Airside to poolside has never been easier as 2017 brings host of new flights from across the UK to Spain

Airside to poolside has never been easier as 2017 brings host of new flights from across the UK to Spain

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • 2017 will see new flights from London Heathrow, Luton, Cardiff, Manchester & Glasgow
  • Spain becomes even more accessible to those seeking a holiday home in the sun
  • Taylor Wimpey España provide sun-kissed holiday homes close to airports across Spain

2017 will indeed be a Happy New Year for Brits wanting to visit sunnier Spanish climes. Commencing throughout the year, an array of new flights will connect the UK and Spain, meaning 2017 could be the perfect year to turn that dream holiday home into reality.

28th March 2017 will see British Airways introduce two new flights per week from London Heathrow to Spain’s Murcia airport. Only a short distance from the airport, keeping the time between airside and poolside to a minimum, is leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España’s beautiful new beachfront apartments in Punta Prima.

From just €194,000 +VAT, La Recoleta III’s 2 or 3 bedroom apartments boast a well-designed layout, each with a private terrace with owners able to enjoy beautiful views over the Mediterranean Sea, swimming pool and private gardens of the development.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, believes that Spain is a safe haven for overseas buyers and its popularity will continue to build throughout 2017. He comments,

“International buyers, especially Brits, have always been attracted to all that Spain has to offer and 2016 proved another popular year, welcoming over 4 million tourists in November alone! The influx of new flights being added between the UK and Spain only exemplifies the demand from Brits to experience a taste of the Spanish lifestyle.”

Other airlines adding new flights include budget Spanish airline Vueling who have introduced a major expansion in passenger capacity on flights from Cardiff airport for the summer season. Following strong demand some 190,812 seats are now on sale on flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma between April and October.

Thomas Cook are also introducing new flights to Malaga from Manchester Airport from January 2017.

In close proximity to Malaga Airport is Taylor Wimpey España’s stunning new residential development, Horizon Golf, part of the La Cala Golf Resort. From €270,000 +VAT, properties are ideally located between the sea and mountains and provide residents with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and direct access to the sun terrace with panoramic views of the largest golf resort in Spain.

Other additional flights are being launched by easyJet, as they introduce a new route from London Luton to Valencia from February 2017, and Ryanair who have revealed ten new routes from Glasgow airport. There will be four new weekly flights to Malaga and three new weekly flights to Alicante.

Less than 20km from Alicante Airport is Taylor Wimpey España’s Brisas de Alenda Golf, Elche. From €145,000 +VAT it combines the tranquil area of the Alenda Golf Course with Alicante’s more lively beachfront nightlife. The 3 bedroom townhouses are split over 2 storeys with 2 bathrooms, a terrace, a private garden area and parking.

The growing number of flights to these popular destinations will provide British travelers with many more options for their European holidays and allow all areas of the county easier access to a second home. Where will the New Year take you?

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.

Think big – make your New Year’s resolutions to buy a holiday home in 2017!

Think big – make your New Year’s resolutions to buy a holiday home in 2017!

by Charly Spain United Kingdom World , , ,
  • Political and economic volatility to create big opportunities in 2017 (easyMarkets)
  • Emphasis on quality of life will be key this year (Kyero.com)
  • Sun-kissed Spanish holiday homes available from just €190k (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • Achieve second home serenity through interior design in 2017 (Alexander James)

Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat more healthily and drink less are all well and good, but they’re hardly likely to get 2017 off to an exciting start. So ditch the traditional resolutions to enjoy life less and instead resolve to enjoy it more – by buying a holiday home!

Evdokia Pitsillidou, Director of Risk Management at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets, explains,

“In many ways – certainly politically – the world was turned on its head in 2016. Thus many people are entering 2017 with a new mindset and looking at the way they live and their personal finances in a new light. Political and economic volatility may lead to big shifts in currency values and investors playing the markets successfully may consider putting their profits into property this year.”

