Anyone who's seen the film 'Sliding-Doors' will know how lives can literally be changed in a second or two by the decisions we make at any given time. You know what they say – when one door closes another one opens, and there's a very special couple in the English town of Halifax who will also swear being in the right place at the right time is just as important.

In fact, fate without question was ready to lend them a helping hand back in early 2016. NHS receptionist Paula, 47, and HGV driver Mick, 49, found themselves back in Spain continuing their search for a dream holiday apartment in a place they found extremely appealing. Their love affair with the Mediterranean goes back many years, but it was a decade ago they first approached the idea of investing in a special holiday haven in the sun. They had been impressed by both Alicante and the Murcia region, but despite looking at a number of potential properties over time, nothing had stolen their hearts.

For their most recent trip they headed for Mojacar, having arranged several viewings before they left the UK. Paula takes up the story: “We'd actually been out in November 2015, and even though we enjoyed the trip, just couldn't find anything suitable. Two months later we were able to view all sorts of different properties, but had been really disappointed. It seemed it just wasn't meant to happen. It was a Thursday, and we had planned to just to relax and enjoy the next day before heading back home. Going for a stroll the next morning in town we came across Spanish Property Choice, brightly coloured but previously unknown to us. We hadn't come across them online, and just stood for a moment looking on. As I started walking again it was Mick who noticed a camera crew, and a lady taking photographs outside.”

That lady was Spanish Property Choice co-owner Sharon Garner of course, who told me: “I was standing outside our office taking pictures of the film crew inside who were filming a taster show about us to put to all the TV stations. As I was taking the pictures Mick turned round and bumped into me. He asked what was going on and I told him we were being filmed for a new TV show.  It was then he asked if it was possible to get a nice apartment in the area for €120,000. He seemed shocked when I said yes.”

Sharon added:  “Mick said all he had seen that week was rubbish, they felt deflated and did not think Mojacar was for them as they could not get what they wanted for their €120,000 budget. In my opinion it was a good budget in context with what we as a company could offer them. I offered to get them a coffee and give them a look at what was on our books.”

Paula was half way across the car park by this stage, so Mick shouted to her to come back and join him inside. It was to be the best decision either of them could make in terms of a last attempt in their frustrated search. It would also earn them a very special invitation. Sharon spent time listening to what other agents had shown them and how they'd been treated generally. She was keen to find out exactly what their requirements had been, and reveal what could be possible with her own company.

Mick told us: “We were both extremely surprised Sharon had so many properties to offer us, and also in an area we hadn't previously considered, and all within a few minutes. Sharon explained her family were English and as a company they had a fantastic knowledge of Spain, the people, what it was really like to live in the area and so on. Actually, she told us things others just hadn't thought to mention. We were both impressed for sure.”

The camera crew meanwhile had come to film inside in and around the premises – it turns out they were filming a pilot for a new property series. Produced by a Warner Bros. company called Ricochet, this would be offered to various channels. Sharon had been taking photographs just to capture the moment, and the fact she was quite obviously helping a charismatic couple wasn't lost on them. Sharon asked Paula and Mick if they'd be interested in going to view some properties later that afternoon with Stephen, her own husband. But would they also be happy to be filmed?

Paula revealed: “We had no hesitation in saying yes and were so pleased to be taken out on a viewing trip. Having taken a look at a few properties, we arrived later in the afternoon at an immaculately kept complex with private parking and indoor pools. Both Mick and I just looked at each other and smiled. On walking in we just fell in love with the property, the atmosphere, utilities, rooms, everything. We were keen to get back to the office and make an offer. We could have hugged Sharon and Steve there and then.

“We've made several visits to our new holiday home in the past year, and on each occasion we always pop our heads round the door. Sharon and her family have given us priceless advice on banks, shops, schooling, transport, health and all sorts of every-day things. They've become our friends for sure, but it's true to say Spanish Property Choice look after you all the way. Honest, upfront and a company who genuinely care for the client. There's little doubt to us, Fate does sometimes lend a helping hand in life.”

Sharon added: “I never dreamt in a million years the TV producers would choose us as a family business but they did, and I was even more shocked when Channel 4 commissioned the 20 x 1 hour episodes. It's a light-hearted property series. The programmes will feature us as a family business and the general running of a real estate agency here in Spain.”

For Paula and Mick – Spanish Property Choice proved to be the right choice – this one day in a million had become magical for everyone involved, sliding doors optional. 

http://www.spanishpropertychoice.com/

Notes to Editors

There's never been a more dramatic time to buy a property in Spain. It's business as usual for two British families who have set up shop in Spain selling property to Brits looking for a bit of fun in the sun.   Sun, Sea & Selling Houses, has already had a big impact on The Garners from Cannock near Birmingham. The Brummy family moved to Spain 12-years-ago and have created their own property empire on the coast. Mum Sharon and Dad Steve may be the bosses but the agency is a real family affair with daughter Emma and son Sean and son-in-law Matt all involved in the business located in Mojacar, Almeria.

The Garners are available to talk to the media and are also available for any newspaper or magazine features in the UK or abroad.  

The second family are the Rodriguez, a family of Liverpudlians. Dad, Manuel, is originally from Spain. In 2001 he moved the whole family over to Benijofar where they started a property business from scratch. Manuel and Linda are the owners but their daughter Sophie and her husband Damon work with them as well as their daughter Charlotte. Both families are very much at the heart of their communities.

Day to day the family's offices are a flurry of activity selling paradise to British buyers. They are both bombarded by Brits coming over desperate for a slice of life in the sun and both agencies have become central to the community as those they have helped buy a home are frequently in the shop asking advice.

Our families will both be showing their Brit clients the best properties on their books but can they convince them to make the life changing decision to buy?

Sun, Sea and Selling Houses was commissioned by David Sayer for Channel 4, Executive Produced by Rob Butterfield and Series Produced by Emma Walsh for Ricochet.  Programme link here http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sun-sea-and-selling-houses The series following two British families who have set up estate agencies in Spain. Family run estate agency, Spanish Property Choice, is in Almeria; up the coast, near Alicante, is Casas Manuel.

Any interested journalists should contact either:

Grahame Anderson at gande88073@aol.com 0191 4157647

or Sharon Garner at country@spanishpropertychoice.com +34 653722290