Spain reigns supreme as leading tourist destination with Irish visitors increasing by 20%

Spain reigns supreme as leading tourist destination with Irish visitors increasing by 20%

by Charly Spain
  • Irish tourists to Spain in January and February increase by 20.2% when compared with same period last year (National Statistics Institute)
  • Spain ranks second only to UK for Irish holidaymakers (Central Statistics Office)
  • Taylor Wimpey España sales to Irish buyers increased by 200% in 2015 compared with previous year

As Spain continues to attract a growing number of overseas visitors, recent figures show that the first two months of 2016 saw 7.2 million international tourists visit the popular Mediterranean destination, a 12.5% increase in comparison to the same period last year. According to the latest Survey of Tourist Movements in Frontera (Frontur), released by the National Statistics Institute (INE), it was those arriving from Ireland that stood out, with a significant increase of 20.2% over the course of last year.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) recently reported the total number of international trips made by Irish residents between December 2015 and February 2016 increased by 7.7% when compared to the year before, with Spain ranking second only to the UK in relation to destination choice. This growing interest in Spain is now also beginning to transfer across to the second home market, with leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España experiencing a substantial rise in Irish enquiries.

Taylor Wimpey España sales to Irish buyers increased by an impressive 200% in 2015 compared with the previous year and the latest tourism figures suggest that the green isle’s interest in Spain is continuing to blossom. Taylor Wimpey España’s Sales and Marketing Director, Marc Pritchard, comments,

“As Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination continues to grow, we have certainly noticed an influx of interest in the second home market with a definite increase from prospective Irish buyers. With international tourists returning to Spain, the idea of a owning a holiday home is becoming more appealing, especially for those in neighbouring countries like Ireland, which are easily accessible due to frequent flight routes.”

Panorama Mar is Taylor Wimpey Espana’s new frontline development, situated on Punta Prima Beach in Torrevieja. This private residential complex offers an array of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, all designed for both comfort and convenience, with 2 bathrooms and an underground parking space. Each apartment in the first phase is south facing and therefore blessed with spacious terraces and stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

With prices starting from just €223,000, every resident will be able to use the three communal swimming pools and Jacuzzi facility, as well as being granted direct access to the beach promenade. Whilst being an area of natural beauty right on the waterfront, Punta Prima is also blessed with excellent transport links. The San Javier Airport in Murcia is only a 30 minute drive and Alicante’s International Airport is just 45 minutes away.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Broadband wars – make sure you’re not caught in the slow lane

Broadband wars – make sure you’re not caught in the slow lane

by Charly United Kingdom
  • Wembley Park is the ONLY development in London that has FIBRE OPTIC CABLE running into each and every apartment
  • Wembley Park among the fastest domestically connected area in the UK
  • More than 500 homes in Wembley can already receive 100mb up and download speeds
  • 34% of the UK still making do with sub 5Mbps speeds, while 23% make do with less than 3Mbps (uSwitch)

Wembley Park, located in North West London, is leading the UK in domestic broadband connectivity.  In the Quintain developed residential apartments at the heart of Wembley Park, residents can have 100Mbps up and download speeds delivered by Velocity 1 from the day they move in.

Since 2008, happy home owners and tenants alike have been enjoying  instantaneous web page downloads and access to HD films 24/7. It makes the new homes at Wembley Park among the fastest domestically connected area in the UK.

This has been achieved by running fibre cabling into every single apartment that it builds.  Other providers install fibre to the basement and then run copper cables into apartments.  Not so for Quintain who have gone one step further and pre-installed fibre from the Wembley Park based ISP directly into each of their homes – meaning that residents have access to this amazingly fast speed from the moment they step inside their new home.

Wembley Park resident Carrie Webster said: “Moving into a flat with Velocity1 broadband already wired in was great. This kind of speed is brilliant as well. I can stream films and surf the net at the same time and never worry about the connection dropping out.”

A recent uSwitch survey named the fastest UK street for broadband as Sandy Lane in Cannock, Staffordshire at 72Mbps and the slowest on Williamson Road in Romney Marsh, Kent at 0.54Mbps.

In the age of digital communication, people looking for a new home expect high speed internet but buyers should be very cautious before rushing to secure a deal as the internet is rife with stories of home owners being promised one thing and delivered another by broadband suppliers.

The market leading broadband speed from Velocity1 also positions Wembley Park to become a location for hi-tech businesses and financial companies dealing with large data volumes– as well as making it an attractive option for homemakers and homeworkers.

