Trustworthy estate agent serving Competa?

There are about 450 properties showing for sale in Competa on Idealista https://www.idealista.com/en/point/venta-viviendas/36.8267/-3.97517/15/mapa-google where most agents register their properties. Spain has about 3 million unsold homes, agents are very enthusiastic, when you show an interest, standard lines, "the market is very active right now" one other line  "a person has already made an offer, but if you pay X I think the owner might except". A person making short visits with limited time the most vulnerable, it's hard to be sure what a property is worth with such over supply, I wrote a blog below which tries to explain how the market works here, the biggest buyers are Spanish of course and they have different values based largely on community or a view of the beach. The agents charge large sales fees compared to UK, average fee 5% many properties shared with others, most agents self employed and very hungry for their commission. Idealista is good, you can view a lot of properties rapidity on-line and get an overview, it's all about bartering, most are very over priced, you need to allow about 10-12% for extra costs and tax. Take little notice of what the agent tells you, use your own judgement and study the market, it's nothing like the UK. 

Blog..... .   

There are two parts of the Costa del Sol, 'where the Spanish live' and where tourists seek to buy & rent homes, (Tourist areas often have an over supply of property and many lay empty and can attract squatters), in good Spanish residential locations you will hardly find any apartments or homes empty, this includes those places with a sea view, generally, the nearer the coast milder in winder and less hot in mid summer. One rule worth bearing in mind, just like restaurants, 'if full of Spanish people a really good one' they also know the nicest 'communities' to live and unlike UK people do not question 'noisy neighbours' ? Spanish communities always have some noise, be it the 'sound of children' music or motor bikes, people do not tiptoe around, that's part of the 'wonderful vibe'. Many Brits who move to Spain want, Highcliffe On Sea in the sun, or a sleepy English village, where folks use baby sitters & leave the kids at home for their evening meal. 'The real heart of Spain is the people', in particular in Towns & Cities, to really understand the culture folks should check out 'Old Town Malaga' and where Antonio Banderas has his idyllic penthouse on the 6th floor, above a restaurant, just a stone's throw from the historic city monuments of Alcazaba, Moorish fortress and the Roman Theatre, his balcony has views of the Picasso Museum. That's the 'real Spain' and where the magic is, however, many Brits never even go into this magnificent city, they leave the airport & head down the coast and never see the real treasure of Malaga. 'My advice explore and understand Spain before you buy'. If you walk and love the streets of Old Town Malaga, Spain and Andalucía is for you. 

Be warned, once you move here you become a 'fiscal resident' & bear in mind UK is like a 'tax-haven' compared to Spain, with no age cap on 'social security payments' so check carefully with a 'Spanish accountant' the real costs on income and pensions from the UK,. Without a 'Golden Visa' you must become a fiscal tax resident, although if fortunate to be a retired 'Civil Servant' your pension tax deductions remain in the UK.. 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4VaNwunxR0

I find Idealista is little more than a dumping ground for stuff that agents can't sell via their usual usual channels, mostly because it's either ilegal or overpriced. And private buyers who have completely unrealistic views on what their house is worth. I'd add that 50% of the houses on Idealista are not even actually for sale, not least with the agent listing them. At least, that is my experience. 

Idealista is handy as a very rought guide, but not much more, again in my experience.

What I'm really looking for here, as I hope I got across in the initial post, is recommendations for trustworthy agents who service Competa. I can work out which agent serve the village, and even get in touch with them to sound them out, but nothing beats first hand experience.

I don't want to come over next week to meet agents and view houses only to discover that they are the types of agents who play the usual tricks ("that one just sold but I have others" etc.) and end up wasting my time, and money. We're coming over to buy, so I want to find reliable people to deal with.

"I find Idealista is little more than a dumping ground for stuff that agents can't sell"  With respect that's daft, agents use them as a sale tool, the site’s primary source of revenue is monthly fees from professional real estate agents. Private sellers can list up to two properties for free, selling property in Spain is tough, 'the over supply is enormous'.https://aimgroup.com/2018/06/19/idealista-celebrates-15-years-in-the-black-2/

'I was not saying you should locate an agent via them', but a good tool using their map to get an overview of properties and value in a location. (Most of the property I'm aware of for sale here listed there and I have been looking for another second property for a year) You stated "mostly because it's either illegal or overpriced"  'That's just not true', I'm sure applies to some property, but respectable agents use the the site and some of the private sales might be good value.  It's also the norm here for agents to draw property from a pool, many use clever marketing, where agents produce slick smart brochures with a customised front end. https://adsmarketing.es/en/multi-agent-magazine/ 

I've had a home in Spain for 25 years, I know lot's of agents and one of my best friends one, it's a minefield, I'm just giving you good advice, you need to make your own careful assessment of the market place or could be costly. But you might not realise that for a long time.

 'Good luck' 

Thanks, but I think you are misunderstanding the point of my post. I'm looking for recommendations for an agent dealing in the Competa region.

It's not that your advice and insight isn't accurate, it's just it's not what I'm asking for.

I can give you a guy on the spot there, known by Spanish friend of mine in the trade who says OK. Small local agent who might help you source what you want https://www.sergiofernandezproperties.com/01servicios.htm  Happy hunting 

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I dealt with Competa Properties and have no complaints. They also have their own building firm. They have offices in Competa and Torrox. The owner Celi speaks very good English too.

Hi we have had dealings recently as February 22 , with Ellie from Competa properties, and Josh from Sergio Fernández.

Both companies, I would recommend.

Best regards Tom

Many small local agents are good at personal service, it's hard in Spain with the gigantic over supply of property to pin down the correct value, I mentioned Idealista, who can be good to get an overview, the map works very well. https://www.idealista.com/en/point/venta-viviendas/36.8267/-3.97517/15/mapa-google.

Agent fees are huge, 5%, a vast amount share properties with others and split the commission, they also use generic web sites drawing properties from a property bank they belong to. For this reason many have the same properties & will show up on different web sites. Often you can good a good deal direct with the owner, when they avoid agents and just hang a sign outside seeking to avoid agents fees. People who fly in for a short period can be vulnerable & often buy 'with the sun in their eyes'.      

Holaitsdavid, why do you persist in posting irrelevant comments to this thread? I might add they are not only irrelevant but somewhat condescending, in my opinion. I would appreciate it if you'd stop, please. I understand I can't stop you if you wish to continue, but it would be appreciated.