Spain tipped as tasty foodie destination as nation celebrates World Tapas Day!

Spain tipped as tasty foodie destination as nation celebrates World Tapas Day!

by Charly Spain
  • Spain declares third Thursday in June as official World Tapas Day (Turespaña)
  • Solo UK travellers name Spain as top destination for a foodie getaway (TourBar.com)
  • Test your Spanish culinary skills in your own kitchen with a luxury second home from Taylor Wimpey España

As Spain’s tourism sector prepares for what could be its busiest summer yet, agency Turespaña have declared that the third Thursday in June will officially be World Tapas Day.  Their most recent data revealed that food tourism alone attracted over 9.5 million tourists to Spain in 2015, and this day has been designed to capitalise on this success.

World Tapas Day will offer attractive, tapas-focused events in Spain, and build the reputation of Spanish cuisine in other countries. According to the latest Turespaña figures, more than 20 countries around the world have already signed up to participate in World Tapas Day when it arrives for the first time this summer.

This global celebration of Spanish cuisine is set to enhance Spain’s ranking as the perfect location for a foodie getaway. New statistics released by leading travel dating website and app TourBar.com discovered that solo UK travellers have named Spain as the top destination for a solo foodie holiday. A significant 19.6% of TourBar.com’s UK members, who plan to travel this summer, have named the home of sangria and chorizo as their top destination to visit for a gastronomic adventure.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, is delighted Spain’s culinary achievements are being recognised on a global scale.

He explains,

“Tapas has become a symbol of Spanish culture and is enjoyed by diners all over the world. The variety of dishes means there is something for everyone, from the traditional favourites to new, more daring creations. When visiting Spain, those with access to their own kitchen facilities can take full advantage of the local produce available, in order to create a personalised tapas menu. Both locals and visitors alike are always keen to sample all that the myriad local markets have to offer.”

Dining out is still a popular option for those wanting to experience a tapas meal, and the Costa del Sol is fast becoming a foodie destination in its own right, with Marbella alone home to 16 Michelin starred restaurants.

One of Taylor Wimpey Espana’s latest additions to the Costa del Sol skyline is the picturesque La Floresta Sur. Set in beautiful surroundings declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this 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 €202,000 +VAT, the 2 and 3 bed apartments and penthouses include an Italian-designed integrated kitchen with Silestone worktops, perfect for experimenting with traditional and more challenging tapas recipes, thermal and acoustic insulation and air-conditioning included. 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.

Phase IV of the development is due to be completed this summer and the remaining units are now available with an exclusive special offer. Taylor Wimpey España are including a fully equipped kitchen, shower screen and lighting furnishings within the purchase price

With large terraces on which to enjoy the beautiful sea views, idyllic for all day dining, 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, contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +0034 971 706 972.

Second homebuyers champion Spanish construction industry as Brits rekindle their love for the Costa del Sol

Second homebuyers champion Spanish construction industry as Brits rekindle their love for the Costa del Sol

by Charly Spain
  • Licenses for new homes in Spain increased by 57.1% in Q1 2016 vs Q1 2015 (Ministry of Public Works)
  • Nearly half of British buyers in Spain purchase property on the Costa del Sol (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • Last units available on the picturesque La Floresta Sur development (Taylor Wimpey España)

It seems Spain’s footballers aren’t the only ones preparing for a busy summer season, as those in the construction industry celebrate an encouraging start to 2016. The latest figures published by the Ministry of Public Works reveal that the number of licences authorised for the building of new homes in Spain amounted to 16,782 in Q1 of this year.

This is a substantial 57.1% increase when compared to the same period in 2015 and the best quarterly result recorded since 2011. Such a boom in residential construction is a direct result of the significant return of overseas buyers to the Spanish market. The demand from overseas buyers continues to grow, especially from those residing in neighbouring European countries.

According to the most recent data revealed by leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España, the total YTD sales as of April 2016 have risen in comparison to last year, with British buyers increasing by 48%. As a growing number of Brits seek out their own slice of Spanish sunshine, it is the Costa del Sol that is proving most popular, with almost half of buyers choosing to purchase their property in that region.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, believes it will be a scorching summer for Costa del Sol property as momentum builds within the market. He explains,

“Construction within Spain’s residential sector is rising once more, as the demand from overseas buyers continues to strengthen the market. The Costa del Sol has always been a prevalent destination for Spanish holiday homes and is fast becoming the favourite once again amongst British second homeowners. As British buyers choosing Spain’s southern coastline increases, so too does the optimism surrounding the market and we would expect this positive trajectory to continue throughout the rest of the year.”

