Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

by Louise Portugal Spain United Kingdom , ,
  • Portugal may be the defending European champion, but how does its property market stand up?
  • Will Spain’s second home credentials win out?
  • Or is UK property still holding its own?  

Euro 2020 excitement is reaching fever pitch, with the first match (Turkey versus Italy) due to kick off in Rome on Friday 11 June. In total, 51 fixtures will be played across 11 host cities. Both Spain and the UK will be hosting matches (in Seville and London, respectively), as defending champions Portugal seek to retain their championship title.

But enough about football. What about the contenders’ property credentials – does it make more sense to buy property in Portugal, Spain or the UK right now?

“Each country has its own merits when it comes to buying property there. Whether it makes more sense to buy in the UK, rather than Portugal or Spain, for example, depends entirely on what you plan to use the property for – and how long you intend to hold onto it before selling.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Owning property in Portugal has plenty of appeal. The cost of living/holidaying there is a major draw. Numbeo reports that Portugal’s cost of living is lower than that of Spain, which in turn is lower than that of the UK. The Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer 2021, meanwhile, reports that Portugal’s Algarve is cheaper to visit that Spain’s Costa del Sol. And with property priced at €1,185 per square metre, Portugal’s homes are also cheaper than pretty much all of western Europe. Score one for Portugal.

Portugal also delivers an enviable lifestyle, particularly in the sun-kissed Algarve, with its stunning coastline, world-class golf and marine sporting facilities and its picturesque towns and villages packed with independent restaurants and cafés serving up the delicious local cuisine.

In terms of what you can get for your money in the Algarve, the homes at Amendoeira Golf Resort are a great example. Two-bedroom apartments cost from €285,000, while three-bedroom villas with private pools are priced from €490,000.

Owned and operated by Kronos Homes, Amendoeira Golf Resort presents buyers with a range of additional facilities, including golf, tennis, a gym, communal pools, a sports bar, a restaurant and a stunning new clubhouse. For those currently fixating on the Euros, there’s a natural grass football field built to FIFA’s standards, along with two AstroTurf five-a-side football fields.

So, what does Spain have to offer? Like the Algarve, southern Spain offers a superb outdoor lifestyle, with 300 days of sunshine per year. It also provides a wealth of golf and other sporting facilities, along with a wonderfully scenic coastline. Spain’s coast is on the Mediterranean, so it wins out over Portugal when it comes to sea temperatures (as Portugal sticks out into the Atlantic).

For those who like to treat themselves while on holiday, Spain is also the place to be. From designer clothes to yachts, the country’s southern shores are awash with high-end goods and upscale beach clubs (far more so than that Algarve, which tends to deliver luxury in a rather more laid-back fashion).

“Spain has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers and second home buyers. Its vibrant towns, superb gastronomy and cosmopolitan atmosphere are ideally suited to relaxation and enjoyment.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Spain also wins out over its Iberian neighbour when it comes to flight times – just. Flying from London to Alicante takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, while London to Faro is closer to 2 hours and 50 minutes.

In terms of properties, the Costa del Sol has a wealth of options available. Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers everything from golf apartments to stunning beachfront homes.

A property at Sun Valley, for example, provide residents with all the benefits of living at the prestigious La Cala Golf Resort. Priced from €251,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, the south and southwest facing homes enjoy panoramic golf and sea views and come with a communal pool and infant splash pool. The individual apartments all feature large terraces and spacious interiors.

Where does all this leave the UK? Well, while Portugal and Spain are winning big with second home buyers, investors looking for passive income are turning to the UK, according to property investment firm Fabrik Invest. The company cites the UK’s stability as an investment destination as a key part of its appeal

Owning a rental property in the UK certainly comes with plenty of earning potential. The Exchange in Preston is an excellent example. It offers contemporary urban apartments within one of the city’s key redevelopment zones – Stoneygate. On-site amenities include a gym, residents’ lounge, elegant rooftop garden, concierge and bike storage. Not only are the homes set to benefit from the impact that the Stoneygate masterplan has on the local area, but the North West region is projected to lead the UK in terms of property price growth. Savills predicts that prices in the North West will increase by 28.8% in the five years to 2025.

So… which country wins? It seems the answer really does depend on what you want to own the property for. And as for who will win Euro 2020, only time will tell!

