On 1/14/2025 at 9:36 PM, Walker88 said:

Not sure about Spain, but in Italy and France, 'outsiders' often buy old, historical properties in various states of disrepair, and then put in lots of funds---using local licensed artisans---to bring the property back to livable and historical standards.

 

A few years ago I bought an 800 year old castle and have done govt-approved repairs that make it a landmark. I have slowly furnished it with antiques that match the feeling of the structure. The estate also has its own church, which has similarly been brought up to standard, plus buildings where wine was made and aged for hundreds of years. I have cared for the grounds and left a hundred acres of old growth forest untouched and open to locals who wish to hike or view the abundant wildlife. I have no heirs, so someday the property will be returned to the country.

 

Spain ought to consider some outsider purchases as FDI.

Leave it to me please 😚

Another pointless communist step dance nobody needs.

 

So many Spanish communities are dying, thanks to communist mismanagement, nobody needs crayz taxation on buyers, except communists to feed their voting base.

 

You would have to be insane to buy a house in Spain anyway though, Spain is riddled with crime, African immigration and indigenous corruption.

 

Taxation is ridiculous already, but pensions are great. Another Greece in the making. Since, as we all know, most Spaniards do not pay tax.

3 hours ago, Flyguy330 said:

Leave it to me please 😚

Its just his fantasy.

 

We bought a Spanish property in a company name, cant remember exactly why but the country has major 3rd world vibes.

1 hour ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Its just his fantasy.

 

We bought a Spanish property in a company name, cant remember exactly why but the country has major 3rd world vibes.

LOL

 

No, fella, it's quite real. Sorry, but lots of people are significantly more wealthy than you.

 

I wanted another place outside of the US, and searched for about 2 years. I saw the property I now own and instantly made an offer. Paid cash. I also wanted to do the renovation the right way, and spent some time finding the right artisans to do the work. While I enjoy it, and visit several times a year for a few weeks at a time, I take some satisfaction knowing I am helping to preserve not only history, but the incredible skill of the folks, long since dead and gone, who cut and shaped the oak timbers, gathered and fashioned the stones that make up its 3 foot thick walls, laid the floors, put in all the fireplaces, and made a structure that has lasted centuries. I am told the original church was destroyed during some religious unrest, but rebuilt ~550 years ago. Out buildings include a massive barn and a foundry, used to make all the fixtures and iron bars on the lower windows, as well as the coopering straps for wine casks. As I noted previously, the property was once a working winery, and the structure where the wine was aged still has giant oak casks. Some of the casks fell apart over the years, so the artisans doing renovation use some of the old oak for indoor structures and finishing work. That oak is incredibly hard and quite difficult to work.

 

I insist on using only period materials (save for modern bathrooms and electricity, and a working kitchen), so pointing is done with limestone plaster and any painting uses natural ochres. When a floor needs replacing, I source reclaimed wood.

 

Often in the evening, before sunset, I pour a glass of wine and stroll around the exterior, continually marveling at the work and toasting the folks who long ago built the structure. I've gotten papers from the local commune office that note owners and residents going back to the mid 1400s. Coming from a country where the oldest structures are maybe 200-250 years old, I have an appreciation for things that are much much older.

 

People in my commune swear the structure is haunted, but in all the time I have stayed in it, often alone, not a peep from a ghost. Sometimes a piece of rock will fall from a wall in a nearby room, but as far as 'strange' noises, that's it.

 

Sourcing furniture has also been fun, and like the building itself, I enjoy studying the workmanship long dead artisans could do with less-than-ideal tools.

 

I have brothers and sisters, but I've yet to propagate my own gene pool, so either a sibling gets it, or the state can take it over. In the meantime,  I get to enjoy it for the next few decades.

 

And no, I'm not going to post any images. I prefer anonymity, especially since there's lots of crazy folks online. If it makes you feel better thinking this is all a fantasy, knock yourself silly. I don't give a flying eff what anyone thinks.

 

Getting back on topic, Spain might consider that there are structures in their country the average Spaniard is not going to call home. Allowing foreigners to buy and renovate historical structures, without imposing a 100% tax on the buyer, benefits Spanish society as well as Spanish artisans.

20 hours ago, gearbox said:

The Spaniards will buy. It is their country and they are not paying this tax.

 

Spaniards and other EU residents.

 

It's those non-EU types buying up 'investment' properties that they want to block. The UK should take a leaf from this playbook, especially in the ridiculously expensive London and the southeast, where the greater amount of those born and bred there have no hope of buying a home where they live and work. However, I reckon that's way, way too big a cash cow for the already obscenely rich and self-entitled toffs to yield on.

9 hours ago, Cameroni said:

. Since, as we all know, most Spaniards do not pay tax.

Bit like Thai's then? 

