A CHAT WITH OLE SIGURDSSON

by Francisco Jose López de Ahumada Beato

What is your background before you came to the Costa del Sol?
I was born in Iran (1942), with an Icelandic father and Persian mother. At the age of 12, my father sent me to a boarding school in Denmark and I thereafter I finished my education as a Civil Engineer at the technical university of Copenhagen. At the age of 25, I got my first job, and had to promise my father not to stay more than five years with any company until the age of 45 years old.

Why did you come to the Costa del Sol?
Five years later at my first job, my father reminded me of my promise, so I began to search for a new job. During that time, my parents took a trip to Torremolinos, and upon return he said: “Now I know what you should do, go to the Costa del Sol, buy land and build houses”. I packed my car and arrived here on the 10^th of May 1973, not knowing anything about the Costa the Sol and not speaking any Spanish.

And how did your career start here?
During the first 3 months of arriving to Torremolinos, nothing happened; but one day everything changed. I used to have breakfast every day in the same cafeteria with a Swedish chap and one day he asks me to go with him to buy shoes? Despite insisting that I knew nothing about shoes, I went with him anyhow. At the shoe store he met his uncle, and he introduced me as his friend, and that I was here to build houses. His uncle asked me if I was interested in his project of building four townhouses and naturally, I immediately jumped at this opportunity. This taught me that nothing happens if you don`t move around, even if it is to go with someone who wants to buy shoes…..!

And from Torremolinos to Miraflores, what led to that?
In 1976, I received a couple of work order in Riviera del Sol, right next door, and I quickly noticed that this area was quite unique due to the constant slope – right from the sea up to the top of the hill, which would allow to build houses with sea views for most of the buildings. So, together with my family and friends we bought 350.000 square meters of Phase 3 of Riviera del Sol and renamed it “Hacienda Miraflores”.

The administration has drafted two reports, one in December and the other in June, on the financial situation of the community. The conclusions in both reports are positive: savings have been made and money has been invested in some urgent requirements. In general, the financial situation has improved compared to the previous year. In the first of the reports we can see that 2020 has been signed off with a saving of more than 56.000 € on the approved budget.

This has made it possible to cover the severance payment of an employee, without having to resort to extraordinary funding. It has also served to cover the bad debt of Oceana Avenue. The rest of the savings have been used to make a provision for future improvements, such as the repair of the pedestrian bridge.

In the second report on the accounts, it is clear that the evolution of the budget and expenditure is normal. At the moment approximately 50% of the budget has been spent, which is in line with the 50% of the financial year.

The budget included in this last report is the same as last year’s budget, because as it has not been able to hold a meeting, it has not been able to submit a new budget for approval and the existing one has to be extended by law.

The conclusion of these reports is that expenditure is under control and there are no major deviations. The financial situation has been improving with respect to the previous year, with the community having a better cash flow situation.

Meridional is working day after day to ensure that this positive trend in the accounts is maintained and thus to be able to make more and more savings. These will then allow us to continue making the improvements that Gran Community needs.

Did you achieve your dream?
When one compares Miraflores with our neighbouring urbanizations, one can clearly see the difference. As a developer, I am quite stubborn to achieve my ideas and often told that “I am too forceful” which is probably true. But before every idea is put into reality, I very carefully think through each item and check every single detail resulting that Miraflores is still after 40 years one of the most desired developments on the Costa del Sol.

How Miraflores has changed in the meantime!

The planning of Miraflores is not only great houses and gardens, but also a well united community of owners where the majority is under the same rules and regulations.

For same reason, I also wanted a single homeowners community administrator for all the 18 homeowners’ communities as well as the grand community, where Miraflores was the absolute single priority. Being united, does not only have a logistic benefit but also an economic benefit for our homeowners. Our first administrator was Mr. Salvador Cordero and for many years Miraflores managed to keep the communities together, but unfortunately, over the past few years this was partly lost.

It is not normal for a developer to continue to stay in the management of the development after it is completed. Some ask me why do I stay on and even accept the post of a community president? Is it for economic interest? I understand that some may think so, but I have a clear conscience. Still after 40 years, I continue with daily on-going tasks at Miraflores.

Do you have any regrets?
Yes, but there are only few. I mostly regret that in the past few years, Miraflores is not any more as united as I had envisaged. Politics have entered and for the first time, the decisions made are not anymore unanimous and arguments and decisions are political and not always properly founded.

Is it difficult to return to be united?
Yes, and frustrating, but I never give up. One must bear in mind that Miraflores owners consist of over 32 other nationalities, with different languages, morals, lifestyles, religions and more. Since the communities where split, there are now also eight different homeowner’s community administrators. Fortunately, due to the Miraflores legal bylaw structure, all the 18 homeowners’ communities are united under the Miraflores Grand Community, where the priority is a safe and a clean resort.

What would make a good homeowners community president and administrator?
In my opinion, a good homeowners president in Miraflores should domain the following three profiles. The first one is language: Should speak Spanish and English at a certain level. To be able to communicate for better understanding without needing translation and thereby avoid important misunderstandings.

It is also important that he or she have some understanding of different mentalities of our multinational owners. You cannot speak in the same way to a German as to a Spaniard.

Having read and fully understood the community bylaws as well as have certain degree of technical knowledge. Most of the budget of the communities has to do with maintenance and repairs. Understand providers quotes to be able to valuate same and make proper decisions.

A professional homeowners community administrator is vital for the day-to-day management and maintenance and to make important savings. Some communities choose their administrator due to lowest fee, which is obviously an error. You can´t expect a professional good administration and management or expect to receive proper service, if you don´t pay a reasonable fee.

We must remind ourselves, that most homeowners communities might change their community president after one or more years, while most keep their administrator year after year. So, the choice of a good professional administrator is of utmost importance. But just to be an experienced administrator is not enough.

I have a saying: “Experience only serves its’ owner while knowledge is universal”