Foreign buyers are at it again as Scandinavians swoop in on Spain’s lucrative property market

Foreign buyers are at it again as Scandinavians swoop in on Spain’s lucrative property market

by Georgina Spain

 

 

Freezing winters, buoyant economies, much improved flight routes and a love of the Mediterranean lifestyle – is it little wonder that Scandinavians are now one of the fastest growing groups of foreign buyers of Spanish property?

According to Knight Frank’s Global Property Search, online searches for properties in Spain increased by 29% over the first three months of 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. With more than a fifth of all Spanish residential sales – 55,187 transactions – made by foreign buyers.

For the first time in several years, demand is outstripping supply in the Spanish second home market, with more and more Scandinavian buyers in particular, looking for their ideal property in the sun.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish house builder, Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“The interest from Scandinavian markets continues to boom as buyers take advantage of favourable exchange rates and reduced Spanish house prices to purchase their dream second home abroad. Scandinavians, particularly those from Sweden and Norway, now make up over a fifth of our buyers in Spain – a huge increase on previous years.”

Indeed, a real estate report, including a detailed analysis of the data made available from the Association of the Property Registries and the General Council of the Notary Offices, has confirmed strong growth in the percentage of home purchases by foreigners with respect to the total home purchases in Spain over the last 4 years. These figures showed that purchases reached 11.15% in 2013 (12.85% in the fourth quarter of 2013), a stark contrast to only 4.24% of sales as seen in 2009.

Furthermore, another significant fact shown in the report is that the group of the 10 principal countries purchasing homes in Spain (Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Algeria and China) has been very stable in the last few years suggesting recovery of the market.

For those on the hunt for the perfect Spanish property, why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer on the Costa Blanca, a hotspot for Scandinavian buyers.

The new La Recoleta apartments are located in a stunning location in Punta Prima, Torrevieja on the wonderful Costa Blanca.

La Recoleta’s Mediterranean style buildings, wide avenues leading down to the sea, immaculate garden areas and well-run services make this a perfect place to relax and enjoy the fantastic climate all year around.

The 2 or 3 bed apartments, available from EUR 142,000 have a well-designed layout with private terraces for those all-important summer barbeques, afford beautiful views over the sea, swimming pool and private gardens.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 0034 971 70 69 72.

 

Life’s a beach! Spanish beaches awarded record number of Blue Flags for 2014

Life’s a beach! Spanish beaches awarded record number of Blue Flags for 2014

by Georgina Spain

Adding even more excitement and anticipation to this summer holiday season, the prestigious Blue Flag organisation has awarded Spanish beaches a total of 681 Blue Flags. Spain has once again maintained its place as the leader in the Northern Hemisphere for Blue Flags, swiping 34 extra flags. These were made up of 23 beaches and 11 marinas which breaks all historical records.

The biggest Blue Flag increase was seen in the Balearic Islands, now totalling a whooping 85 delightfully clean and pristine beaches and marinas (an increase of 23 from 2013). Murcia came in second with 33, adding a further 7 to their total since last year.

This highly coveted international award, pays tribute to beaches which adhere to strict criteria. These include water quality, cleanliness, safety, accessibility and services and the awards are judged by a global panel under the prestigious Blue Flag Programme.

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

“We know that clean beaches are an important feature for most people looking for their dream property in the sun and those proudly flying the Blue Flag are particularly sought after. Beaches across Spain and its islands have been improving year on year and it´s very pleasing to see the number awarded the Blue Flag rising yet again in 2014 confirming to me that Spain is the best beach capital of the world.

“The cost to councils to ensure that their beaches gain the prestigious Blue Flag is considerable and we are keen to promote the message to our owners as this is something that Spain should feel very proud of.”

Indeed with such an acclaimed coastline it´s no wonder that in the first quarter of 2014, over 10 million tourists have visited Spanish shores, up 7.1% from the same period last year. It is well known that tourists are attracted to beautiful beaches and Mallorca definitely pulls in a big beach crowd. Boasting 41 Blue Flag beaches on its 555km coastline, building giant Taylor Wimpey de España enjoys building beautiful developments close to the shore as they can.