On 1/14/2025 at 8:36 PM, Walker88 said:

Not sure about Spain, but in Italy and France, 'outsiders' often buy old, historical properties in various states of disrepair, and then put in lots of funds---using local licensed artisans---to bring the property back to livable and historical standards.

 

A few years ago I bought an 800 year old castle and have done govt-approved repairs that make it a landmark. I have slowly furnished it with antiques that match the feeling of the structure. The estate also has its own church, which has similarly been brought up to standard, plus buildings where wine was made and aged for hundreds of years. I have cared for the grounds and left a hundred acres of old growth forest untouched and open to locals who wish to hike or view the abundant wildlife. I have no heirs, so someday the property will be returned to the country.

 

Spain ought to consider some outsider purchases as FDI.

Wow. That sounds like an absolutely amazing property. Kudos to you man, what an enviable lifestyle. I absolutely love Italy, and dream about being able to buy a place there and fixing it up. 

 

Spain seems like they're missing the point, and it is likely an overreaction from the massive tourism that they've been suffering from. But they've been plagued by bad government for a very long time. 

On 1/14/2025 at 8:02 PM, CharlieH said:

pipe dream by some a-hole. 

 

It will never make it through parliament etc at 100% .

Why a-hole? Seen that 80% of London is in Arab hands, with only shoeboxes left for the true Londoners, I fail to see why you would call them that. Properties in Spain are dirt cheap, so should be reserved for Spanish/EU only and not for wealthyvArab, Indian or Chinese investors.. 

 

 

3 hours ago, UWEB said:

Another right wing nonsense talker

Aha! Someone whos not a communist, think different and giving an opinion.. Now  is Right wing..🤔 Classic

11 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Another pointless communist step dance nobody needs.

 

So many Spanish communities are dying, thanks to communist mismanagement, nobody needs crayz taxation on buyers, except communists to feed their voting base.

 

You would have to be insane to buy a house in Spain anyway though, Spain is riddled with crime, African immigration and indigenous corruption.

 

Taxation is ridiculous already, but pensions are great. Another Greece in the making. Since, as we all know, most Spaniards do not pay tax.

Don’t forget that Don’t need to buy a house in Spain or pay taxes, just take one for free.. OKUPAS. Actually The Squatters have legal rights according to the Ministry of Equality.

11 hours ago, Walker88 said:

LOL

 

No, fella, it's quite real. Sorry, but lots of people are significantly more wealthy than you.

 

I wanted another place outside of the US, and searched for about 2 years. I saw the property I now own and instantly made an offer. Paid cash. I also wanted to do the renovation the right way, and spent some time finding the right artisans to do the work. While I enjoy it, and visit several times a year for a few weeks at a time, I take some satisfaction knowing I am helping to preserve not only history, but the incredible skill of the folks, long since dead and gone, who cut and shaped the oak timbers, gathered and fashioned the stones that make up its 3 foot thick walls, laid the floors, put in all the fireplaces, and made a structure that has lasted centuries. I am told the original church was destroyed during some religious unrest, but rebuilt ~550 years ago. Out buildings include a massive barn and a foundry, used to make all the fixtures and iron bars on the lower windows, as well as the coopering straps for wine casks. As I noted previously, the property was once a working winery, and the structure where the wine was aged still has giant oak casks. Some of the casks fell apart over the years, so the artisans doing renovation use some of the old oak for indoor structures and finishing work. That oak is incredibly hard and quite difficult to work.

 

I insist on using only period materials (save for modern bathrooms and electricity, and a working kitchen), so pointing is done with limestone plaster and any painting uses natural ochres. When a floor needs replacing, I source reclaimed wood.

 

Often in the evening, before sunset, I pour a glass of wine and stroll around the exterior, continually marveling at the work and toasting the folks who long ago built the structure. I've gotten papers from the local commune office that note owners and residents going back to the mid 1400s. Coming from a country where the oldest structures are maybe 200-250 years old, I have an appreciation for things that are much much older.

 

People in my commune swear the structure is haunted, but in all the time I have stayed in it, often alone, not a peep from a ghost. Sometimes a piece of rock will fall from a wall in a nearby room, but as far as 'strange' noises, that's it.

 

Sourcing furniture has also been fun, and like the building itself, I enjoy studying the workmanship long dead artisans could do with less-than-ideal tools.

 

I have brothers and sisters, but I've yet to propagate my own gene pool, so either a sibling gets it, or the state can take it over. In the meantime,  I get to enjoy it for the next few decades.

 

And no, I'm not going to post any images. I prefer anonymity, especially since there's lots of crazy folks online. If it makes you feel better thinking this is all a fantasy, knock yourself silly. I don't give a flying eff what anyone thinks.

