For further location inspiration, check out our blog posts on the top destinations to buy property in Spain for <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-cheap-property-in-spain-in-2024">budget hunters</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-property-in-spain-2024">investors</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-families">families</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-retire-in-spain">retirees</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-digital-nomads">digital nomads</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-golf-resorts-to-buy-a-property-in-spain">golf lovers</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/lights-camera-spain-spanish-movie-locations-where-you-can-buy-a-property">movie fans</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-food-and-wine-destinations-in-spain-to-buy-a-property">foodies</a>, and <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-heritage-destinations-in-1">history buffs</a>.

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Buyer Stories

Episode 94: Trevor, Who Purchased In Illar

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Episode 87: Glyn, Who Purchased In Vera Playa

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Episode 37: Elena who purchased in Ontinyent

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Episode 42: Lyndsey who purchased in Mil Palmeras

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Episode 68: Damien who purchased in Íllar, Almeria

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Episode 18: Catherine who purchased in Olvera, Cádiz

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast where we interview people who recently purchased a home in Spain.They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time.I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Catherine, originally from Cork, who is enjoying what she call “the greatest love affair,” after purchasing her house in <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/olvera-property-for-sale-0l6378">Olvera</a>.After seeing her brother get married in Spain she was inspired to move and it was a picture in a magazine, of all things, that began her adventure.She worked with estate agent <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=980">Olvera Properties</a> to find her dream home in Spain.&nbsp;&nbsp;Check out the show notes at <a href="http://kyero.com/podcast">kyero.com/podcast</a> to find links and resources mentioned in this episode<h2>Body of Transcript</h2>Catherine: &nbsp;My name is Catherine. I bought a house in Olvera in 2008 through Olvera Properties who were absolutely wonderful. I really basically had to do nothing. They organised everything for me.Beth: &nbsp;Great, so they were super helpful.Catherine: &nbsp;They were unbelievable, actually, to be honest about it. It was quite by chance that I found them, that I came across them. I was in Antequera and saw an advert for them and decided to travel up. I liked the feel of the place and took it from there. I was dealing with a girl called Zoe who showed me the houses and it was just an easy process once I decided on what house I wanted.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic, so it sounds like it’s a really positive experience. How did it all start for you? It sounds like you knew Spain any way, did you, quite well?Catherine: &nbsp;I knew Spain pretty well, but my brother got married in Antequera and it was the first time that I had gone into the real Spain, as in the country Spain. I had always gone on holidays to Costa del Sol, but my brother, we stayed in Villanueva de La Concepcion, which was a very small village. There was one hundred and twenty of us that went out. I just loved the real Spain. It was such an experience.So, from that, when I found that magazine – there are free magazines in different places and I picked it up and saw Olvera and decided, when I was there for the wedding, to take a trip to Olvera. I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s very pretty Pueblo Blanco. I just couldn’t get it out of my head and then decided to go back on a visit to look at houses. Houses were at their boom then, unfortunately for me, but at the same time I fell in love with it and in 2008 I bought it.Beth: &nbsp;Were you nervous starting off? Did this feel like quite a big venture for you?Catherine: &nbsp;You know what, I actually wasn’t nervous for some reason, but then again I was eight years younger. If I was doing it today I might be slightly nervous. I was eight years younger and I just wanted a place in Spain, but I did not want to be in a commercialised area. This town, it’s a town of eight and half thousand people, so I would consider it a town rather than a village.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, absolutely. So it’s eight years later, and how often do you find yourself over there? What do your visits look like?Catherine: &nbsp;Actually, I’m just back from there now. I came back last week. I go about five times a year to visit and I stay, a minimum stay is seven days, but now that I’m retired I’m thinking that I’ll probably go for three months at a time. I’ll spend May, June, July, and August in Ireland and then I’ll head off the end of August, September, October, November, and then come back for Christmas and then go again. I will spend longer there now.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, that sounds lovely. Is it that kind of simplistic life? I’m guessing it’s less stressful than Ireland?Catherine: &nbsp;If you want to de-stress that’s the place to be. They have the most wonderful vía verdes walking. There are lots of things going on. They have Spanish classes free for Expats. They’re just wonderful people. You walk down the street and everybody says hello to you and you’re wondering why they’re saying hello to you because they don’t know you but they’re lovely. Now that I’m living my dream was always to live on a Spanish street with Spanish neighbours. That was my dream.Beth: &nbsp;And now you have it.Catherine: &nbsp;Now I have it, and every single one of my neighbours know me. They see me every single day, when I’m out there, I spend evenings at dinner in their houses. They look after my house for me. They check my house. My next door neighbour checks my house every day. Nothing happens to my house without me knowing it.Beth: &nbsp;Which is just great. Did you have a good level of Spanish then, if you’ve made all of these Spanish friends?Catherine: &nbsp;I had all words, and I still have. They say every time I go I get better and better, but by the time I’m about to leave. Fortunately for me, my neighbour’s husband speaks English. He’s Spanish but he speaks English. If I’m stuck I Google Translate.