Category Archives: Interviews

Murcia property investments - An Interview!

Murcia property investmentIn this exclusive interview Stuart Thomas talks one of the directors of a very successful property investment company based in the UK - It's interesting reading! Click here to read more, and optionally leave a comment! Read this article, and optionally leave a comment

Hi all. I've had the pleasure of interviewing one of the directors of a very successful property investment company based in the UK. It makes for an interesting read and gives a completely different view point for you. Please read on.

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The "Brits" Are Here!!

Today we'd like to introduce you to a a couple of our friends! If anybody wants to know about life in Spain and specifically what life is like at the Roda Golf and Beach Resort, we would suggest you search out Graham and Marion Sanders and ask them, judging by the photo here, it is fair to say that life is pretty good for Roda Golf's newest full time residents! Click here to read about their experience, and perhaps say hello :) Read this article, and optionally leave a comment

 

Graham and Marion Saunders - Roda Residents!

British semi-retired couple Graham and Marion Sanders are the latest full time residents of Roda Golf, and we would like to be among the first to welcome them to Roda Golf and Beach Resort and wish them all the very best for their new lives in Spain.

Graham and Marion, originally from Essex, paid their initial deposit for their new dream home in the sun about two years ago. As regular visitors to the area they had a pretty good idea what they wanted from their home in Murcia, and they also decided some years ago that they wanted to live in or near to Los Alcazares.

When the plans were first announced for Roda Golf and Beach Resort, Graham and Marion knew at once that this was going to be the place for them. After reserving their property and paying the deposit they have been "wishing their lives away" waiting for their new home to be built!

They have now been living in the property at Roda Golf for about six months and it is fair to say they are loving it. Graham has just been appointed Vice President of the community of owners on their phase, and will be responsible for making sure everything runs nice and smoothly for the community.

Graham is also responsible, along with good friends Logan, Danny Reilly, Pete and a few others, for the Roda Golf Tuesday and Thursday morning golf challenge, where 5 euros will gain you entry to the 8 or 12 ball competition where winner takes all (the winner must buy the 1st round at the 19th hole) this has now become a very popular competition with many regular visitors to Roda Golf joining the members. I myself have joined them on more than one occasion and it is a real fun experience, the competition is fierce with some real keen golfers in attendance, as well as some very questionable handicaps, you have been warned!

Behind every good man there is a good woman and that is certainly the case with these two. Marion's main job is to keep Graham on the "straight and narrow". I am happy to report, so far so good!

Graham and Marion can be regularly seen at the Roda Golf clubhouse and gracing the bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity, La Diva restaurant in the 525 plaza and El Patio 2 are among their favourite eating establishments.

If anybody wants to know about life in Spain and specifically what life is like at the Roda Golf and Beach Resort, we would suggest you search out Graham and Marion Sanders and ask them, judging by the photo above, it is fair to say that life is pretty good for Roda Golf's newest full time residents.

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Phase 4 delays - Advice from the experts

phase_4_april.jpg

We are often asked - "Why is PHase 4 delayed so much, so we asked our experts at Calida International Properties, and they kindly provided the answer! It's simple, but it's the truth! Click here to read the article and see the answer! (and one, brand new, picture from our next full inspection gallery!) Read this article, and optionally leave a comment

Another interesting comment from our sponsors at Calida International Properties, this time they are addressing the delays at Phase 4 which are concerning many of our readers:

We are constantly being asked "what are the reasons for the delays on phase 4 at Roda Golf?"

Phase 4 - April 2008 - Click to enlarge
Phase 4 - April 2008 - Click to enlarge

It is so very frustrating, particularly for those owners on Roda Golf Phase 4, but of course it does affect everybody, including the developer, nobody wants to "crack on" more than the developers themselves! Luckily the answer is extremely simple.