One of Taylor Wimpey Espana’s latest additions to the Costa del Sol skyline is the picturesque La Floresta Sur. Set in beautiful surroundings declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this new phase of La Floresta Sur is situated near the village of Elviria and its beach, close to Marbella and Malaga.

Designed in a typical Mediterranean style, from just €202,000 +VAT, the 2 and 3 bed apartments and penthouses include an Italian-designed integrated kitchen with Silestone worktops, thermal and acoustic insulation and air-conditioning included. Benefitting from stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea, the resort boasts two large communal swimming pools, landscaped gardens and external private parking.

Phase IV of the development is due to be completed this summer and the remaining units are now available with an exclusive special offer. Taylor Wimpey España are including a fully equipped kitchen, shower screen and lighting furnishings within the purchase price

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 http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Spanish Special Part II: Iranians and Spaniards vie with Brits for Marbella’s top properties

Spanish Special Part II: Iranians and Spaniards vie with Brits for Marbella’s top properties

by Charly Spain

More than 80% of properties purchased in Marbella are bought by foreigners.

The stark figure is one of many insights into Spain’s smartest city’s property market, revealed by the Marbella Property Market Report 2016, from Panorama Properties Marbella, the area’s longest established real estate agency.

The figure is vastly higher than the country’s average, with data from the Spanish Regsitradores showing that 13.18% of all properties purchased in Spain were by foreigners in Q4 2015. Of those, more than 60% were buyers from within the EU.

Christopher Clover, Managing Director of Panorama Properties Marbella, and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, as well as an international associate of Savills, comments,

“Buyers from the EU have been delighted by Marbella for many years and the area’s popularity continues unabated. While global events have made certain other resort destinations less attractive in recent years, Spain – and in particular Marbella – remains a safe, low-rise and high quality destination for those looking to enjoy its unique lifestyle and cosmopolitan nature.”

 

Iranian buyers emerging as new market for Marbella’s top properties

Clover continues,

“From 2016 onwards we also expect to see an influx of Iranian buyers thanks to the newly opened Iranian market. Marbella has been a popular tourist destination with Iranians for decades and the property market looks set to benefit strongly from that affection over the coming years.”

 

Brexit debate causing British buyers to put their love of Marbella on hold

While Iranian buyers are stepping up, British buyers in the lower price ranges, who for years have accounted for the largest market share of foreign buyers in Spain, are sometimes pausing when it comes to purchasing their dream home in Marbella. The distraction of Britain’s potential exit from the EU, which will be decided by referendum on 23 June 2016, has caused a few to hold fire on purchasing property in other EU countries. Assuming the UK remains within the EU, a surge of property purchases by British buyers in and around Marbella can reasonably be expected during the late summer months. From a medium to long term viewpoint, Clover believes that the trend of British purchasers for property in the Marbella area will not be greatly affected whether Britain stays in the EU or exits.

While British buyers stop and think, Spanish buyers are using the pause to gradually return to the Marbella property market. The number of Spanish residents visiting Marbella plummeted from well over 350,000 in 2006 to just over 100,000 in 2013, but numbers have since been rising, returning almost to 250,000 visitors in 2015. As Spanish visitor numbers pick up and the national economy continues to improve, so too will Spanish interest in the Marbella property market.

Those buying in Marbella right now are after a wide range of property types, which is precisely what the area provides. Within walking distance of the upscale Puerto Banús, properties can vary in price from €250,000 to well over €10 million, depending on the neighbourhood they are in. Panorama Properties Marbella has seen sales increasing across the board when it comes to property type, from the least expensive to the most, such as this chateaux style mansion in the heart of the Golden Mile, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, massage room, gym, cinema, park-like garden and plenty more (even the separate housekeeper’s house has four en-suite bedrooms and a two car garage).

Many buyers are looking for new build properties in Marbella, but with the cranes almost at a standstill for the last eight years, supply has dwindled. However, investment groups have been quietly buying up the best building sites over the past two years, so the coming five to ten years should see an influx of prime new build properties onto the market. This will include along Marbella’s Golden Mile to the west of Marina Puente Romano (called “El Ancón”), where planning is already underway for an ultra-modern beachfront residential estate, including five villas and 65 apartments.

With the cranes moving again and foreign interest in Marbella remaining strong, the future is looking bright for the jewel of Spain’s southern coastline.

For more information, visit www.panorama.es, email info@panorama.es or call (+34) 952 863 750.

