Rental or sale!

[Pilgrim1966]

I own a 2 bedroom apartment in the Torrevieja area and I am unable to use it for the next 12+ months and I have been investigating long term rental or possibly selling it. However, I have been disappointed by the services offered by local rental/estate agents. Rental agents do not appear to work on commission but require a large 'up-front' fee with no guarantees. Estate agents appear to have very high commission rates (some 20% or more) and of the replies I have had (about 25%) a couple have required me to value my own property. Living in the UK the process is already difficult and I would appreciate ANY advice or information.

Thanks in advance.

[keithBT]

sell or rent?

Seems to me you have to make a decision as to whether you really want to sell or not. You don't say the circumstances that prevent you from using the place yourself. long term lets can have lots of problems unless you have someone VERY reliable. I guess you should also ask whether you expect any capital appreciation over next couple of years. If the answer is no then sell because you have dead money otherwise. If you think apartment values will rise by 10% p.a then lock the place up or let it yourself by placing ads in Daltons weekly or similar, appointing someone locally to "private "Manage the place. In my humble opinion I would have guessed apartment values have peaked so not a great chance of further appreciation, but you tell me!! We sold in Los balcones late 2004 - there are a few honest / fair agents around. Ours took a flat rate 5000 euros commision on 165k.

[cel]

Re: Rental or sale!

I have very positive experiences with internet rental sites. You just pay a one time fee and that is it. If the moderator allows it I can give you the sites I use.

[spekbum]

[cel]

I use a property management company who charge the guest stating for cleaning and any other bits they want (welcome pack, baby stuff etc) so I don't pay anything there and they provide a brilliant service.
Hope this helps

Interesting, which company is this? You can reply to celpublic@mac.com as the private messages feature has been disabled on this forum.