I appreciate you all think that this is just an excuse, however the truth of the matter is that town hall bureaucracy is responsible. For those of you who live in Spain or have purchased in Spain before, you will know all about this subject. It is so painfully slow waiting for the local council or town hall officials to take responsibility and simply issue the licences. That is the problem in a "nutshell" - nothing more sinister than that, so for all you conspiracy theorists out there, please relax (easier said than done) there are some great updated pictures of phase 4 coming in our imminent "April - Full Report" article. These new, and very detailed photos taken from the course, show that there has been progress, but we appreciate not enough, so please watch this space, as soon as we have news we will advise you.

Roda Golf - Buy or wait?

Our sponsors over at Calida International Properties are enthused with the amount of visitors we are getting here on Roda Golf Info, and they have agreed to start writing some articles for us! In this first article Stuart Thomas, managing director of Calida International, discusses his thoughts on the ever present worry - "Buy now or wait?". Stuart provides some illuminating, and honest insights into the current market in general and at Roda. Click here to read the full article

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Our sponsors over at Calida International Properties are enthused with the amount of visitors we are getting here on Roda Golf Info, and they have agreed to start writing some articles for us! In this first article Stuart Thomas, managing director of Calida International, discusses his thoughts on the ever present worry - "Buy now or wait?". Stuart provides some illuminating, and honest insights into the current market in general and at Roda. We print his article in full below:

Location, Location! Does it get better than this? - Click to enlarge
Location, Location! Does it get better than this? - Click to enlarge

We have been asked many times over the last few months, "why should we?", or "why would we?" buy property at Roda Golf and Beach Resort - and it is a very good question.
Clearly the world wide "credit crunch" has really started to "spook" not only those people who are considering purchasing, but also those who have already purchased at Roda, combine that with a very strong euro, and you can see why people might consider delaying their purchase of property at Roda Golf and Beach Resort

The truth is there is never a good time to buy... or indeed a bad time to buy! There is only a time when it is right for you as an individual. Let me explain - The property market in Spain has experienced a considerable slow down, that was always going to be inevitable, particularly after ten years of solid growth, the problem is not as bad as the problem currently being experienced in the UK, however there is no doubt, there is a slowing of the market.

In the UK there has been some quite dramatic slowing figures being produced, but not in London, the UK generally has slowed to a standstill, but London property prices continue to perform pretty well. One should understand that Roda Golf and Beach Resort is a lot like London in this respect, you have all heard the expression "location, location, location", well Roda Golf and Beach Resort is currently the very best location in the region, and possibly even the best location in Spain to purchase property.

San Javier / Murcia Airport - Click to enlarge
San Javier / Murcia Airport - Click to enlarge

When you consider the world class Dave Thomas designed golf course, the gated resort just a couple of minutes from the stunning blue flag beaches of the Mar Menor, just 5 minutes from San Javier airport, with the 2 cities of Cartagena and Murcia just a stones throw away, and luxury properties still available for under 240,000 euros, it s easy to see why property sales are still pretty buoyant, not as good as they were 2 years ago, but on a resort with a maximum of 1,800 properties, obviously there was going to be a problem with availability.

There is not the wide choice of properties available any more, nearly all of the really desirable properties have gone, no longer can you just walk in to Roda Golf and pick from a choice of penthouse apartments, now you have to take what is available, this is why, if you are seriously considering buying at Roda Golf, make sure you can afford it, then go and "jump straight in" you will not regret it.

Somebody asked us just today, "what if I wait for the euro to weaken against the pound?" well what if everybody does the same thing?, you will have a mad rush again when the euro weakens and property prices will rise very sharply, what if the euro continues to strengthen? you will kick yourself for having "missed the boat" yet again.

Properties are limited at Roda Golf, particularly the "front line" golf villa's and the penthouse apartments, and the problem is getting worse daily. Unlike other developers and other resorts, Roda Golf are still making steady sales, if you are considering buying at Roda Golf, then it must be because you love the place, you have probably played the golf course and, like me, you have probably put a ball or two in one of the fabulous lakes. You will probably have enjoyed a nice cold beer served by the very friendly staff at the clubhouse, or enjoyed the wide variety of stunning restaurants in the nearby town of Los Alcazares, whatever your reasons for wanting to buy at Roda Golf, our advice is "strike while the iron is hot" - delay at your peril.