Spanish Special Part I: New report reveals truth behind Spain’s most glamourous coastline

Spanish Special Part I: New report reveals truth behind Spain’s most glamourous coastline

by Charly Spain

A new report has provided honest and detailed insights into the Marbella property market, giving an overview of everything from price trends to stock levels and the most sought after areas in the chic Spanish city.

The Marbella Property Market Report 2016, from Panorama Properties Marbella, the area’s longest established real estate agency, resists the usual inclination to view the market through rose-tinted glasses and instead delivers a well documented and experiencedassessment of the state of the sector. Christopher Clover, Panorama’s Managing Director, has been writing about the Marbella property market for more than 46 years. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and Panorama is now the international associate agency for Savills in the Marbella area.

Christopher comments,

“With the 2016 Marbella Property Market Report, we wanted to produce in depth insights into how the market has fared since the 2007/08 bubble burst. There are some excellent headlines and much to celebrate, but there are also some cautionary notes within the report. The purpose was not to gloss over these factors but provide a thorough picture of where the property market in Marbella really stands.”

 

Marbella property sales up 9.83% in 2015

The headline figures are certainly positive. Marbella has enjoyed five years of recovery, with the volume of residential sales rising by 9.83% in 2015. The city has raced ahead of national performance thanks to its multi-country source market, which has positioned Marbella at the forefront of the Spanish property market recovery.

4,390 properties were sold in Marbella in 2015. The figure is less than 1% behind the 2006 pre-crisis boom year figure of 4,432. The rate at which sales volumes increased calmed somewhat during 2015, following the heady increases of 24% in 2013 and 28% in 2014, as pent-up demand (while buyers waited for prices to bottom out and then seized on the chance to buy bargains) for properties in Marbella has been satisfied.

Marbella property prices still 10-20% below peak levels

Interestingly, despite all those bargain hunters rushing to pick up their dream Marbella property in 2013 and 2014, there are still plenty of affordable homes on the market. Prices in Marbella remain broadly at around 20% below their peak, rising to just 10% to 15% below peak in the most desirable areas. Nationally, prices remain at 28.4% below peak levels, according to the Spanish Registradores.

The strong upturn in the Marbella property market is also highlighted by figures from the Colegio de Arquitectos of Malaga, which show a sharp increase in the number of completed residential construction projects in 2015, following years of steady decline.

High-end sales increased by 30%

The market’s return to life has been particularly noticeable for high-end properties, which are defined in the Panorama Properties Marbella report as those worth €4 million or more. Over 100 sales of such properties were completed in the greater Marbella area during 2015, up 30% above the 2014 figure.

Marbella’s market has grown for several reasons. The city enjoys a true twelve month season, with few other Mediterranean destinations able to rival it. The weak Euro, competitive pricing and low mortgage rates have all contributed, as have the potential for high yields and the perception of Marbella as offering a safe haven of quality within the EU.

The coast west of Marbella looks to be the most promising investment prospect for high-end properties in the next few years. The bellwether Sotogrande development was purchased by top US and European funds, Cerberus Capital Management and Orion Capital in late 2014, with a range of stunning projects planned to appeal to the wealthiest buyers.

Further evidence of investment in the high-end of the market was seen in January 2016, when La Zagaleta UK Ltd purchased the Valderrama golf club and nearby development land. Their initial investment of €40 million is set to be backed by a further €200 million of planned development over the coming decade.

From land plots to properties, price increase trends in Marbella look set to continue, making the city and surrounding area an excellent investment prospect for the years ahead. Mr. Clover highlights that although sales volume has picked up, prices still have a long way to go, and current price levels are around those of 2004.  In his opinion, any property bought at today’s market price should provide excellent capital appreciation in the years to come.

Part II of the Spanish Special from Panorama Properties Marbella will focus on the people trends impacting Marbella’s property market, including Brexit, Iranian buyers and future forecasts. The release will be available from 07/06/16.

For more information, visit www.panorama.es, email info@panorama.es or call (+34) 952 863 750.

Viva el vino! Perfect Spanish homes for wine lovers: An oenophile’s guide to Spain from Kyero.com

Viva el vino! Perfect Spanish homes for wine lovers: An oenophile’s guide to Spain from Kyero.com

by Charly Spain

Freshly compiled data from leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com has revealed the ideal second home locations for all those with a love of Spanish wine.

The world’s third largest wine producer and its biggest wine exporter, Spain has earned a loyal following around the globe for its robust reds, crisp whites and delightfully drinkable rosé wines. Now, Spanish wine lovers can take their passion one step further and pick up the perfect property as well as the perfect plonk, thanks to Kyero.com, the main source of trusted information on buying a home in Spain.

