Despite current economic uncertainty, it’s no surprise that Spain is still considered one of the best destinations in which to purchase a home abroad with the Costa del Azahar topping the list of areas in which investors wish to purchase homes according to a recent survey from Rightmove Overseas.

The Costa del Azahar, north of the Costa Blanca and literally translated as the ‘Orange blossom’ coast has started to grab the attention of international property buyers recently. As one of the lesser known areas of Spain, the Costa del Azahar affords an abundance of treasures yet to be discovered, perfect for those who want avoid the heavy tourist crowds associated with the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“One of the great things about the Costa del Azahar is that fact that it has maintained all that is authentic about Spain. The coast has upheld its appeal with people and activities still in keeping with Spanish culture and tradition – something that appeals to second-home buyers who want to immerse themselves in the true Spanish way of life.

“Given the region is relatively off the tourist radar when compared to its more southerly cousins, property prices in this part of Spain remain reasonable and very good value for money. Our latest development located in Alcossebre on the Costa del Azahar – a first for us – affords a highly sort after frontline location with direct access to the sea matched with an affordable price tag – a perfect combination for buyers looking for something special that won’t break the bank!”

While the Costa del Azahar provides beautiful pristine beaches many of which fly Blue Flags, inland visitors can discover the exceptional beauty of quaint villages and the rugged mountains of Castellon, the second most mountainous province in Spain. However, one of its most popular destinations for those looking for something away from the masses is the small coastal village of Alcossebre.

Pritchard explains,

“Alcossebre is one of the few towns in the area that is not fully built-up. There aren’t too many large buildings around so a peaceful and natural landscape exists with a variety of unspoiled beaches to choose from. What’s more, potential second home buyers will be pleased to know that house prices in Alcossebre were 15.8% less expensive in Q1 2012 than the national average of Spain according to recent figures from the number one portal for Spanish property, Kyero.com.”

For those who are thinking about buying the perfect frontline property on the Costa del Azahar why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has on offer?

Located in a privileged spot on the Mediterranean coastline, right on the Cap i Corp seafront, belonging to the town of Alcossebre, La Ermita del Mar affords 2 & 3 bed frontline apartments from just €172.000.

As well as being privileged with direct access to the beach, apartments will have direct access to generous covered and open terraces with imposing views of the sea as well as a communal swimming pool and underground parking spaces.

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

According to the latest Golf Travel Insights report from KPMG, 60% of golf tour operators experienced an increase in the number of golf holidays booked in 2011, compared to just 38% in the previous year, highlighting a welcomed boost to the golf tourism sector.

Utilising the feedback of 90 golf tour operators in 35 countries, the survey, published by KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice identified that Spain and Portugal continue to be the most popular golf holiday destinations, while the UK, Ireland, Turkey and Thailand follow behind.

While the KPMG survey discovered that golfers from the USA, Canada, Sweden, Germany and the UK remain the biggest golf travellers, the data also revealed that golfers spend considerably more on a vacation than standard leisure tourists, spending around €600-900 for a four to seven night stay.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“The golf tourism sector has proven to be a resilient and reliable market that always bounces back even when the chips are down and we are happy to hear that there is an optimistic outlook among golf tour operators with three-quarters of those surveyed in KPMG’s report expecting growth in the market this year and next.

“Spain is one of the biggest international golf destinations; it’s certainly the most popular European golf location and anyone thinking of buying a golf property in Spain would definitely be making a wise move. With our developments you are buying into community spirited neighbourhoods that afford excellent facilities and green surroundings as well as potential high returns from consistent demand should you chose to rent your property out. For example, Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club, an 18-hole course is one example of a quality golf course in Spain that has performed remarkably well.  We developed and sold during the last 11 years more than 1,200 apartments, villas and detached villas in Los Arqueros so the results of buying a golf property really speak for themselves.”

For those who are thinking about buying a golf property in Spain to perfect your swing or fill your pockets from rental opportunities why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has on offer:

La Floresta de la Mairena, set near the village of Elviria and its beach, very close to Marbella and Malaga is situated in beautiful surroundings which have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Just a ten minute drive from two of the best known golf courses on the Costa del Sol, La Cala Golf Resort and Santa Maria Golf this development comprises of 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom penthouses and affords two large communal swimming pools, landscape gardens and external private parking all built to the highest standard from just €178.000.

Los Robles de Los Arqueros II, is a modern complex with cutting edge interior set in one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course.

Offering stunning sea and golf views the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments afford superb amenities such swimming pool and community gardens with underground parking and storage for €240,000.

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

Inbound tourists to Spain spent a total of €9.01 billion in Q1 2012, an increase of 7.4% over the same period in 2011 according to the Tourist Expenditure Survey conscripted by the Institute for Tourism Studies of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

While the survey identified that in March 2012 alone, inbound tourists to Spain spent €3.61 billion representing 11.9% more than in the same month of 2011, it also highlighted that the biggest contributors to tourist expenditure in that month were British tourists who spent a total of €631 million euros in the month, a 10% increase over 2011.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“We are not surprised that tourist spend in Spain is on the up – in spite of the economic doom and gloom Spain will always be a top choice for tourists. Indeed, the pound is now at its strongest against the euro in nearly 2 years reaching an exchange rate of £1:€1.20 meaning that British families have more money to spend.