For those interested in owning a home just 50m from a Blue Flag award beach, then why not consider Taylor Wimpey Espana’s latest luxury offering?

The Cala Magrana III is a residential complex situated a stone’s throw away from the beach and the dazzling marina of Porto Cristo. The development consists of 2 bedroom apartments in a Mallorcan design surrounding a landscaped communal garden with a large swimming pool.

It is an ideal location for those wishing to really relax and enjoy their holiday, away from the more commercial tourist resorts but still only a few minutes away from outstanding blue flag beaches and high quality restaurants.

The area offers a wide range of amenities giving you the chance to sample the delights of the local cuisine or explore the famous caves of Drach. With a variety of local water sports and various golf courses to try, Cala Magrana is a perfect choice.

Prices start from €183,300 + VAT. Contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Revel in retirement at Sun Park Living as over 55s cash in on improving UK economy

Revel in retirement at Sun Park Living as over 55s cash in on improving UK economy

by Georgina Spain

According to the Aviva Real Retirement report 2014 over-55s are most preoccupied with pursuing a lifestyle of personal interests and hobbies in their ‘golden years’. Top of the over-55s’ list of things to enjoy in retirement are:

  1. More time to do what I want (66%)
  2. Spending time on hobbies (45%)
  3. Travelling (41%)

Interest in pursuing individual interests accelerates with age too with the over-75s appearing most keen on having more time to do what they want (70%) and spending time on hobbies (53%).

The report further reveals Britain’s over-55s are cashing in on the improving UK economy, with rising incomes leading to more than £150 extra in their pockets each month compared to the same time last year. Findings show savings pots have increased too but the level of monthly expenditure has risen with the cost of living putting pressure on household budgets.

  • 41% of over-55s looking forward to travelling in retirement (Aviva Real Retirement Report 2014)
  • Over-55s cashing in on improving UK economy, leading to £150 extra savings per month (Aviva)
  • Sun Park Living resort offers a perfect alternative for active retirees such as Susan Levett looking for adventure

 

Gil Summers, Co-founder of Sun Park Living, a Summers´ Villages private gated apartment resort dedicated exclusively to active over 50s on Lanzarote, comments,

“It’s encouraging to see that the over 55s seek a life in retirement in which they can fulfil their interests. Todays over 55s are independent, resourceful people who even into their later years enjoy their hobbies, learn new skills and travel.

“Here at Sun Park Living we provide the perfect environment for retirees looking for such a lifestyle. Of course the warm climate and fantastic Spanish culture serve to make the experience even more rewarding – and all of this in light of the resort offering affordable rental apartments, for short or long term, for a fraction of the usual cost of retirement properties in the UK, easing the pressure of living costs.”

Susan Levett, 63, a retired Holistic Therapies teacher from Northamptonshire heard about Sun Park Living whilst staying in a villa on sunny Lanzarote. She says,

“I saw an advert in an island magazine, liked the concept and it looked like lovely affordable long stay accommodation. I booked for a month to begin with and after 3 days booked to stay for a further 6 months!

“I have fallen in love with Lanzarote’s climate and landscape, not forgetting the excellent walking trails I’ve discovered through the tours organised at Sun Park Living. The activities are all organised by residents for residents, which I enjoy as it creates a great sense of community.

“Whilst here I have made lots of new friends and found my free spirit, I would definitely recommend this resort to others looking to stay active, spend time learning something new and practicing hobbies in their later life in the sunshine.”

So what are you waiting for? If you are over 50 and looking to meet like-minded people such as Susan on sunnier shores then why not consider a stay at Sun Park Living?

Self-catering apartment accommodation with all the benefits of community living at Sun Park Living costs €625/4 weeks for those enjoying 12 or more weeks a year (in 3 or more blocks of 4weeks each, consecutive or not) or for those wishing to sample the community, a 4 Weeks Taster Stay is available for €225/week. One week Taster Visit is 350EUR/week.

For more information contact Gil and the team on 0161 408 3360 or visit www.sunparkliving.com.