Tech companies and start-ups that have moved into the area have been delighted with the fast broadband connection available.

Ben Fillmore, MD of E-House, a tech-driven property company, said:

“Here [at Wembley Park] we can have a 100mb dedicated line, with the same upload and download speed, it’s enabled us to change our IT infrastructure to maximise new technology – including working in the cloud – which means we can really lead the market. We moved to Wembley Park quite recently and our staff love the community feel and facilities available here so it’s been a very positive move for us.”

Phillip Clapperton, of Velocity 1 which is providing the dedicated high speed broadband to the area, said: “It’s ideal for tech companies to be based here, but there is also an incredible benefit domestically. How many homes in the UK can get genuine 1gb broadband? At Wembley Park dozens of homes are currently being sold and all of them will have access to speeds from 100 mbs to 1gb.”

James Saunders, Chief Operating Officer of Quintain, the developer behind the revitalisation of Wembley Park said:

“From the outset we built a world-class fibre optic network into the infrastructure at Wembley Park. It’s fast becoming an essential utility for a wide range of businesses and residents. It powers high speed office internet, home working, free Wi-Fi across the site, broadband for our growing student population and even connectivity for mass online gaming events at the SSE Arena.”

If you would like to know more about property available at Wembley Park with these amazing broadband speeds talk to Savills on +44 20 3151 8601 or visit www.alto-apartments.com or http://www.northwestvillage.com/availability.  Homes are available to move into this year or next dependent on your requirements.

 

*Velocity 1 is one of the only businesses in the UK to offer true Fibre to the Premises and Fibre to the Home in a full end-to-end fibre optic solution. This enables faster speeds over greater distances and symmetrical services (same speed upload and download).  Velocity 1 ltd. is based in Wembley Park.

Why you should be a journalist’s flexible friend…

Why you should be a journalist’s flexible friend…

by Charly World

Everyone would like to get their company, its products or services into a wide range of publications and the best way to achieve this is to be as flexible and open as possible to the needs of the media, whether it is in print, online or broadcast.

Whilst it is obviously important to remember who your target audience are and to ensure that you’re speaking to them, wherever possible in media relations, it is key to try not to pigeon-hole yourself. When spreading the message of your property company and products or services, it is important to consider what the appetite in the media currently is. And this is where a good PR agency comes in, one that will have their finger on the pulse of what is topical and trending in the press.

Naturally, we would all like to steer the media in what they’re talking about (and a good PR person occasionally can), but it is essential to remember that publications, and in turn the journalists themselves, will have their own agenda and topics that they want to cover – and you need to make sure that you’re a part of that!

The best way to do this, working with a PR pro, is to think outside the box and be prepared to provide comment and details that may relate to the wider market place or subjects of current, topical interest. Sometimes this will relate to an area that your company is not so specifically prevalent in but you should not shy away from this. Don’t be afraid to offer an opinion and let your voice be heard!

Not only will this mean that you are likely to gain a greater amount of media coverage, in a wider range of outlets, but it will also strengthen your position as a voice of authority in the industry. This can only be a good thing for adding value to your brand and positioning your company in a place of trust in the market.

Charlotte Ashton, Managing Director of leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing, explains the importance of this,

“Whilst it is always important to narrow down your brand values, key customer base and what you stand for before starting on the PR journey, it is also key to not approach it in a blinkered way. Instead, learn to be flexible to a journalist’s needs and you will soon find that you are getting far more exposure than you would have done if you had remained shut off to slightly left-field opportunities. Be open-minded and confident in what you can offer the media and you will soon see the benefits.”

Commenting on issues that are slightly outside of your usual sphere may seem at first glance to be working against the brand message, but providing your product isn’t tied specifically to a certain audience (for example retirement properties) then this does not have to be the case. For example, you may be offering investment properties, aimed primarily at the buy-to-let market, but make sure you’re also talking to your normal buyer on the street. This is especially the case when in some respects all properties purchased in a growing market could be considered an investment anyhow!

Although this may feel initially outside of your comfort zone, your public relations manager will make sure that your brand and company values are never sacrificed. They will achieve this by always providing the correct context and a constant strapline to describe what your company stands for and does when having conversations with journalists.

So now is the time to start limbering up – aim to become a flexible friend to the media, help wherever possible with comment and opinion and you will soon become one of the prominent voices in the industry.