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com, agrees,

“I think we’re going to see a lot of emphasis on enhancing quality of life in 2017. Certainly our own data has shown that since the Brexit vote British buyers are looking more intensively than ever at the possibilities that a second home in Spain opens up. Sterling’s drop has made them seek out cheaper destinations – Almeria and Alicante are the big winners so far – but we’re experiencing a record level of interest in Spanish property that we expect to continue throughout the year.”

The prices offered by the Spanish property market (as well as Spain’s fabulous climate, excellent cuisine, stunning golf courses and superb beaches), means that British buyers can pick up good value property, even once the drop in sterling has been taken into account.

Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, for example, is selling spacious two and three bedroom apartments with generous terraces at La Floresta Sur (close to Marbella), from as little as €190,000+VAT. As well as the development’s two large shared pools, owners can enjoy free access to the facilities of El Soto Golf Club. Each apartment comes fully fitted with white goods and with private parking.

But an overseas holiday home isn’t the only option for those looking to buy in 2017. Robert Walker, Managing Director of Alexander James Interior Design, explains,

“We’re seeing a big trend for staycations at the moment and many holiday home buyers are looking at what they can pick up in the UK, rather than overseas. Jumping in the car and driving to your holiday home whenever the mood suits you is far less hassle than having to plan ahead and book a plane and the money you save on flights can be spent on the property itself.”

Using interior design architects to create a serene, harmonious environment within a holiday home is money well spent. The desire for relaxation is a key driver for many second home owners and with the right interior design service, the feeling of calm and peace as you walk through the front door can be almost palpable. Compare that to the stress of dealing with airports, flights, hire cars and the other trappings of a second home overseas and the attractions of owning a holiday home within the UK are clear.

If you still haven’t decided on how to improve your life in 2017, make buying a holiday home your goal this year!

For more information, please contact:

easyMarkets: +44 203 1500 748 or www.easymarkets.com

Kyero: www.kyero.com

Taylor Wimpey España: 08000 121 020 (00 34 971 706 972 from outside of the UK) or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com

Alexander James Interior Design: 020 7887 7604 or www.aji.co.uk

Hotspots Index: Spain’s international appeal stays strong

Hotspots Index: Spain’s international appeal stays strong

by Charly Italy Spain Thailand World
  • Spain enjoys rebound at the end of 2016
  • Rome and Florence occupy top spots for property interest
  • Toronto appears in top 50 for first time

Spain’s appeal to international property buyers shows no sign of waning, according to TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Hotspots Index.

The quarterly report, which analyses location searches on the property portal, reveals that Spain is enjoying a rebound in popularity at the end of 2016, led by Barcelona and Benidorm.

Italy’s Florence remained the most sought-after hotspot on the property portal in Q4 2016, accounting for 3.37 per cent of location searches, up from 2.86 per cent in Q3 2016. This is the second quarter in a row that Florence has been the top hotspot on TheMoveChannel.com, after overtaking Rome in Q2 2016.

Rome remained the second most popular market for house-hunters. While Italy dominated search activity in Q3 2016, though, making up seven out of the Top 10 hotspots, the country’s share in Q4 2016 fell to three out of 10, just ahead of Portugal’s two. Spain, on the other hand, saw a rebound in searches, accounting for four out of the Top 10 destinations. In Q3 2016, Spain accounted for none of the Top 10, highlighting the significant rise in interest quarter-on-quarter.

Spain’s renewed international appeal was fuelled by Barcelona (sixth place, 1.06 per cent of searches) and Benidorm (seventh place, 0.99 per cent). Torrevieja and Tenerife completed the Top 10 in ninth and 10th place respectively. Spain also dominated the overall Hotspots Index, accounting for 18 out of the Top 50 hotspots – up from 10 in Q3 and higher than any other country. Italy was the second most in-demand, accounting for 13 out of the Top 50. Portugal was third, with 10 out of the Top 50.