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, technology is a wonderful thing.Catherine: &nbsp;Technology is wonderful. I do intend to really buck up and try and speak Spanish fluently, but I find when I come back to Ireland I forget about it and then I cram in maybe three weeks before I go I’m back studying Spanish again. You know, with Google Translate, it’s wonderful. Spanish people are just wonderful and Spanish country people are wonderful.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, because you’re outside of the towns and there’s much more of a community. Let’s talk about the property itself. So what exactly did you buy? Can you describe it for us?Catherine: &nbsp;The property I bought is relatively small. It is open plan, sitting room and kitchen and then on the first floor there are two bedrooms but one bedroom only fits a single bed and behind that, then, there’s a toilet and wash hand basin. The double bedroom is relatively big and airy and then you go up the stairs again and you have a laundry and a bathroom and a roof terrace. I’m overlooking just olive groves, complete olive groves.Beth: &nbsp;Great, and was it the first place that you saw? How many viewings did you go on after you’d seen this magazine, and seen the pictures and driven up there.Catherine: &nbsp;I didn’t know. I looked at a lot of properties. I looked at Pruna and Olvera because they’re both relatively close because they cover Pruna as well. I didn’t like Pruna. I thought it was a little bit too small. I liked Olvera from the point of view that there was more of a population and you would be more anonymous, but I was more into the Spanish way rather than the Expats way. I think that’s what cinched it for me. My street, I have a bar five doors down on the left and I have a bar six doors up on the right.Beth: &nbsp;(Laughter) Very good.Catherine: &nbsp;It’s a hunting community. It’s a farming community, so I fit in quite well because I’m a country girl myself at heart.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely. And did you say auctioneering was how you go this property?Catherine: &nbsp;No, no, no, I spent three days looking at houses with Zoe and in the end I just went with the one that I felt most comfortable in. Olvera is a very hilly town and I wanted to be on the flat part. So, I had a choice of two houses, really, on the flat and the one I picked I’m very happy with.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, and it sounds like there’s a guest room then, do you have people to visit.Catherine: &nbsp;Not so much, I don’t really, no, nobody is interested in coming up. A few people have indicated that they’d like to visit but I think, for my children, they’re still young and they want the Costa del Sols of the world. Maybe when they have children they’ll come to Olvera. They would feel a little bit isolated up there. I think that a certain age group fits in very well to Olvera when you’re finished partying in Costa del Sol you will start going inland.Beth: &nbsp;Fair enough, and it sounds like it a lovely and relaxed environment, so I can totally see the appeal.Catherine: &nbsp;It is and everybody is really nice of there. The people are very lovely. They do tend to speak their own Spanish, if you can imagine and you may be from London and trying to understand somebody from Newcastle. It’s not a great place to learn Spanish because they tend to speak like country people and they only say half their words.Beth: &nbsp;Right, OK, as if it wasn’t challenging enough.Catherine: &nbsp;Yeah, but at the same time, it’s not a burden at the same time. It’s not at all, not a burden.Beth: &nbsp;So would you do anything differently, if you were going to do it all again?Catherine: &nbsp;Well, hindsight is a wonderful thing. If I was going to do it all again I would have bought a bigger house.Beth: &nbsp;Interesting, OK.Catherine: &nbsp;But at the time, houses were at their peak in Olvera and I did what I did with the budget that I had.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, we haven’t talked about budget. Do you mind if I ask what it was?Catherine: &nbsp;The house was sixty-nine thousand.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, OK.Catherine: &nbsp;And I wouldn’t get fifty thousand for it today.Beth: &nbsp;Does that worry you, the depreciation, or was that never a goal for you in the first place?Catherine: &nbsp;No, it was never a goal for me. I just wanted a house that I could escape to. I had a very pressurised job. I managed a big hotel. I just used to get on the plane in Cork and get off at Malaga and the minute I hit Olvera I was a different person.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah.Catherine: &nbsp;That was my aim. That was my aim really the money… I was out there last week looking at other houses and I decided not to bother. I’m sixty years of age now. I’m not going to bother trying to get what I should have gotten, maybe in the first place. I’m just going to renovate the house that I have now.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic. It sounds like it suits you perfectly. You don’t feel too cramped there.Catherine: &nbsp;No, I’m not, I’m not. There are two of us there and we’re not cramped at all, at all. It suits us. But if I was to have, say, two people come it might not suit.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fair enough. So, for more guests you’d go bigger. Do you think that this will be the first property that you buy and you’ll now look seriously at others, or are you content to just renovate?Catherine: &nbsp;No, I’m content, now, to renovate. I’ll going to put about ten, twenty thousand into the house that I have and I’m very content.