Connect Conveyancing and Casas Connect: Getting even more Connected with Algorfa!

It’s been just over a year since I first sat in the coolness and comfort of Connect’s office in the heart of La Finca to talk to Abbie Barratt about her company’s services. You can read all about it here, if you missed it. And what a difference a year makes! Abbie now has a team of professionals working with her to offer all their clients a stress free, seamless experience, whether they’re buying or selling property, becoming Spanish residents or jumping through the many hoops of Spanish bureaucracy.

Abbie has changed her business approach slightly so that customers get to know a something about the team at Connect to make their experience even more enjoyable by striking the perfect balance between professionalism and approachability. Judging by the many favourable reviews online, it’s working well, so let’s meet the Connect team.

Julen

Julen presides over sales and is responsible for viewings, finding clients the home that best suits their needs, while taking possible future lifestyle changes into account. What works now might not be a perfect fit in 10 or 20 years’ time. Julen knows the real estate business and Algorfa and the surrounding towns really well, so he can guide you through the process, whether you are buying or selling, and negotiate a great deal.

Jo

Abbie describes Jo as ‘my right arm.’ She’s in charge of admin and works on the conveyancing side of the business. Jo is on the front desk as the first point of contact with Connect, and she skillfully manages all the appointments. She is extremely well organised, making everything so much easier and more pleasurable for her clients and work colleagues alike.

Abbie

The Public Face of Connect, Abbie launched the company in 2016. Since then it’s grown exponentially, mainly due to personal recommendations from satisfied clients and word of mouth. Abbie feels it pays to have a presence in the heart of La Finca, on the commercial centre. It’s easy for people to keep in touch, because the door is always open. Not everyone wants to conduct their business online; the personal touch is very important to some people, especially older clients and those moving to Spain who may be nervous of the purchase process.

New car rental service

Connect are launching a car rental service very soon. It will be small to start with, but depending on interest, it could expand into a larger operation. Follow Connect’s Facebook Page for the latest information or to enquire about availability. Abbie says:

This is something our clients have been asking about. They want a hassle-free rental experience, without having to queue at the airport desks or part with a big deposit, just to be able to get around while they’re on holiday. We can take away the stress and provide them with transport at a competitive price.

Connect is registered with the Community of Valencia

In 2022, the local government brought in the legal requirement to register as an accredited real estate agent in Valencia to continue to trade. It’s compulsory, and it’s not just a matter of putting your name on a list. Agents have until October 2023 to comply with the new law, and there are eye-watering fines if they don’t. It all helps to make buying and selling property more straightforward. You can be sure that agents on the register have complied with all the stringent requirements connected to training, insurance, public liability and complaints procedures, and they should display their credentials prominently in their offices and on their websites. It makes for an extra layer of security for both buyers and sellers, and a welcome and long overdue safeguard for agents and clients alike.

The housing market in Algorfa

There’s movement in the housing market generally, and Connect is happy to confirm that they maintain a high percentage of clients interested in purchasing in Algorfa.  If you have a property to sell and the price is right for the current market, it’s not likely to languish in the listings for long. Prices are creeping up steadily, and are at a much healthier level than in recent years. And you’ll find local agents are not averse to collaboration. Abbie says:

I’m all for collaboration between agents locally, in fact I see it as the way forward for property sales and purchases. The seller gets more exposure for their property, and the buyer has more options to choose from. It’s good to work with other agents. We’re not in competition here in Algorfa, we have a duty to secure the best deal for our clients, and sometimes that’s best achieved through collaboration.

Moving forward, Abbie is optimistic about future prospects for local real estate agencies and other service providers. There’s a lot of interest in new builds around Algorfa, and people are still choosing the area as a perfect situation for their holiday home or a permanent move and lifestyle change. Connect keeps a close eye on local developments as well as national trends, and they are always looking for ways to improve the client experience by offering what’s needed, now and in the years to come. The dream home has to come with reality checks if it’s not going to become a nightmare, and Connect will never sell you an unsuitable property. Check out what’s available on their website, or better still, pop into their comfortable offices on La Finca and have a friendly chat. Their door is always open!

Image credits: All images are the property of Connect Conveyancing and used with their permission.