HomeEspaña looked after everything!

Mark, a handyman, gardener and carer, and Sylvia, a non-executive director for a social enterprise, originally bought their dream home in Spain in 2006. The plan was to live there for six months a year while spending the other six months in the UK close to family.

“We just liked the area very much and wanted to be amongst Spanish people. We didn’t want to be in a so-called Brit community,” Sylvia says. “We were only 20 minutes in the car away from the coast and even in August when the Spanish came from Madrid for their holidays, it still wasn’t crowded. It was so spacious and clean and the Spanish people you know, they are so warm and friendly… being so engaging with people who weren’t Spanish, there was a real community spirit.”

“We made an effort to go and do level 1 and 2 Spanish so we could converse with the locals about everyday things, which is important to do, isn’t it.”

Unfortunately, Mark’s parents became ill so the couple decided to move back to the UK to look after them. The couple initially used the house as a holiday home until 2019, when they were introduced to a long-term tenant by friends.

“We were very fortunate and they really looked after the place,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia and Mark then decided to put their property up for sale as well, and while they had received some interest from potential buyers, things really got moving when HomeEspaña got in touch.

“We just got the call, so I arranged for my friend to give HomeEspaña the keys… and within an hour (of the viewing) we received an offer that was almost full asking price,” Sylvia said. “And Sarah (Speed – HomeEspaña Aftersales Executive) picked up the case from there. Her abundance of energy to make sure we were ok… she is outstanding, she really is. And I’ve never actually seen her, not even on a video call,” Sylvia says.

“When we come to Spain we will go and visit her. And if anybody ever says anything to us, we would recommend you (HomeEspaña) as a good agent to go with.”

The sale completed successfully at the Notary on 29th January this year, but Mark and Sylvia were not required to be present for that either, as they had signed Power of Attorney with their solicitor.

However, the couple say that selling their house won’t stop them from continuing to visit Spain. “We may come back every winter to stay for a month,” Sylvia says. “We love the Spanish way of life.”