"Spain is a cold country with a hot sun’ according to Chris and Linda Garwood of Costa Blanca Select. We’d like to add that this couple supply all the warmth you could possibly need when the sun isn’t shining.
Just listen to them and trust them and they won’t let you down. They have been there ahead of you and have chosen a beautiful town to live in, Moraira, in the Marina Alta.
Tell them about your dream home and they’ll go to endless trouble to find it for you (even one with a furtling room)! Meeting them for the first time, after emails and ‘phone calls, is already like meeting old friends.
If after your visit/visits you do decide to settle here, then Linda and Chris will be there to help and guide you, making your move to a new country as painless as possible. Endless good advice along with genuine friendship – we want to keep them to ourselves!"
Neil & Jan Brown - Ilkley W. Yorks / Benissa Costa - February 2010
"Having purchased our copy of 'Spain' magazine we emailed every advertiser and within 24 hours we had a number of replies, one of which stood out from the rest. Time had been taken to read our criteria thoroughly and every matter we raised was addressed and answered with authority, professionalism and, where appropriate, humour; it was from Costa Blanca Select.
We liaised with Chris and Linda over the next few weeks and arranged to spend a week in Moraira purely with a view to looking at some properties, getting to know the area and Chris and Linda. It was important to us to find out why two people were so willing to spend an entire week with us showing us (over 20 as it turned out) properties, spending hours explaining the purchase procedure, offering endless tips on how to avoid potential pitfalls, recommending solicitors, surveyors, banks etc (all of which have proven to be invaluable), and taking the time to assist us with the more tedious but necessary aspects of moving to Spain.
Six months later (the timings were by our request) we have a wonderful home in the beautiful town of Moraira; the whole process went more smoothly than we could have dreamed of. Before we emailed Chris and Linda we had not heard of Moraira and we had no idea about the property purchasing process in Spain. At no time were we sold anything; there are no catches; there is absolutely no need for any suspicion about the service being offered. We would recommend Costa Blanca Select and, more importantly, two outstanding people called Chris and Linda Garwood, without hesitation"
Chris & Al Longthorne - Ilkley / Moraira - January 2010
"Thank you so very much Chris & Linda for finding me such a lovely home which ticked all my wish list needs. A big thank you also for helping me through a very sad personal loss and taking the load off my shoulders by finding very good tradesmen, an efficient and caring legal consultant, overseeing building and alteration work and generally making my life a lot smoother and happier than it could possibly have been otherwise. I hope your new office is a big success. Your work and friendship are really appreciated".
Jacky Tanner - Andorra / Moraira -
October 2009
"We just wanted to let you know how grateful we are for everything that you have helped us with since our first meeting back in November 2008.
Following our first contact with you to arrange some viewings, we were a little sceptical, as your proposals seemed too good to be true, and when things seem too good to be true, they normally are, however, you are both an exception to the rule and we are so pleased that we chose you to help us find and refurbish our holiday home in Moraira.
From the day when we first approached you our questions have been answered and our queries have been resolved and you have both been so helpful in every aspect of our home purchase and renovation, with advice and introductions to new contacts and recommendations ranging from solicitors to supermarkets. Maybe we could have achieved all that we have without your assistance and on-going monitoring and overseeing, but we are certain that it would have taken us much longer to complete and would undoubtedly have cost us considerably more money. Most importantly for us though it would not have happened as smoothly without your guidance and what has now become friendship.
We assumed that when the purchase was completed that we would “be on our own” with finding a surveyor, builder, pool maintenance company, gardener, TV installer, hotel, B&B, shopping facilities and everything else that was needed, but not at all, you recommended reputable and reliable sources for all of these and we are so thankful for your solid advice. Now that our home is complete, we can’t wait to be there to enjoy it and to spend some more enjoyable times with you both".
John and Sue Starmer - Atherstone / Moraira – Jan 2009
"I met them through a pure stoke of serendipity, their business card was given to me by a couple they had previously assisted. Once contact was established Linda and Chris became my guardian angels in that:-
- They guided me through all the interminable residential bureaucracy
- Showed me a choice of properties that I would have never found myself
- Advised me of specific shops in different towns which gave the best furniture and fittings discounts
- Gave willingly of their time to help me settle in, and even make the process enjoyable.
- I ended up with what I wanted, a beautiful apartment in Javea
- Best of all, to me, their client, their inestimably valued services were free.
Thank you both once again".
Brendan Murphy – Croydon / Javea - October 2008
"What can you say about Linda and Chris that has not already been said. When you first meet them it is like meeting old friends, they make you feel so at ease.
They make it very clear right from the outset that they are working for you and want you to be happy with all they do, which is a considerable amount. After just two days of viewing we visited a villa which we just fell in love with. After negotiating the price with the seller's agent we all went off and celebrated!
However they did not just leave us at that point. All the necessary appointments were made and visits to banks, police stations, currency transfer specialists, solicitors and notary etc. were set up and before we left to return to England everything was in order.