Martin Dell, Director of Kyero.com, comments,

“Many of those who visit Spain regularly delight in the country’s cuisine and particularly in the wines that are produced here. We wanted to take this one step further and look at how much it would cost to purchase a home in each of Spain’s main wine-producing regions. I think many people will be surprised to find out just how affordable it is to live in the perfect location for enjoying local Spanish wines within easy reach of the vineyards they came from.”

According to the Cámara de Valencia, La Rioja is “considered to be the foremost wine tourism destination in Spain and a world leader in the field.” The area is known for its vibrant and fruity and rosé wines and its distinctive, oak aged reds.

Yet according to the Kyero.com data, La Rioja is the joint cheapest wine region when it comes to purchasing property, coming in at an average of just €1,300 per square metre. Those on a budget can pick up a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in the pretty city of Logroño – the autonomous community of La Rioja’s capital – for a mere €20,000. That’s the same price as just 70 bottles of the region’s priciest vintage, Contador.

Equally affordable, at €1,300 per square metre, is Cadiz province, in the Andalusia wine-producing region. Prices in the Andalusian city of Jerez de la Frontera – a name which fans of sherry will be familiar with – are even more affordable, at just €1,100 per square metre. But it’s not just bargain basement properties that can be picked up in Jerez. This six bedroom, three bathroom country house estate with swimming pool is priced at €768,750. The accommodation is split across two houses, with excellent equine facilities including stables, tack storage and a barn for hay and raising foals, as well as extensive meadowland and farmland.

Ourense province is the next cheapest wine region when it comes to property purchase prices, coming in at €1,400 per square metre. Home to the Ribeiro Wine Route and part of the autonomous community of Galicia, Ourense is known for its young, light wines full of fruity and floral notes. The whites are particularly good and make the perfect accompaniment to shellfish, cured meats and light cheeses – so perfect for an al fresco lunch in the Spanish sunshine.

Wine lovers looking for a base in Ourense will be delighted by this impressive finca, which comes with three hectares of vineyards and facilities to produce 70,000 litres of wine. It’s also ideal for nautical enthusiasts, being well located for enjoying the waters of the Miño Bar and Rivela areas.

Over in Burgos, one of just four provinces where Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero wines are produced, property prices reach an average of €1,450 per square metre, according to Kyero.com. The area has more than 170 wineries and 18,000 hectares of vineyards, according to Berry Bros & Rudd. The reds rival those produced in La Rioja, with no whites permitted.

The Ribera del Duero region is famed for being home to Spain’s most expensive wine: Dominio de Pingus, which has an average Wine-Searcher listing price of $898. Not only is the wine produced from a tiny plot of extremely low-yielding tempranillo grapes, but the loss of 75 cases of the already-rare vintage in a shipwreck in 1997 saw the price nearly double.

For less than the price of just 37 bottles of Pingus, oenophiles can pick up an 18th century country home surrounded by forest and rolling countryside in Burgos province. The €29,000 property includes three bedrooms and one bathroom. It is in need of total refurbishment. Two further houses on the same plot are for sale for €50,000, with the owners happy to negotiate for a quick sale, meaning a buyer with the right vision could bag an incredible bargain in this stunning region.

Vastly more expensive than the other regions is Spain’s priciest winemaking area: Barcelona province. Prices in the province as a whole are distorted by the high costs of real estate in the Catalonian capital city, meaning that the average price is €2,250 per square metre.

Catalonia’s wines are as fiercely independent as its people, according to Wine Enthusiast, with full-bodied reds coming from vines that soak up not just the sunshine but also the minerals of the granite, fractured slate and chalk soils in which they are grown.

Wine lovers looking to live close to the region’s vineyards will be delighted by this four bedroom country house with summer porch and pool at Vilafranca del Penedes, which is on the market for €450,000. The spectacular views extend for miles around – perfect for enjoying some of Spain’s best wines in the peace and fresh air of the countryside.

For further details on the perfect homes to buy in order to enjoy the wines of Spain, visit www.kyero.com. For the latest data on the state of the Spanish property market, visit data.kyero.com.

Iberian countries top list of favourite retirement destinations for UK-based sun seekers

Iberian countries top list of favourite retirement destinations for UK-based sun seekers

by Eleanor Portugal Spain United Kingdom , ,
  • 26% of Brits plan to retire to Spain (MGM Advantage)
  • Las Palmas, Mallorca, is cheapest Spanish city for cost of living (Numbeo)
  • Portugal’s Algarve is best destination to retire to (Retire Overseas Index)

The world is a vast and exciting place. From the mysteries of the Far East to the natural beauty of New Zealand and the endless variety of India, it is a planet that is ripe for exploration. But when it comes to retirement, it is those destinations much closer to home that regularly top Brits’ list of desirable locations, with Iberian countries proving the most attractive.

