Seeing Stars!

As a local based business we at Hondon Villas try to ensure the people who buy property through us are happy and content at all stages. Afterall they will be part of the Hondon community. We aim to make sure  they are comfortable with their life-changing decision. So it is always a pleasure to get some positive feedback. 


“An excellent professional company. My husband Phil and I experienced Maureen as caring, honest, genuine and constantly helpful. We would highly recommend this company and would like to extend our gratitude to Maureen & her team. ” : E Chadwick.

“You are awesome girls! Special Thankś to Maureen trying to find us our dream house. You have done more than enough and not an easy mission to find us a house. To compare to the other agents Hondon Villas is simply the best. Trustable and quality service in every way.  We will always will recommend you!” : M Nyland

“We can’t thank Mo and the team enough for all their help and advice during our settling in period. The professionalism, motivation and genuine desire to meet their client’s needs has convinced us that we made the right choice over all the other agents we contacted. Keep up the good work!”  : B Sangster


If you would like to leave a positive review about Hondon Villas go to our Google+ Business page here, sign-in and rate us. Thank you.


Professional Estate AgentHaving arrived in Spain in 2005, Maureen from Hondon Villas, secured a successful sales position with Med Sea Estates Ltd, an established and key property finder and inspections tour operator in the Costa Blanca South.

Maureen’s history in real estate goes back over 30 years, including her own successful Property Sales business in Leeds, UK and managers for the Halifax, Your Move, Bairstow Eves, Browns and Manning Staintons. No-one in the Hondón Valley area has such a pedigree.

Hondon.Co.Uk was established in 2007 by Maureen’s husband looking for a back-up plan with the pending global downturn. The Hondon Valley had seen such growth that of course there would be a need to re-sell properties in the future. Thus Hondon Villas was “born” to serve an international client base to both buyers and sellers. And to do this in Maureen’s winning formula of a friendly, honest and knowledgeable manner.

We are here to help.

Hondon Villas knowledgeable team all live in the Hondon Valley areas and so are well placed to offer buyers local advice on the area, suitable properties, and the legal aspects of buying and living in this tranquil and typically rural part of Spain. Clients who buy via Hondon Villas often become our friends and neighbours. (see our testimonials above).

We pride ourselves on making your buying experience as stress free as possible. Be assured that all of our properties are checked by experts before the notary to ensure that they are 100% legal with all documentation and licenses in place.

As we guide you and hand hold you through your property tours and purchase,  experienced multilingual lawyers will act on your behalf and the transaction carried out in the language of your choice.

Real Estate Code of ConductOf course we are always available throughout the whole buying process, from your initial property search on-line, cross-country calls, to viewings, the offer process, conveyancing and completion at the notary.

And as our previous clients can vouch for, our job does not finish at the notary. We make ourselves available to you as you settle into your new Spanish home, pointing you in the right direction, helping with move in, local networks and try to make your transition to Spanish life as simple as possible.

Hondon Villas are a legal and registered business with our main office and staff in the main plaza of Hondon de los Frailes. We are also proud members of the AIPP an association initiated to maintain the very highest standards of the real estate industry in Europe.

Spanish Real Estate – Brexit Buy or Sell?

Brexit … groan! As important as this historic event was and is likely to be in the next few years we are tired of hearing about it? But we cannot ignore it.

But or Sell in the Hondon Valley post Brexit

Well…. despite some jittery nerves after the UK Brexit vote in 2016, thankfully Brexit does not (as yet at least) seemed to have had a negative outcome on Brits buying property in Spain.

Without doubt Hondon Villas have had an incredible start to 2018 as in 2017 so we can say for now that people are buying here in Hondon despite Brexit. The charm  and value property of the Hondon Valley does still seem to inspire our prospects to want to live or holiday here.

We know from many studies and stats that the British are still by far the biggest group of foreign buyers of Spanish property, almost double the next biggest group – the French. Great news for the Real Estate sector and indeed for Spanish home sellers and the Spanish Government who rely on us for a massive part of the national income. Whilst it is nowhere near the heady heights of the pre-crash boom, things still look rosy in Spanish Real Estate.

We also know that many buyers who had designs to move to Spain are bringing forward their new life in fear of Brexit making it harder later.