For full details of Amendoeira Golf Resort, please email realestate@amendoeiraresort.com, call (+351) 282 320 820 or visit https://www.amendoeiraresort.com/en/

For more information on Taylor Wimpey España, call 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

For more information on Fabrik Invest, call 020 8175 9891, email enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit www.fabrikinvest.com

Brand new Lisbon site redefines luxury student living, as private sector makes its mark

Brand new Lisbon site redefines luxury student living, as private sector makes its mark

by Priscillia Mudiaki Portugal United Kingdom
  • 87% of UK student bed spaces delivered by private sector (Cushman Wakefield)
  • Collegiate is leading student accommodation development in both UK and Portugal
  • Launch of Collegiate Marquês de Pombal announced for 15 January 2018

 

The recent Cushman Wakefield UK Student Accommodation Report revealed that 87% of all new purpose-built student bed spaces in the UK were delivered by the private sector. A record 30,000 new beds were delivered in 2017, with leading provider Collegiate proud to have expanded both its portfolio and reputation for excellence within the student accommodation sector.

Nor is it just the UK where Collegiate is making its mark. On 15th January 2018, the brand new Collegiate Marquês de Pombal site in Lisbon will open its doors to the first cohort of students looking for outstanding accommodation in the Portuguese capital.

 

“We’re delighted to be launching our spectacular new site at Collegiate Marquês de Pombal on 15 January 2018. With outstanding facilities, a residents’ club lounge and dinner party room, this site will mark a new standard in student accommodation in Lisbon.” 

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

 

A range of study zones provide calming settings for students to read, undertake research and write essays. Meanwhile, carefully designed rooms also ensure that each individual can study in private should they prefer. The site also features an on-site library for the peaceful absorption of knowledge.

The locally-inspired interior boasts extensive natural elements and stylish artwork, reflecting the character of the surrounding city.

The site has been designed with contemporary young people firmly in mind, from international students living in Portugal for the first time to domestic pupils looking forward to completing their studies in the capital.

On-site amenities include a stylish swimming pool, sauna, private fitness suite, luxurious cinema and private dinner party rooms.

“Each Collegiate site is unique, with the interior design shaped to suit the city around it. At Collegiate Marquês de Pombal, that meant bringing to life the sophistication and grandeur of Lisbon, while also recognising the importance of outdoor life.”

 

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

With a 24/7 professional concierge service, state-of-the-art security and high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi, Collegiate has set the scene for an outstanding and secure university experience, designed to enable each individual student to flourish, both academically and socially.

 

For more information and to book accommodation in university towns and cities across the UK and Europe, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate shortlisted for Best Operator of the Year award

Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate shortlisted for Best Operator of the Year award

by Priscillia Mudiaki Portugal United Kingdom

Collegiate is proud to announce today its nomination for The Class Best Operator of the Year award presented by the Class of 2020, Europe’s leading platform.

Class of 2020 represents a vision for cities to attract and retain the brightest young minds, and for them to lead the way to social and economic success in return.

Winners will be announced during its annual Class Conference, which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday (15th & 16th November) in Lisbon, Portugal. This event will discuss all topics related to student housing with this year’s theme ‘Building Bridges Over Growing Barriers’.

The award celebrates the housing operator “that provides the best quality of living to the residents it serves. This operator will have gone the extra mile, ensuring the best provision of services that go beyond just meeting the needs and desires of the next generation of students.” ​

“It is a privilege to have received a nomination for The Class Best Operator of the Year Award.  Collegiate continually strive to better our product and service to nurture academic success and this nomination is a testament of that commitment.  Through our continued expansion and growing status as an international luxury brand in the student accommodation sector, we hope to continue this positive trend.”

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

 

Collegiate has been at the forefront of innovation in student accommodation for 6 years by delivering a growing portfolio of 40 luxury student accommodation sites worldwide. They combine superior accommodation with superior service and support over 65,000 students from 100 countries on their way to academic success.

The company’s flagship European development, Collegiate Marques de Pombal, will open its doors in January 2018 in Lisbon with an additional 11 projects across Iberia in build. Expansion over the next 24 months will also include Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands & Poland.

For more information, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.  

Top of the Props: Portugal popularity hits nine-month high

Top of the Props: Portugal popularity hits nine-month high

by Georgina Portugal United Kingdom World ,
  • Portugal makes top three for first time since October 2016 
  • Italy makes top four for the third time in 2017 
  • Tunisia and Turkey both enter top 15 

The popularity of Portuguese property has reached a nine-month high, reveals new research from TheMoveChannel.com.