Thanks once again Linda and Chris and we look forward to meeting up with you when we return to Spain. Best wishes to you both"
Carol and David Erben - Suffolk / Moraira – March 2009
"Since meeting this beautiful and highly professional couple we are even firmer believers in fate. Our dream finally came to fruition the day we met these two dear people who are now firm friends.
We came across their website just days before our trip to Spain, having made an appointment with another (and I use the term loosely) “agent”. We never envisaged so much assistance and great knowledge from the moment we chose our fantastic home to completion and beyond. They worked tirelessly with only our interests at heart. Nothing, even now, is too much trouble.
Thank you Linda & Chris. No one can hold a candle to you guys and you do exactly what it says on the tin!!! You ARE simply the best!!!"
Alan Martell & Dallas Salsbury-Newman - Northants / Relleu – November 2008
"I read with interest Chris Garwood’s article in your November/December issue, and although we live in France at the moment and are looking to relocate to Spain, there are some parallels here which we thought might interest your readers. But first of all, my Wife and I have met Chris and Linda on two separate occasions when we have been in Costa Blanca to view property and have been very impressed with their attitude, their honesty and their pro-active way of working which seems to be sadly lacking with many agents in Spain and particularly in this area of Southern France.
Chris and Linda’s approach with us, was that they would commit their time to us unconditionally, show us properties within and just above our budget level and show us around the area so that we could get a good feel for where we wanted to buy when the time comes. They even advertised our property for us in one of their full page advertisements, this shows real commitment! On the other hand, one agency in Costa Blanca made it very obvious that, because we weren’t buying there and then, we were a nuisance. Not surprisingly, that agency no longer exists".
Mike & Suzie Broderick - Granes, France – June 2008
"Quite simply Chris & Linda (the two proprietors of CBS) are the real deal! These guys worked really hard to make sure we found exactly the sort of home that we were asking for …and you’ll have to take our word for it, we were asking for a lot!
From first contact through to getting the keys to our new home it was five star service all the way ... well beyond what we were expecting. Chris & Linda don’t just do the property search … they guide you through the whole process … from getting your NIE’s , meetings with solicitors and the final completion process at the Notary’s office ... not to mention airport pickups / drop-offs and accompanying you to all of your selected property viewings. All done in the pleasantest of manners and with a genuine shared excitement in seeing the process through to completion … and it doesn’t stop there … Chris & Linda are also happy to provide you with advice on the local social scene and even where to go to buy that all important BBQ! So how long did it all take? Well in our case from finding the property to actually moving in took exactly 4 weeks!… and it could have been quicker than that if we hadn’t already committed ourselves to visiting all the family before moving out to Spain. We are now busy settling in to our fantastic new home.
So … if you are reading this and seriously considering moving to this part of Spain then we have no hesitation in recommending you to contact Chris & Linda at CBS … these guys really know their stuff!"
Bob & Gill Jones - Jersey C.I. / Monte Pego – March 2008
"Carol & I both appreciate the time and effort that you have put into our project ..... At this point I think it only remains for us to say that we think you offer an excellent personal service, in a very professional and organised way, always on time, always responsive, full of information, clearly very knowledgeable about Marina Alta property and the players in the market place - and excellent company to boot!"
Chris & Carol Swain - Manchester / Moraira – May 2008
"We would like to express our gratitude and sincerely thank you for your efforts and dedication towards helping us find and purchase a property in Moraira. The process was painless, enjoyable and an experience that will stay with us forever.
From the moment with met you at AP7 - E15 Junction 63 toll and continuing to the present day you have helped us through every step of the process, organising bank accounts, arranging for a solicitor, estate agents, NIE numbers, even down to introducing Barton our labradoodle to the local vets. Chris took the trouble to map out and provide directions from Moraira to Santander for our return journey, nothing is too much trouble for either of you.
Our dream of owning a villa in Spain would not have been as easy and as perfect without your assistance, honesty and dedication".
Lorraine, Graham & Barton – Norfolk / Moraira – April 2008
"The personable services provide by Chris and Linda of CBS are more akin to a professional relocation service rather than the more usual "agencies" whose service level declines soon after a sale. CBS have stayed with us every step of the way, including providing a driving lesson to my Mother. I would heartily recommend CBS to anyone seeking a personalised approach to finding that "special place" on the Costa Blanca. Their whole approach is to ensure their clients are happy: that starts with the initial search through to their guidance of the local amenities when you take possession and beyond."
Steve & Trudi Clarke – Leicester / Benissa – November 2007
"We are all in unison in sending to you our utmost thanks for all the effort and help you have given us over the past few months. Your professionalism has been second to none and certainly if the occasion ever arises where we can recommend you to anyone in search of their dream life in Spain then we will certainly do so!"
Liz & Phil Highley - Preston / Sagra – May 2008