Thailand’s Pattaya held onto its 18th place ranking. Liverpool also remained the UK’s only entry in the Top 50, sliding from 34th to 36th in the chart. Canada saw its first entry in the Hotspots Index, with Toronto receiving the 32nd highest share of searches in Q4 2016.

“There has been talk in recent months of declining demand for Spanish property in the wake of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, thanks to the pound’s weakness,” comments TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson. “Spain, though, still shows signs of being as popular as ever among lifestyle buyers, with the Costa Blanca, Costa Brava and British expat favourite Benidorm all among the most searched-for destinations on TheMoveChannel.com in Q4 2016. For US or other non-EU buyers, Spain is also an attractive investment, for either buy-to-let or capital growth opportunities. It is perhaps no surprise that Barcelona, which combines both tourist and investor markets, is the most popular hotspot in Spain.

“One impact of Brexit that can be seen in search behaviour is Liverpool’s continuing appeal in the UK. As the weaker pound draws buyers to the country, the city’s economy is growing, with new developments and strong rental yields all reinforcing the city as a major regional hotspot. It is interesting also that Canada’s first entry in the Hotspots Index was Toronto, rather than Vancouver, following the city’s introduction of a foreign buyer tax in Q3 2016. Will 2017 see that trend continue? And will buyers continue to flock to Spain?”

Click here to see the full top 40 property destinations for November 2016.

 

— 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.

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New Year, new project – 2017 set to see the resurgence of ruins says Kyero.com

New Year, new project – 2017 set to see the resurgence of ruins says Kyero.com

by Charly Spain
  • Demand for Spanish properties under £50k more than 4 x supply levels
  • Ruins available from as little as £5k
  • Politics and pressures of modern life pushing many to live the rural renovation dream

New Year is a time for making changes and taking on new projects – and few projects bring with them the challenges, excitement and rewards of renovating a ruined property.

In fact, data from Spanish property portal Kyero.com has revealed that demand for properties below £50,000 is hugely outstripping supply. The portal’s latest figures show that demand for such properties is more than four times supply levels.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Kyero.com, explains why 2017 looks set to be a big year for property renovations in some of the most beautiful parts of rural Spain,

“There are a host of factors pushing buyers towards ruin renovation at the moment. We’ve seen from the huge boom in searches for Spanish property that the Brexit vote seems to have, if anything, whetted Brits’ appetite for Spanish homes rather than driving down interest. At the same time, buyers from the UK are looking for cheaper solutions as a result of the pound’s decline, so buying a dilapidated farmhouse and doing it up is an attractive option.”

Owning a property in Europe ‘just in case’ is certainly something that appeals to many of those facing the UK’s rather uncertain, post-Brexit future.

The advantage of buying a ruin is undoubtedly the price: a tumbledown, four bedroom, two bathroom farmhouse in Maella, Zaragoza province, can be picked up for just €6,500. Naturally, it needs a lot of work, but the walls are in good condition and the tranquil setting is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern-day life. The coast is an hour’s drive away and the bright lights of Barcelona can be reached in around two and a half hours.

Those feeling the strain of the UK’s overcrowded cities, daily routine and chilly winter weather may well yearn for a simpler life, breathing in air scented by hundreds of mature fruit trees under the Spanish sunshine while coaxing a ruin back to life. The dream is certainly achievable to those who approach it with a keen eye for detail.

Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal explains,

“It’s essential when buying a finca to know what can and can’t be done with the property before you sign a contract. Find out whether there are any restrictions to building on the land, if water and electricity are already connected or could be connected in the future, if internet connectivity will be possible, and so forth.

“Think through what materials you will need, where you’ll get them from and whether you’ll do the work yourself or rely on local labour. Careful planning is essential with a project of this nature, but the rewards can be well worth the time it takes to find the perfect property.”

This six bedroom country house in Capse, also located in Zaragoza province, is an excellent example. The two storey property costs just €19,000 and enjoys a stunning setting just 200m from the Guadalope River. Utilities include bottled gas, water and the possibility of an internet connection. While the walls and much of the roof are in good condition, a complete renovation is recommended. To a buyer with the right vision (and approach), the property could offer an extensive country home in the sunshine at incredibly good value.