To start your very own PR conversation today, visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk or call AB Property Marketing on 0845 054 7524.

Taylor Wimpey España reveals new sea front development as Spanish market set to sizzle this summer

Taylor Wimpey España reveals new sea front development as Spanish market set to sizzle this summer

by Charly Spain
  • 20% increase in the number of Spanish property transactions in 2016 compared with previous year (CBRE)
  • Average property prices in Spain will increase by 5.9% on average this year (CBRE)
  • Taylor Wimpey España launches new frontline development on the Costa Blanca

With summer on the not so distant horizon, thoughts turn to the much needed glimpse of sunshine, and that dream holiday home. The most recent CBRE report suggests that this year’s destination of choice is most definitely Spain, with projections for 2016 showing that there will be a substantial 20% increase in property transactions in comparison to last year’s figures.

According to this latest report, real estate experts CBRE also forecast that the average property price in Spain will rise by 5.9% on average this year, peaking at an incredible 6.3% growth in the third quarter. With prices set to increase so dramatically over the course of just 12 months, Spain’s already appealing housing market is becoming even more so, causing an influx of both new and renewed demand for property.

Answering this growing demand within Spain’s affluent market, leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España have just revealed details of their newest frontline development, Panorama Mar, situated on the Punta Prima beach. Taylor Wimpey España are confident in the growing success of the Spanish property market and expect that this year will see a continuation of this current positive trajectory. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, explains,

“This newest report confirms our confidence in Spain’s real estate market and we believe that this growing interest in Spanish property will thrive throughout 2016. The start of the year has been incredibly encouraging and the positivity surrounding the market is attracting a wide range of international buyers. We are delighted to announce the launch of our latest project and I look forward to speaking with prospective buyers.”

New sea front developments in Spain have always been in high demand and are a rare find in today’s market. Taylor Wimpey España are excited to present this new development complete with sea views and believe it will prove extremely popular with British, other European and indeed other global buyers looking for their own Spanish sea view.

Panorama Mar, Taylor Wimpey Espana’s newest sea front development is situated on Punta Prima Beach close to the beautiful town of Torrevieja. A Joint Venture project with Grupo Gomendio, this private residential complex offers an array of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, all designed for both comfort and convenience, with 2 bathrooms and an underground parking space and storeroom. Each apartment in the first phase is south facing and therefore blessed with spacious terraces and stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

With prices starting from just €223,000, every resident will be able to use the three communal swimming pools and Jacuzzi facility, as well as being granted direct access to the beach promenade. Whilst being an area of natural beauty right on the waterfront, Punta Prima is also blessed with excellent transport links. The San Javier Airport in Murcia is only a 30 minute drive and Alicante’s International Airport is just 45 minutes away.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.  

Brexit debate’s impact on FX rates already having knock on effect on overseas holiday home market

Brexit debate’s impact on FX rates already having knock on effect on overseas holiday home market

by Charly United Kingdom World
  • Opinion polls currently showing 52% of people in favour of Britain remaining in the EU (What UK Thinks)
  • Many UK buyers of overseas property adopting a ‘watch and wait’ approach (easyMarkets)
  • Changing FX rate can mean gaining or losing thousands of euros in a matter of days when buying a second home overseas (easyMarkets)

From UK-based business owners trading overseas to individual savers looking to purchase a second home abroad, all eyes are on the ‘Brexit’ debate when it comes to the potential impact on currency exchange rates.

Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, explains,

“Brexit isn’t just about the impact that Britain leaving the EU could have on exchange rates in the event of an ‘out’ vote, it’s about the effect that the uncertainty around the whole process is already having on exchange rates. Sterling has already been influenced by the Brexit debate and will continue to be as the referendum approaches. There’s a real sense of caution afoot at the moment. We’re noticing everyone from holiday home buyers (or would-be buyers) to business owners is taking a ‘watch and wait’ approach and there are going to be some interesting market movements as 23 June approaches.”

The case of second home buyers is a particularly interesting one. Since the referendum’s announcement, sterling has weakened and recovered on more than one occasion as a direct result of Brexit developments. At the time of writing it is trading at levels seen before the announcement, reflecting a range-bound path that sterling is expected to maintain against its peers until a clear indication as to the outcome of the referendum is known.

A second home buyer who exchanged £200,000 for euros on 19/02/16, would have found himself with €258,906 to spend on his dream home overseas. However, had he made the exchange on 21/02/16, he would have had just €256,213: as loss of €2,693 in just two days.

