Oh we do like to be beside the seaside and now you can for under 150,000 Euros!

by Georgina Spain

A hint of spring in the air and we all start to dream about the perfect summer retreat – days spent lounging by the pool or on the beach and balmy evenings watching the sunset on the seafront. For the ideal European summer holiday retreat, it´s the Mediterranean that tops most wish lists.

The Balearic Islands have long been popular for those looking for a second home in the Spanish sunshine, or indeed looking to relocate to sunnier climes permanently. Mallorca in particular offers a very favourable climate, wonderfully diverse scenery and with stunning properties close to the sea under 200,000 Euros, it really does tick all the boxes.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“Last year, 10.4 million foreign tourists came to the Balearics, a rise of 5.9% over 2011 figures. This increase in tourists directly translated into second home sales as we experienced a 60% rise in sales with buyers from Britain (24%) and Germany (36%) in particular in 2012. Mallorca has always been a popular destination for Europeans with some 60,000 holiday homes owned on the island by Brits alones.
“Here at Taylor Wimpey España we recognise the need for affordable properties in great locations, offering high specification second homes dotted along the magnificent coast for under 200,000€! Mallorca has some of the best beaches in Europe and in my opinion, the world. I have lived on the island for many years;the stunning landscapes and wonderfully relaxed lifestyle coupled with year round sunshine were key ingredients in making Mallorca my home.”


The string of beaches and glamorous marinas are the pearls in Mallorca’s coastal necklace, proving the perfect location for keen sailors and sun seekers alike. Sailing remains a popular pastime with visitors and locals alike so much so in fact that Sunsail, the largest sailing and water sports holiday company in the world have recently announced the opening of a new hub in the capital Palma with charters starting from 1st June 2013. In recent years, with thanks to the large nearby Palma de Mallorca airport, the island has also become a busy departure port for cruise ships, and the number of cruises from Palma on offer has increased dramatically.
For those looking to own a slice of Spanish paradise on the golden island of Mallorca, why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has on offer.
The Cala Magrana III development boasts a privileged position in a natural paradise with extraordinary sea views, just 600 m from Cala Anguila beach. These stunning properties costing from just 190,000€ consist of two-bedroom apartments designed to reflect the beauty of the surrounding area.
Cala Magrana III is just 58 km from the international airport of Palma de Mallorca in Spain with easy access to the main European cities. Once you have arrived in Mallorca, in just 50 minutes you can be relaxing on your terrace and listening to waves break against the shore.
Another Taylor Wimpey España development, El Puerto II property is located in Cala d’Or on the island’s south-eastern coast, close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or. The high standard of design is clear, with the spaciously appointed apartments offering private gardens or sun terraces, along with three communal swimming pools surrounded by generous landscaped gardens. Prices start from as little as €149,500.
For more information on buying property in Mallorca, Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol, contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020, +34 971 70 69 72 (from outside the UK) or by visiting www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

Spain set to be top holiday choice in 2013 for second year running

by Georgina Spain

With Easter fast approaching and the summer holidays hot on its heels, families across Britain will be packing up their suitcases ready for some much-needed spring sunshine. Travel agent Direct Holidays predicts that Spain will be the top choice of holiday destinations for Brits during 2013, just as it was during 2012.