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, OK, fantastic.Catherine: &nbsp;You know, if they come out, there’s two hotels in the town. I checked the prices of hotels for my son, his wife, and their baby for one week in June and it’s only coming to five hundred Euros.Beth: &nbsp;Oh wow, lovely, so that’s great for them.Catherine: &nbsp;Prices are not like what they are down the coast.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fair enough.Catherine: &nbsp;You know, Olvera really is, I’ve always looked as Olvera as being the gateway to Andalucia because, one, it’s only twenty-five minutes away from me. Seville is only what, maybe fifty minutes away and Taquera is only fifty minutes away. There are so many places: Cordoba Granada, it is really the gateway to Andalucia.Beth: &nbsp;Absolutely, and do you like going to the cities? Have you visited Seville much?Catherine: &nbsp;Oh yeah, I do. I love it.Beth: &nbsp;I love Seville, I think it’s great.Catherine: &nbsp;I love it and I love Antequera. I often thought about maybe a house in Antequera but I’m quite content being fifteen minutes away and I go in on shopping sprees. I will always go to Antequera and Seville. It is good.Beth: &nbsp;Of the process, which part did you find the most challenging?Catherine: &nbsp;Umm, I’m trying to think. I think probably the most challenging was probably the NIE number even though Zoe organised it all. I hadn’t done that before, going in and trying to sort it out. Luckily she spoke Spanish so I didn’t have a problem but it was just the finer details.The notary was no problem, the bank was no problem. It was the finer details that I had, and of course then coming up with eight per cent that was fees, taxes and all different things on top of what your spending. But I’m saying that it was really all very calm.Beth: &nbsp;OK. Interesting. Where did you learn things like that? Where did you learn that you’d need an additional eight per cent in order to cover everything?Catherine: &nbsp;The estate agent made me very aware of… it was all itemised for me, what I would have to pay.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic.Catherine: &nbsp;There were no surprises, to be quite honest about it. I just had to come up. I actually was lucky that I had twenty per cent of the price of the house. I was very lucky that I had that money, but I’m saying that the bank was very accommodating.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, and it sounds like you had a helping hand. There were always people to ask. There were always people to talk to. You weren’t left on your own at any point?Catherine: &nbsp;No, I was never left on my own, and even eight years later I’m not left on my own because I need an architect now and I’ve actually dialled up the estate agent and she’s going to find me an architect to draw up plans.Beth: &nbsp;Amazing, eight years later and you still have her number.Catherine: &nbsp;Yeah, eight years later and she is always at the other end of the phone for me.Beth: &nbsp;Great, that’s perfect. So, my last question is, if you could give top tips to people starting the process right at the beginning at the moment, what would your top tips be?Catherine: &nbsp;Have a good serious look around at all houses in all areas. That’s my first tip. Secondly, make sure that you have at least twenty per cent. I think it’s important to have at least twenty percent of your money that you’re going to put down on the house. Thirdly, just go with it, go with it. Just decide whether you want a holiday home or a permanent home. Most people think they just want a holiday home when they’re going for it, like I did. But then, automatically as you get older, it turns into maybe a forever home.Beth: &nbsp;So flexibility is crucial.Catherine: &nbsp;Yeah, be very, very sure. Be very, very sure.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic, well it sounds like it’s gone perfectly for you and that you’re going to be spending lots more time out there, which is just brilliant.Catherine: &nbsp;Yeah, I am. I’m looking forward to it. I retired this year and I’m really looking forward to it.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, I bet. Well, congratulations. That’s basically all of my questions.Catherine: &nbsp;Well, it was lovely talking to you.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, it was great, and enjoy it, enjoy it next time you go out there.Catherine: &nbsp;Take care.Beth: &nbsp;Bye.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Catherine for sharing her experiences along with Olvera Properties for their help to make this episode possible.I particularly liked the idea of just finding a picture in a free magazine and letting that inspire a whole purchase, and the idea of living on a Spanish street with Spanish neighbours completely immersed in the cultureDon’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episodeThis podcast is produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.Whether your dream home is a rustic farm house surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.comIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, we’d really appreciate your 5 star rating on iTunes.&nbsp; It helps us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.And, whenever you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you: &nbsp;<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode &nbsp;</li><li>Get a location guide by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in.</li><li>Calculate your budget. Simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">kyero.com/budget</a>, enter two numbers and you’re done!</li><li>Be our guest. If you’ve already purchased your home in Spain, we would love for you to share your story on the podcast.&nbsp; Just email <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ul>Tune in next week when I speak with Thomas, originally from the USA, who, along with his wife, bought in Almunecar, Granada.Even though they moved from halfway around the world, find out why this part of Spain felt immediately like home.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next week!&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Episode 90: Lewis, Who Purchased In Illar