“Brexit may have a big impact on the purchase of overseas property,” continues easyMarket’s Nikolas. “Many potential buyers are pausing their plans until later in the year, waiting to be certain of the outcome of the referendum before they go ahead and invest their capital in a second home abroad. Turbulent exchange rates and the uncertainty over factors like freedom of movement are likely to put the brakes on the overseas property market for the coming months, so far as UK buyers are concerned.”

Of course it won’t be a case of the market simply stalling until 23 June and then picking up again post-referendum. Some buyers will judge the likely outcome for themselves well in advance and act accordingly. Others will wait until the weeks before, when a clearer indication of the outcome can be predicted, although the UK’s 2015 election demonstrated that opinion polls don’t always get it right. Currently the What UK Thinks: EU Poll of Polls is showing 52% for the ‘remain’ camp and 48% for the ‘leave.’ The figures have moved no more than three percentage points further apart for the past six months.

In all likelihood, the anticipation of an exit vote would be likely to weaken the pound, while a predicted vote to remain in the EU would be expected to seriously strengthen sterling’s position across the board. In the meantime, all eyes will remain on the exchange rate as the referendum date approaches.

For further details visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

by Charly Portugal Spain Turkey World , , , ,
  • 51% of England & Wales is now single (ONS)
  • 24% of overseas travel is by solo tourists (Visa)
  • Perfect holiday homes for singletons available from €75k (Ideal Homes International)

In 2015 the Office for National Statistics released figures that showed that 51% of the population in England and Wales is single. The demography of these nations has shifted significantly over the past decade and companies and services are racing to keep up with the new shape of modern society. So why are single person supplements of between 10% and 100% of the standard accommodation rate still so widely used by the travel industry?

“It’s not a system that meets the needs of today’s travellers,” comments Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com. “In both the rental and the sales sides of our business we’ve seen the impact of the growth in single travellers. The industry needs to catch up or risk missing out on a key emerging market.”

The 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study found that 24% of people travelled alone on their most recent foreign holiday. It’s a rapidly growing sector. Indeed, some singletons are already taking matters into their own hands and shunning hotels and their single supplements in favour of second homes of their own overseas.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“Property prices in destinations like Portugal are so affordable right now that it’s perfectly possible to pick up a holiday home on a single income. Second homes are definitely no longer just the preserve of wealthy couples entering their retirement years.”

In Portugal, a beautifully refurbished townhouse in the heart of the historic town of Silves can be bought for just €75,000. Single buyers with a bit more cash to spend have a vast range of options available to them. One upscale five-star resort and spa complex in the popular Algarve town of Carvoeiro is offering one bedroom apartments with lush outdoor gardens from €260,000.

Singletons looking to travel a little further afield are discovering the delights of beach resorts around the globe. Over in Istanbul, the prime seaside district of Beylikduzu, Gurpinar is home to the beautifully designed Rose Residence, available through Universal21. With shops and restaurants on the doorstep, the beach just a few minutes away (top floor apartments enjoy fabulous sea views) and pool and health club facilities on site, the apartments are perfect for active solo travellers looking for a base in this bustling city.

Of course, it’s not just young singletons who are travelling overseas on their own these days. An increasing number of older travellers – both married and single – are choosing to holiday solo as a means of escaping the noise of modern life for a short while. Golf resorts can be a popular choice for this demographic, particularly when you consider what you can get for your money in sun-kissed destinations like Spain.

Leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers a range of apartments and townhouses in popular Spanish locations. At Brisas de Alenda Golf, near Elche on the Costa Blanca, a three bedroom townhouse costs just €145,000. The private, tranquil development offers high spec homes, excellent golfing facilities, private gardens, a swimming pool and access to the Alenda Golf complex’s small supermarket, restaurant, bar, clubhouse centre and paddle tennis courts. It’s an ideal location for solo travellers looking for peace and relaxation, all within an easy flight from the UK.

The trend for solo travel looks set to continue growing, at least for the foreseeable future, and with such a range of affordable holiday homes available to single buyers across Europe, it is reasonable to expect that overseas estates agents will increasingly be looking to capture the attention of this rapidly emerging market.