The international portal’s latest Top of the Props index shows that Portugal reentered the top three destinations in July 2017. This is the first time that Portugal has been in TheMoveChannel.com’s top three since October 2016. Portuguese real estate accounted for 1.87 per cent of all enquiries on the portal in July, with enquiries rising 2 per cent month-on-month in real terms.

Portugal was beaten only by second place Spain and first place USA, which both held on to their spots for the second month in a row. US property accounted for 6.93 per cent of enquiries, while Spain accounted for 6.12 per cent.

France also enjoyed a surge in interest, rising from fifth place to steal fourth. This is the second month so far in 2017 that France has been the fourth most popular country on TheMoveChannel.com, and the third month in a row that it has been in the Top of the Props Top 5. In real terms, enquiries for French property rose 16 per cent in the three months to July compared to the previous three-month period.

France and Portugal’s rise pushed Italy down into fifth place, with 1.72 per cent of all enquiries on the site. However, this is the fourth time Italy has been in the Top of the Props’ Top 5 in 2017, as the country’s popularity continues to increase.

Italy is not the only nation enjoying a rebound. Greece continues to see interest grow, climbing from 10th place into ninth in July. Greek property accounted for 0.69 per cent of all enquiries on the portal, marking the third time in 2017 to date the nation has been in the Top of the Props’ Top 10. In real terms, enquiries for Greek real estate more than doubled in the three months to July compared to the previous three-month period.

Tunisia has also risen into the Top 15, up 24 places from the previous month, with 0.41 per cent of all enquiries. Turkey saw signs of a return to favour as well, jumping five places from 12th into seventh, with 1.61 per cent of enquiries.

TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson comments: “With summer in full swing, the traditional holiday home favourites rule the roost, with Spain, France and Italy all among our Top 5 destinations. However, July sees buyers begin to return to old favourites too, as the tourism industry continues to help boost market recoveries, not just in Europe but further afield. Official data shows that Turkish visitor arrivals are on the up this year, as relations between Turkey and Russia improve, which highlights the country’s returning appeal to international holidaymakers and investors. We also saw notable growth in enquiries for Tunisian real estate in July, which follows improving tourist figures for the country this spring. Buyers are going back to Cyprus too: despite the country slipping down the Top of the Props charts, enquiries remain 22 per cent higher in the three months to July than they were in the three months to January 2017. The island’s tourism sector had a record year in 2016, with arrivals expected to rise another 5 per cent this year.”

“Portugal has been one of the stars of 2017 to date,” adds Johnson, “repeatedly appearing in TheMoveChannel.com’s top three destinations. The housing market’s recovery continues to build

momentum, with prices and transactions both improving steadily and consistently. With Golden Visas on offer in Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, citizenship schemes rank alongside tourism as an important driver of international interest.”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for July 2017.

— ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 1.4 million listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

——————————-

Do you need comment or statistics for an international real estate article? Our experienced editorial team and management are happy to collate data, provide example properties, or offer insightful comment to support your publication.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

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Feature property listings in your publication!

Our technical team has developed a great new solution for content publishers that allows the addition of high impact advertising units, which can be configured to show property listings, relevant to a type of property, country, region or a specific location.

There are 2 types of implementation:

• Standard Ad Units: These show in 120,600, 160×600, 300×150, 300×250, 300×500, 300×750 and 728×90 formats, with a varying number of listings showing in each version.

• Dynamic Portfolio: This is a completely configurable panel, where you can choose the number of columns and rows, plus the size of the listings and dedicate a section of a page, or even a whole page to a set of properties.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

Overseas Property Show announces Ireland tour dates

Overseas Property Show announces Ireland tour dates

by Louise Portugal ,

It’s that time of year when many people begin turning their dream of owning a property overseas into a reality. Now, the hugely successful Overseas Property Show is coming to Ireland in order to make that reality happen.

The free to attend show will take in two Dublin venues, Limerick and Cork during its tour of Ireland, sharing information, advice and opportunities for overseas property ownership with all those who are interested in attending.

Experts on foreign property ownership, including those who live and work overseas, will be available to share their experiences and provide detailed, factual information about owning a home abroad.