According to Silver Travel Advisor, 80% of the UK’s wealth is held by the over 50s. They are wealthier than ever before and expect to live longer: the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs puts life expectancy for UK residents at 80.45 years. That’s plenty of time to soak up the sun after cashing that final pay cheque!

Retiring to Spain

A poll by MGM Advantage found that 26% of Brits planned to retire to Spain. While it seems unlikely that a full quarter of those in their golden years will decamp to the Costas (figures from Brits Abroad show that it is closer to one in ten Brits who lives overseas), Spain is certainly a hugely popular destination with British retirees. Some 761,000 UK British citizens live in Spain, according to Brits Abroad, accounting for 13.8% of the total number of Brits residing overseas.

Martin Dell, Director of leading Spanish property portal Kyero.com, explains the country’s continuing attraction in the eyes of British retirees,

“Retirees these days have more funds behind them to explore the world with, but a considerable number look no further than Spain when it comes to where they want to live during their golden years. When you consider Spain’s advantages, it’s easy to see why.

“There’s the great weather, healthy cuisine, delicious wine, pristine golf courses and beautiful beaches, for a start. Spain also has a rich history, with plenty of cultural attractions and inspiring architecture for those who move there with discovery in mind. The cost of living is also a factor, as well as the cost of property. Those on a fixed income can get more for their money in Spain.”

Even Spain’s infrastructure ticks the right boxes when it comes to retiring. According to the International Living Global Retirement Index 2016, Spain was the top country in the infrastructure category thanks to its excellent internet coverage, modern roads and extensive public transportation system. The country also has a high number of doctors in proportion to its population, according to OECD Health Statistics 2015, with healthcare offered freely and universally.

New pension freedoms mean that retirees can approach their years of leisure with far more flexibility. This is having an impact on the plans of those currently looking at retiring overseas. When it comes to property, the average UK home costs £200,251 based on Nationwide’s figures. That’s roughly €255,142 – enough for a five bedroom, three bathroom villa with pool close to the beach, marina and four golf courses in the pretty Spanish town of Villamartin.

Clearly size matters when it comes to a retirement property. The UK is home to the smallest properties in Europe according to a Cambridge University study, which found that 79% of residences were either near acceptable size or below it. A five bedroom villa in Spain, with plenty of room for the family to come and enjoy holidays in, offers far more value for money that one could expect from an English property that cost the same amount.

Nor is it just mainland Spain that retirees love. Las Palmas, in Mallorca, is the cheapest Spanish city on the Numbeo Europe: Cost of Living Index 2016. Like mainland Spain, Mallorca enjoys quick and easy connections to the UK, which makes it ideal for retirees who want to live overseas but also maintain regular contact with their friends and family back home.

Mallorca is home to some stunning properties and leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has plenty to offer on the island, from key ready apartments and townhouses at Costa Beach – Port Vell from €240,000, to spectacular seafront houses on the clifftops of Cala Magrana Mar – Porto Cristo, priced from €640,000.

Retiring to Portugal

One position after Las Palmas on the Numbeo Europe: Cost of Living Index 2016 is Braga, in Portugal, closely followed by Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto and Lisbon. Portugal is another favourite with retirees from the UK, thanks to its excellent value for money, fabulous weather, friendly people and laid back way of life.

Portugal also has a good infrastructure when it comes to healthcare, internet coverage and flight connections with the UK, all of which are influential factors when it comes to UK residents seeking out a sun-drenched retirement spot.

According to the Retire Overseas Index 2015, Portugal’s Algarve is the best place in the world to retire to. It is the second year in a row that the region has taken the top spot, with its low cost of living, affordable property cost and established expat community all highlighted as distinct draws. The Retire Overseas Index also notes that it is, surprisingly, possible to live in the Algarve and only speak English.

Portugal also made it into the top ten of International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index again in 2016, thanks to its “near flawless weather, abundance of golf and water sports, and superb fresh food.”

Retirees looking for a laid back, beach-based lifestyle will feel right at home in the Algarve. For those on a budget, a simple studio apartment just a few minute walk from the marina, beach and shops in Vilamoura can be bagged for €75,000 including furniture. At the other end of the spectrum, buyers with €4.9 million to spend can pick up an impressive five bedroom villa with pool and sea views in the popular Quinta do Lago golf resort.