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Universal21: 0203 287 8700 or visit www.universal21.com

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Cave homes – the ultimate retreat from the pressures of modern life

Cave homes – the ultimate retreat from the pressures of modern life

by Charly Spain
  • 9 million working days lost to stress in 2014/15 (Labour Force Survey)
  • Spanish cave homes available for as little as €9k (Kyero.com)
  • Luxury off-grid living in split-level caves available for €475k (Kyero.com)

Modern life can be stressful: political and financial worries, work-related stress and societal pressure to always be happy, healthy and at the top of your game all add up. According to the most recent Labour Force Survey, work related stress, depression and anxiety alone were responsible for 9.9 million lost working days in 2014/15. At times, the thought of ditching the strains of modern life and hiding out in a cave, hobbit-style, can be rather tempting. And with hundreds of cave houses available in the Spanish sunshine, many people are opting to do just that.

Martin Dell, Director of leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com, which lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents, comments,

“Spain is home to some wonderfully unique and quirky properties and its cave houses are some of the most intriguing. Built into hillsides and mountainsides, often with the rock being painstakingly hollowed out by hand, these homes offer truly individual environments for people looking for a different lifestyle.”

Cave houses are particularly prevalent in Granada: Kyero.com has hundreds of Granada cave homes listed as available for sale. They range from ‘unreformed’ cave homes from as little as €9,000 (essentially a hole in the mountainside, with no utilities) to extensive properties designed for luxurious off-grid living. In Bacor, a split-level cave home of more than 1000 m2, flooded with natural light and complete with solar power and its own water supply is available for €475,000.

Sean Lummis of Spanish Inland Properties has been selling cave homes for more than a decade. According to Sean, not every mountain is suited to cave homes, meaning that they tend to crop up in pockets. He explains,

“Cave homes tend to be situated on the outskirts of certain dreamy whitewashed Spanish towns and villages because the rock formation. For instance, in Galera the rock type consists of a type of sedimentary sandstone with layers of hard, almost horizontal rock interspaced with much softer layers, which in prehistoric times were dug by hand. The harder rock formed a layer impervious to water and provided the       strength needed for a safe, secure roof to the caves.”

Piet Quekel of Cuevas-Spain Inmobiliaria has also been specialising in selling cave homes since 2005, having lovingly restored his own cave home, purchased in 2002. He comments,

“Cave homes are plentiful in the Altiplano de Granada area. It’s a dramatically beautiful place, with big lakes, mountains, woodland and delightful little villages. Cave houses here come in many different shapes and sizes – their uniqueness is part of their charm. Generally a decent two bedroom cave house can be picked up for €40,000 to €60,000, while three bedroom ones range from €50,000 to €90,000.”

The delightful three bedroom cave home at Fuente Nueva is a great example. Available for €64,000, the traditional style home includes three bedrooms, an office, large family bathroom, living/party room complete with indoor barbecue and separate lounge with wood burning stove. There’s also a spacious courtyard style patio garden with further barbeque and ample room for parking.

Cave houses were popular homes for Spaniards in the 1950s and 1960s, but as the 1970s progressed and the Spanish economy improved many cave dwellers left their homes in favour of the attractions of local villages, which at that time included such technological advances as roads, electricity, running water and plumbing.

Many cave houses stood abandoned until the 1990s, when water and electricity began to be brought to cave areas, sparking a slow increase in interest. Once streets were made to access the caves, foreigners caught on to the vision of owning them as cost-effective holiday homes and the cave home boom began in earnest. British, Dutch, Belgian, French, American and German second home buyers all found their imaginations fired up by the simplicity and peace of the Spanish cave houses.

Today, cave homes remain popular with buyers from overseas, as Kyero.com’s Martin Dell explains,

“The financial crash in the late 2000s had a marked impact on cave home prices, just as it did on other types of property in Spain. Cave prices are slowly picking up again, but remain fairly low for the moment, meaning that there are some impressive bargains to be had for those buyers looking for a sun-kissed holiday home that is affordable, close to nature and highly individual.”

Cave house running costs tend to be low. As part of the mountain, they remain at around 16°C and 18°C throughout the year. It means they don’t require air conditioning in the summer and only need a little heating in the winter. Annual taxes are generally in the region of €250 for the average cave home, according to Spanish Inland Property’s Sean Lummis. Electricity costs much the same as in the UK, while a gas bottle is just €13.

Most modern caves come complete with internet access, electricity or solar panels, drinking water and terraces. Some also have gardens and swimming pools. According to Cuevas-Spain Inmobiliaria’s Piet Quekel,

“There are cave hotels, cave restaurants and cave B&Bs. There are caves in villages and there are caves in the middle of nowhere. For every taste there is a cave!”