“We decided to make our move sooner rather than later, as it may not be so easy in the future after Brexit,” says Natalie, 47, a primary-school teacher.”

Of course There are many factors on when or why people want to invest abroad… not just Brexit. For example there is a strong correlation between British demand for Spanish property and the strength of the pound against the Euro.   TIP: So Brits selling to return to the UK might want to do their sums as often the Euro to Sterling exchange rate can make up ground on any sales loss, especially if you bought in the boom years when GBP was 1.45+ €s.

But 100% it’s still a buyer’s market as supply by far outweighs demand. So sellers will likely not get the asking price they want as typically all buyers will make a reduced offer. Certainly in Hondon just about every house sold in recent years does not achieve the price the vendor thinks they can get. Many sellers with prices too high have had to wait years to sell and then only to reduce the price anyway.

Idealista have published that on average, buyers of Spanish Property offer 20.9% less than the vendor wants.

» Our reduced price Hondon Villas can be seen on this page

Hondon Valley Property AgentWe believe in general that this is to be expected and we ALWAYS advise sellers to keep their guide price as realistic as possible or you could be waiting a long time! Too many people proclaim “I’m not giving it away” but more often than not they have to accept it in the end.

So as a seller you should be prepared to negotiate and lower your guide price. The simple fact is that the Spanish Real Estate market has been depressed for nearly 10 years but it is definitely looking better, albeit slowly slowly.

Speak to Maureen or Jacquie for advise if you are unsure on what to ell your Hondon property for. 

 

Thanks to Mark Stücklin (Spanish Property Insight) for helping with this article.

Driving in Spain : Roundabouts

Spanish Highway CodeIf you have driven in Spain already you’ll know it can be frustrating and bewildering. It has also been known to induce Road-Rage! Why is it so hard to grasp?

Apparently the Spanish “Highway Code” (Codigo de Trafico y Seguridad Vial (pdf)) is about 1000 pages long! (in Spanish of course). So realistically you will not read it and judging by experience not many locals have read it either.

Is it any different in other countries? There will be cause and blame from both locals and foreigners not familiar with Spain’s road laws and of there can be the usual disregard for other road user’s safety.

So what about Roundabouts in Spain?

Drivers here already know one of the most hair-raising driving situations here in Spain is usually at roundabouts. It can sometimes feel more like the fair-ground dodgems and a free-for-all guessing game of lane changing. Of course a lot of drivers do not even signal their intentions (lazy!). So you need to be very careful of other drivers on “glorietas” when driving in Spain.

Driving in Spain : Glorietas
Driving in Spain : Glorietas (click to enlarge)

It should be quite simple: Under normal circumstances you should always exit the roundabout from the right hand lane.

Remember that you must stay to the right and drive as far to the right as possible when travelling around a roundabout in Spain. The right hand lane is the normal driving lane. Try and think of the roundabout as a normal road that has curves.  Have a look at the graphic above:  Car A and Car B is good driving but C, D and E is bad driving and could impede others drivers or worse still cut-off or force an accident.

If (due to traffic or lane markings approaching the roundabout) you need to enter the roundabout in a left/middle lane then ensure you still move over (and signal) to the right lane in time to exit the roundabout ( like CAR B ).

The principals are similar to the UK rules but of course in Spain we drive on the right.

The main thing is to be very aware of other drivers as unfortunately far too many do not know the above rules… you will be cut-off and will see many near-misses on Spanish roundabouts! Keep calm!

Hondon Property is on UK TV

Nigel and Jane, from The Wirral (UK) have recently relocated to this beautiful area of Spain, the Hondon Valley to start a new life in the sun.

Nigel and Jane, Barbarroja

They bought their 5 bedroom B&B villa in Barbarroja through Hondon Villas in 2017 as a new challenge and change of life style.

The refurbishment of the property is to a high standard and now “La Casa Blanca” is open for business. It’s beautiful, welcoming and set in a wonderful location with views extraordinaire!

You can watch their “moving” story on the Channel 4 series “A New Life In The Sun”. Nigel and Jane are featured in Episode 11 on Monday 26th Feb’ 2018 at 4pm (or repeats). Or you might be able see them on All4 Catch-up.

Website > https://www.bedandbreakfastlacasablanca.com/
TV > http://www.channel4.com/programmes/a-new-life-in-the-sun

Design Award in Architecture in Hondon

A designer villa for sale, in the Hondón de las Nieves campo.

