Mallorca celebrates place in the world’s top 10 best island destinations

Mallorca celebrates place in the world’s top 10 best island destinations

by Charly Spain
  • Mallorca named sixth best island in the world (TripAdvisor)
  • Foreign tourist spending in Balearics increased by 45.6% in February 2016 (INE)
  • Taylor Wimpey España launches new residential development on the north coast of Mallorca

2016 continues to be a significant year for the Spanish island of Mallorca as it becomes prominent on an increasing amount of holiday wish lists. A new entry for 2016, TripAdvisor’s latest installment of their Travelers’ Choice awards revealed that Mallorca is now the sixth best island in the world confirming its place as one of this year’s go-to holiday hotspots.

Mallorca has been celebrated for its variety of activities on offer, with something to suit everyone, as well as its picturesque scenery and idyllic beaches. And the most recent figures suggest that a growing number of tourists are choosing Mallorca as their 2016 holiday destination.

International tourist spending in the Balearics during February this year amounted to 170 million euros, according to the Tourist Expenditure Survey of the National Statistics Institute (INE), an increase of 45.6% over last February.The substantial increase in February spending in the Balearics was significantly higher than any of Spain’s other principal tourism regions.

Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has definitely experienced a growing interest for property on the island and are answering this rising demand with the launch of their newest development. Bahia Sant Pere is a Mediterranean-inspired residential development 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.

As a resident of the beautiful island himself, Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Espana, is delighted that Mallorca is receiving global recognition as a first choice holiday location and predicts its popularity will continue to grow.

He explains,

“Mallorca’s inclusion in the latest TripAdvisor awards is a wonderful representation of its development as a leading tourist destination. We have certainly received an increasing number of enquiries in relation to the island with international visitors looking to experience all that Mallorca has to offer. As its popularity continues flourish we are delighted to launch a new development which brings its residents even closer to the real Mallorca.”

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.

Viva España! Overseas buyers purchase more Spanish homes than domestic buyers

Viva España! Overseas buyers purchase more Spanish homes than domestic buyers

by Charly Spain
  • Overseas buyers’ purchases in the Alicante Province accounted for 50.6% of all Spanish residential sales in 2015 (Ministerio de Fomento)
  • Residential sales to overseas buyers in Alicante increased by 26% in February in comparison to the same month last year (INE)
  • Costa Blanca properties on Taylor Wimpey España website draw 31% more traffic in Q1 2016 visits than the previous year (Taylor Wimpey España)

After a thriving start to 2016, Spain’s property market looks set to reclaim its status amongst overseas buyers as it continues to go from strength to strength. According to the most recent property statistics published by the Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento), the number of homes purchased by overseas buyers in Q4 of 2015 increased more than 10% in comparison with the same period in the previous year.

The report showed that throughout Spain one property transaction in every six is completed by an international buyer but it is the coastal regions that continue to prove substantially more appealing for those reviewing the market from overseas. In 2015, overseas buyers purchasing property in the Alicante Province accounted for 50.6% of all Spanish residential sales, surpassing annual domestic demand for the first time in years.

The latest figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) also highlight the increasing interest in the Costa Blanca region with February sales up significantly on the same month last year. Sales to international buyers in Alicante increased by 26%, confirming the upward trend of buyer activity in the region. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, recognises that the Costa Blanca is a favourite amongst overseas buyers and believes that its popularity will continue to build throughout 2016. He comments,

“International buyers, particularly Brits, have always been attracted to all that the Costa Blanca has to offer and we have definitely observed a rise in enquiries for property in this region. The traditional hotspots of Torrevieja and Orihuela are still very sought after and are performing extremely well, with prices for new build properties rising. There is demand from all over Europe, especially amongst UK, Swedish and Belgian buyers. Interestingly, other markets expressing an increased interest in this area are the Dutch and the French.”

The latest figures from Taylor Wimpey España show that during Q1 of 2016, visits to the Costa Blanca properties on their website increased by 31% in comparison to the previous year. The rise in enquiries this year emphasises that the growing demand for the already popular region is set to continue. Marc continues,

“With demand growing, this area is currently home to the most building activity in all of Spain. Although we are not quite at the same level as the heyday of 10 years ago, I believe that it is heading in the right direction and the future looks bright for Spanish property. Taylor Wimpey España have brand new developments in the region and we look forward to introducing all prospective buyers to everything that the Costa Blanca has to offer.”