Andalucia attracts the most Spanish house hunters

Andalucia attracts the most Spanish house hunters

by Charlotte Ashton Spain
Andalucia attracts the most buyers of Spanish property, according to new research from TheMoveChannel.com. The portal´s infographic, which compares activity in the last 12 months with two years ago, reveals that Andalucia has overtaken Valencia as the number one place to buy property in Spain.
Andalucia accounted for one in three property enquiries in the 12 months between February 2013 and January 2014, an increase from the previous At a Glance infographic, which saw the region receive 30.84 per cent of enquiries between February 2011 and January 2012. Two years ago, the Community of Valencia dominated enquiries, with a 32.24 per cent share of activity. Now, the region accounts for one in four enquiries (25.41 per cent).
Murcia remains the third most popular area of Spain among house hunters, with its share of enquiries actually increasing over two years from 19.04 per cent to 20.28 per cent.
Together, the three regions show that the buyers still have a clear favourite corner of the country: even though they now prefer the south coast of Spain to the west, buyers are mostly interested in property in the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa de la Luz.
Buyers are also increasingly keen to seek sun and sand away from mainland Spain: the Canary Islands account for 9.48 per cent of enquiries, up from 7.35 per cent to years ago, making them the fourth most popular region of Spain. The Balearic Islands, on the other hand, have seen their share of enquiries fall from 5.13 per cent to 3.59 per cent.
Some things do not change: international buyers still prefer real estate closer to the coast, with even high profile inland areas such as Madrid accounting for just 0.26 per cent of enquiries. Nonetheless, buyer interest is spreading across Spain: apart from six regions, every area of Spain has seen enquiries increase since 2012.
The Valencian Community Valencia continued to dominate property searches, accounting for four of the 10 most looked-for locations, ahead of Andalucia´s three. While Denia and Xabia led the region´s popularity in 2012, though, now Valencia´s appeal is driven by Torrevieja and Benidorm. Torrevieja is the most sought-after city in Spain, attracting 3.15 per cent of searches, ahead of third place Benidorm (1.79 per cent) and seventh place Denia (1.46 per cent). Estepona was the second most sought-after location, while Marbella was the target of the fourth highest number of searches (2.26 per cent).
Catalonia, Castile and León and Murcia all made it into the top 10 searched-for locations, with El Raso enjoying the biggest rise in searches. The city accounted for no searches whatsoever two years ago, but now makes up 1.51 per cent of searches on TheMoveChannel.com, as buyers look all over the Costa Blanca for bargains.
The infographic also records search behaviour from property buyers on Google. Over the past two years, internet searches for “property in Spain” have multiplied by an average of eight times. Buyers now prefer to search for “property in Spain” rather than “Spanish property”, although the latter also saw the number of searches rise by an average of 50 per cent. “Houses for sale in Spain” remain the most searched-for type of property.
Editor Ivan Radford:
“What a difference two years makes. Our second in a series of “Two Years On” infographics shows that buyers of Spanish property remain committed to the Costas, but are starting to look further south. Interestingly, Andalucia, which received the highest number of enquiries, is also the area of Spain with the most property listings on TheMoveChannel.com. The average price of a two-bed apartment in Valencia is cheaper, at £104,240 compared to £278,111 in Andalucia, which suggests that quality is perhaps being prioritised over value, with Estepona and Marbella some of the most popular places to buy.
“With the majority of regions all enjoying rising numbers of enquiries and Google searches for ‘property in Spain’ soaring 800 per cent, TheMoveChannel.com´s infographic paints a brighter picture of a property market compared to two years ago, where low prices are attracting more buyers – and a hint of a widespread recovery may be beginning to appear.”
Click here to see the full infographic.
 