Celebrity news! We bump into Mark Jones!

img_1292.jpgCelebrity news, Look who we bumped in to at Roda Golf today, you Welsh owners and rugby fans out there will recognise Mark Jones, the Llanelli Scarlets and one of this season's Wales 6 nations Grand Slam winners! Read the full article, with big picture Read this article, and optionally leave a comment

img_1292.jpg

Celebrity news! Look who we bumped in to at Roda Golf today, you Welsh owners and rugby fans out there will recognise Mark Jones, the Llanelli Scarlets and one of this season's Wales 6 nations Grand Slam winners!

The number 14 for Wales was enjoying a much deserved vacation at the Roda Golf and Beach Resort with his wife Helen, fresh from celebrating the Grand Slam win over France just a couple of weeks ago. Well done Mark and congratulations from the Roda Golf Info team!

This was Mark and Helen's first visit to Roda Golf for over 12 months and they thought it was fantastic, they were both very impressed with the progress at Roda Golf and Mark told us, he thought the new Roda Golf clubhouse and PGA academy facilities were just sensational, we even caught him hitting a few balls on the range, good to see you Mark and thanks for your time today, come back and visit soon.

Interview with Roda Golf Course manager - Pablo Riestra

In this article we hear from Golf Course manager Pablo Riestra. It's a revealing interview and we hope to be able to follow this interview up with more this year!Click here to read the full article, and optionally leave a comment! Read this article, and optionally leave a comment

Pablo Riestra (Course Manager) -  Click to enlarge
Pablo Riestra (Course Manager) - Click to enlarge

“In its first year, Roda Golf Course has raised the standard of golf in Spain with its spectacular design, intelligent layout and challenge for golfers of all levels”

In the year since it opened, Roda Golf Course has already become one of Spain’s most talked about courses. Manager, Pablo Riestra, speaks to us about its success and explains how he will improve it even further.

How has the first year gone?
Roda Golf Course has set a new standard for golf in Spain. Dave Thomas designed a magnificent golf course, creating a challenge that really stands out from other resorts. Its layout is very intelligent, incorporating all the elements that make the golfer enjoy their round – it also looks beautiful.

The course has attracted some top-level championships, is that right?
Yes – and this has really been the icing on the cake as far as demonstrating the quality of the course. We hosted the PGA’s International Team Championship, the Mar Menor Challenge Championship and the second running of the Torneo Calidona – League of Stars, which featured superstar players from the worlds of golf and Spanish football.

Do property owners enjoy any special golf deals?
Absolutely – owners benefit from a 30% discount on green fees. Roda Golf & Beach Resort also gives visitors the chance to rent a property in the complex with a 10% discount and enjoy a few days on the course.

What do you have to help people who want to improve their game?
Both amateurs and professionals will find everything they need here to improve their game. Roda Golf Course is developing facilities for teaching and practising golf which will meet the strict PGA regulations, and all our golf instructors will be PGA-certified. In fact, thanks to an agreement that Calidona has with the European PGA, Roda Golf Course will be the first PGA golf academy and course in continental Europe.
We will also have the latest video and custom-fit technology available for all golfers. This will include simulators, computer-assisted learning, distance learning methods and equipment for analysing and measuring of all kinds of swing. I’d like to point out that our practice range will be illuminated to allow practice at night, and it will have a computerised practice room.

What does the resort have to offer families?
People of all ages can enjoy our excellent facilities with 24 hour-surveillance, a practice range, a singular putting green, a Club House with a restaurant boasting unbeatable views over the lake at the 18th hole and magnificent cuisine; and, of course, outdoor activities on the beach, just over a kilometre away. In short, this is a place to enjoy some unforgettable days in a beautiful environment.