The new Jardin del Mar residential complex is comprised of both two and three bedroom apartments and three bedroom duplexes, all with two bathrooms, air-conditioning and an underground parking space. Situated in the beautiful town of Javea, also known as the Pearl of the Costa Blanca, Jardin del Mar properties offer direct access to Primer Montañar Beach and its prime location means Alicante Airport and Valencia Airport, Manises, are both a 1 hour drive away.

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

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

Spain enjoys flying start to 2016

Spain enjoys flying start to 2016

by Charly Spain ,
  • Spanish property portal Kyero.com records 25% Y-O-Y rise in sales enquires (Q1 2016)
  • Jet2 adds more flights to Girona increasing passengers numbers by 40,000 for summer
  • Spanish house sales roseby over 26% Y-O-Y in January 2016 (General Council Notaries)

The Spanish property market is set to have a great year if current figures continue, according to Kyero.com. The leading English-language Spanish property portal has already recorded a staggering 25% year-on-year rise in enquiry levels in Q1 2016.

Back in December 2015, Kyero.com predicted that 2016 would be a bumper year for Spain and it certainly looks likely with latest GDP figures showing a 3.4% growth, more than twice the Eurozone average, confirming the company’s forecasts for an economic rebound.

Martin Dell, Founder and Director of Kyero.com, comments,

“Our positive forecast for the year is looking probable at the moment.  We suspected that there would be a rise in international property transactions and our latest data reveals that international buyers generated over 100,000 sales enquiries in Q1 2016.  This confirms the upward trend reported by the Spanish Ministry of Development back in Q4 2015.

“Enquiry growth has been strongest on the Canary Islands (particularly Tenerife), while Alicante province retains the crown as top spot for overseas investors, attracting over 33,000 enquiries.”

The General Council of Notaries also published new statistics last week revealing that in January 2016 the number of house sales in Spain increased by over 26% compared to the same period in 2015.  This amounted to 27,568 property transactions and highlighted the 28% rise in apartment sales and 33% in resales.

Sales Manager of boutique Spanish property agency Ideal Homes International, Andrew Jepson, concurred, commenting,

“We have had an influx of enquiries for both new build and resale properties in Spain since the start of the year. The majority of enquiries have been from British buyers who are feeling more confident in the market and we had a particularly successful show at A Place in the Sun Live in Manchester last month where we took 300 enquires and have already booked 10 inspection visits to Spain.

“Talking to buyers at the live event, it was apparent that those looking for a second home in the sun are being driven towards ‘safe havens’ such as Spain.  Tourism is guaranteed, airlines regularly add more flights and the Spanish economy is on the rebound.”

Initiatives such as the Costa Brava’s ’Year of Golf & Gastronomy’, which is celebrating 50 years of golf in the region, help to drive tourists to Spain’s sunny shores.  Budget airline Jet2 have added three more routes to Girona (the Costa Brava’s main airport) from Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle which increases passenger numbers by a further 40,000.

They say that Spain has something for everyone and this is indeed true, the diversity of properties available for sale is extreme. Today on the Costas buyers can choose from a land plot at €10,000 to a nine bed luxury villa at €20,000,000! Apartments though do start from a more modest €13,600 so there really is something for almost every budget.

Kyero.com’s Martin Dell concludes:

“Our agents are all telling us a similar story – enquiries are up, viewings are up and 2016 is going to be a bumper year in Spain.”

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com and Ideal Homes International: 0800 133 7644, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The rise of the resale – what British buyers want from the Spanish property market

The rise of the resale – what British buyers want from the Spanish property market

by Charly Spain
  • 76% of Spanish home sales are now resale properties (Ideal Homes International)
  • Overseas buyers steadily accounting for 17-19% of transactions (Ministry of Development)
  • Spanish property market growth up 1.8% year on year (Knight Frank)

Market intelligence gathered by boutique overseas real estate agency Ideal Homes International has revealed an interesting trend when it comes to Spanish second homes. It seems that Brits are turning their backs on new build properties, in favour of older, resale homes.

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

“We’re seeing a trend in Spain right now for British buyers opting for resale properties instead of new builds. Resale properties now account for 76% of sales, compared with just 24% for new builds. While there is still interest in new build developments from Scandinavian and Belgian buyers, the Brits are all about the resales right now.”

Many British buyers are looking for dual purpose properties when it comes to purchases in Spain. In the immediate term, they want a great holiday home that also has the potential to earn income as a holiday let. In the longer term, they want somewhere that can act as investment for their golden years, either as somewhere to escape to for a life in the sunshine or as somewhere that will grow their capital so that they can sell it to fund their retirement.