 
Notes to Editors
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with more than 800,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
The website address ishttp://www.TheMoveChannel.com and the office address is 24 Jack’s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.
It’s a hole in one for Spain: PGA Tour returns to Europe’s most popular golfing destination for the first time since 2009

It’s a hole in one for Spain: PGA Tour returns to Europe’s most popular golfing destination for the first time since 2009

by Georgina Spain

According to KPMG’s most recent survey from the Golf Advisory Practice, there are close to 400 new golf facilities in the EMA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) region which have opened after 2008 or started development since the economic downturn. Even though the pace of development has slowed, mainly as a result of the credit crunch, there is still activity in the market. There’s no doubt about it, golf remains of the most popular sports today and the love of the game doesn’t seem to be waning no matter how tight pockets may be squeezed.

• Europe’s most popular golf destination is Spain (KPMG Golf Advisory survey 2014)
• PGA Open de España returns to Spain for the first time since 2009 (15th – 18th May 2014)
• Increase in demand for golf property across prime locations in Spain (Taylor Wimpey España)

Highlighting the importance of golf in Spain are high profile Tours such as the PGA European tour, Open de España, which returns to the Catalunya Resort this week (15th – 18th May 2014) for the first time since 2009, are once again frequenting Iberian shores bringing in the crowds and driving accommodation demands up.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey Españacomments,

“The importance of golf tourism to Spain and the wider European economy is abundantly clear and despite being hit by the recession over the last few years, it’s certainly making a comeback hand in hand with the property market.

“Indeed, as stated by the National Golf Federation a whopping 56 million people worldwide play golf with Spain alone poised to attract a large percentage of these golf travellers in the years ahead. The demand for golf properties Europe´s most popular golf destination, Spain, has and will remain strong. Here at Taylor Wimpey España we continue to sell out golf developments on both mainland Spain and the islands very swiftly. Last year our Los Arqueros development in the Costa Del Sol sold out, 114 luxury apartments in just 11 weeks!”
But it’s not just the Costas which are benefiting from the boost of the recent PGA European Tour; demand for golf property in other prime Spanish locations is also increasing according to Taylor Wimpey de España. Enquiries for second homes in Mallorca have almost doubled in the first quarter of 2014 in comparison to the same period last year.

The Mallorcan market is particularly interesting. The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca offers a different experience to mainland Spain, it has unique culture and traditions and breath taking beaches. Sales on the island are booming thanks to foreign buyers and Taylor Wimpey España continues to strive to find the very best sites to develop residential communities in order to keep up with the high demand.

The brand new Camp de Mar Beach development offers a very rare opportunity to buy a well-priced new townhouse on the south west of Mallorca, located in Camp de Mar, within walking distance to the best golf courses on the island and a beautiful beach, about 25 minutes from Palma and 30 minutes to the airport.

The development consists of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses in a gated community designed to a Mediterranean style with beautiful landscaped gardens and a large modern swimming pool. With the Andratx Golf Clubhouse being just 50 metres away for all owners to enjoy and a few minutes’ walk to the stunning beach of Camp de Mar, these properties are definitely not to be missed at just €377.000.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visitwww.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Best European commercial real estate market since 2007 sees Taylor Wimpey España and FBD Property & Leisure join forces in Spain

Best European commercial real estate market since 2007 sees Taylor Wimpey España and FBD Property & Leisure join forces in Spain

