Boa Vista Cabral Beach Property Offplan

North of Sal Rei inland from the Beach road

FM Developments was founded in 1997 by Jonathon Milne, with the aim of creating developments in select locations. Since then, the company has expanded into four divisions, concentrating expertise on development; homes, commerce, rural, construction and land . FM Development’s diversified and international development sectors are also expanding.

Creola Sands in front of the football stadium

These two developments on sites one near the football ground behind Cabral Beach and the other inland behind and just to the north of the Marina Park point are being undertaken by an Edinburgh company which specialises in slum clearance in Glasgow, Dundee and Liverpool. They feature very high density apartment and villa blocks. Essentially it plans to clear away all the existing bidonvilles and build a mixture of villas and apartment blocks in two large areas about a mile apart. Build quality is likely to be above the norm. The company has plans for other islands as well. Prices are more attractive than at many other sites. It is unresponsive and uncommunicative without strong public relations or marketing skills. FM Developments is in Receivership so the development will now need a new backer.

FM Developments is in Receivership

T from Manchester decided not to buy at Creola Sands

" I went to look at Creola Sands but decided not to buy. I went in March and it was unbearably windy. It was so windy I couldn't possibly have sat on the beach. I can't comment on what the weather's like at other times of the year but the advantage of Cape Verde is that it's supposed to be an all year round destination and for me this wasn't. However, just the other side of the town it is very sheltered from the wind and there is beautiful Estoril beach. As far as I know there are no big developments near this beach but there are some small (and in my opinion, good value) developments planned."

M from Lancs bought at Creola Sands which he believes will be near a golf course

"I bought on Creola Sands in Boa Vista, on Cabral Beach the prices are cheap and they are beach front and with several golfing projects, fancy hotels and restaurants I don't think that prices are dropping any time soon. Perhaps in 5 years when prices are over inflated if we were to have a global reccession I could see it. but right now I dont think so. "

I from Portugal warns against buying without checking the position of Creola Sands

"I suspect many people have bought unseen. Everyone has a right to spend their money in whatever way they choose, but if the people who bought blind on Cape Verde were asked to do so at home, they would ask you if you thought they were crazy. I hate to see posts from people asking what their apartment is like, and they were told it was 500m from the beach, will they really need a taxi to get there. It will be OK for some, but I am sure a few will regret it. Of course it is human nature to feel that if you don't make a move quickly, you will miss the boat. Now this is my own opinion based on discussions with people in the business, and having visited both Sal and Boavista. You say you are unable to get out there till August. I would suggest you wait until then before you spend any money. There are new developments coming on stream all the time. I know exactly where you have chosen, but it is just another development. You must also be sure you are choosing the correct island. As I have said already, I have only visited Sal and Boavista, and I agree with the people who feel that Boavista is quite a long way behind Sal. So there you are , my advice is keep your money in your purse, and buy on Sal in August. "

F from Liverpool found the developer unresponsive at Creola Sands.

"In my dealings with FM Developments, I have found them to be very disorganised. I have emailed them on a number of occassions, followed up by telephone calls and even text messages, but never received a reply. To make matters worse, I was asked to pay a deposit in late August of £2,000 to secure a property at Creola Sands, to be told one month later that the property had already been sold to someone else in late July. "

Sabi Sands on the Rochinha escarpment

Built on the escarpment to the north of Cabral beach. a series of low rise apartments are crammed tightly together on rising ground. Each unit will have a very small swimming pool. Because of the rising ground, many will have views but not necessarily over the ocean. The cliffs behind the site will produce a wind acceleration zone at some times of year. Prices are from £76,000 for a one bed studio.

R from London questions the position of Sabi Sands

" It just seems strange to me why FM developments should look at building on the most difficult site in Boa Vista. It doesn`t look out over the ocean. Cabral beach is very poor and the site has no good road access."

A from Kent wants to contact buyers at Sabi Sands as he has been unable to find much from FM, but it is now under Adminstration from Receivers in Scotland. They do not reply either..

"I'm keen to hear from anyone who has purchased a property in the Sabi Sands development on Boa Vista. Have you any idea of completion dates and any additional information outside the standard brochure?"

H from Manchester finds the position of Sabi Sands poor.

" I didnt like the location of Sabi Sands. I also think that developer`s artists impressions and glossy brochures create a misguided view of what is actually going to be there."

M from London got a hard sell but found some legal problems at Sabi Sands

"Today we are being pressurised to sign contracts we have asked for an inspection tour but are being put off all the time. Obviously not going to part with money, just the solicitors fees that we'll have lost (nothing compared to what could have happened if the solicitor hadn't found some black holes.) is this beach windy all the time? "

Atlantis Sands

Beside Creola Sands Resort, but with a location possibly fronting onto the shore line Atlantis will have similar Mediterranean-style buildings, but arranged as apartments or flats. The development will not start until Creola is finished some time from 2010/11 onwards.

capeverdeinfo.org.uk