The jitters about buying second homes overseas, caused by the financial crisis of the late 2000s, seem finally to have been put to bed. Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index increased by 3% in 2015, with buyer confidence keeping both domestic and overseas property markets alive and well. Spain’s year on year growth stood at 1.8%, according to the report, with overseas purchasers accounting for between 17% and 19% of transactions since the start of 2015 (based on Ministry of Development data).

“There was a time when British buyers flocked to new build developments in Spain,” continues Ideal Homes International’s Chris White, “But the financial turbulence of the past decade has had an interesting impact on British property purchases in Spain. Confidence is back and the market is growing at a healthy pace, but the type of property that buyers are seeking has definitely shifted. The attractions of sparklingly brand new homes have given way to the warmer appeal of more homely properties. Location is key too – buyers are focused on the closest airport and beach, the nearest shops and other local amenities.”

This two bedroom apartment in La Zenia, for example, priced at €115,000, is located close to the La Zenia shopping centre, offering spacious, fully furnished and comfortable living accommodation in a great position, with the added benefit of an on-site swimming pool.

Of course, a homely property doesn’t have to mean a small property, as this five bedroom detached villa with pool and panoramic sea views shows. Just 300 m from Cabo Cervera beach and 800 m from La Mata beach, the extensive family home is split across three storeys and includes a huge solarium, TV and music room, large living room with fireplace, five bedrooms, three bathrooms (one with Jacuzzi bath), garden, two car garage and plentiful terraces. The villa is available for €790,000.

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

Mallorca emerges as this year’s summer hotspot as British buyers return to Spain in their masses

Mallorca emerges as this year’s summer hotspot as British buyers return to Spain in their masses

by Charly Spain
  • British buyers in Spain increase by 367% in January and February compared to last year (Taylor Wimpey España)
  • British and German buyers account for almost 80% off all prime transactions in Mallorca (Knight Frank)
  • Taylor Wimpey España announces completion of new apartments on two exclusive developments in Mallorca

Having always been a favourite second home destination, early 2016 figures from leading Spanish homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey España, confirm that British buyers are firmly back in Spain and account for a quarter of the company’s 2016’s January and February sales. Overall, the total YTD sales as of February 2016 have risen dramatically in comparison to last year, with British buyers increasing by a colossal 367%.

This substantial rise suggests that British buyers are turning to the safety and familiarity that Spain has to offer when deciding on where best to buy a property overseas. According to the most recent figures from Knight Frank, it is the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca that is attracting both British and German buyers. As the two principal nationalities active in Mallorca, they account for almost 80% of all prime transactions.

A resident of the island himself, Taylor Wimpey España’s Sales and Marketing Director, Marc Pritchard, explains more,

“We have definitely experienced an influx of enquiries in relation to property in Mallorca, with our sales numbers for this region increasing considerably. British buyers are comforted by Spain’s consistency as a second home location, and the array of properties available enables them to find the perfect property that meets all their necessary requirements. The start of this year has been extremely encouraging and we are confident that this positive trajectory will continue into the 2016 summer season and throughout the rest of the year.”

Meeting the increasing demand of Mallorca emerges as a summer hotspot for 2016, Taylor Wimpey España has recently announced the completion of brand new apartments to enjoy this summer, on two of their exclusive developments on the island. Each new property has direct access to the beach and benefits from breathtaking sea views, perfect for a summer of sunshine and relaxation in your own private holiday haven.

Costa Beach offers a unique frontline location surrounded by stunning natural beauty with numerous coves, white sandy beaches and a crystal clear and calm sea. Located at Port Vell on the north east coast of the island of Mallorca, Costa Beach is just a few minutes’ drive from Son Servera and 15 minutes from Manacor.

Consisting of two bedroom, two bathroom apartments, all of which boast spacious terraces surrounding communal gardens and a swimming pool, properties have direct access to the beautiful beach on which the development is situated. With prices starting from €235,000+VAT, all properties also come with a private garden area and underground parking space included.

Cala Anguila II is one of the last remaining developments with direct access to the beach in Mallorca. From just €254,000+VAT, all properties have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, having been designed to reflect the natural beauty of the surrounding environment whilst maximising the living space. Ground floor properties boast spacious terraces with private gardens, whilst top floor apartments benefit from private roof terraces and they have a private outside parking space.

Cala Anguila offers peaceful sandy beaches, spectacular coves and crystal clear waters for those who wish to enjoy the water sports that Mallorca has to offer. The area has a wide range of activities, giving residents the opportunity to sample the delights of the local cuisine, explore the famous caves of Drach, tackle the illustrious golf courses or simply relax by the pool and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

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.