Griffs in Goa

I woke this morning to very old fashioned loud music blaring out from one of my neighbours close by. The music reminded me of the type of records that were played in the sixties on a Sunday morning radio programme called Two Way Family Favourites, I could even smell the Sunday roast cooking……..

After a long deliberation, thoughtful contemplation and honest consideration we have decided not to purchase in Goa. My heart says buy but my head says why? The reason being it is so cheap to rent. The idea of buying is great and seems so attractive when you are here for a short vacation, in a happy frame of mind and the practicalities do not really seem obvious or relevant. We have been here for nine weeks now and we have looked at numerous housing developments and really none have presented us with what we want. All the new building work that is occurring is on the development of complexes. The complexes usually comprise of a mixture of 4 bedroomed villas, 3 bedroomed villas, 3 bedroomed terrace (cluster houses) and 1 and 2 bedroomed apartments. These apartments often are situated above business premises. These particularly do not seem a very attractive proposition at all. The developers will lease or sell the premises out to any business. So below your apartment could be anything from a fashion boutique to a welding shop and from what we have seen from similar locations there is serious litter problem.

The property prices have increased dramatically to the extent that nobody seems to know the true value of land anymore. Available land is at a premium and developers will pay any price to get their hands on it. Often a developer will include one or two apartments as part of the deal for members of the seller’s extended family. There seems to be no transparent regulation by the authorities and housing development seems to be out of control with complexes being built right next to each other, putting further strain on an already weak infrastructure which can hardly cope with demand now. The local media point the finger at greedy Ministers for the lack of scrutiny and they are allege that they benefit financially from inducements from developers. The roads are poor, pot-holed and narrow. Water supply is at a premium and further construction of large homes complete with ensuite bathrooms, swimming pool and tended gardens plus the extra water needed for the migrant construction workers add to an already serious problem.

On a more practical level privacy is an important factor. If a potential English purchaser expects the same norms here in their new dream home as they do back home in the UK then they should think again. Noise and litter are a constant problem. Developers usually offer and manage a five year deal on new property complexes where everyone pays a type of housing association fee to have a security guard, a general maintenance man and a gardner. After five years however, it is up to the residents to organise and it only takes one owner/resident not to agree to pay the fee and the whole lot falls apart.

Buying on a complex if security is one of your main concerns, particularly if you are out of the country for long periods of time. Complexes usually have a twenty four hour security guard who is a visible presence which fends off unwelcome visitors such as hawkers, beggars and burglars (or Dacoits as they are called here). Our complex has a five foot perimeter wall with added deterrrent of broken glass cemented on top with a run off three strands of barb wire for good measure. The neglected nature of the back of the property gives it a really run down feel.

Another consideration when buying is maintenance. Properties quickly deteriorate and become tired looking without constant attention. Where we are staying is a case in point and we have a maintenance man. There is green mould everywhere on the exterior of the buildings and the whole place needs revitalising. Goa is tropical and the Monsoon rains last for four to five months, high humidity and numerous varieties of invasive insects which will take any opportunity to enter an accommodation via the smallest entrance all contribute to the general onslaught. We have huge cobwebs that appear daily in front of our kitchen window, ants of various sizes that think they are house guests and we have put lines of toxic chalk across the step on the front and back doors to repel cockroaches. If we were not here they would be everywhere!!