So I make the offer on my ideal Spanish property, the idyllic semi-detached Marbella villa with a sea view. Via the listing agent, I offer €420,000 and am expecting a rejection.

It takes 4 days to get hold of the vendor – typical me, I´m dealing with the only seller in Spain who doesn´t pick up his phone! Apparently, he´s “neither accepted or rejected” my offer………………what does that mean then?

It emerges that there is another party, a cash buyer, in the frame. This cash buyer is due back in Marbella within a week to take a second look at the property, having already had a cash offer of €400,000 rejected.

It seems that the vendor, and possibly the agent, is hedging his bets.

Looks like I had better prepare myself for an auction.