“Indeed, Q1 2012 has been rather successful for Spain with British and German bargain hunters choosing the nation as their top holiday and second home destination. Searches on Hotels.com U.K for hotels in Spain for example  increased by 106% in Q1 2012 over the same period last year and we at Taylor Wimpey España have actually seen a 21% increase in the number of units sold between January and April this year over the same period in 2011 with Brits still remaining our biggest buyers.”

Spain is still considered one of the most reliable and established markets for property buyers with Mallorca remaining one of the most popular destinations. The Balearic islands’ economy still remains buoyant thanks to a thriving tourist industry which, despite a few variations in the past year, has hardly felt the burn.  As a result, the latest census from the Spanish National Statistics Institute has identified that there are officially 23,773 Britons now living on the island with foreigners now representing 21.6% of the population – the highest concentration of overseas residents in Spain.

Marc Pritchard comments,

“Mallorca has always been a firm favourite – it’s easy to get too, offers sunny days and the most beautiful scenery. To highlights its popularity Lowcostholidays.com has recently identified that Mallorca is the number one destination for people over the Jubilee week, registering a 60% increase on 2011 and Palma de Mallorca voted one of Spain’s Top 10 Destinations in Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice awards 2012.”

Although Mallorca has been deemed much more of an ‘aspirational destination’ attracting the more affluent expat given the low supply of quality homes and high property prices, Taylor Wimpey España’s prove that quality homes and affordable prices can go hand in hand.

Located on the south east coast of Mallorca, very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or El Puerto II consists of 2 bedroom apartments costing from just 171.500€ + 4% VAT – KEY READY. With 3 communal swimming pools available these properties are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty offering various other activities such as water sports, biking and golf in the local area.

Cala Magrana III in Mallorca, situated close to Cala Anguila beach and the marina of Porto Cristo comprises 21 stunning 2 bedroom apartments surrounding a communal garden with a swimming pool. Ground floor apartments have a spacious terrace with a garden for private use while top floor apartments benefit from a private roof terrace, affording a great price of €211,500 + VAT.

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

The Costa del Sol will be making every effort to welcome British holiday makers escaping London during the 2012 summer Olympic Games after a report from the Association of British Travel Agencies (ABTA) discovered that 21% of people questioned said that they do not want to be in the UK whilst the world’s biggest sporting event takes place.

With the report highlighting that the Olympics will generate vital opportunities for favoured British holiday hotspots outside the UK including the Spanish Costas, the Costa del Sol Tourist Board is already working on its new tourism campaign which aims to generate a 37% increase in arrivals this year compared to 2011.

The British market will be a primary focus for the Costa del Sol after Elías Bendodo, President of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board explained that the recovery of the British market last year was a key factor in the revival in the Spanish tourism industry as a whole with more than 35% of arrivals at Malaga airport in 2011 from Britain.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“Spain is always a hot pick for Brits when deciding where to holiday and if the latest news from Lowcostholidays.com is anything to go by, having identified that Mallorca is the number one destination for people over the Jubilee week, registering a 60% increase on last year along with other popular regions such as the Costa del Sol fairing just as well, we fully expect to see a surge of British arrivals when the Olympic Games begin.”

Meanwhile, Marbella one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular spots has so far witnessed a very positive 2012 according to the city’s councillor of tourism Jose Luis Hernandez explaining that Marbella’s tourism figures have increased by 5% with an 8% increase in overnight stays this year.

Pritchard further comments,

“While Brits love Marbella for it sun, sea and sophistication, there has been a real push in promoting Marbella’s luxurious side in Arab countries which has no doubt aided the positive effect on tourism witnessed this year. It really is no surprise that Marbella is popular as a holiday and second home destination. Offering a perfect location between mountains and award winning beaches, as well as warm temperatures long after the summertime crowds have departed, Marbella affords excellent shopping, delicious Andalucían dishes and a beautiful historic centre. There really is something for everyone here.”

For those on the hunt for the perfect Spanish property on the Costa del Sol why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer?

La Floresta de la Mairena, set near the village of Elviria and its beach, very close to Marbella and Malaga is situated in beautiful surroundings which have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Affording 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom penthouses, the development has two large communal swimming pools, landscape gardens and external private parking all built to the highest standard with first-class finishes including an Italian designed kitchens from just €178.000.

Los Robles de Los Arqueros II, is a modern complex with cutting edge interior set in one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course.

Offering stunning sea and golf views the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments afford superb amenities such swimming pool and community gardens with underground parking and storage for €240,000.

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

The latest Lloyds TSB International Wealth survey has estimated that the volume of wealthy Brits who move overseas is expected to increase over the next two years, with a growing number seeking a new life in Spain.