by Georgina Spain
Leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España has announced a joint venture with FBD Property & Leisure Limited, just as two separate reports confirm the revival of the Spanish property and European commercial real estate markets. Taylor Wimpey España and FBD Property & Leisure will join forces to develop a key apartment site at the luxury La Cala Resort in Mijas, located between Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
  • Construction activity in Spain shot up by 23.9% in February 2014 (Eurostat)
  • Investment in European commercial real estate climbed to €166 billion in 2013 (CBRE) 
  • 13 developments across Spain currently under construction by Taylor Wimpey España 
The revival of the construction industry in Spain was revealed by two sets of data release recently, which heralded significant growth in the sector’s activity. EU statistics office, Eurostat, confirmed that according to the organisation’s production data in Spain, construction activity shot up by 23.9% in February this year, compared to the same period of 2013.
The increase positions Spain as the third most active nation in Europe for construction and Taylor Wimpey España is proud to be at the forefront of the country’s development. The established developer has over 50 years’ experience of building in the Spanish market and currently has 4 projects under construction on the Costa Blanca, 5 on the Costa del Sol and 4 on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
Javier Ballester , CEO of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,
“Our joint venture with FBD Property & Leisure at La Cala Resort is the latest stage of our growth strategy in the Spanish market. La Cala, with its first class golf and leisure facilities, offers a very attractive destination for second home buyers. We are very confident in the Spanish market going forward and are moving ahead with the development of a number of our Spanish sites.”
Commercial real estate is also looking strong across Europe. A survey based on the European Real Estate Investor Intentions study by CBRE, has shown that during 2013 the volume of investment in the commercial real estate market in Europe climbed to €166 billion euros: the highest amount since 2007. The figures show that investor interest has increased dramatically, rising 30% when compared with 2012.
For those ready to take advantage of the revival of the Spanish market, the joint venture between Taylor Wimpey España and FBD Property & Leisure will see holiday homes at La Cala Resort available in the form of luxury apartments, townhouses and villas, as well as villa plots.
La Cala Resort is the biggest golf resort in Spain and offers three golf courses, as well as an executive par 3 course. It is surrounded by stunning mountains with great views of the Mediterranean Sea. The site includes a 107 bedroom, 4 star superior hotel and top class leisure facilities, including a UEFA-approved soccer facility. Although located in a tranquil and relaxing environment, it is only 20 minutes away from Marbella and 30 minutes from Malaga International Airport, in the heart of Spain’s popular Costa del Sol region.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visitwww.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 0034 971 70 69 72.

From the W.I. to WiFi. Tech-thirsty baby boomers increasingly targeted by overseas accommodation providers

by Georgina Spain

It seems that a generation of tech-thirsty baby boomers is abandoning traditional retirement activities such attending the Women’s Institute (W.I.) in favour of the attractions of

Recently published research on the respected Buffer blog has revealed that the fastest growing demographic on Twitter throughout 2013 was the 55–64 year age bracket which has grown a whopping 79% since 2012. Meanwhile, the 45–54 year age range has proven the fastest growing users on both Facebook and Google+, jumping 46% on Facebook and 56% on Google+.

This impressive growth calls into question the prevailing assumption that social media is “just for teenagers” and highlights the importance to businesses of having a solid social media strategy in place in order to target these lucrative demographics.

Indeed, the boom of social media is set to be even more pervasive in 2014. Gil Summers, Co-founder of Sun Park Living, a Summers’ Villages, a private gated apartment resort dedicated exclusively to active over 50s on Lanzarote, has witnessed a huge increase of retirees using social media. The resort’s Twitter, Facebook and You Tube channels have been buzzing with activity since opening in September 2012.

“The majority of residents staying here at Sun Park Living are hugely active on social media, organising Skype sessions, updating their Facebook and Twitter pages with their daily activities here, uploading photographs on Pinterest and Instagram or videos to YouTube. This has been a huge and surprising boost to businesses for us, as our residents are sharing with others and showing them what they are missing by not being here. Often people come out after seeing how much a friend is enjoying their time at Sun Park Living through their social media feeds.

“The residents here find social media a useful means of keeping in contact with friends and relatives at home, making them feel connected with others, abolishing the feeling of isolation that old age can bring and keeping the mind active through the learning of new tips and tricks from the online world. Most Sun Rockers have chosen to leave a video testimonial on our site, which they share with all friends and family and potential new comers, as evidence of their successful stay, showing a whole array of different personalities and experiences all of which we currently share on the resorts social media sites and website”

Indeed the sense of both online and offline community spirit as seen at Sun Park Living is a huge draw for retirees looking for a lifestyle change. Of course the warm climate, flavourful local cuisine and fantastic culture of Lanzarote all serve to make the experience even more rewarding – not to mention the resort offering affordable rental apartments, for short or long term, for a fraction of the usual cost of retirement properties in the UK.

Self-catering apartment accommodation with all the benefits of community living with like-minded WiFi wizards at Sun Park Living costs €625 per four weeks for those enjoying 12 or more weeks a year (in three or more blocks of four weeks each, consecutive or not). For those wishing to sample the community, a four week Taster Stay is available for €225 per week or a one week Taster Visit for €350 per week.