Data for the month of January released recently by the Spanish Ministry for Industry seems to support this prediction, with tourists spending 6.5% more when compared with January 2012. In fact, the Spanish Institute for Tourism Studies (IET) has just declared that 2012 was Spain´s third most successful year in tourism to date, with the majority of tourists coming from the UK.
With abundant sunshine, beautiful beaches and plentiful tapas, it´s easy to see why Spain is such a popular destination. But it´s not just Spain´s scenic and gastronomic features that have kept it at the holiday venue top spot. According to the latest Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, which examines a range of costs from sun-cream to meals out, Spain is the cheapest holiday destination in Europe, something no family can afford to ignore during these trying economic times. TheMoveChannel.com backs this view, calling Spain´s largest Balearic Island of Mallorca ´the perfect holiday destination for those looking for a great value break.´
For some families though, a holiday to Spain just isn´t enough and the merits of making their stay a bit more permanent prove too tempting to resist. Taylor Wimpey España, the award-winning Spanish arm of leading UK house builder Taylor Wimpey, saw sales of its Spanish properties to British owners soar during 2012, with figures up 24% on the previous year.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“Spain has held a place in British holidaymakers´ hearts for decades, but now we are finding that more and more Brits are wanting more than just a holiday. They are looking for permanent or second homes in Spain, taking advantage of the country´s current bargain property prices. Mallorca and the Costa Blanca are proving particularly popular areas, with their obvious delights of wide sandy beaches and charming laidback towns.”
The exclusive gated community of Aires de Pollensa is Taylor Wimpey España´s latest in-demand offering, sited on Mallorca´s idyllic northern coast and close to the stunning Sierra de Tramontana mountain range. With only nine apartments in the building, each with its own private terrace or roof terrace, and prices from just €275,000, it is clear why the properties are in such demand. A swimming pool, solarium and underground parking complete the exceptional development.
Over on the Costa Blanca, with direct access onto Paraíso beach, La Vila Paradís is proving equally popular with British buyers. The beachfront two and three bedroom apartments, costing from as little as €249,000, showcase the high quality accommodation on which Taylor Wimpey España´s excellent reputation has been built. Delightful landscaped gardens and a pretty communal pool are backed by stunning views of the Mediterranean – a setting guaranteed to capture the heart. With properties like this on offer for such bargain prices, it is clear to see why so many Brits have been tempted to make it more than just a holiday and invest in their dream home in Spain.
For more information on buying property in Mallorca and the Costa Blanca contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020, +34 971 70 69 72 (from outside the UK) or by visiting www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

Numbers of foreign Spanish property buyers back to pre-recession levels

by Georgina Spain
Hot off the heels of and in contrast to last month’s INE figures which revealed a 3% decline in the overall number of property transactions made in Spain in 2012, the latest data from the General Council of Notaries has revealed a substantial 28.4% increase in the number of foreign and non-resident buyers of Spanish property in 2012.
•28.4% increase in foreign buyers of Spanish property in 2012
•38,312 non-residents bought properties in Spain last year, almost on par with 2007 levels
•Russians now second largest buying group for the first time, after the British 
Falling property prices and efforts made to improve the nation’s image abroad by a number of regional tourism and real estate organizations have been attributed to the increase in foreigners buying property in Spain over the last 12 months.
In total 38,312 non-Spanish residents purchased properties in the country in 2012, a figure almost equated to pre-recession levels seen in 2007. However the number of properties actually purchased could well be higher as this data only relates to the number of people buying not the number of properties sold which could indeed be more than one person given price drops of up to 50% seen in some areas.
Marc Pritchard, Sales & Marketing Manager of leading Spanish house builder, Taylor Wimpey España, comments on this newly released data,
“The situation on the ground here in Spain over the last 12 months is in many ways different to how it has been portrayed to the rest of the world. Far from Spain being ‘in pain’, the second homes market in 2012 experienced a real revival with more buyers from more diverse countries seen since 2007.
“Indeed in line with the General Council of Notaries’ data, we at Taylor Wimpey España experienced an overall 31% increase in sales to foreign buyers in 2012 with Russians up 27%, Brits 24% but also notably Scandinavian buyers up a massive 311%!”
The geographical shift in buyers was also noted in the recent data with Russians becoming, for the first time, the second largest buying group in 2012, surpassed only by the British. Scandinavian and Benelux buyers also retained their dominance outperforming German and Italians and newcomers such as Algerians and Kuwaitis were also welcomed as buyers in the last 12 months.
Looking ahead to 2013, Marc Pritchard comments,
“All too often the domestic and holiday home market are lumped together and labeled as ‘problematic’ but this is clearly not the case, the numbers speak for themselves. Sales in Mallorca are already up 100% in February 2013 compared to last year, while buyers in the Costa del Sol for the same period have increased by an impressive 183%. With prices remaining competitive, new frontline projects such as our La Vila Paradis development on the Costa Blanca and the proposed new residency law expected to come into place shortly, I remain confident in the Spanish second homes market in 2013.”
For more information on buying property in the Costa del Sol and Mallorca contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020, +34 971 70 69 72 (from outside the UK) or by visiting www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

311% increase in Scandinavian sales as buyers swoop on the Spanish property market

by Georgina Spain

With Moody’s downgrading the UK, Italy struggling to form a political coalition and Eurozone unemployment at record highs, you might think Europe was a lost cause but think again. Across the North Sea, our Scandinavian neighbours have in fact weathered the financial storm better than most. Indeed the Nordic financial model operated in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, with its emphasis on an expensive yet robust welfare state structure, has seen Scandinavia suffer far less than the majority of Europe’s ailing economies.

