Not to mention being a rare chance to experience an authentic inter-generational community. Deals are always there to be done. This is useful if you are buying a new home because you will have to make payments to the developer as different stages of the build are reached.
But be warned - it's no easy ride. Back to the Costa del Sol. And despite our markedly different backgrounds, it really became a tight-knit group. People are three times more concerned about escaping the UK weather than making long term profit. The odd mobile phone call notwithstanding, the Spanish students are very keen to experience genuine English conversation.
The house, in an exclusive residential enclave just outside the small town of Benicasim, has wonderful sea views and a pretty little beach. And Granada, with the spectacular Alhambra, offers not only sophisticated urbanity and history but winter sports on the Sierra Nevada ski slopes.
For students used to communicating in the slowed pace of a language lesson, the total immersion must come as a shock.
Firstly, find out how much you are allowed.
The exchange rate is equally as important as the charges. Alternatively, you can ask the currency specialists to monitor the market for you. Specialist foreign exchange brokers such as FCD and HiFX do not charge commission and transfer fees. To the general exchange of emails, most of us reflected that we would miss the programme - although, perhaps not straight away. Trooping on to the bus, the Anglos - consisting of Australians, Americans, Canadians, and myself as sole Brit - were immediately assigned to nervous-looking Spaniards for the duration of the journey. Lastly, Carrington Estates only deals with fully licensed and serviced plots so there are no hidden surprises.
While finding great properties is easy, finding out how to buy them is often confusing and difficult. Sometimes, Ms Higgins said, it can take three or four years before these bills are sent to new properties.
In the scheme of things, the overwhelming majority of property owners in Spain have never experienced any significant problems in their many years of owning property on the Iberian Peninsula.
Mobile phones don't work here, although there is a single telephone and computer for emailing. They also rent it out via www. For the benefit of the non-natives, our host Alvoro included an English translation of the Celtic rites, to the general amusement of all assembled.
The contractor informs us when he has to order certain materials giving the client the opportunity to change their mind up to this point if they wish.
Rural land close to the beach, the land in shortest supply, was and is exploited the most by the LRAU.
However, most people find that their budget kicks in before reaching the maximum square metre size. Even if you are buying a property outright, it usually takes up to eight weeks to complete the purchase. With an hour to play with, you and your student can play at tennis, board games, cards, or simply take a stroll in the mountains.
If you want to buy property in quintessential Andalucia and want a bargain, draw a line between Malaga and Granada, and head for the halfway point, a little town called Alhama de Granada. "This can amount to a very large liability.