Even a ruin with a swimming pool isn’t out of the question – €31,000 is sufficient to buy a rural ruin complete with large balsa (open air water storage area), which can be converted into a charming, rustic swimming pool.

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.

The true taste of a Spanish Christmas

The true taste of a Spanish Christmas

by Charly Spain
  • 83% of Spanish say Christmas is too focused on spending money (ING)
  • Mantecados recognised as the essential dessert for those spending Christmas in Spain
  • Stylish second homes available from €145k for the ultimate Spanish festive season (Taylor Wimpey España)

Owning a second home overseas provides the chance to experience a country in a way that just holidaying there rarely does. With your own home you can live, cook, eat, drink and be merry in just the same way as the locals do – something which is impossible from even the largest of hotel rooms.

In Spain, owning a property to spend the Christmas holidays in means feasting in true Spanish style. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“In the UK, Christmas is a much more commercial holiday than it is in Spain. The UK’s emphasis on gift buying is much greater – here it is more about investing time in making intricate meals and spending precious moments with family. It’s a very different kind of holiday season and one that feels really special to experience: it’s less about money and more about family time.”

In the most recent ING International Survey for Christmas 2016, respondents were asked if Christmas is too focused on spending money. And across Europe 70% answered yes, with a substantial 83% agreeing in Spain, higher than any other country featured in the report. The figures also revealed that 42% of people in Europe agree with the statement “I feel forced to spend money at Christmas”, again with the largest share in Spain at 57%.

Spending Christmas with family and loved ones is an important tradition in Spain and with such a strong emphasis on food and drink to accompany these gatherings, many of those with a second home there delight in experimenting with local dishes in the kitchen over the holiday season.

The feasting begins in earnest on Christmas Eve night – La Noche Buena – when families gather together to dine at length over the course of the evening, often spending hours at the table and finishing past midnight.

Shellfish, Iberian ham, garlicky mushrooms, grilled shrimp, garlic soup, clams with salsa verde, roast lamb, roast suckling pig, lobster stew… the list of delicious delights is long and complex. Nor do the Spanish neglect the sweeter side of the culinary spectrum when it comes to Christmas dishes.

Mantecados, mainly produced in the quaint little town of Estepa in the region of Andalusia, are a baked mixture of toasted wheat flour, sugar, pork lard, cinnamon and roasted almonds. There are different varieties depending on the extra ingredients that may be added, for example cocoa, lemon peel or sesame seeds.

For those looking to experience the true taste of Spain this Christmas, Taylor Wimpey España is offering a range of homes for sale 150 km to the Mantecados heartland in Andalusia. Set in beautiful surroundings declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the new phase of La Floresta Sur is situated only a short drive away from Elviria and its beach, close to Marbella and Malaga.

Designed in a typical Mediterranean style, from just €190,000 +VAT, the 2 and 3 bed apartments and penthouses include an Italian-designed integrated kitchen with Silestone worktops, perfect for creating a spectacular Spanish feast, thermal and acoustic insulation and air-conditioning. Benefitting from stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea, the resort boasts communal swimming pools, landscaped gardens and external private parking.

With large terraces on which to enjoy the beautiful sea views, La Floresta Sur is 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, and has direct access to El Soto Golf Club. It is also just a few minutes from the exclusive Nikki Beach Club.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

2017 Spanish property market gems – Kyero.com gazes into the crystal ball

2017 Spanish property market gems – Kyero.com gazes into the crystal ball

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • 2017 will see lower value destinations emerge as most in-demand locations
  • International demand will remain fundamental to market strength
  • UK buyer numbers unlikely to drop much due to Brexit
  • Almeria, Alicante, Tenerife and Ibiza to attract most interest in 2017

2016 has been a good year for the Spanish property market. Spanish properties enjoyed steady price growth and an encouraging transaction rate during the year. House sales in Spain have recorded a 15% rise on the previous year and ten consecutive quarters of growth, which means that the Spanish property market crash officially ended in Q2 2014. According to the experts at innovative Spanish property portal Kyero.com, the country hasn’t looked back since.