  • 311% increase in Scandinavian purchasers of Taylor Wimpey España properties in 2012
  • Scandinavians now account for a fifth of all buyers in 2013
  • 46% of Nordic buyers favoured the Costa del Sol in 2012
Although there have been difficulties, Scandinavia is nevertheless in a strong position compared to the rest of Europe. And it is this comparative difference in economic fortunes which has led to ever increasing numbers of Scandinavians snapping up bargain properties in countries such as Spain.
Taylor Wimpey España, the Spanish arm of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey, has reported record sales figures from the Scandinavian market during 2012. The company’s annual sales analysis has shown a massive 311% increase in Scandinavian purchasers of its properties compared with the previous year. The dramatic trend seems set to continue into 2013 as well, with January sales figures already up 300% on those for the same month in 2012 and the cumulative February sales up 500%.
Mark Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of 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.”
The Costa del Sol area has proven particularly popular, favoured by 46% of Taylor Wimpey España’s Nordic purchasers in 2012. With its stunning coastline, bustling cities, direct flights and fantastic scenery, it’s easy to see why the area’s attractions have led so many Scandinavian buyers to fall in love with it. Add to that the incredible value of property there and you have a winning combination.
Los Arqueros Beach in Marbella is a new residential complex of two and three bedroom apartments situated just four minutes from the seafront promenade, three minutes from the ancient part of San Pedro de Alcantara and five minutes from the prestigious Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club. The apartments are the epitome of high quality modern design, with wide terraces, elevators, a spacious solarium, underground parking and two swimming pools all included in the purchase price, which starts from just €195,000.
But the Costa del Sol isn’t the only area to capture Scandinavian buyers’ interest. As Mark Pritchard continues,
“The stunning scenery and laidback lifestyle of the Costa Blanca are attracting an increasing number of Scandinavian clients. Our buyers there were up 35% in 2012.”
Taylor Wimpey España’s brand new beachfront La Vila Paradís apartments on the Costa Blanca enjoy direct access to Paraíso beach in the stunning Villajoyosa area. Beautiful sea views are complemented by carefully landscaped communal gardens, a delightful pool and private parking, with a range of unique, high quality two and three bedroom apartments starting at just €249,000.
For more information on buying property in the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020, +34 971 70 69 72 (from outside the UK) or by visiting www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

Live in paradise at Villajoyosa, home to Taylor Wimpey España’s latest frontline luxury development

by Georgina Spain

Villajoyosa is one of the most charming towns you will find in the Alicante region of Spain. For years, it was remembered for its iconic brightly-coloured fishermen´s houses providing an unusual backdrop to the award winning beaches. Now, it is also known as ´chocolate city´ due to it being the home of the delicious Valor chocolate.

 

Indeed, this beautiful coastal town is a foodies´ heaven with many restaurants boasting breath-taking coastal views, serving fine regional dishes such as paella, puchero (a meaty winter stew), fresh fish and shellfish as well as signature dishes centred on chocolate. It hosts an annual gastronomic fiesta with several of the best restaurants taking part.
For those more interested in topping up their tan than piling on the holiday pounds, the crystal clear waters of Villajoyosa are also perfect for swimming and water sports, with sandy beaches ideal for relaxing, soaking up the sun and enjoying the best of what the Costa Blanca has to offer.
Indeed La Vila Paradis, leading house builder Taylor Wimpey Espana’s latest frontline development, boasts access to a number of blue flag beaches which can be found right at the foot of these luxurious apartments.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“In the current economic climate, many buyers think that frontline properties are now in abundance and bargains can be found around every corner. Indeed whilst there are a number of resale frontline properties built 20 years ago coming back onto the market, those worth buying a far and few between in my opinion.
“Existing properties may seem attractive at first given their often lower price points but buyers should remember that unlike our new homes which all come with a 10 year guarantee, older properties may well need work doing to them and as you are not buying direct from the builder, there is no recourse if something serious goes wrong.”
New frontline developments in Spain such as La Vila Paradis are rare as land values in prime tourism and second home locations remain high but Taylor Wimpey España are confident that this new luxury development will prove a hit with British and indeed European and global buyers.
As Marc Pritchard explains,
“The Costa Blanca not only remains one of the most popular tourism destinations in Spain but also a second home hotspot. Our own sales record reflects its popularity with buyers from the UK, Scandinavia and even as far afield as Australia and a 57% increase in sales in the Costa Blanca seen in 2012 compared to 2011.”
So for those seeking a stunning frontline holiday home in Spain, look no further than the brand new 2 and 3 bed apartments at La Vila Paradis, Villajoyosa. Benefitting from beautiful Mediterranean design and built to high specifications including marble floors, air conditioning and hot water with an energy saving solar thermal system, these homes will last a lifetime.
The unique development offers direct access to Paraíso beach de Villajoyosa as well as affording a swimming pool, private parking and communal gardens. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the apartments enjoy beautiful views over the Mediterranean and are within walking distance to local amenities, just a 20 minute drive to Alicante city centre and 250m from the tram station taking visitors up the coast as far as Denia.
With prices starting from just €249,000, own your own piece of the Costa Blanca today with Taylor Wimpey España. For more information please 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 0034 971 706 972.