Chris White, a British expat who runs boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, explains the enduring appeal of the Algarve when it comes to retirement,

“The Algarve is a beautiful region that has a wealth of attractions when it comes to attracting retirees. The cost of living here is incredibly low compared to much of Europe and it’s possible to eat and drink extremely well on a limited budget. A morning coffee and pastry costs just €1.50, while a full meal with wine at lunchtime can be had for €12-15. Then of course there’s the 300 plus days of sunshine per year, the great healthcare system, world-class golf courses, countless castles to explore… the Algarve really does have everything you could wish for from an idyllic retirement destination.”

No wonder then that when it comes to retirement the lure of Iberia is too strong for many Brits to resist!

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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

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

Taylor Wimpey España tackle the testing terrain of the Scottish Highlands in the name of charity

Taylor Wimpey España tackle the testing terrain of the Scottish Highlands in the name of charity

by Charly Spain
  • Taylor Wimpey Charity Challenge 2016 sees employees climbing the highest mountain in the British Isles
  • 42 teams of Taylor Wimpey employees compete in inter-BU Highland Games in the aid of charity
  • Taylor Wimpey España raise £8,945.89 for the Youth Adventure Trust

This weekend saw Taylor Wimpey employees complete the 2016 Charity Challenge, ‘Going for Gold’.

Having already battled the Brecon Beacons and prevailed in the Peak District, this year’s challenge transported employees to bonny Scotland, home of haggis, the kilt, Highland Games and Ben Nevis. Fondly known as ‘The Ben’, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles standing at an impressive 1,345 metres.

Those brave enough to take on this year’s challenge had to compete in an inter-BU Highland Games, with activities ranging from the traditional caber toss to playing a tune on the bagpipes, before scaling Ben Nevis to reach the summit. Employees from each department throughout Taylor Wimpey picked up the gauntlet and 42 teams made their way to Fort William, Scotland.

In a statement earlier today, Pete Redfern, Chief Executive of Taylor Wimpey plc thanked all those who took part in the challenge,

“It was a great event.. We raised over £180K for the Youth Adventure Trust Charity and those Charities chosen by each local team.”

All teams were required to fundraise a minimum amount in order to take part and once again the two teams representing Taylor Wimpey España decided to support the Youth Adventure Trust. The charity helps vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to gain the skills, confidence and courage needed in order to face the challenges in their daily lives.

Established in 1992 by David Hempleman-Adams and Major Richard Mitchell, both well known for their record breaking Arctic, Antarctic and mountain climbing expeditions, the Youth Adventure Trust provides young people with the opportunity to start the ‘believe – achieve’ process and make the most of their lives. Finishing 3rd and 4th, out of the 42 teams listed on the fundraising leader board, the Taylor Wimpey España teams raised an incredible £8,945.89.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España,

“The Taylor Wimpey Challenge has become a key event on the company calendar with many employees looking forward to the opportunity to participate. This year we were delighted to have two teams representing the Spanish division of the company.

“As well as being able to develop essential team building skills, the challenge gives Taylor Wimpey employees the opportunity to give something back to the community. Having now returned home from Scotland’s testing terrain, we are extremely proud of the contribution made by our Taylor Wimpey España teams.”

Leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España, has been building award winning homes that complement the natural beauty of the Balearics, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol for over 55 years.

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.

Stockholm prepares to play host to the music, but who will win the Eurovision property battle?

Stockholm prepares to play host to the music, but who will win the Eurovision property battle?

by Charly Spain
  • Spain’s property market set to top this year’s table as its remarkable economic rebound attracts overseas investors (International Monetary Fund)
  • UK and Sweden’s housing markets revealed as overvalued whilst Spanish property is undervalued by 26% (Organisation for Economic Development)
  • Swedish buyers in Spain increase by 220% in comparison to last year (Taylor Wimpey España)

This weekend will see Stockholm, Sweden host the 61st Eurovision Song Contest as millions of people from all over the world tune in to witness the weird and wonderful spectacle of the event. Having now taken the coveted crown six times, this year’s competition will be the 57th time Sweden have participated in this global phenomenon. Competing just as many times but without the enviable scorecard, Spain’s last win was back in 1969. However, it is Spain’s real estate that is faring much better in comparison to its Eurovision competitors.

Spain’s property market looks set to receive maximum points this year as sales to international buyers continue to soar. The International Monetary Fund has hailed the country for its remarkable economic rebound and overseas investors are returning in their masses. The majority of these purchases are by fellow Europeans, with UK buyers leading the way accounting for 21% of all sales in 2015. However, according to the latest report from the College of Property Registrars (Registradores) demand from this year’s host country is rapidly increasing with 2,755 sales completed in 2015, 6% of the total amount.

