Jet Set Properties is a property and overseas refurbishment consultancy for foreigners who want to find property off the beaten track in Catalonia. Established by Channel 4’s Dawn Buckler and Rocco Barker after their own experiences with the overseas buying process, Jet Set Properties is a no-nonsense straightforward advice and search assistance alternative which demonstrates it is indeed possible to buy a foreign property for a lot less than international estate agents sell them for.

In our research, we have found that a lot of International Estate Agents try to appeal to the rich and naive – taking unnecessarily large commissions from the property buyer. Buying a property abroad is not THAT DIFFICULT! Yes, there’s obviously a few obstacles, and the process is somewhat different than in the UK – but all one needs is some advice, a good lawyer, and someone who has knowledge of the area. Dawn & Rocco have been there, done that and now wish to share their experience, as well as the beautiful surrounding (without making it the next Malaga!).

JET SET PROPERTIES CAN ADVICE AND ASSIST ON THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

PROPERTY PURCHASE:

• Finding your ideal property and accompanying you through all stages of the purchase from initial ‘private contract’ to the final ‘signing’ process at the Notary and completion of transaction.
• Negotiation of purchase price and contract.
• Mortgage approval and arrangement
• Advice on international money transfers
• Foreign Identification Numbers.
• Continuing advice and assistance on tax
• Provide Legal representation to ensure the following:
  • Check that the property is free of debts and other charges (no money owing on the property, mortgages, etc.)
  • Conduct a land registry search to establish the current ownership of the property.
  • Payment of local rates are up to date in the Town Hall
  • All outstanding bills and community fees (if applicable) have been paid
• After purchase care and advice on taxes, transfer of electricity and water, registering your title.

Jet Set Property have a large database of properties for all budgets
- whether its a stunning piece of land, a 'masia' in need of renovation, or a fully finished house ready and waiting for a new owner!   We will custom search for your specifications - just send us an email with your budget and requirements to info@jetsetproperty.com!  In the meantime, below is a small selection of Catalonia properties available now....

REFURBISHMENT:

• Should you require anything from general maintenance to major renovations, Jet Set Properties can provide assistance on the following:
• Advice on the general processes of renovation works in Catalonia
• Assistance with finding a suitable architect
• Obtaining planning permission
• Finding a constructor and negotiating work and payment schedules.
• Design

For further information, please contact info@jetsetproperty.com

DAWN & ROCCO CASE STUDY:

How do a self-confessed ‘extremely naive and unpractical’ couple defy the rules of ‘normalcy’ to take on Spanish bureaucracy and buy abroad?

If Dawn and Rocco can successfully buy a property in Spain – then so can you! And you DON’T have to be rich!

Allow me to introduce The ‘Dummies’:

Dawn : 29-year-old Canadian who moved to the UK at age 24. Has had various temping and media jobs in her 5 years in London, as well as a brief stint pursuing an acting career. Bank account balance: £5,000

Rocco: 44-year-old ex rock star (Flesh for Lulu) who has never done an honest days labour in his life. Rocco’s idea of work is waking up at 3:00pm, playing a one-hour music gig at 10:00pm, and then getting drunk and socialising. Owns a flat in London with a £100,000 mortgage.

Both parties above know nothing about overseas property. Dawn in particular has never bought a property (or anything more expensive than a car) in her life. Rocco bought his first flat in the UK 3 years ago.

Like a lot of people, Rocco and I always had the hope of moving to sunnier climates, leaving the hustle and bustle of London, heading south so to speak. So in September 2004, Dawn and Rocco visited their favorite city in the world: Barcelona, Spain! Not ones for exploring your regular run of the mill tourist attractions, Dawn and Rocco decided to spend a day venturing out of the city and into the mountains so as to explore the local region. As they passed through numerous quaint villages, they noticed (as we all do!) various estate offices and decided to the ‘take a peek’ at the properties on offer. After being rejected and ignored by numerous estate agents due to communication and language difficulties, Dawn and Rocco eventually stumbled across an estate agent that spoke a little bit of English. He soon discovered that Dawn and Rocco were not looking for a ‘Finca Rustica’ as they had mistakenly been describing. In fact, they were looking for a mountain house with some land, a fabulous view, and lots of privacy. Their only true specification was that the house had to be in ‘real’ Spain. The last thing they wanted was to be in an area often described as the ‘British Seaside in Spain’. No Costa Brava, no Costa del Sol, etc. They wanted to live as the Spanish do, integrate with the community and drink their culture.

After hours of broken English/Spanish conversations, Albert the estate agent spoke the words Dawn and Rocco were waiting to hear: “I think I ‘ave some thing may you like” A 20 minute journey up narrow and winding passages to the top of the mountain led them to a house now known as ‘Casa Jet Set’.

The international property buying process was begun. Despite various hiccups along the way, the house was eventually theirs. Actually, we shouldn’t say we bought the house. They fell in love with the house. The buying process was still a dream at that point. But it started the investigation process, which provided some interesting insight on Spanish procedures (which you won’t find in the many ‘Buying Property Abroad’ books you read).

For further information, please contact info@jetsetproperty.com