Going against the grain. Another successful year for The Real Estate Agency as Spanish sales soar in 2012

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

 

The widely reported trials and tribulations of the Spanish economy, which is predicted to continue shrinking in 2013, have painted a rather bleak picture of late. However, it seems that certain sectors such as the second homes market are going against the grain with opportunities abounding for foreign investors looking to pick up bargains.

The Real Estate Agency, the Spanish division of Fastighetsbyrån, Sweden’s leading real estate firm, has reported sales volumes soared by an astonishing 90% during 2012. With the Swedish economy continuing to grow, the company has seen increasing numbers of Swedes – as well as investors from the UK and elsewhere in Europe – attracted to properties in Spain.

The delights of the scenery, sunshine and laidback lifestyle of the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are proving particularly popular, with both the new-build and resale property markets showing strong sales. Daniel Nilsson, Regional Manager of The Real Estate Agency, comments:

“The last 12 months have been very positive for us having received over 5,200 enquiries for Spanish property and conducting some 1,600 viewings. From this we have seen the volume of deals and revenue rise by 90% and 104% respectively in 2012 compared with the previous year. Those are not the sales figures of a dead market!

“Buyers are looking for second homes and investment properties in locations offering great weather, fantastic food and a friendly and welcoming culture such as the Costa Blanca which accounted for nearly two thirds of our sales in 2012.”

Other real estate agencies are reporting the same story and it appears that the boom in Spain’s second homes market is set to continue into 2013. Nilsson continues:

“The glut of properties available in Spain presents not a problem but an opportunity for overseas buyers, there is something to suit everyone at every budget! Whether buyers are looking for newly built developments or more traditional Spanish resale properties (which 80% of buyers purchased in 2012), choice and bargains abound. In the last quarter of 2012 alone The Real Estate Agency saw a 22% increase in viewings of properties on the coast of southern Spain, compared with the previous quarter.

“The market continues to expand, as more and more investors are attracted by cost-effective purchases in idyllic locations. Buyers no longer feel constrained to purchase only in their own country, instead they have the confidence to invest in their dream home overseas through trusted real estate companies with proven track records.”

The Real Estate Agency is just that. The company’s Swedish heritage brings with it over 45 years of experience of the property market. It has been operating in Spain since 2008 and has a network of offices along the Mediterranean coast, with new branches due to open in Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona as a result of the success of 2012. From January 2013, The Real Estate Agency will also be offering its services outside of Spain, initially in Cannes on the French Riviera.

This blend of established experience and enthusiasm for the blooming Spanish market has led to an extremely successful year for the company, and with investors still hungry for what Spain has to offer, 2013 is tipped to be even more exciting.

For more information please call +34 617 343 846 or visit www.therealestateagency.com.

 

Costa Blanca remains top choice for property with 33% of buyer enquiries according to latest data

by Georgina Spain

With its mountainous interior, miles of golden sandy beaches and subtropical climate it’s no wonder the Costa Blanca remains the most attractive and popular region of Spain for those wishing to purchase a holiday home in the sun.

 

The latest analysis of enquiries made on the largest English language Spanish property portal, Kyero.com from July to December 2012 reveals that the Costa Blanca continues to be the most attractive province for foreign buyers accounting for 33% of all enquiries generated. Malaga province attracted 15% of foreign buyer enquiries, followed by Murcia with 6% and Tarragona with 5%. 
 
 
The most popular property types enquired about were apartments (37%) followed by villas (29%) and country houses (17%). 
 