As well as being a good year for Spanish property in general, 2016 was also a record-breaking year for Kyero.com. Despite Spain’s stubbornly high unemployment rate, weak economy, restricted credit and a period of almost no government, the property portal has flourished – much like the country’s housing market.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Kyero.com, explains why,

“Spain’s market has two unusual advantages. Firstly, it had nowhere to go but up. The 2008 crisis completely shredded the housing market, and little short of a zombie apocalypse could have sent it lower. Secondly, Spain has incredible international appeal; with one in five property sales going to foreigners, it can endure weak local demand. British, French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian and Swedish buyers are picking up the slack, which has been good news for the wider market and for those involved in selling property in Spain.”

The UK’s Brexit vote looked set to disrupt the market balance in mid-2016, given that British buyers top foreign demand in Spain, but the anticipated drop-off in UK demand never materialized. Instead, overseas searches for Spanish property via Kyero.com hit all-time highs after the vote, up over 50% on 2015. The portal’s largest agents also reported seeing record attendance at UK investor shows. Buyers were certainly talking about Brexit, but still looking for Spanish in their droves while they did so. Q3 2016 figures from the Spanish land registry confirmed the trend – foreign sales in Spain were close to all-time highs.

The situation in the UK goes some way to explain this, according to Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal,

“The British housing market is currently moribund, with prices rising way beyond all the laws of affordability, and transactions at historic lows. The winners of this situation are older Brits who find themselves sitting on a vast trove of property wealth (while homeownership becomes a dying dream for their kids).

“In short, the 50+ British buyers who so love Spain are sitting on huge equity piles and Brexit didn’t diminish their wealth. As a group, British buyers are getting richer. Q3 sales to Brits may have slowed, but they are only blinking rather than quitting. The fundamentals remain healthy.”

The one area that Brexit has impacted is the hunt for value and this will translate to a key trend in the Spanish property market in 2017: the search for good value properties that offset the drop in sterling’s value. Evidence is already emerging of the benefits of this on lower priced destinations, which look set to boom in 2017.

With this in mind, and using completed sales data (via land registry statistics) and search data from Kyero.com (as a forward indicator of buyer sentiment), along with the international mix of buyers in each destination, and relative property prices, Kyero.com has identified the top four Spanish property market gems for 2017.

  1. Almeria

Having seen much less development than its neighbours, Almeria retains an authentic charm that has proven popular with almost every nationality of European buyer. Q3 sales rose a massive 93% YOY, and with an average price of €129,000 it is nearly half the cost of Kyero’s national average.

Almeria is charming, well connected and very affordable and expectations are that an ever larger number of overseas buyers will discover it in 2017. Trending destinations include Vera, Mojacar and Albox.

  1. Alicante

International investors buy more houses in Alicante each year than any other province of Spain, driving over half of all housing transactions. While this could make it susceptible to shocks, it’s strengths are hard to beat: excellent connections, fabulous beaches, steady sales growth and prices 10-15% lower than Kyero.com’s national average.

Alicante is a solid performer, and very hard to bet against. Trending destinations include Torrevieja, Alicante and La Marina.

  1. Tenerife

The western Canaries have had an excellent year, with average prices growing steadily at 5% to €249,000 – almost exactly in line with the national average. This is the first destination in Kyero.com’s portfolio to see Italians overtake British buyers as the dominant international buyer group. Low cost flights, year-round sunshine, and a penchant for building the holiday apartments that foreign buyers crave have all made Tenerife a property hotspot. Trending destinations include Playa de las Americas, Costa del Silencio and El Medano.

