Client Testimonial

Selling a home in Altea Pueblo is rarely just a transaction — especially when it’s been your home for ten years.

We recently sat down with Gary and Kevin after the successful sale of their property in Altea’s old town to talk about their experience, why they chose 1 Real Estate, and what surprised them most about the process.

Here’s what they had to say.

“Tell us a little about yourselves and your time in Spain.”

Gary:
“Well, my name’s Gary, and we’ve both been in Spain for about 10 years now. We decided it was the right time for us to make a move.”

The couple had lived in their Altea Pueblo home for a decade — and during that time, they fully reformed the property themselves.

Gary:
“When the house was reformed, we had quite a lot of involvement in that, so it felt like it was our house. We feel quite attached to it. It’s more than just bricks. It’s 10 years of our life in this house. I really love this house.”

Kevin:
“I would say it’s cosy, bright, relaxing, comfortable.”

Their decision to sell wasn’t rushed.

Gary:
“It took a good few years. It wasn’t an instant decision. But we eventually made the decision at the beginning of this year. We really wanted to be back home and closer to family and friends.”

“Did you consider selling the property yourselves?”

Like many homeowners in Spain, they initially thought about selling privately.

Gary:
“Originally we thought we’d do it all ourselves, but then decided that was probably too much for us to take on board.”

Instead, they started researching online.

Kevin:
“We saw good social media. We looked on Instagram and came across 1 Real Estate and thought, ‘Yeah, that looks good.’ And the commission rate — I mean, 1% compared to other agents — for us it was a no-brainer.”

“Why did the 1% commission stand out to you?”

In the Costa Blanca property market, traditional agency fees of 5% or even 6% are common.

Gary:
“One agency quoted 6%. It was like… that’s a lot of money.”

But for them, it wasn’t just about saving money — it was about value.

Kevin:
“If people think you’re getting 1% commission and the service isn’t going to be good, or they won’t particularly care — it’s not like that. It’s the opposite.”

Gary:
“You’re only being charged 1%, but you’re still getting a personalised service and a good service. You’re getting a 5% service.”

Kevin:
“I can’t imagine getting a better service from someone charging 5% or 6%.”

“What was your first impression when you met the team?”

After responding via Instagram, Andrew and Sariah visited their home in Altea Pueblo.

Gary:
“It was quite quick. They came round, videoed the house, and it went on the market within a day or so.”

But what stood out most wasn’t the speed — it was the approach.

Kevin:
“We were sat on the sofa for about an hour just talking. It made it feel very personalised. We were both very relaxed with them. It was a nice experience.”

They had met another agency before making their decision.

Gary:
“They were very professional, but we didn’t feel a connection. It was very business-like.”

Kevin:
“When you’re selling a property, it needs to be more personalised. You’ve got to feel like you can speak openly, on a relaxed level — not like it’s just a business transaction. That’s what we got.”

“How long did it take to receive an offer?”

One of the biggest concerns for sellers in Altea Pueblo is how long it will take to sell.

Gary:
“We didn’t know how long it was going to take before we got an offer. It was around three to three-and-a-half weeks.”

They were pleasantly surprised at how quickly things progressed.

Kevin:
“When the buyers expressed their interest, we didn’t expect it to move so fast. You might get more international buyers, so it’s not necessarily instant.”

Gary:
“That was a surprise — but we were pleased about that surprise.”

“How was communication throughout the process?”

For many sellers — especially those familiar with the UK market — communication can be a concern.

Kevin:
“Sometimes with estate agents in the UK, they make promises and then leave you to it and don’t contact you again.”

That wasn’t their experience this time.

Gary:
“Andrew kept in contact with us. He told us what was going on. It was really good.”

“How did you find the legal side of the sale?”

One of the advantages they highlighted was having conveyancing included and coordinated.

Kevin:
“Having the conveyancing included was really useful.”

They worked closely with Margo from the legal team.

Gary:
“With Iberica Law it was really, really good. Our point of contact was Margo. She sent messages, we spoke on the phone, and we also WhatsApped. She always kept us abreast of what was going on and what was needed.”

Kevin:
“We felt safe in her hands.”

For them, it felt seamless.

Gary:
“With Iberica and 1 Real Estate together, it just worked well. It seemed part of the same team.”

“How did it feel emotionally, completing the sale?”

After ten years in their Altea home, the emotional side was significant.

Kevin:
“It is very emotional selling a property. If you’ve lived there for 10 years, it’s more than a property — it’s your home.”

Having an agent who understood that made the difference.

“Would you recommend 1 Real Estate to other sellers in Altea?”

Without hesitation.

Gary:
“We would recommend 1 Real Estate. It’s not only the personal service we felt we got, but the 1% commission.”

Kevin:
“You’re not losing out on anything. You’re getting the same — if not better — service.”

Thinking of Selling Your Property in Altea Pueblo?

Gary and Kevin’s experience highlights three key things for homeowners in Altea Pueblo and Costa Blanca North:

• You don’t need to pay 5–6% commission to receive excellent service.
• Personal connection and communication matter when selling your home.
• With the right marketing strategy, properties can sell faster than expected.

If you’re considering selling your home in Altea, speak to a local team that understands both the emotional and financial side of the process.

Because as Gary said:

“It’s more than just bricks. It’s 10 years of your life.”