by Stella Kaye

Created on: March 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 09, 2009

WE'RE OFF ON THE ROAD TO MOROCCO!

June 2005:

Browsing through the property section of the local paper I wonder where it would be wise to invest next. I've just pulled out of the purchase of my fifth rental property in the U.K. a two-bed roomed terrace because structural problems were revealed on the survey, but perhaps that's no great surprise seeing as it's located in a mining area. I can't afford somewhere new yet or a house in a more salubrious area so what do I do now?

"How about this then? It looks too good to be true," I say to my daughter as I read from the newspaper advert.

"Luxury two-bed roomed apartments in Morocco from 37,000 GB pounds. Communal pool, on site supermarket and restaurant, round the clock security, underground parking and close to magnificent beach and all amenities."

This could be not only a good investment opportunity but it could also be beneficial to family and friends too.

We look on the Internet where there are photos of the completed phase and subsequent phases still being built. I'm impressed. The location, the specifications, everything appears first class. But I'm not easily convinced; I'd have to see it for myself before I part with any money. In my experience the camera doesn't actually lie... it just leaves out the ugly bits and knowing my luck the development will be right next to a fish processing factory.

FREE INSPECTION VISITS stated the advert. Well why not? I muse, never one to resist a freebie. I've been to Morocco twice before so it's a place I'm familiar with and it's not too long a flight either.

My friend Vera who is in the property business too says she would like to go with me but her husband says no, assuming we will be up to no good with the locals as soon as we reach foreign shores. "But how will we have time to fraternise with anyone if we're looking at property out there?" we protest. He's still not convinced and warns us of white-slave traffic now. Never mind, I'll ask my friend Allan instead but he's sceptical too and thinks we'll just end up having to endure the hard-sell approach. I don't want to go on my own so my teenage daughter offers to accompany me...

13th June 2005 Monday:

We're off on the road to Morocco... via Malaga. Dorothy Lamour and Bob Hope eat your heart out! It's an early start to get to Leeds Bradford airport for our flight with Jet 2.com. I'm not a good flier at the best of times so out on Monday and back on Wednesday will do little for my equilibrium. Used to flying

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• Next Page >>