When comparing the two housing markets, recent figures from the Organisation for Economic Development highlight just how different the current situation is for both countries. The OECD research, which has been running for over a decade, plots local prices against typical wages and then sets this against the long-term average. This year’s results reveal Swedish property is overvalued by a staggering 114%, with the UK market overvalued by 7% and Spain’s real estate being noted as undervalued by 26%.

These statistics emphasise to overseas buyers that it is still possible to acquire a bargain when buying in Spain, and it would seem the Swedes are keen to take full advantage of this. Leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España, have witnessed a significant rise in Swedish buyers this year. Overall, the total YTD sales as of April 2016 have risen dramatically in comparison to last year, with Swedish buyers increasing by a colossal 220%.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, is delighted that overseas buyers, especially those from within Europe, are returning to the Spanish property market and believes this will only increase throughout 2016. He explains,

“As Eurovision fever spreads across the continent, it is an opportunity to review the current state of Europe’s real estate and it is Spain that is emerging at the top of the table. The Spanish housing market has experienced an encouraging start to the year and with an increasing number of overseas buyers looking to Spain, I would expect this positive trend to continue during the coming months.”

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

With prices starting from just €234,000+VAT, every resident will be able to use the three communal swimming pools and Jacuzzi facility, as well as being granted direct access to the beach promenade. Whilst being an area of natural beauty right on the waterfront, Punta Prima is also blessed with excellent transport links. The San Javier Airport in Murcia is only a 30 minute drive and Alicante’s International Airport is just 45 minutes away.

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

Island tourism takes off as easyJet reveal Palma de Mallorca as their first ever seasonal base

Island tourism takes off as easyJet reveal Palma de Mallorca as their first ever seasonal base

by Charly Spain
  • International tourists to the Balearics in March increase by 39.3% when compared with 2015 (National Statistics Institute)
  • easyJet announce Palma de Mallorca as their first seasonal base
  • Taylor Wimpey España expand Mallorca portfolio, providing high quality properties in the island’s best locations

As the UK celebrates the news of a mini heatwave this week, with temperatures hotter than the Balearics, it seems the majority of Brits are still not convinced and are looking for more guaranteed sunshine overseas. Spain’s prime location puts it at the top of the list as its year of record breaking tourism is set to continue. The most recent figures released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) show that 4.82 million tourists visited Spain in March, with UK visitors increasing by 25% in comparison to the same month last year.

The UK remains the largest single market for international tourism in Spain, accounting for 23.1% of all visitors in March. However, these latest figures highlight one area in particular that recorded the most significant growth. Welcoming 678,000 international tourists in March, the Balearic Islands witnessed an impressive increase of 39.3% when compared with 2015’s numbers, as they become a sought after holiday destination.

Confident in Mallorca’s growing popularity as a summer hotspot for tourists, British airline carrier easyJet have revealed Palma de Mallorca as their first ever seasonal base. From March to October 2017, there will be three aircraft based at the Spanish airport. Recent figures from Aena show that easyJet carried double the amount of passengers at the airport in 2015 compared with 2004 and this investment in the island’s airport highlights the positive expectations for its future.

Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, has a beautiful selection of properties on the island, with something to suit each individual buyer. Experiencing a rise in demand for property in Mallorca, Taylor Wimpey España have expanded their sun kissed portfolio further with the new Bahia Sant Pere. This newest development is a Mediterranean-inspired residential complex situated in the traditional north east coastal village of Colonia de Sant Pere, perfect for those wanting a more rural setting for their second home.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España, is excited by easyJet’s commitment to Mallorca as a holiday destination and what it could bring to the island. He explains,

“easyJet’s decision emphasises Mallorca’s presence as a primary destination of choice for international tourists and will provide a greater level of access for those wanting to explore all that the island has to offer. As demand continues to grow we are determined to provide an array of high quality properties in locations that reflect the best of Mallorca’s culture, culinary creations and coastline.”

Less than an hour from Palma’s international airport, and only a short distance from the local fishing port and Mallorca’s golden coastline, Bahia Sant Pere is comprised of two and three bedroom apartments. From just €189,000 +VAT all apartments have two bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen with breakfast bar and the use of a private parking space. Each resident will have access to the development’s two swimming pools and luscious communal gardens.

Known for its outstanding natural beauty, the village of Colonia de Sant Pere allows visitors to experience the more rustic side of Mallorca, being the perfect location to enjoy both the stunning landscape of the mountains of the Peninsula de LLevant Natural Park and the beautiful coast with the white sandy beach of Sa Canova.