The soft lines and curves of cave homes are often found to be calming by their owners, as are the breath-taking views and rural peace that many provide. The perfect antidote to the stress of modern life!

For further details on cave homes to buy, visit www.kyero.com. For the latest data on the state of the Spanish property market, visit data.kyero.com.

My first year in PR with AB Property Marketing

My first year in PR with AB Property Marketing

by Charly World

If asked to describe my first year in PR in just three words it would be enlightening, challenging and rewarding. With no real preconceived expectations, other than the offering of a more creative work environment, I started my role at AB Property Marketing eager to experience all that was involved in the world of property PR.

As someone who has always loved to learn new things, this year has definitely allowed me to absorb a wealth of industry knowledge and a much greater understanding of exactly what a role in PR entails.

Contrary to popular belief it is not all lovely long lunches and business days out, although we have been lucky enough to enjoy a few as a team, but long days of research, writing, client relations, rewriting, communicating with journalists and everything in between. The team of ABPM ladies work diligently to develop professional relationships, create the best opportunities and achieve the results that our clients have come to expect from us.

I’m first to admit how much I love having a calendar in front of me with the month’s schedule outlined, but the first lesson I learnt in PR is that although a to-do list is wonderful, it’s better to expect the unexpected. Between breaking news, newly released data, urgent requests and client needs, daily tasks are always subject to change. Adaptability and flexibility are key to a successful PR team. Being able to reshuffle your own personal workload, as well as aiding your colleagues, in order to meet deadlines is a much needed skill and one to master sooner rather than later.

The second lesson learnt during my introduction to the PR world is the importance of keeping up to date with the news, both general and industry specific in relation to your company’s specialist subject. Property is an essential commodity for everyone and is subsequently a topic that is discussed frequently in the media by all, from industry experts to government officials. The better informed you are about the latest market news, the more relevant and interesting your press releases and pitches will be. Those with their fingers on the pulse are often the people that can provide reaction and comment quickly and efficiently which will give your clients a significant advantage in a busy arena.

My third, and probably most valuable, lesson from my first year within PR is that in order to be effective in your role and achieve results, you must think outside the box. At AB Property Marketing we have taken this one step further, there is no box. With no boundaries or restrictions and no thought too eccentric to discuss, we have the freedom to form innovative ideas and create unique and original material for our clients.

Recently, whilst trying to join the dots from a Shakespearean inspired butterfly farm in Istanbul, to Shakespeare’s upcoming birthday anniversary, to a new residential property development launching in the city, I realised that my first year in PR has made quite an impact. Having felt like one of the team from the very beginning, I now feel confident and comfortable in my abilities and look forward to the future challenges and lessons learnt over this next year. After all, the world of PR is evolving and every day brings something new to discover.

For more information about the world of property PR and the work of Charly and the other ABPM ladies, get in touch today on 0845 054 7542 or visit www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk.

Alicante shines as the favourite 2016 Spanish destination with new flights adding to accessibility

Alicante shines as the favourite 2016 Spanish destination with new flights adding to accessibility

by Charly Spain
  • Ryanair launches five new flight routes to Alicante
  • Alicante records highest number of property purchases by foreigners in Spain (National Institute of Statistics and Ministry of Public Works)
  • Taylor Wimpey España launches new development on the Costa Blanca, Jardin del Mar

The beginning of 2016 saw Spain break yet another tourism record, welcoming 3.5 million international tourists in January alone, albeit traditionally one of the low-season months. The latest tourism figures show that this is an 11.2% increase in comparison to last year, with 20% of all overseas visitors coming from the UK.

And this trend looks set to continue throughout the year with Ryanair announcing the launch of five new routes to Alicante. These new additions mean that London Gatwick now has six weekly flights to the sunny southern city, and London Stansted now has an impressive ten flight options each week.

This increasing demand to reach Alicante more frequently is certainly helping the region to become a hotspot for holiday homeowners. Recent figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Ministry of Public Works reveal that purchases made by foreign citizens in Spain accounted for 17% of the total sales completed in the fourth quarter of 2015. Yet, between October and December last year it was the province of Alicante that recorded the highest number of purchases by overseas buyers.