 
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager of leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,
 
 
“With Alicante being such a popular choice for overseas buyers, it’s hardly surprising that the Costa Blanca is top of the list of foreign buyer enquiries. Here at Taylor Wimpey España we offer a variety of high quality, affordable developments in the province, with our own 57% increase in sales volume between 2011 and 2012 reflecting the Costa Blanca’s popularity. ”
 
 
In terms of property size, the Kyero report reveals that 3-bed properties attracted the most interest (33%) followed closely by 2-bed properties (31%). And at 46% of all enquiries, the most attractive price band was €50,000 to €150,000, followed by those under €50,000 (22%) indicating that buyers are still looking to take advantage of falling prices and bag a bargain.  
 
 
Pritchard adds,
 
 
“The current domestic Spanish property market is reeling from one body blow after another however; our sales volumes prove this has not deterred foreign buyers purchasing second homes. Many view the Costa Blanca as the preferred holiday home destination; with warm seas, sunny skies, plenty to do day and night and more cheap flights per day than you could shake a stick at, it is a serious lifestyle option for fed up Brits looking to escape the cold.”
 
 
For those thinking about buying the perfect property in the Costa Blanca why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer? 
 
 
Lagunas del Sol  is a residential complex set in a beautiful rural area and located close to the heart of Ciudad Quesada, province of Alicante.
 
 
The properties have been built on two floors with 3 bedrooms, a garden and private parking. Costing just 139.840€ all the properties have been built to excellent specifications and enjoy outstanding views towards the swimming pools and gardens.
 
 
Or take a look at Calpesol, nestled in the quiet town of Calpe in Alicante is one of the most beautiful spots of the Costa Blanca’s coast line and only 5 minutes from the beach.
 
 
From just 165,000€  this stunning development consists of spacious houses with landscaped gardens and a communal swimming pool. The properties have 3 bedrooms, cloakroom, 2 bathrooms, terrace, private garden and also benefit from outdoor parking. The properties are all finished to a high standard and are ideal for full time living or for holidays. 
 
 
For more information please 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.
 

Blast away those January blues with new flights announced to the Spanish sunshine!

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

The tinsel´s come down, the nights are cold and dark and your bank balance is about as healthy as you are after the Christmas and New Year excesses. It´s not surprising you´ve got an attack of the January blues. But help is at hand to make it through that difficult first month of the year…

 

Despite money being tight, having a holiday is still important for Britons and seeking a guaranteed good time with plenty of sunshine, many return to destinations they know and trust such as the Costa Blanca, famed for its dazzling white coastline. Stretching for over 200 Km along the east coast of Spain, the Costa Blanca has long been a favourite destination to enjoy a beach break in the Mediterranean sun.
 
 
And now it will be even easier to reach this popular destination with British Airways launching 17 flights per week from London Gatwick to Alicante in the heart of the Costa Blanca from 31st March 2013, increasing to 21 flights per week for July, August and September.
 
 
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,
 
 
“Spain’s climate, infrastructure, ease of access to the UK, combined with sandy beaches, turquoise seas and affordable housing market draws tourists and potential buyers in their droves.
 
 
“Despite falling domestic real estate prices, overseas demand for Spanish property certainly hasn’t. If last year’s performance of Taylor Wimpey España is anything to go by, with a record amount of sales in December alone, 2013 is set to be a great year!
 
 
“And indeed low cost carriers can help make the dream of reaching sunnier climes a reality. New airlines are springing up and old standbys are constantly fine-tuning their networks, making it easier for holiday makers to visit their home away from home.”
 
 
Budget airlines JetXtra and Monarch have also announced the introduction of several new routes for 2013, with Monarch adding two extra weekly flights to Alicante and JetXtra offering both Alicante and Palma as new destinations from Humberside Airport.
 
 
So, if you are on the hunt for the perfect property in the Spanish sunshine, look no further than Brisas de Alenda Golf from Taylor Wimpey España in Elche, Alicante.
 
 
The private complex of beautiful 3 bedroom townhouses of Las Brisas de Alenda is located in the peaceful and quiet area adjacent to the Alenda Golf Course. The wonderful beaches of the Costa Blanca are just a 15 minute drive. 
 
 
This stunning development has generous private gardens, a communal swimming pool and a club house. A gym, bar and restaurant are all incorporated into this development. 
 
 
These properties are available now from 155.000€. For more information please 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 
 

Thinking of buying in Southern Spain in 2013?

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

The last quarter of 2012 saw a positive end to the year with a flurry of British and international buyers taking advantage of falling prices and a reduced VAT rate, snapping up properties in Spain left, right and centre. 

 

But if you are thinking of buying in southern Spain, one of the most popular second home destinations in the world in 2013, first get some expert advice by downloading your free copy of the Andalucía Market Report 2013 from The Property Finders. 
 
