This month I interviewed Jose Manuel Garzon Macho of Marbella Solicitors Group (Law offices) he is the senior partner at the Axarquia office located in Velez Malaga. Marbella Solicitors has 7 offices with Malaga being the latest addition. Marbella was their first office that they opened, hence their overall group name and then the other offices in Mijas, Manilva, Axarquia, Nerja, Madrid and most recently Malaga followed.
I met with Jose Manuel at the new Malaga office which is now their head office. Jose works at the Axarquia office in the mornings for meetings with clients and then returns to the Malaga office for the afternoon to follow up client's requests, research and paperwork. The new office in Malaga is in an easy to reach location and is light, airy and professional with meeting rooms for privacy. Jose Manuel Garzon Macho is a charming, professional and knowledgeable lawyer. He is a specialist in property law and has extensive experience as a legal and tax adviser in all kinds of real estate matters. He is supported in their Velez Malaga office by a Dutch Assistant Hennie. She speaks five languages, Dutch, Belgium, English, Spanish and French. Jose Manuel commented that the change of nationalities coming to the local area had been noted by their office and that the need for a native Dutch assistant who also spoke Belgium and French as well as English and Spanish was extremely important. People like to deal with important matters such as finance, tax and property in their own language and now they offer this service impeccably.
Normally the number of sale transactions actioned by the Law Firm reduces throughout the summer. However, last month was their best month ever a testament to their business and service. The aim of the Law Firm is to provide “More than just Legal and Tax services”. They guarantee a personal, rigorous and professional service in a fast and efficient manner and at a reasonable cost. As a result of their good service many clients use them for a house purchase or sale and then return for help with their tax returns. Jose Manuel Garzon carries out tax returns for resident and non-residents both quarterly and annually. This is charged at 100 euro (incl IVA) per return. Their pricing structure is open and a full price list is given to the customer at the beginning, so there is no surprise bill at the end. More recently owners of holiday rentals are using the law firm. Owners of the properties let out must be registered with the Junta de Andalucía and must register quarterly declarations from their rentals. Jose Manuel Garzon can help both with this registration and the tax returns.
In the last couple of years paperwork with regards to house sales has become more and more important. Many houses and villas don't have the correct paperwork. For example land boundaries, registering of new buildings, extensions and pools with the Castro all needs be done before a sale can proceed. A DAFO certificate isn't required in all cases for example where a property is correctly registered and all licenses for all the property including extensions pools etc. have been obtained. For many this is not the case and so acquiring a DAFO certificate from the Town Hall is advised. A DAFO doesn't make a property legal it is a form of regulation. In some cases some properties are unable to get a DAFO for example if the property has been built on protected land. Jose Manuel commented that everything can be sorted with time and money. For example he strongly advises a property should be bought with correct paperwork and with a DAFO (if needed) however if this isn´t possible and both parties (buyer and seller) are totally informed and warned of the situation a sale can still go through.
DAFO Certificate is a costly process and for some house owners it may be possible ( if agreed with by the buyer) to hold a retention fee from the process off the sale to sort the DAFO out afterwards. This usually works out more expensive than sorting out the paperwork prior to the sale but offers an option.
Jose Manuel has helped many clients needing legal assistance even if they are not in the process of selling, most typically to add swimming pools to their paperwork. To register the construction, the Architect fee, Legal and Notary fee and Land Registry fee along with the standard duty taxes ( 1.5% of the value given to the new construction) the cost is likely to be in-between 2,500 and 3,000 euro if the work is carried by himself at Axarquia Solicitors. Adding for example an extension due to its higher value the costs will be likely to be more. However they pride themselves on being exceptionally competitive in the market place. He advised that their legal fees are extremely competitive being 1% of the purchase price which includes 21% VAT where other firms normally add the VAT on top.
Another type of situation that can occur throughout a house purchase, is for example, those buying a property in an urbanisation on rustic land that is in the process of becoming urban land. in Alcaucin many urbanisations will come under urban land when the Urban Plan is approved. Although, in the long term this is a good thing, clients must be advised of the extra costs that may be involved in the future such as road access and lightening must be paid for.
Further information can be found on their website both on advice on properties sales and purchases and taxation, all with an idea of costs and the process. Furthermore they offer free advice online through their website.
Just some of their services are listed below but on their website is a comprehensive list and detailed explanation of how they can help.
PURCHASE OF REAL
ESTATE
SALE OF REAL ESTATE
SUMMARY OF THE CONVEYANCING PROCESS
CONSTRUCTING YOUR OWN VILLA
TENANCY & RENTAL MATTERS
MORTGAGES, LOANS & REFINANCESI
INHERITANCE OF REAL ESTATE
NIE NUMBERS & OTHER RESIDENCE LEGAL DOCUMENTS
I really enjoyed meeting Jose Manuel Garzon Macho I felt he was extremely likeable and I found him approachable and trustworthy which I believe is key to a person who is dealing with such important matters as finance and house sales. If you would like to contact him please see the advert on …..