According to the survey, approximately 19% of people with savings and investments over £250,000 are considering moving overseas, an increase of 17% six months ago and 14% a year ago with new figures from the survey proposing that over half of these individuals could well move overseas by 2014 in search of a better lifestyle.

With many Brits looking set to vacate the UK, stating that they would only reconsider if Briton reduced taxes, cut regulatory red tape for businesses and upgraded public services including healthcare and education, Brits moving overseas over the next two years will certainly increase the demand for homes abroad, particularly in the forever popular location of Spain.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“There is a wealth of opportunity to be had in Spain – the quality of life the nation offers is second to none so it’s no wonder Spain is a top choice. Indeed, with the Costa del Sol Tourism Board having launched a new campaign to attract national and foreign tourists after joining forces with more than 100 local businesses from the tourism sector to create a campaign which promotes all that is great about this favoured Spanish region, we fully expect the Costa del Sol to feel the force of this proposed British arrival. And, the fact that these will be successful, wealthy individuals is a welcomed bonus for the Spanish economy.”

While Brits have proven to be one of Spain’s most loyal visitor and indeed property owners, foreign property buyers from stronger Eurozone are on the up with these nations continuing to purchase Spanish property while prices are low. To highlight this, Fastighetsbyrån, part of the Swedish banking group Swedbank, has identified that Swedish and Norwegian property buyers are pushing hard into the Spanish residential property market with purchases by Swedes up 46% and Norwegians up 61%.

Pritchard explains,

“The Swedish economy has been performing better than the UK given the strength of the krona and low house prices and as a result Swedes are fast becoming Spain’s biggest fans. It is for this reason that we are spending more time on this lucrative market.

“Meanwhile, making it even easier for Swedish property buyers to visit Spain, Scandinavian airline SAS has added direct flights from Stockholm Arlanda to Malaga operating thrice weekly – a welcomed boost to the Spanish/Swedish relationship.”

For those on the hunt for the perfect Spanish property on the Costa del Sol why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer?

La Floresta de la Mairena, set near the village of Elviria and its beach, very close to Marbella and Malaga is situated in beautiful surroundings which have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Affording 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom penthouses, the development has two large communal swimming pools, landscape gardens and external private parking all built to the highest standard with first-class finishes including an Italian designed kitchens from just €178.000.

Los Robles de Los Arqueros II, is a modern complex with cutting edge interior set in one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course.

Offering stunning sea and golf views the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments afford superb amenities such swimming pool and community gardens with underground parking and storage for €240,000.

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

It seems that sellers of Spanish property are being a little more realistic when it comes to asking prices according to Spain’s largest English language property portal, Kyero.com’s Q1 2012 House Price Index.

Kyero.com predicts that Spanish property prices will ‘bottom-out’ in 2012, while foreign buyers from stronger Eurozone nations continue to purchase Spanish property while prices are low.

Mark Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España comments,

“Prices across Spain are readjusting with sellers and agents pricing more reasonably. At Taylor Wimpey de España we consider our prices very fair given the prime locations, space and quality of build and indeed our reduced 4% VAT offer in itself highlights that we want to make it even easier for property hunters to buy in Spain.

“Certainly, strong Eurozone nations as cited in Kyero’s report such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Holland as well as Russia are currently some of our biggest fans showing increased interest in property particularly on the Costa Blanca. With this market firmly in mind we also attended the Investor Show in Russia on the 9th and 10th of last month where we received a good level of interest and will be exhibiting at Property Worldwide in Russia from the 13th – 15th of April.”

Pritchard continues,

“At present, the Swedish economy has been performing better than the UK and with a strong krona and a reduction in Spanish house prices, more Swedes are beginning to realise the possibilities of a life in Spain. With this in mind it is important that we spend time on this lucrative market.”

To further support Pritchard’s comments, figures published by Fastighetsbyrån, part of the Swedish banking group Swedbank, suggests that Swedish and Norwegian property buyers have pushed hard into the Spanish residential property market with purchases by Swedes up 46% and Norwegians up 61%.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the wider Spanish property market, Mallorca continues to rank highly with limited land and property supply keeping it desirable for property hunters. Kyero.com’s Q1 2012 House Price Index reveals that average house prices in Mallorca are 181% above Spain’s national average of €253,000, standing at €456,700 as of March 2012.  

For those on the hunt for the perfect Spanish property why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer.

Las Brisas de Alenda, located in the peaceful and quiet area adjacent to the Alenda Golf Course is a private complex consisting of beautiful 3 bedroom townhouses.

The Brisas de Alenda Golf complex has generous private gardens, a communal swimming pool and a club house as well as a gym, bar and restaurant while wonderful beaches of the Costa Blanca are just a 15 minute away costing from just 169.000€ + 4% VAT.

Located on the south east coast of Mallorca, very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or El Puerto II consists of 2 bedroom apartments costing from just 182.000€ + 4% VAT – KEY READY without furniture. With 3 communal swimming pools available these properties are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty offering various other activities such as water sports, biking and golf in the local area.

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