» Full details of Hondon Villa #680

As you drive along the main Hondon Valley road (CV845 )  you will see , not too far from the La Montanosa Urb. towards the mountain backdrop is a unique style detached villa with a  “canopy” style roof.

This villa has 360 degree mountain views and is built over 3 levels.

Key Property Points:   Kitchen • Lounge • 3 Bedrooms • Bathroom • Sun Terrace • 360 degree views • Garage • Workshop • Solar Energy • Double Glazing • Easy drive to village amenities •  for tranquil lifestyle and nature lovers •  ripe for further development.

Hondón Villas are delighted to bring onto the market for sale this unique designed detached villa which won a Design Award in Architecture 2014. The villa is sat in a quiet location surrounded by 360 degree mountain views. The villa is only 5 minutes drive to both the local villages of Hondón de los Frailes and Hondón de las Nieves.

Google Maps view of Hondon Property #680

The villa is set upon 3 levels, the ground floor has a garage and a workshop. And has extras such as hot/cold tubing embedded in the floor as an initial energy recovering for heating.

The first floor comprises of a fitted kitchen, lounge, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a terrace and room where the swimming pool will be installed. Upstairs on the top floor is a leisure area with a terrace which is south facing.

A very modern build and must be viewed to be fully appreciated.

#252 Hondon de las Nieves 5 Bedroom Villa

Luxury, amazing and stunning villa design with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, 10,000 Sq Mtr plot in the heart of the Hondon Valley. Great value having recently been reduced in price to sell.

» Full Details and Latest Guide Price Here

For sale 5 bedroom villa in Hondon de las Nieves

Video by Vendor Landgoed Straatman.

Key Property Points

2 storey detached villa • Private pool can be installed • High quality construction and fittings • 4 en suite bedrooms with fitted wardrobes • Library/bedroom • Cloakroom • 2 spacious kitchens • ‘L’ shaped lounge with dining area • Separate cave house • Wooden chalet •
IDEAL FOR COMMERCIAL USE such as a Bed & Breakfast Hotel •

» Full Details and Latest Guide Price Here

Primavera: Soon be Spring in Hondon!

Spring (Primavera) is always a special time for nature with new growth and wondrous regeneration of life and colour. The Hondon Valley is no exception, having an amazing wealth of agriculture. And with record rain fall this winter the valley is greener and more colourful than ever. It really is outstanding this year with the Hondon Meadows a floral tapestry to behold right now.

Poppies in Hondon, Spain

We at Hondon Villas are no green fingered experts but you can’t help but notice this year is quite wonderful in the gardens and countryside this Springtime.

After the winter citrus harvest of grapes, clementines, oranges and lemons, February sees the valley full of pink and purple almond blossom. Which with the late winter winds fall like snow flakes to make way for March when the grape vines are starting to bud with vibrant green leaves. The pomegranate trees show the bright red flower to later turn to fruit. The thyme and rosemary herbs are in abundance with a small purple / blue flower and just smell delightful.

The Spanish Daises are amazing in full bloom and just seem to grow and are very hardy. The common and locally known “Sally Ann Handsome” (a very prevalent succulent) lines many a drive way or country road edge spreading it’s pinky purple flowers like a carpet. Roses do well in Hondon too. And for those that have managed to find the right spot can see stunning Bougainvillea. We are always amazed at the Yukkas creamy crown against the green blades and blue sky! There also some wonderful fragrances from Spanish Wisteria. All Gorgeous.

But the star of the show this time last year has to be the wild red Poppies. In all the years we have lived in the Hondon Valley we have never seen the fields so full. It must have been the heavy rain falls earlier in the year that has made this scarlet flower spread and thrive so much.

#310 Country Villa in Frailes, Hondón Valley

FOR SALE: A detached 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa close to the Spanish rural village of Hondón de los Frailes (Costa Blanca South, Spain).

» Click to to Guide Price and Details of this Hondon Villa

Key Property Points

Detached Villa • 3 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) • Cloakroom • Large Swimming Pool • BBQ area • 360 Panoramic Views • Rural Location • Close to Village Amenities • Garage • Workshop • Landscape Gardens

VIDEO

WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA:
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