Dive into life at sea

Jul 20 2008 Laura Davidson

John Hanney and wife Helen went to Majorca to help a pal furnish his new holiday home - and ended up taking the plunge into the property market too.

The couple had been thinking about buying a house abroad for 10 years but had never seen the right place.

Then, during their trip to the Balearics in May 2007, they saw a new development from Taylor Woodrow de Espana in the seaside town of Porto Cristo and knew it was perfect - especially for scuba diving fan John.

Helen said: "Property prices on the island are more expensive than on mainland Spain or Cyprus but there are more frequent and inexpensive flights to Majorca. It suited us perfectly.

"We had our first holiday at our new apartment in October and have been back several times since. We absolutely love it."

Helen, 47, who works in Costco, and paramedic John, 48, bought a two-bed penthouse at the Cala Magrana 2 development through Edinburgh-based Ecosse International Properties.

The couple, of Lasswade, Midlothian, paid 250,00 euros (s197,000), putting down a 15 per cent deposit from savings and taking out a mortgage for the rest.

John and Helen's apartment is on the top floor of the three-storey building, so they have their own private rooftop terrace for sunbathing and dining.

Helen said: "The things we love most are the views. To the front we look directly over the sea and to the back there is farmland - it's so tranquil."

The development is a short stroll from the sea and within walking distance of the marina.

It's perfect for sporty types - Vall d'Or and Pula golf clubs are nearby and there are great walking and cycling tracks.

But it was the diving opportunities which appealed most to scuba enthusiast John.

There's even a scuba diving school at nearby Cala Mandia beach. He said: "There are a number of diving clubs around Majorca which cater for beginners and those who are more experienced.

"Some are British owned and staffed so you don't need to worry about terms being lost in translation.

"Spain is a great budget diving destination. The water is beautifully warm and clear and you can spot all sorts of colourful sealife. The underwater landscapes are spectacular."

As well as using their apartment for breaks themselves and with twins Dawn and Bruce, 18, the couple also rent out their pad.

John said: "The region hasn't been spoilt by too many English pubs - the Spanish culture is still strong here.

"We enjoy being able to eat on the terrace as the weather in Scotland usually doesn't lend itself to meals outdoors. It's given us a new quality of life that we could only dream of before."

Factfile

Use a professional and established estate agency and a recommended Spanish solicitor.

New laws introduced in Spain this year require builders to seek planning permission before building begins and those who don't comply can face hefty fines or even imprisonment. This reduces the risk of buying illegallyerected buildings - a fear in the past in Spain.

Have your finances in place. In most cases you will have to pay 3000 euros to hold a property then a 20-30 per cent deposit within a month or two, followed by the balance when signing with the notary. Most Spanish banks give mortgages of between 70-80 per cent.

Taylor Woodrow de Espana are building in the Costa del Azahar, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Majorca. For more info, call Ecosse International Properties on 0131 441 9722, visit www.ecosseproperties.co.uk or email info@ecosse properties.co.uk. For more details about Taylor Woodrow de Espana, log on to www.taylorwoodrow.es