Never buy without having seen the property.
What guarantees do you have if your developer goes bust?
Small farming towns like Catral have seen their foreign populations rocket as the region has overtaken the Costa del Sol to become the number one spot for foreign residents.
We face financial ruin. Law says renting out to locals can offer more reliable returns and holiday lets. But the keys to Alhama are the lake and its proximity to Granada.
The entire complex is set up to showcase the culture of Soria - with the small exception of the native dialect. But Stephen Ludlow, director of estate agent Ludlow Thompson, warns of a growing number of schemes in Turkey, Bulgaria and Dubai that guarantee rents for the first year or two.
For those English whose Spanish skills are far from fluent, this is a real advantage. The local phrase "water is for frogs" apparently sums up the contempt in which non-alcoholic drinks are regarded. This can be done quite easily and cheaply. This also applies to foreign citizens who have assets in Spain unless they make a will. But the keys to Alhama are the lake and its proximity to Granada.
The contractor informs us when he has to order certain materials giving the client the opportunity to change their mind up to this point if they wish.
But apart from that, who says the Spanish property market is over?
I was sat with a Madrid-born administrator named Almira, and luckily for me, her English was already very good. In most countries, handing over your deposit commits you to buying the property, with penalties for pulling out. Deals are always there to be done. As the coach made its tortuous route down into the valley, it became clear just how deserted this area was.
For tourists used to standing on the outskirts of local events, it's entertainments like these that really give English Town its unique charm.
And only then if they embrace the Spanish love of late-night drinking. Now everything has changed. How often do I need to jump on a plane to come and check on progress and make decisions?
Unsurprisingly, the potential to experience "the real" Spain is far more opportune than a holiday on the beach, or a city break.
For the language students, it was six hours of intensive conversation daily, being exposed to a range of accents, dialects, and personalities.
As much or as little as you like.
But the keys to Alhama are the lake and its proximity to Granada.
Participants are systematically allocated conversational partners, so it's pot-luck what you'll be talking about each hour - and how fluently. We face financial ruin.