  1. Ibiza

This is a final – and more speculative – pick for 2017. The gravity defying housing market in Ibiza saw average prices grow 20% in 2016 to over €1.1m, with similar growth in sales. The data is hard to follow, but that’s because Ibiza has something that can’t be boiled down to a number: cachet.

This picturesque island has become a hub for international wealth, helped in no small part by Spain’s benign tax environment for high net worth individuals. With their numbers on the rise, we expect Ibiza to continue being the place they’ll show it off. Trending destinations include Ibiza Town, Sant Josep de sa Talaia and Santa Eulalia del Rio.

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.

Explore the continents of the world on this botanical journey in Southern Spain

Explore the continents of the world on this botanical journey in Southern Spain

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • Costa del Sol now home to spectacular gardens representing five continents
  • New Botanic development protects and preserves the world’s gardens, holding a ‘B’ energy certificate
  • “Botanic is a luxurious yet eco-friendly holiday home with panoramic views of the gardens and courses at Los Arqueros Golf” (Taylor Wimpey España)

Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol is now home to a collection of spectacular gardens that allow residents to partake in a botanical journey through five different continents’ vegetation.

The stunning 4.5 acre grounds include pine trees and cork oaks representing Europe to more exotic varieties of flora such as the ginkgo tree and the Himalayan cedar to represent Asia. This outstanding assortment of species are exactly what any keen gardener would have on their Christmas wish list.

Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España carefully designed the gardens, located adjacent next to their brand new site, Botanic, by starting with the European area. The intention was then to integrate it with the adjoining Mediterranean landscape using pine trees, cork oaks and gall oaks, in addition to the typical Mediterranean bushes and other species found locally.

A wide range of botanical species can be found in the other ‘four continents’. In the African area, species such as the date palm or the drago palm represent the north and the coral tree represents the south. The space dedicated to Asia seeks the notoriety of arboreal specimens with spectacular flowering, like the Judas tree and the purple orchid together with more exotic offerings, such as the ginkgo tree or the Himalayan cedar.

To represent the Australasia, species known to all amateur gardeners such as the cultivar, mimosas and the lilawarra flame tree can be found. The American continent presents a truly diverse habitat, with a variety of cacti and succulent plants to the jacaranda and silk floss trees that are known for their spectacular blooming.

Excited to unveil the gorgeous gardens, Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“It has taken careful and extensive planning to create the perfect collection of gardens representing five diverse continents of the world. We are excited to reveal the beauty of the world’s gardens which we are helping to sustain at our brand new Botanic site. The site is purposely located to take advantage of such spectacular vistas; it is a luxurious yet eco-friendly holiday home with panoramic views of the gardens and the courses at Los Arqueros Golf.

“The development boasts minimal energy consumption (holding a ‘B’ energy certificate) with the use of solar panels, high quality thermal insulation, sound-proofing and the gorgeous botanical journey is a stunning and unusual asset that is certain to attract second home owners looking for something special.”

With prices from just €350,000 +VAT, this new build residential complex is found in one of the most exclusive areas of Benahavis – La Reserva de Alcuzcuz, situated between the courses at Los Arqueros Golf, La Quinta and Zagaleta. An extremely well connected location, the amenities on offer in Benahavis, Marbella, Puerto Banús or the new San Pedro Boulevard are all within close proximity.

Phase one of the development comprises 42 bright and spacious 3 bedroom homes with large terraces, all of which are southwest facing. The 4 storey buildings are crowned by spacious penthouses of modern design with spectacular solariums from which you can enjoy the views from dawn to dusk.

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 34 971 706 972

UK-Spain flight market ranked largest in Europe as Brits seek out winter sun fix

UK-Spain flight market ranked largest in Europe as Brits seek out winter sun fix

by Charly Spain
  • The UK-Spain market is the biggest European country pairing this winter by flights and seats (OAG)
  • Compared with last winter, UK-Spain market has grown by over 12% (OAG)
  • Taylor Wimpey España answers demand for Spanish shores with new phase of Torrevieja development

Spain has always been a popular destination for British holidaymakers all year round and according to the latest Official Airline Guide (OAG) data, the UK-Spain market is the largest European country pairing this winter season.

