4th February 2021
Clever use of technology helped HomeEspaña match David and Norma Price with a holiday home in the Costa Blanca without the couple needing to leave the UK.
The Prices, who are retired and from Liverpool, completed the purchase of their duplex apartment in Orihuela Costa in mid-October 2020 but it wasn’t until the end of that month that they stepped foot inside for the first time. They had decided the property was right for them three months prior, sat on their sofa in the UK doing a virtual viewing with their HomeEspaña agent via his phone’s camera!
“We contacted HomeEspaña after seeing the duplex on their website,” said Norma. “They arranged a virtual viewing for us, which was really helpful as it meant we could get a real sense of the size of the place. The agent Jamie was able to answer our questions as he walked around and he even measured rooms for us as we watched. What really stood out was the space of the downstairs and the fact it has a hallway, so you don’t enter directly into the living area. It’s larger than similar properties we visited during a trip the year before.”
The Prices, who have two adult sons and four grandchildren, made an offer the same day as their virtual viewing. The two-bedroom property – the only one they ‘viewed’ with HomeEspaña, had recently been reduced from €86,500 to €79,995 and they got it for €79,000.
“Everything happened quite quickly after that,” continued Norma. “We appointed power-of-attorney to our lawyer, so they could do everything on our behalf. HomeEspaña did eveything we asked and answered all our questions. Helen in after sales was especially helpful. Even after we had the keys, she helped us, driving us around to do errands.”
Covid-19 and travel restrictions never deterred the Prices from carrying on with their search for a holiday home. “We began our hunt two years ago, after we sold an apartment in Turkey and decided to buy in Spain. We didn’t find anything during a trip to Orihuela Costa in 2019, when we stayed in Punta Prima. But we did decide the area was right for us. So we continued looking on the internet during lockdown.”
The Prices’ duplex apartment is in a gated community in the residential area of Playa Flamenca, 10 minutes south of Torrevieja. Accommodation is over two storeys, with a hall, living area, separate kitchen and balcony on the first floor, and family bathroom and two bedrooms with balconies on the second. They also have their own solarium, with distant views of the Med, and access to a communal pool.
“We can walk to a few shops and bars, but larger supermarkets and restaurants are 15-20 minutes away, while the beach is a short drive,” said Norma. “And transfers and flights are easy, especially compared to Turkey. We have easy access to both Alicante and Murcia airports.”
Covid or no Covid, the Prices are determined to enjoy time at their new home in 2021 and have flights booked for March and in the summer, when one of their sons is due to come to out too. They haven’t booked return tickets though, eager to make their stays as long as possible!
Congratulations to David and Norma from all the HomeEspaña team!
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