The Ireland shows will include:

  • Tuesday 23 May 2017 – RDS Dublin
  • Wednesday 24 May 2017 – Roganstown Hotel, The Aungier Suite, Sword, Dublin
  • Friday 26 May 2017 – Thomond Park Rugby Stadium, 1978 Suite, Limerick
  • Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May 2017 – Metropole Hotel, Ballroom, MacCurtain Street, Cork

Chris White, Founding Director of real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, which has been exhibiting at the Overseas Property Show for several years, comments,

“The Overseas Property Show is an ideal way for potential overseas property owners to connect with industry experts and find out more about making their home ownership dreams come true. The show is refreshing in its approach – it provides realistic insights into owning overseas, rather than an airbrushed vision of life in the sun.

“Owning a home abroad comes with legal and taxation implications and the Overseas Property Show provides the perfect forum for such questions to be addressed. It also offers a wide range of properties in several countries, giving visitors plenty of ideas about the style of property that they might like to own and the locations that they are interested in exploring further.”

The 2017 Overseas Property Show will include properties from Portugal, Spain and Mexico, as all three areas are particular hotspots right now for those buying overseas. From stunning studios to luxury villas with sea views, the show caters to visitors looking for second homes, retirement properties and investment properties, with experts on hand to explain the realities of each kind of purchase.

There is also a lifestyle element to the show, with expats there to talk about everything from language learning to the cost of groceries. It’s a whole-hearted approach that has proven extremely successful for previous Overseas Property Show tours.

Those looking for advice, guidance and inspiration when it comes to overseas home ownership are invited to obtain their free tickets and full details from www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

For further details, visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

Spanish property interest hits three-year high

Spanish property interest hits three-year high

by Charly Portugal Spain
  • Spain takes top three most-searched locations
  • Malaga, Almeira and Tenerife most popular places in Spain
  • Portugal occupies eight out of top 50 property hotspots

Interest in Spanish property surged to a three-year high at the start of 2017, reveals TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Hotspots Index. The report, which charts the most searched-for locations on the international property portal, saw Malaga soar to first place in Q1 2017 – the first time Spain has ever ranked in the number one spot.

Malaga accounted for 4.01 per cent of all searches on the international portal in the first three months of 2017, climbing 18 positions from Q4 2016 to knock Italy’s Florence off its perch. This is the first time in 18 months that Italy has not topped TheMoveChannel.com’s Hotspots Index.

Almeria was the second most sought-after location on the site, with 3.56 per cent of searches, followed by Tenerife (3.40 per cent) and, down three places, Florence (2.63 per cent). Benidorm completed the top five with 2.53 per cent of searches. Indeed, Spain was home to eight out of the 10 most popular locations in Q1 2017, the highest percentage of the Top 10 ever held by a single country since Hotspots Index records began in Q4 2014. Spain was also responsible for 13 out of the Top 15.

Portugal was home to 8 of the Top 50, ahead of Italy (5) and France (3). Portugal’s most popular hotspots were Albufeira (14th), Cascais (18th) and Alvor (19th). Interest in Italy was fuelled by Florence (4th), Rome (8th) and Verona (27th). France’s most sought-after hotspot was Paris (15th), highlighting the capital’s importance as a magnet for romantic lifestyle buyers and a safe haven for wealthy investors.

Thailand’s Pattaya climbed two places in the chart, attracting the 16th biggest share of searches. Greece’s Athens was the 45th most popular hotspot, while the USA accounted for one hotspot: Detroit, ranked in 33rd.

Spain, though, dominated buyers’ wishlists at the start of the year. The country was home to 31 of TheMoveChannel.com’s Top 50 hotspots, more than double its share of the index in Q4 2016 and an all-time high for any country.

The figures follow Spain’s similar rise in TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Top of the Props report, which saw the country account for 14.02 per cent of all enquiries on the site in February 2016 – its largest share of activity since 2013. Indeed, new data from Spain’s Land Registry shows that sales of property increased 19 per cent in January year-on-year to reach the highest number of transactions since January four years ago.

“Spain is undoubtedly the flavour of the month,” says Dan Johnson, Director of TheMoveChannel.com. “Searches and enquiries are both at highs not seen for several years, showing that foreign buyers are actively seeking opportunities in Spain and are following through on those searches. Agents have reported a slowdown in enquiries from British buyers since the Brexit vote, but expat favourite Benidorm’s position in Q1’s Top 5 hotspots shows that there is still interest from the UK, despite the pound’s weakness against the euro.