Compared to last year’s winter months, the market has grown by over 12% for the number of seats and flights between Spain and the UK suggesting that more and more Brits looking for winter sun are choosing Spain as their desired destination.

The pairing between the UK and Spain being named as the largest in Europe is not only good for the airlines but also positive news for the Spanish property market, as Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“The increase in the number of flights and seats available between Spain and the UK reaffirms the high demand for the Spanish sunshine as Brits seek an escape from the dreary winter weather at home.

“With short haul flights from the UK to Spain proving the most popular routes in Europe, Taylor Wimpey España are ready to accommodate this winter sun demand with the launch of a new residential phase on the La Recoleta III development in Torrevieja.

“This area of the Costa Blanca is particularly popular due to the excellent climate and transportation links as well as the range of available watersports including windsurfing, sailing and paragliding that can be enjoyed all year round.”

The new phase of apartments are exclusively located just 2 minutes from Punta Prima beach and present the ideal break from the British winter. La Recoleta’s Mediterranean style buildings enjoy wide avenues leading down to the sea, along with immaculate garden areas and well-run services that make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the fantastic Spanish climate.

Starting from €189,000+VAT, the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments enjoy a well-designed layout with private terraces and beautiful views over the sea, the swimming pool and private gardens of the development. The penthouses also include solariums and outstanding views.

Punta Prima is a wonderful location right by the sea; Torrevieja is only 10 minutes away by car and is one of the favoured destinations of the Costa Blanca. Communications are excellent by road and the El Altet International Airport (Alicante) is only 45 minutes away, while the San Javier Airport, Murcia, is around 30 minutes away.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Top trends for property portals in 2017 from Kyero.com

Top trends for property portals in 2017 from Kyero.com

by Charly Spain World
  • Portals need to embrace technology to boost the customer experience
  • At the same time, sticking to the basics is essential – portals exist so that people can find properties!
  • Big data analysis to reap impressive rewards
  • Virtual reality is one to watch – but not for 2017

With the impact of technological developments and political events making global property markets ever more sensitive, portals are having to stay at the top of their game in order to succeed. Spanish property portal Kyero.com is one of those at the forefront of the industry. Record-breaking monthly figures are backed up by significantly increased market share. In fact, the portal now outperforms its nearest competitor at a rate of four to one, based on search activity*.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Kyero.com, offers market-leading insights into top trends for property portals in 2017, based on the company’s extensive success in 2016.

Top trends for property portals in 2017, from Kyero.com

  1. Get smarter

2017 will be all about getting smarter. This means evolving from the core out. Internally, portals need to be able to perform up-to-the-minute data analysis in order to identify trends, hotspots and buyer preferences. This will give them leading insights into the markets they serve. This can be shared with those listing on the portal, to better inform how they shape the properties they offer and increase their chances of a successful sale.

Externally, the user interface needs to be clean and clear, offering a range of services that make the most of evolving property technology, while also remaining simple to use.

At Kyero.com, this means improving the property selection while continuing to make the portal increasingly easy to use.

  1. Be true to your values

Kyero.com was established with a simple mission: to help buyers find beautiful property in Spain. As technology expands and the march of big data continues, it can be easy for portals to lose sight of their original intentions. However, without that initial mission fixed firmly in mind, property portals may be in danger of delivering fantastic insights into user trends, at the same time as watching the numbers of those users dwindle.

Therefore, the focus should be an ongoing war on “feature bloat.” Portals should concentrate on solving the core user problem in ever faster and more elegant ways. Help people find the right house: that’s a portal’s job – no more, and no less.

  1. Make big data your friend

One of the biggest challenges of 2017 for property portals is data. Modern websites produce voluminous amounts of it. Then there’s market statistics from government open data sources. Data tells portals where buyers are looking, how much they’re prepared to pay, where they’re from and what their tastes are.