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Episode 41: Sian who purchased in Almuñecar

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Episode 44: Tania who purchased in Olvera

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain. &nbsp;They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time. &nbsp;I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Tania originally from Sydney, Australia.She purchased her dream home in <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/olvera-property-for-sale-0l6378">Olvera in Andalucia</a>.Having fallen in love with Spain whilst walking the camino de santiago Tania loves the history of the country and what better way to learn about it by buying not one but two homes there.She worked with the estate agent <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=980">Olvera Properties</a> to find her dream home in Spain.Check out the show notes at <a href="http://kyero.com/podcast">kyero.com/podcast</a> to find links and resources mentioned in this episodeTania: I'm Tania I live in Sydney, Australia, and I purchased two properties now, in southern Spain in a village called Olvera, which is about an hour and twenty minutes from Seville. I purchased the first property, I would say, around five years ago and the second property about three years ago. I use these houses for holiday purposes and when I'm not there I rent them out in the tourist market.Beth: &nbsp;Incredible, so the first process went so well that you decided that you would do it again.Tania: &nbsp;Yes, actually, it was surprisingly easy, the experience. I was, obviously, a bit nervous about it because, based here in Australia, which is a long way away from Spain. But I was fortunate enough to meet an extremely professional real estate agent who was operating out of the town, out of the village, and I went there to meet them. They showed me the properties. They instilled a little confidence in me and, in fact, it was all very easy. I wouldn't say that it was overly stressful . It went very smoothly and there weren't any subsequent problems, so I think the trick is to find a very good, reputable agent to deal with if you're not physically there.Beth: &nbsp;Which is such a common piece of advice. I don't think I've spoken to anyone as far away from Spain as you are. So, it's a really unique perspective that you've got. You said you came over for viewings, but presumably not so often. Did you cram a lot of viewings into one visit? How did that work?Tania: &nbsp;Yes I did, I had been just searching on the internet and I came upon this village which I was quite attracted to, then I discovered the existence of this estate agent, so I communicated with them by email and telephone. Then, I had planned a trip, a holiday to Spain, to walk some of the Camino de Santiago. So, during that visit I had arranged to go down south and meet them in person. By that stage we had a short list of properties that I wanted to view, which we did. I ended up buying something completely different.Beth: &nbsp;So it's lucky that you viewed, really.Tania: &nbsp;Yes, yes, that was fine. I think it was good and after seeing a few properties they started to get a sense of what I might like. Despite that, I had gone with the intention of not buying anything that required any renovation. I actually did something completely different and bought something that required some renovation, not a lot. So, that was even more scary, in a way, to manage that process from Australia, but with their help it worked really well.Beth: &nbsp;Incredible, how much of the Camino did you do? I actually did that walk last year, so I know how much it makes you fall in love with Spain.Tania: &nbsp;Ah yes, I unfortunately couldn't do it all. I did about one hundred and fifty kilometres. It was amazing, really amazing.Beth: &nbsp;Incredible, when you changed what you wanted to buy after seeing some things, did you still have a specific budget? Did you know how many bedrooms, or did it all change for you?Tania: &nbsp;Oh no, the budget was about the same, and yes, I wanted something small, a one bedroom, so that was great for me. Yeah, so the only thing that changed, really, was that they needed to do some renovations. But, in the end that was fun because I got to put my little stamp on that property. So, it turned out well. With the second property it was already complete so I could just immediately put that property on the market. I have done some more cosmetic changes to it in the time that I've had it, but essentially that property was ready to walk in and live in the next day really.Beth: &nbsp;With the renovations, were you put in touch with builders? How did you figure that out, or were you doing that online from Australia as well?Tania: &nbsp;No, so the agent that I worked with had connections with builders in the village so she recommended one. So, essentially she project managed the renovations for me on the ground. So, I was