 

Getting back on topic, Spain might consider that there are structures in their country the average Spaniard is not going to call home. Allowing foreigners to buy and renovate historical structures, without imposing a 100% tax on the buyer, benefits Spanish society as well as Spanish artisans.

Fascinating. Is it France? Someone else guessed Italy, but I think its in France. You mentioned 'Commune' which is French for local administrative unit. Does your place have any links to Napoleon? I'm a big fan of the history of that period, and have been listening to an EXCELLENT podcast about L'Empereur for the last 2 years. It's called 'The Age of Napoleon'. Highly recommended to anyone who has the spare time on their hands - I listen to it while I work out.

 

Regarding the restoration care you've taken - I appreciate that very much, well done.

I spend a lot of my time in Penang and enjoy the old town very much, but especially one little boutique hotel there called 'The Seven Terraces'. It is an old colonial building - a line of shophouses -  which were in a state of dereliction until it was bought by a local man - Chris Ong - who had the money and dedication to do with it what you've done with your castle. You'd like him I'm sure.

The time and care he has taken to restore it, using original Peranakan style decor and materials. The result is amazing, and admirable. He went on to set up another boutique hotel, called Muntri Mews. Same care and attention given to the restoration. I've stayed in both several times and really love them - they do have mod-cons, so its not a hardship. Its a trip back in time.

Check out this Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Z8tB4MKIgiw?si=TQwLaEeFaCEYScQD

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Aha! Someone whos not a communist, think different and giving an opinion.. Now  is Right wing..🤔 Classic

He has not a different opinion, he is just telling utter nonsense. Spain never had a communist Government, and since the Fascist Franco Dictator past away all Government been elected in free and open Elections.

45 minutes ago, UWEB said:

He has not a different opinion, he is just telling utter nonsense. Spain never had a communist Government, and since the Fascist Franco Dictator past away all Government been elected in free and open Elections.

Wrong again. to inform to you that The Right WON the last democratic elections by votes. The current president made a pact with ETA terrorists, Basque separatists and COMMUNISTS to come to power.(VicePresident is Comunist) And they keep him there with falses promise to 1. Achieve the independence of Catalonia and the Basque Country, promising money and budgets that do not exist. Currently with Ministers and Attorney General accused of corruption and a President who falsely lead the Socialism. The worst of this history is that Sanchez  promised voters that if he came to power he would never make a pact with those three parties. So yes,as you said “Open and free elections” BUT without loyalty and honesty. The last thing; making moves to remove the King and change the constitution.

19 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Wrong again. to inform to you that The Right WON the last democratic elections by votes. The current president made a pact with ETA terrorists, Basque separatists and COMMUNISTS to come to power.(VicePresident is Comunist) And they keep him there with falses promise to 1. Achieve the independence of Catalonia and the Basque Country, promising money and budgets that do not exist. Currently with Ministers and Attorney General accused of corruption and a President who falsely lead the Socialism. The worst of this history is that Sanchez  promised voters that if he came to power he would never make a pact with those three parties. So yes,as you said “Open and free elections” BUT without loyalty and honesty. The last thing; making moves to remove the King and change the constitution.

When will you right wingers understand that you need 50% plus X to form a Government. Seems the IQ of you sort of people is just not high enough.

42 minutes ago, UWEB said:

When will you right wingers understand that you need 50% plus X to form a Government. Seems the IQ of you sort of people is just not high enough.

Mmm..And now fhobic, good, but you are Wrong for third time and didn’t understood a single word of my above message. I like when people in this forum do smart answers, and show certain empathy and emotional intelligence. Reading your personal insult towards me clearly explains the kind of man you are. I don't play your game. Keep for yourself the next answer…and stay away from me,   IQMAN

Spain plans 100% tax for homes bought by non-EU residents! 

 

Shows again how greedy those Governments are  All about money .

Just an other BS idea, If they don't want to sell to None Euro residents than make it a Law   Ohh  But then they don't get to pocket  the 100 % Tax.

 

On 1/14/2025 at 8:36 PM, Walker88 said:

Not sure about Spain, but in Italy and France, 'outsiders' often buy old, historical properties in various states of disrepair, and then put in lots of funds---using local licensed artisans---to bring the property back to livable and historical standards.

 

A few years ago I bought an 800 year old castle and have done govt-approved repairs that make it a landmark. I have slowly furnished it with antiques that match the feeling of the structure. The estate also has its own church, which has similarly been brought up to standard, plus buildings where wine was made and aged for hundreds of years. I have cared for the grounds and left a hundred acres of old growth forest untouched and open to locals who wish to hike or view the abundant wildlife.

 

I have no heirs, so someday the property will be returned to the country.

 

Spain ought to consider some outsider purchases as FDI.

 

I available for adoption.