 
This new and impartial ‘must read’ guide, written by Andalucian property market expert with over 25 years’ experience, Barbara Wood of The Property Finders, looks back at 2012, how property prices have performed, examines the formation of the ‘Bad Bank’, considers the good and not so good news as well as highlighting important issues for buyers such as building inspections.  
 
 
As Barbara explains, 
 
 
“It is important that those trying to decide if buying a property in Spain in 2013 is a good idea really understand how fragmented the market is. 2012 very much highlighted the difference in performance of the domestic and second homes market in Spain and it is fundamental issues such as this that buyers should and will be made aware of in my report.”
 
 
As well as looking back, Barbara also looks forward and offers her predictions for the southern Spanish property market in 2013, especially the prime sector and the growing numbers of international buyers. 
 
 
So before you buy, be in the know and download your free Andalucía Market Report from The Property Finders here http://bit.ly/V6tryu. 
 
 
For more information or expert market comment from Barbara Wood please call 0800 622 6745 or visit www.thepropertyfinders.com. 
 
 
You can also follow Barbara on Twitter @wecanfindit and http://www.facebook.com/thepropertyfinders to get all the latest news as it happens.
 

With a 30% increase in sales volume this year, the future’s bright for Taylor Wimpey España!

by Charlotte Ashton Spain
Despite falling property prices in many areas and concerns over further contraction of the Spanish economy in 2013, it seems the sun is still shining for some with leading house builder, Taylor Wimpey España enjoying increasing sales volumes in 2012. 
 
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España comments,
 
“There is no denying that in the current economic climate Taylor Wimpey España has faced challenging market conditions however I am pleased to report that our 50 years of market experience and commitment to building high quality homes, in prime locations, at affordable prices has ensured that we have not only survived but thrived over the last 12 months.  
 
“We have seen an impressive 30% increase in sales volume for the first 11 months of this year with a staggering 375% increase in the first three weeks of December alone compared to the same month in 2011, the best December sales for years! Indeed hotspots have been the Balearic island of Mallorca and the perennially popular Costa del Sol where two of our most recent developments, Los Arqueros Beach and Cala Estancia have sold 60% of units off-plan – unheard of in today’s market”
 
Indeed, the latest Knight Frank Spain & Portugal Insight report (Nov 2012) revealed that the first half of 2012 saw enquiries strengthen in line with a weakening Euro and despite house prices in Marbella falling by around 30% since the start of the global recession, stability has been seen over the last 18 months.
 
International appeal remains a key factor in both the growth of Spain’s tourism industry (which saw 52.05 million international tourists arrive between January and October 2012, 3.1% more than last year) and second homes market. According the the Knight Frank report, British, Russian, Benelux and Scandinavian buyers represent the key purchaser nationalities but interest from Arab and MENA countries is growing, a trend which has also been seen by Taylor Wimpey España. 
 
With this in mind, Spain is actively targeting affluent Middle Eastern states such as Kuwait where it intends to increase tourist arrivals from 16,000 to 19,000 by the advent of next year according to the Spanish ambassador.
 
Looking forward to 2013, Pritchard comments,
 
“There is no doubt the 1st January VAT increase on new homes from 4% to 10% will somewhat reduce demand for Spanish property however in an attempt to offload debts crippling Spanish banks and drive overseas investment for 2013, the government is taking proactive steps such as offering residency rights to foreign property buyers who spend more than €160,000 – highly appealing to non-EU buyers such as Russians, Chinese, Americans and Australians.” 
 
In terms of Taylor Wimpey España’s focus, Pritchard explains that, 
 
“Following the success of 2012, we will continue to lead the market, not get complaisant but better ourselves and our product offering which is why I am proud to announce two brand new beachfront developments in Mallorca and the Costa Blanca due to commence construction in the new year.”
 
For property hunters looking for high quality affordable property, Taylor Wimpey España has some excellent properties on offer at only 4% VAT until the end 2012 and half capital gains tax if you purchase before year end.
 
Los Arqueros Beach, located next to Puerto Banus in Marbella is a new residential complex of 24 apartments consisting of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, only 4 minute walk away from the sea front promenade and 3 minutes from the ancient part of San Pedro de Alcantara , from just €195,000.
 
Its privileged position allows you to be surrounded by 5 km of the best areas of entertainment, Marbella’s sunny beaches, fun and glamour of Puerto Banus and the 12 best golf courses on Costa del Sol.
 
For more information please 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.