“Foreign buyers are still drawn primarily to tourist hospots, such as the Costa Blanca and Malaga, where they are helping to drive property prices up. With Spain’s economy growing, though, business hubs such as Barcelona are also fuelling overseas demand. Spain’s housing market is still not recovering at the same rate across the whole country, but with property values starting to rebound, the promise of capital growth and the country’s timeless lifestyle appeal mean that Spanish real estate has rarely appeared so attractive.”

Click here to see the full Top 50 Hotspots on TheMoveChannel.com.

— ENDS –

Notes to Editors

About Lead Galaxy and TheMoveChannel.com

Founded in 1999, www.TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 1.4 million listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.

TheMoveChannel.com is one of more than a dozen international property sites operated under the Lead Galaxy brand. Lead Galaxy provides online marketing solutions to thousands of property companies worldwide, focusing on portal listings, email marketing, qualified leads, paid search and social media advertising.

The business is headquartered at 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Shoreditch, London, E1 6NN.

——————————-

Do you need comment or statistics for an international real estate article? Our experienced editorial team and management are happy to collate data, provide example properties, or offer insightful comment to support your publication.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

——————————-

Sign up to our Daily International Property Newsletter:

– Daily updates on property market news headlines

– Quirky stories from around the world of property

– Hot properties being launched internationally

– Useful guides, surveys, research and trends

– Gossip, lists and other property chit chat

Sign up here: http://www.themovechannel.com/my/subscriptions/

——————————-

Feature property listings in your publication!

Our technical team has developed a great new solution for content publishers that allows the addition of high impact advertising units, which can be configured to show property listings, relevant to a type of property, country, region or a specific location.

There are 2 types of implementation:

  • Standard Ad Units: These show in 120,600, 160×600, 300×150, 300×250, 300×500, 300×750 and 728×90 formats, with a varying number of listings showing in each version.
  • Dynamic Portfolio: This is a completely configurable panel, where you can choose the number of columns and rows, plus the size of the listings and dedicate a section of a page, or even a whole page to a set of properties.

Please contact Ivan Radford on ivan.radford@themovechannel.com or +44 (0)207 952 7221

Leading luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC heads to the mainland with launch of first European project

Leading luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC heads to the mainland with launch of first European project

by Charly Portugal United Kingdom
  • Opportunity for specialist student accommodation managers to expand portfolios in Europe (Savills)
  • Collegiate AC announce first European residence in Lisbon, Portugal that serves as an idyllic landscape for thousands of students every year
  • Collegiate Conde Lisboa will be part of Collegiate AC’s Prestige Collection with residents benefitting from a private fitness suite, a 24 hour concierge service, on-site cinema and even a swimming pool (Collegiate AC)

According to Savills World Student Housing Report 2016/17 the PBSA sector in mainland Europe is growing significantly. It highlights that ‘for a globally mobile student population, secure, well managed, quality accommodation from a trusted provider has strong appeal to those unfamiliar with local housing markets.’

However, an absence of specialist student accommodation managers is holding the sector back, creating an opportunity for existing operators to expand their portfolios on the continent. And one potential market, desperate for development, is Portugal with its capital city as a prime candidate.

Naming Lisbon in the top three student cities in Portugal, the Savills report emphasised that the country’s student housing sector is still relatively undeveloped with major universities only providing a small amount of their own accommodation.

After successful expansion across the UK, and keen to lead an exciting era of development in Lisbon’s student accommodation market, Collegiate AC have announced their first European project. Collegiate Conde Lisboa will be part of Collegiate AC’s Prestige Collection with residents benefitting from a private fitness suite and swimming pool, a 24 hour concierge service and an on-site cinema.

Confident in the growing PBSA market throughout Mainland Europe and passionate about answering the increasing demand for student housing in Lisbon, Collegiate AC are delighted to launch this first-class property in the city.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC, is excited to be welcoming students to the new residence this September. He comments,

“Lisbon has a unique beauty and internationally acclaimed architecture that serves as an idyllic landscape for thousands of students every year. The Universidade de Lisboa is one of the major institutions of Higher Education in Europe and one of the leading universities in the country.

“Collegiate Conde Lisboa will provide domestic and international students with a unique living experience, enabling them to make the most of their university careers both studiously and socially. The lifestyle-led apartments and social spaces have been carefully designed to create an environment where students can feel safe and looked after.”

In keeping with Collegiate AC’s commitment to ‘Superior Living’, the Collegiate Conde Lisboa will provide students with high speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout the property, as well as an exclusive club lounge, well designed private and group study areas and even a stylish dinner party room.