dealing with her. She speaks English which is a bonus because my Spanish is not very good. So, we would discuss what I wanted. We had a basic idea before that started and then she managed to help me through that process. That builder has gone on to help me in the second property. He is extremely helpful and now I have a direct relationship with him as well.Beth: Fantastic, because it's all about trust I think, with all of this, with builders, with agents, it's about building up trust. With the level of distance that you've got.Tania: &nbsp;Exactly, so I went into this whole venture thinking, OK there's an element of risk. I'm prepared to invest this much money, and I'm only going to invest the amount of money that I'm willing to lose if it all goes pear shaped, which it didn't thankfully. For me it has been an extremely positive experience. The rental on those properties is very good. They are frequently booked throughout the year, so whilst I don't make a fortune out of that, they certainly cover their costs and a bit more and I get to stay in them as often as I can.Beth: &nbsp;Who takes care of them from the rental... Is it AirBnB that you do, so you have cleaners come in at the end of each booking? How does that work?Tania: &nbsp;Yes, I have both properties listed on AirBnB so I manage all of the administrative booking process that's associated with that. Then I have a Spanish cleaner in the village and another English man who helps me with maintenance and all of the check-in on the ground procedures.Beth: &nbsp;OK, great.Tania: &nbsp;So that all goes reasonably well. I wouldn't say it's without headaches here and there, but mostly it works fairly smoothly now.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic. So, if you were going to do it again would you do it any differently? Were there any parts that you would say, "Oh I didn't navigate that amazingly well, and now I would know how to do that better?"Tania: &nbsp;Oh, I think I have just been so fortunate to have been able to work with that particular agent. So, I instantly felt that I could trust them. I spoke with other people who had worked through them in the past. So, I think that's the sort of thing to do if you can, find out who else has worked with an agent on the ground and get their feedback and their perspective.So, I felt fairly confident that that process was going to be fine, and it was. I've remained in contact with those people. We've become friends, in fact, so that's fine. I don't know what I would do differently. Perhaps buying two properties might not have been... maybe I would have perhaps gone for a slightly larger one property rather than the two small properties. But, at the moment, I have an option to potentially extend one of the properties. If that process comes together then I may look at selling the first one. So just to upgrade into a larger property, one larger property.Beth: &nbsp;&nbsp;I love this, it's not done for you. You still have got all of these projects in mind, and these things you want to do. It's fantastic.Tania: &nbsp;Yes, absolutely, I quite enjoy it. I like the design element and I like working with that local architectural styles, that Moorish influence that you find in the south, I like the decorative element of that. To me it's been a really nice hobby as well, and just managing the properties on AirBnB, that's a bit of a hobby, and I've met some nice people through that process. So, yeah, it's working great.Beth: &nbsp;Awesome, when it comes to the weather, that tends to be the most common reason, when you talk to people from the UK, that's why they bought in Spain. You're coming from Australia and it's already so beautiful there. So, what's the most different thing in Spain in comparison to life in Australia?Tania: &nbsp;I would have to say the history, absolutely the history. Australia is a relatively new country in terms of its migrant population, if you like. So, we don't have that depth of history that you find in Europe. Also for me, I'm very attracted to the lifestyle in southern Europe, the late nights, the nice weather, the sense of community, the liveliness.In Australia we tend to be living more isolated existences really. So, we don't have that vibrancy that you find every day on the streets. So, for me, that was the attraction. Not so much the weather, like you say we have nice weather here. We have nice beaches in Australia, &nbsp;the food, the music, the architectural style, for me that's the attraction.Beth: &nbsp;Have you met any other Australians?Tania: &nbsp;Yes I have. It's a funny story. When I was talking to a friend of mine here, when I was running the idea by her, "Oh, I'm thinking about buying somewhere here in Spain." She said, "Well, funny thing, I have some friends who bought in that region." She mentioned another town and she said, "I think it might be there."She described this couple: an Australian man and a Sri Lankan woman. Anyway, so that conversation passed