For more information contact Gil and the team on 0161 408 3360, visit www.sunparkliving.com, like the dedicated Facebook page or follow on Twitter for the latest updates! You can also view all video testamonials here http://www.sunparkliving.com/video/

2014 sees booming Belgian taste for Spanish property

by Georgina Spain

After a nervous couple of years for the Spanish property market, foreigners are finally being lured back to Spain in their droves, according to the latest data. In spite of its ongoing economic uncertainties, Spain saw a significant increase in the number of foreigners buying during 2013 – a trend that has continued into the beginning of 2014 as well. The total number of property purchases by non-Spaniards rose by 9.8 per cent in 2013, accounting for 21.4 per cent of the whole market.

  • 9.8 % Increase in number of foreign buyers in Spain throughout 2013
  • 1 in 5 of Taylor Wimpey España buyers in Q1 2014 were Belgian
  • Ryanair opens new base in Brussels with direct flights to Alicante, Malaga and Palma

Belgian buyers in particular have swooped in on holiday homes across Spain. According to Taylor Wimpey España, from January to March this year Belgian buyers accounted for 20% of their total property sales across the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca, alongside the traditional markets of British buyers, domestic purchasers and Scandinavian buyers.

In line with the booming Belgian taste for Spanish property, Ryanair has opened its second Belgian base at Brussels airport with four aircraft set to offer ten new routes, delivering up to 1.5 million passengers per year. The range of exciting routes will include destinations such as Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, and Palma, making it easier for Belgian buyers to visit their boltholes in the Spanish sunshine.

Herman Dircx is just one of the many Belgians that have snapped up a Spanish place in the sun, commenting,

“I bought a wonderful apartment in the Costa del Sol through Taylor Wimpey España. I chose to buy a holiday home in Spain due to the excellent weather, great surroundings and brilliant golf courses to potentially retire to and use as a base to meet family and friends. This particular development (Avalon) caught my eye due to the modern design and competitive price for such a beautiful location, there’s no wonder so many mainland Europeans are buying in Spain!

“The whole process from start to completion was very easy. I was supported by both an excellent lawyer, and a helpful agent. The lawyer took all the administrative work out of my hands; it was very reassuring to know that everything was properly under control.”

Indeed, Taylor Wimpey España, the Spanish arm of prestigious UK homebuilder Taylor Wimpey, is proud to have been operating in Spain since 1958 with an ethos of providing high quality homes and delivery of first-rate customer service. This approach remains at the core of the company today.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“We are delighted that our customer, Herman Dircx , has yet again given us such a glowing recommendation. We work hard to ensure that the experience of buying in Spain with Taylor Wimpey España is clear and straightforward for buyers coming from all over the world, so it’s great to receive such positive affirmation that we are doing things right.”

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visitwww.taylorwimpeyspain.com.

Property buyers flock to Spain as number of home sales rockets by 39.8%

by Georgina Spain

It seems the Spanish housing market has finally turned the corner. According to the latest figures based on actual transactions from the General Council of Notaries, home sales in February 2014 were up by 39.8% (to 26,602 transactions) when compared with February 2013.

  • Spanish home sales in February 2014 rose by 39.8% (General Council of Notaries)
  • Sales of private apartments in new homes up by 24.1% (General Council of Notaries)
  • Asking prices for Spanish property increase by 8.9% throughout Jan and steadily on the up (General Council of Notaries)

This increase in transactions is reflected in all segments of the residential property market, including the sale of private apartments, with sales of those in new homes soaring by 24.1%.

The report also showed that the value of property sold so far this year has steadied, after an increase in prices of 8.9% in January. While in February there was a slight increase in the average selling price (which was up 0.6%), the figures corroborate reports that asking prices have finally stabilised over the  last three months.

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

“We’ve seen that sales are steadily increasing and prices are stabilising … could this be the much-anticipated beginning of a new chapter for the property market in Spain?