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

Fastighetsbyrån launches Facebook Live streamed Spanish open house viewings to international buyers

Fastighetsbyrån launches Facebook Live streamed Spanish open house viewings to international buyers

by Louise Spain
  • First Fastighetsbyrån Facebook Live to take place on Sunday 1 May 2016
  • Previous Periscope open house streaming attracted 1,300 viewers
  • British buyers now accounting for 21.3% of Spanish market (Registradores)

Buying a property overseas can be a costly business when it comes to viewing trips, but Fastighetsbyrån, the leading Swedish real estate agent in Spain, has the solution: live open houses via Facebook.

Facebook’s new live streaming service means that prospective buyers can view open houses from the comfort of their armchairs, wherever in the world those may be – all they need is an internet connection. Those participating in the streamed open house events can also ask questions and interact in real time with the estate agent.

In order to reach as many prospective buyers as possible, Fastighetsbyrån will be broadcasting three viewings as a Facebook live stream: one in Swedish, one in Spanish and one in English on Sunday 1st May 2016. Viewers can tour the open house and interact with the estate agent by making comments and suggestions and asking questions as they look around.

Fastighetsbyrån is Sweden’s biggest real estate agent, and the leading Swedish real estate agent operating in Spain, with offices in fourteen locations. The majority of the company’s customers come from Nordic countries, but a more international clientele is steadily building. British citizens are the biggest group of foreign buyers in Spain, accounting for 21.3% of the market according to March 2016 data from the Registration Authority, Registradores. And thanks to the strength of the British pound right now, the number of buyers is sharply on the rise.

Fastighetsbyrån’s live viewings will take place on Sunday 1st May 2016, at an exclusive apartment north of San Pedro, just outside Marbella.

Live viewing has huge potential when it comes to the overseas real estate sector. For buyers, it offers the chance to get up close and personal with properties in a way that they could only previously have done by forking out for an airfare and at least one night’s hotel accommodation. For vendors, it vastly increases the potential viewers for each property, making a sale more likely to happen fast and at a good price.

Live streamed viewings provide an honest, unedited picture of the property, as well as allowing for real time interaction.

Daniel Nilsson, Head of Fastighetsbyrån in Spain, comments,

“Digital house viewings can’t quite replace the experience of a real visit, but they do allow potential buyers to attain vastly more information than they can glean from an information pack and a handful of still photographs. They can ask questions of the agent based on what they see, probe into the property as deeply as they wish and then have the comfort of home turf while they mull over what they have seen and make a decision on it.”

During the three broadcasts to be presented by Fastighetsbyrån, the estate agent will talk about the area, show the apartment, answer questions and cover important points about buying property in Spain.

The apartment being broadcast is situated north of the charming community of San Pedro, just outside of Marbella, in a small complex of just 35 apartments. The apartments enjoy two or three bedrooms, balconies or terraces, fantastic ocean views and a communal pool area. Nearby there is a large range of restaurants, bars, shops and golf courses.

“It is a stunning apartment in an attractive area that has broad appeal,” says Pontus Ölander, estate agent at Fastighetsbyrån in Marbella, and host of the upcoming broadcast. “I hope many people will watch the open house viewing, and take the opportunity to ask questions about the property itself and also the market more generally, both in this area and Spain as a whole.”

Fastighetsbyrån has previously held a live broadcast of an open house in the Åre ski area of Northern Sweden using the Periscope app. The successful viewing was seen by more than 1,300 people. Now the company is using Facebook Live to take the concept to Spain and reach even more viewers.

The San Pedro broadcasts on 1st May 2016 will include: 11:00 UTC/12:00 GMT in Swedish, 11:30 UTC/12:30 GMT in Spanish and 12:00 UTC/13:00 GMT in English. Those interested can click here to register for the viewing in English: https://www.facebook.com/events/1909102805983055/

 

For more information contact Daniel Nilsson, CEO Fastighetsbyrån Overseas on +34 617 343 846 or daniel.nilsson@fastighetsbyran.se. Press Officer Johan Vesterberg is also available, on +46 (0)8-54 54 55 28, +46 (0)708-20 44 34 or johan.vesterberg@fastighetsbyran.se.  

Read more about Fastighetsbyrån in Spain here: www.fastighetsbyran.se/utland

Fastighetsbyrån is part of the Swedbank group and has approximately 1,500 employees across 250 offices around Sweden. Outside of Sweden, Fastighetsbyrån has around 130 employees across 18 locations in Spain and Portugal.