and then I went to the village and I spent the first day looking around. The agent recommended that I try certain restaurants. I had said to him during the course of the day the same story, a friend of mine knows some people. &nbsp;Then I went into the village square to the restaurant and the first couple that I met was that couple. They, in fact, had bought in the same village.Beth: &nbsp;Small world, that's amazing.Tania: &nbsp;But other than that... Oh yes, in the same village there was another Australian couple who had purchased a house there. That community in the village actually we have people from, obviously, the majority are from the UK, but also from Belgium, from Russia, from &nbsp;Australia, all over, lots of difference influences.Beth: &nbsp;I think that is what a lot of people are really enjoying. You don't feel isolated even though there is a language barrier with lots of people who purchase in Spain you really build your own community. You learn a little bit of the language but also you meet all of these other people from so many different places and you really form nice friendships.Tania: &nbsp;Yes, I think it's very important though, if you're in a small village, particularly. My property is located in an inland village. It's very important that you try to learn the language. I'm still learning but I've certainly improved. You just need to on a day to day basis anyway. You're dealing with hardware shops and just your local retailers it's very useful to be able to speak some Spanish.Beth: &nbsp;Great that's excellent advice. Finally, if someone is sitting there thinking about doing it from anywhere in the world. If they're thinking about taking that leap and buying that first property in Spain, what would you say to them?Tania: &nbsp;I'd say absolutely do it, but just don't overextend yourself . Be prepared for things to go a little astray, but if that happens, for me, it was, "I'm going to make this decision to do this because it's what I want to do. I know there's a risk attached to it but I'm not going to invest more than I'm prepared to lose." That would be my advice.Beth: &nbsp;Very sensible, well fantastic. Thank you so much for talking to me today. I'm glad that it's gone so well. Do you think there will be a third property in the future?Tania: &nbsp;No, not at the moment, I'm very happy with my situation. I'm just looking forward to spending more time there.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, incredible. Well, have a great time when you get back over there.Tania: &nbsp;OK, thank you very much.Beth: &nbsp;Thanks Tania, bye.Tania: &nbsp;Bye.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Tania for sharing her experiences.And to Olvera Properties for making this episode possible. It’s great that Tania not only has experience of buying properties but also in renovating them and renting them out as well. I love the idea of treating AirBNB as a hobby.If you like what you’ve heard, you can search these agent’s properties and more on Kyero.com.Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. &nbsp;This podcast is produced by Kyero.com - our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.Whether your dream home is a rustic farmhouse surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.com &nbsp;We love hearing how these podcast episodes have helped you find your dream home in Spain - please do continue to share your feedback with us and if you’ve enjoyed this episode, we’d really appreciate you taking the time to review and rate our podcast on iTunes or your preferred podcast listening app.&nbsp; Your feedback, reviews and ratings help us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.And, when you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you: &nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>&nbsp;<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>. We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode &nbsp;</li><li>Get a location guide by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in. &nbsp;</li><li>Calculate your budget. Simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">kyero.com/budget</a>, enter two numbers and you’re done!</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>&nbsp;<ul><li>Be our guest. If you’ve already purchased your home in Spain, we would love for you to share your story on the podcast.&nbsp; Just email &nbsp;<a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<h2>Post-Outtro</h2>Tune in next time when I speak with Jonathan, originally from the United States but currently living in Germany.He worked with estate agent Oliva Casas to find his dream home in Spain. And believes that after getting on so well with his agent the buying process should be fun.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next time!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Episode 54: Carrie who purchased in Ribeira Sacra

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