“Another indicator of confidence in the market came from the construction industry, where new build completions have also stabilised. Considering this sector took the biggest blow as a result of the economic crisis, it is now visibly on the up. Here at Taylor Wimpey España alone we have acquired 12 new plots and developments.”

The latest analysis from Spanish property portal Kyero has pinpointed exactly what buyers are looking for. The data shows that Alicante and the Costa Blanca continue to be the most attractive areas for foreign buyers, accounting for 31% of all enquiries generated, followed by Malaga in second place, which attracted almost 14% of enquiries.

The most popular properties by far were apartments, which generated 41% of enquiries. These were followed by villas (28%) and country houses (15%). In terms of accommodation size, 3-bed properties attracted the most interest (34%), though they were followed closely by 2-bed properties (30%).

In terms of cost, the most attractive price band when it came to foreign buyers was €50K to €150K, with 47% of all enquiries falling into this bracket.

So for those looking for their perfect place in the Spanish sunshine, it seems there is no time like the present. Prices are continuing to rise and the strength of the pound against the Euro is once again in the favour of British buyers, leading many to take a closer look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer.

Brisas de Alenda Golf is a beautiful residential development on the Costa Blanca that typifies the type of high specification, well-built property that Brits are looking for. The private complex offers 3 bedroom properties with generous private gardens, communal swimming pool and club house, as well as a gym, bar and restaurant all available from just €145,000 + VAT.

Designed to optimize the light and the space and with the best finishes and facilities, the Brisas de Alenda townhouses enjoy a peaceful location adjacent to the Alenda Golf Course, while the wonderful white sands of the Costa Blanca are a mere 15 minute drive away.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visitwww.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Join the stampede to Spain as tourists head to sunnier climes for an Easter property hunt

by Georgina Spain

As the traditional Easter Bank Holiday stampede gets underway once more, figures from Europa Press have revealed that more than 7.7 million passengers are expected to pass through the Spanish Aena airport network this Easter. More than 49,000 flights will operate in a single week to service the massive demand, representing an 11.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

As ever, the UK will be one of the major suppliers of passengers to Spanish airports over the period, with the sunshine and beaches of the Costa del Sol in particular working their magic in attracting impressive numbers of tourists. Between 11 and 21 April, Málaga airport will see a total of 3,490 flights handle some 587 636 passengers, single-handedly accounting for 66.2% of flights and 29.2% of passengers in the Andalucian region this Easter.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,

“The overall increase in foreign demand nationwide is more pronounced throughout the Easter period as sunny destinations and open beach areas are in large demand. These are two of Spain’s best features and, according to Exceltur, tourism in the Costa del Sol has grown by 8.3% so far in 2014, over and above other destinations such as the Costa Blanca, Madrid and Barcelona.

“This recovery in international tourism has reflected extremely positively on the local property market in the Costa del Sol, with prices starting to bottom out as foreign investors look to Spain for a bolthole in the sun. The Easter holiday gives prospective buyers the perfect chance to spend time looking for their ideal Spanish second home with the family, as well as to soak up the sun and enjoy the myriad delights that Spain has to offer.

“Here at Taylor Wimpey España, which has been active in the Costa del Sol for 50 years now, we have experienced the boom days as well as the bubble bursting, but we remain strong in our belief in the area as the perfect place to own a second home – so much so in fact that we have just invested €10 million into our latest fabulous development, Horizon Beach in Estepona.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s significant commitment to the Costa del Sol has been welcomed by officials in the area, with the Mayor of Marbella, Angeles Muñoz, attending the inauguration of Horizon Beach last week.

The superb new residential complex comprises a selection of two and three bedroom apartments, all with views of the Mediterranean Sea and Rock of Gibraltar.

With only 36 units, this boutique gated development is the ideal second home location, with spacious open-plan apartments, large terraces or private gardens, direct beach access, panoramic swimming pool and underground parking. From just €320,000, those looking to buy in the Costa del Sol can ensure that their holiday home dreams come true this Easter.

For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visitwww.taylorwimpeyspain.com.

If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 0034 971 70 69 72.