Noticing this renewed love for the Costa Blanca, leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has answered growing demand by launching a brand new residential development, located north of Alicante.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, believes that the Costa Blanca is a safe haven for overseas buyers and its popularity will continue to build throughout 2016. He comments,

“International buyers, especially Brits, have always been attracted to all that the Costa Blanca has to offer and we have definitely observed a rise in enquiries for property in this region. Those looking to purchase a holiday home are reassured by the current stability of the Spanish market and we would anticipate Alicante to remain the top province in relation to property bought by foreign citizens. We are thrilled to bring another high quality residential complex to an already thriving market and I look forward to speaking with prospective buyers.”

The new Jardin del Mar residential complex is comprised of both two and three bedroom apartments and three bedroom duplexes, all with two bathrooms, air-conditioning and an underground parking space. Situated in the beautiful town of Javea, also known as the Pearl of the Costa Blanca, Jardin del Mar properties offer direct access to Primer Montañar Beach and its prime location means Altet Alicante airport and Manises Valencia airport are both just 100km away.

Prices start from just €244,000, with every ground floor apartment opening onto a private garden whilst the duplex homes provide residents with breath taking sea views. Communal areas to be enjoyed by all include luscious gardens and a swimming pool. Shops and other local amenities are within walking distance, and a pedestrian pathway with a cycle lane passes right in front of the complex, connecting the Aduanas del Mar port with Arenal Beach, offering a perfect setting for strolling and admiring the spectacular land and seascapes of the Jávea coastline.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Istanbul hosts Turkey’s first Cityscape event as UAE investors continue to boost sales in the region

Istanbul hosts Turkey’s first Cityscape event as UAE investors continue to boost sales in the region

by Charly Turkey
  • Istanbul Congress Center to host first Cityscape Turkey, March 24 to 26
  • Turkish real estate transactions by UAE residents rises by 160% in last two years (Turkish Land Registry)
  • UAE, Iraqi and Saudi Arabian investors account for 62% of all Universal21 2015 sales in Istanbul

This week will see Turkey’s first Cityscape exhibition take place at the Istanbul Congress Center, as domestic and global investors come together with leading real estate companies to discuss the country’s prospering housing market. The Hosted Buyer Programme launched by Informa Exhibitions, the organisers of Cityscape Turkey, will connect potential investors with at least 50 high profile exhibitors participating in the debut show running from March 24 to 26.

A key demographic of investors attending the event are those travelling from the UAE. Wouter Molman, the director of Cityscape Group at Informa Exhibitions, explains that “The response from investors in the UAE to our hosted buyer programme has been reassuring and we expect that the series of pre-qualified one-on-one meetings to fast track the experience and showcase a tailored collection of quality projects and existing developments will help meet clients’ exacting requirements.”

According to the latest Turkish Land Registry report, UAE investment is becoming increasingly prominent within the Turkish housing market, with real estate transactions by UAE residents rising by 160% in the last two years. In 2015, 332 UAE citizens purchased Turkish property and subsequently the country also ranked among the top nations in terms of square meterage, at more than 433 square meters per person.

Witnessing this growth first hand, the largest management company based in Istanbul, Universal 21’s most recent data shows that the UAE, along with fellow Gulf nations Iraq and Saudi Arabia, is accountable for a substantial 62% of their 2015 total sales. Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21, is excited for all the Cityscape exhibition could bring to the Turkish market. He explains,

“We have definitely noticed an increase in interest from the UAE, as well as investors from other Gulf nations, in recent times and exhibitions like Cityscape will only further highlight the potential of the Turkish property market to these prospective buyers. Cityscape enables Gulf investors to come together, therefore making it an extremely successful platform from which to promote Istanbul as a city and the real estate opportunities currently available.”

Situated in the Beylikdüzü district of Istanbul, Crest Plaza Residence recently launched by Universal21 offers an ideal investment opportunity for 2016. Crest Plaza Residence is well-located for both transport links and amenities, with the beach just a ten-minute drive away and Istanbul’s Ataturk airport only a 20 minute drive away.

Formed of only two blocks of 11 floors and a total of 199 apartments, Crest Plaza Residence boasts a wide range of facilities including fitness centre, swimming pool, Turkish bath, steam room, sauna, health club, cinema room, meeting room, BBQ terrace, games room, library and children’s playground.

Starting at £60,000, a range of spacious one, two and three bedroom duplex penthouse apartments are available. All either overlook the landscaped gardens or a newly appointed park soon to be completed and the project also has the benefit of 24-hour security.

For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.