For more information, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

Take your September sun to new heights with these terrific terraces

by Eleanor Portugal Spain United Kingdom , , , , ,

Make the most of this late September sun with a glass of bubbly and stunning views from these terrific terraces.

Herculaneum Quay, Liverpool

Residents will never want to leave these stunning waterfront apartments. Boasting marvelous views over the River Mersey, all apartments feature floor to ceiling glass with outdoor terraces and balconies to relax and take in the exquisite skyline.

Prices start at £107,130

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 20 7624 5555

Water Lane Apartments, Bristol

Whether you’re relaxing with a book, having a drink with some friends or working on an assignment, Water Lane’s pretty garden terrace allows university students to make the most of the Bristol sunshine. Other wonderful facilities include a private gym, on-site cinema, dinner party room and a club lounge for residents.

Prices start from £160 per week

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on +44 1235 250 140

Santa Ponsa Villa, Mallorca

With sunshine all year round and idyllic sea views, this wonderful terrace plays the perfect host for any occasion. Situated in the stunning Santa Ponsa area of Mallorca, the villa boasts 4 large en-suite bedrooms, a living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, private gardens and a pool.

Prices start at €1,395,000

For further details, visit www.kyero.com

Horizon Golf, Mijas, Costa del Sol

These beautiful homes afford spacious terraces perfect for al fresco dining where residents can enjoy breathtaking views of the prestigious Campo Asia golf course. All properties benefit from communal gardens and a swimming pool where you can enjoy bright Costa del Sol days and warm Mediterranean evenings.

Prices start at €267,000+VAT

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com

The Divine Collection, Digbeth, Birmingham

Soak up the last of the summer sun on The Divine Collection’s private roof garden. The grassy garden is perfect for entertaining friends or taking in a breath of fresh air. Comprised of a selection of 30 hand-picked apartments, The Divine Collection offers sophisticated, elegant homes with a spacious design and luxurious fit out.

Prices start at £159,500

For more information, contact Property Frontiers by visiting http://www.propertyfrontiers.com/ or calling the team on +44 1865 202 700.

Luxury ocean view property, Salgados, Algarve

Prepare for stunning ocean views from this exquisite villa in the popular Salgados. The living areas of this luxurious villa lead out onto the terraces and gardens through floor to ceiling glass doors. On the second floor is a large south facing terrace offering wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean and pretty coastline for miles.

Prices start at €2,250,000

For more information, contact Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or visit http://www.idealhomesportugal.com

Buy a home built by a dragon at the Overseas Property Show in London this weekend!

Buy a home built by a dragon at the Overseas Property Show in London this weekend!

by Charly Portugal

This weekend, the popular Overseas Property Show will be presenting Londoners with a rare opportunity – to buy a home built by a dragon!

The Novotel London West Hotel & Convention Centre will host the free to attend Overseas Property Show, which runs on Saturday 10th to Monday 12th September 2016, from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Ideal Homes Portugal, the exhibitor at the show, is presenting an exclusive collection of properties that have been redeveloped by former Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne.

Bannatyne fell for Portugal back in 2014, when he purchased a gorgeous, secluded villa through Ideal Homes Portugal. Since then he has relocated to make Portugal his main home and is allowing his entrepreneurial streak to flourish in the Iberian sunshine. Although he planned to retire when making the move, Bannatyne has been feeling the pull of new business ventures while sitting by his swimming pool with fiancee Nigora Whitehorn. Now, the determined entrepreneur is building a new career in the property industry.

Working with the vibrant and expanding real estate company Ideal Homes Portugal Bannatyne has sourced five houses that had been partly developed when the Portuguese recession struck. Work on the properties was abandoned due to the financial crisis, but Bannatyne is now nurturing them back to life, with a view to turning them into dream holiday homes for buyers to use either for themselves or as a rental investment.

The busy, upscale town of Almancil is the location of Bannatyne’s new properties. Almancil is one of the most sought after destinations in the Algarve and forms part of the region’s ‘golden triangle,’ along with the prestigious golf resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Bannatyne comments,

“The recession hit Portugal pretty badly. However, all of us living here can see a marked upturn in the prosperity of the country. In my opinion property prices in the Algarve are selling below their true value and will rise quickly over the next few years.

“The recovery in the property market in southern Spain has been rapid and sustained. The effect is spreading to Portugal and the Algarve is at the beginning of a remarkable upturn. I have invested at a time when these properties are still within reach of those with an appetite for a place in the sun and an understanding of the need to buy at the right price and the right time.”

