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Buying a Berth in Spain
By John Brewster
www.marineonline.co.uk
When searching for a berth,
you need to be aware that, just like property transactions in
Spain, (which is what buying a berth is) most agents and berth
brokers share their data and commissions with each other. The
benefit to the owner is that their berth is seen by a much wider
audience. However, although most brokers share data, none share
the name of people looking for berths.
This facility often proves detrimental to prospective purchasers
and sellers alike. For example, if a buyer happens to contact
several berth brokers, it leads the seller or their agents to
believe that there is more than one person after a berth of that
type and size.
As with any property transaction, it is the supply and demand
which affects the ultimate price, and should it appear that there
are several people wanting to purchase a particular berth, even
though it may be only one person in reality, it can lead to brokers
believing that the demand is greater than it really is. The effect
of this is that you may find yourself paying more for your berth
than is necessary, or the seller becoming disappointed by not
achieving his sale.
Even when you have identified a berth, it is extremely likely
that the berth you find will also be on the listings of several
other brokers, leading you to the false impression that there
are many marina berths available that meet your requirements,
and that by shopping around you may find a similar berth that
much cheaper. Unfortunately this is rarely the case as marina
berths throughout Spain are in very short supply.
Only recently, a report commissioned by the Spanish Government
concluded that in 2005 a total of 2,276 yachts will be seeking
berths in Andalucia alone, and by the year 2022 that figure will
leap to over 5,000 yachts in just this one area.
Those marina berths that do come onto the market are often snapped
up very quickly. Prices have continued to rise over the past few
years and many people have bought them purely as as an investment
vehicle. And for those wishing to rent a berth, the chances of
finding one is almost impossible.
There is also another point that you should know about buying
a marina berth - anything in Spain that has an escritura, as berths
do - is completed at the notary and there is tax to pay on the
declared amount. You will also need the services of a lawyer,
but this, combined with the tax, is likely to incur you extra
costs of circa 7%.
It is also a legal requirement that anyone wanting to buy a berth
in Spain, will need an NIE number issued by the Spanish Authorities
(This a Foreign Identification Number/ numero de identificacion
de extranjero ) and is a necessity in all fiscal or legal matters
in Spain, even if just buying a car.
Your number is personal to you and is not transferable and neither
does it expire. However despite the inconvenience, all of this
can be arranged by the solicitor acting for you on the purchase
of your berth.
Despite all of this, buying a berth in Spain, the Balearics, or
anywhere else in the Mediterranean therefore makes sense. Not
only should it increase in value over the term of the lease, but
it also provides security of tenure, which is not always the case
with a rented berth.
Genus Marine and Leisure
John Brewster's Genus Marine
and Leisure Group sells marina berths throughout Spain and have
offices in Spain and the UK. John also keeps a boat in Puerto
de la Duquesa.
For more information visit
www.marineonline.co.uk
or email info@genusgroup.co.uk
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