The trick is figuring out how to analyse this data and act upon what it reveals. Kyero.com has spent the last year learning to do this better. The result for the portal’s audience is both obvious and invisible. Property recommendations are becoming increasingly accurate, at the same time as Kyero.com is helping buyers to get the best deal by sharing insights into the local market.

A final word…

One trend to watch, but that isn’t expected to fully take off until at least 2018, is virtual reality (VR). Real estate watchers are understandably excited about virtual reality technology. After all, who wouldn’t be excited about viewing houses without all the inconvenience of actually going there?

Unfortunately, the technology is still way behind its promises. Kyero.com has tested the latest equipment, but found that the scanning systems are still cumbersome to use, with poor quality results produced. Consumer availability is also difficult: there just aren’t many people with an Oculus Rift in the house. As Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal concludes,

“VR is certainly one to watch, but it isn’t for 2017. Property portals would be wiser spending the year improving what they do best: finding property.”

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.  

 

* Rightmove Overseas reported a rate in Spain of over 500 leads per day in June 2016, or around 15,000 per month, compared with Kyero.com’s 62,596 per month (September 2016).

A picture is worth 1,000 words – or 54% more leads according to Kyero.com

A picture is worth 1,000 words – or 54% more leads according to Kyero.com

by Sophie Evans Spain
  • Top notch presentation generates 54% more leads
  • Use a professional photograph to capture a property’s unique charm
  • Use images that sell the lifestyle, not just the building

The phrase ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ originated in America and has been used frequently in the US press since the 1920s. It remains true to this day and is particularly relevant to those wishing to advertise a product or service, where both space to advertise and time to catch potential customers’ attention are limited.

New research from leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com has emphasised the continuing relevance of images to convey messages. Kyero.com lists more than 200,000 properties each month and analyses buyer enquiries in great detail in order to have a thorough understanding of what it is that buyers want and need.

Richard Speigal, Head of Research at Kyero.com, explains,

“Viewed through this lens, it quickly becomes obvious that the best looking properties generate the most buyer enquiries. For busy local realtors, it’s easy to think it won’t hurt to cut corners on photography and sales descriptions. However, our research shows that realtors who go the extra mile on presentation generate 54% more leads. Over a year, that adds up to a lot of extra sales.”

According to Chartbeat, the average viewer spends fewer than 15 seconds on a website. The stark figure is based on a survey of mainly media sites, but nonetheless highlights the difficulty of grasping viewers’ attention in a fast-paced online world. An outstanding image can certainly make a difference, particularly in the context of a portal, where buyers are scrolling through lists of many similarly sized and located properties. The one with the attention-catching image is the one that can generate 54% more leads, according to the Kyero.com research.

Kyero.com is working closely with the real estate agencies who present their properties on the site to ensure that such feedback is available to help them improve their services, at the same time as maximizing their pool of potential enquiries. Head of Research Richard Speigal continues,

“Kyero’s lead in the international market has made us an easy choice in areas popular with buyers from overseas, such as Alicante and Marbella. We provide agents in these areas with an instant stream of leads. There are also side benefits. Our growth came from a very early decision to operate in 13 languages (a difficult technical challenge) and all our agents get the benefit of turnkey translation systems. This is unique to Kyero, and crucial for agents who are looking beyond the domestic market.”

When it comes to photography, the message is simple: tell a story. Every property is unique and a good photographer will be able to capture the particular charms of each home. Whether it’s a townhouse with a first-floor pool or a villa with outstanding coastal views, an image that captures the lifestyle that the property promises is one that will resonate most deeply with those seeking a sun-kissed second home.

Kyero.com’s Richard Speigal concludes,

“You have so little time to capture a viewer’s attention online. Superb photography is one way to do it. The right image can make you stand out from the crowd and may well make the difference between a buyer enquiring about your property rather than someone else’s.”

For further details, visit www.kyero.com.