Several of the properties, which each feature two sun terraces, three en-suite bedrooms, private garden and access to a generously sized pool, have already attracted interest from potential buyers. Londoners looking to pick one up at the Overseas Property Show this weekend should be ready to move fast. Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes Portugal, which is developing the properties in partnership with Duncan Bannatyne, comments,

“The Overseas Property Show is always a great place to connect would-be buyers with their dream Portuguese property, whether it’s a home built by a dragon or a unique local business with a rich history, like the fabulous Café des Ingles in Silves. Visitors to the show also get to grill the local experts who attend on everything from the state of the Portuguese property market to what the Algarve expat lifestyle really entails.”

A handful of free tickets for the Overseas Property Show in London this weekend are still available. See www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com for details and to get your free tickets.

In addition, one lucky ticket holder, attending the show, will win a holiday for two in the Algarve.

For further details visit www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com, call (0800) 133 7644 / +351 289 513 434 or email info@theoverseaspropertyshow.com.

What has Brexit done to financing your dream property in Portugal?

What has Brexit done to financing your dream property in Portugal?

by Sophie Evans Portugal
  • House price growth accelerating and rents rising (RICS/Ci)
  • 50/50 split between cash buyers and borrowers (Ideal Homes Portugal)
  • Algarve has 1.5 million summer residents, but just 451k permanent (Statistics Portugal)

According to the latest RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey, agents in Portugal are reporting accelerating house price growth and higher rents. Whether you’re buying a holiday home for personal use with a view to making capital gains over the course or your ownership, or a rental apartment to serve as an income-generating investment, market forces indicate that now is the time to spring into action. But has Brexit thrown a spanner in the works for those looking to obtain a Portuguese mortgage to finance their property?

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, thinks not. He comments,

“The UK’s vote to leave the EU hasn’t made it harder for Brits to get mortgages in Portugal. The banks here are still financing and the mortgage process has thus far been unaffected by the whole Brexit development. In fact, as the market here has picked up, the banks have become more lenient when it comes to their lending criteria, so if anything it’s becoming easier for UK citizens to obtain Portuguese mortgages.”

Ideal Homes Portugal’s own mortgage offering is certainly striking a chord with buyers. The company has reported that around 50% of their clients currently are buying with mortgages, while the other 50% are making cash purchases. Many of those opting for loans to finance their purchases are investors looking to pick up one or more properties in the tourist mecca of the Algarve.

The Algarve has been a popular international tourist spot since Faro Airport opened in 1965. Since then, the airport has expanded along with the region’s popularity, with a record 6.4 million passengers passing through it in 2015. That’s compared to a resident population of just 451,006, according to Statistics Portugal. Add to those figures the 3 million or so domestic holidaymakers who head south to the Algarve and it’s easy to see why the region has such a need for rental accommodation. In fact, the Algarve’s population trebles over the summer months, to around 1.5 million people.

With low rates and 90% loan to value available through Ideal Homes Portugal, borrowing to fund the purchase of an investment property in Portugal is a simple and affordable process. Some of the most stunning new apartments that have piqued buyers’ interest are those at Lagos Marina. Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the region and home to one of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches, Praia Dona Ana, where boatmen putter slowly around the cliffs, showing off the caves, rock formations and azure waters to family groups, while locals dive for squid and other seafood delights. There’s also the enormous expanse of Meia Praia, with its surfers, windsurfers and trendy young things topping up their tans.

The eastern end of the Algarve is also becoming more popular with visitors and hence with property investors. The pretty fishing village of Cabanas de Tavira is packed with tourists over the summer months, along with a growing crowd of shoulder season visitors who aren’t restricted to school holiday times. Both short-term and long-term rental apartments are increasingly sought after. A two bedroom home in a development just a couple of minutes’ walk from the picturesque waterfront with its winding boardwalk is available from €139,000. With a gym, table tennis table and pool on-site, the development is perfect for family holidays, making it a popular choice with both investors and those buying a second home purely for personal use.

“It’s a win-win situation at the moment,” concludes Ideal Homes Portugal’s Chris White. “The combination of 90% mortgages and low rates means that buyer’s don’t need a large deposit and the monthly repayments are really affordable. We’re finding a lot of people are looking to Portugal in order to obtain an income from their holiday home as well as to use it for themselves.”

For further details call Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email enquiries@idealhomesportugal.com or visit www.idealhomesportugal.com.