Buy British – In Spain

by Georgina Spain

 

Spain as a holiday destination, has been attracting the British since as early as the 1830’s when sea bathing became fashionable. Curious tourists had also started to hear of the infamous Spanish bullfights and were keen to come and witness this for themselves. 
 
Tourism was recognised in Spain as an important economic driver worthy of government support well before World War II.  A chain of official hotels, known as tourist inns (paradores), were created at historical sites across the country in the 1920’s. It was during this decade that Coco Channel capitalised on the new fashion on ‘tanning’ and introduced a very daring line of swimwear. Spain started to become known for leading a new set of social standards where strangers could display themselves to one another with very little modesty.
 
It was in the late 1940’s that the well-known – at the time – “Spain is different’ slogan was penned. In 1951 the Ministry of Information and Tourism was born, later becoming the Ministry of Transportation, Tourism, and Communications as it is known today.
 
The initial boom in Spanish tourism began in the mid 1950’s with guaranteed sunshine and warm Mediterranean waters presenting a very attractive holiday opportunity for the Brits and other Northern European countries gripped by cold damp weather. Since the World Wars the population had become far braver at travel and a week in Margate or Bournemouth was no longer satisfying the modern Britain.
In 1950 tourist arrivals to Spain stood at approximately 1 million, rising to 34 million in 1973, over 78 million in 2002 and in excess of 40 million already this year. These huge rises in tourist numbers mainly driven by charter air travel becoming routine and by 1960, several coastal centres had opened up with runways suitable for mid-sized aircraft in Alicante, Málaga, and Almería.
 
Entire coastal villages sprouted up during the 1960’s and 1970’s with low cost accommodation, restaurants touting “international cuisine” of varying quality and nightclubs arriving on the strip.
The savvier tourist during this period of development saw the opportunity to profit off the back of this wave of tourism. Spanish construction companies started to offer new homes to discerning holiday makers and the possibility of owning a second home overseas was born.
 
As with many things ‘new’ and in vogue this started with a trickle that led to a stream and became a full flood by the late 80’s. The dream of having a place in the sun at an affordable price was at last a reality for many Brits.
 
One company that has been present throughout Spain’s massive tourism explosion is Taylor Wimpey España. 
 
The Spanish arm ofTaylor Wimpey plc – an international housing and property company. This developer giant employs more than 3,500 people and to date has built close to 10,000 homes worldwide.  Taylor Wimpey España has been operating in Spain since 1958 with a number of new and architecturally stunning developments in the Balearic Islands, Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol.
 
With over 50 years experience in operating in Spain, Taylor Wimpey is perhaps one of the greatest British success stories in this land of sun, sea, sand and sangria. 2011 has seen a 70% increase in customer enquiries year on year, taking the company back to the level of enquiries pre-recession with current figures showing that the British market in Spain remains their largest for overseas investors at 32%.
 
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España who has been a member of the team for nearly 20 years, comments on where he thinks their success lies:
 
“Being from British heritage myself I think I am qualified to say that Brits, as a rule of thumb, are sceptics. They tend to make informed decisions after considerable research and they like to know that that their investment is secure. That is why Taylor Wimpey España is the perfect choice for British buyers. 
 
“In the UK Taylor Wimpey is an established household name, a trusted company with years of experience and shareholders to answer to ensure performance at the very highest level. This professionalism is adhered to here at Taylor Wimpey España with customer satisfaction at the heart of our company.”
 
Taylor Wimpey España has built thousands of homes on the Costas and Balearic islands delivering 100% customer satisfaction time after time. They offer clients this charter:
 
ü       Quality: Our aim is to construct quality housing with an emphasis not only on construction and design but also on fittings and finishes.
ü       Personalisation: We offer a wide variety of features and finishes which can be adapted to the needs, tastes and lifestyles of our customers.
ü       Professionalism: We have a team of expert professionals to help you find the home that perfectly meets your needs.
ü       Advice: We search out and recommend the best financing plans and mortgages available on the market for our customers.
ü       Customer service: Our mission is to serve our customers with the utmost speed and efficiency, so we offer you a 24-hour helpline to solve any as quickly as possible.
 
We spoke to Denis Macaid who bought his Taylor Wimpey España property back in 1981. He and his family have been visiting the island year after year from this date. The development was everything it was promised to be and still is today. “It was one of the best investments I have ever made and the build quality is still apparent now, nearly 30 years later.”
 
An example of a property on Mallorca is El Peurto at Cala D’Or. There you can purchase a two bedroom apartment on the south east coast of the island very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or. This development has 3 communal swimming pools and the properties are surrounded by an area of outstanding natural beauty. 
 
An apartment on El Puerto available fully furnished will set you back just €165,000 and until 31st December 2011 there is NO VAT.
 
For more information about buying your home in Spain through leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España call 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.

Taylor Wimpey España records bumper month with a 15% increase in property sales

by Georgina Spain

Taylor Wimpey España, the Spanish arm of the UK house builder Taylor Wimpey Plc responsible for constructing award winning high quality homes in the Costa Blanca, the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Island of Mallorca since 1958 have reported extremely positive sales levels for September 2011.

According to the latest data, Taylor Wimpey España’s property sales rose by 15% last month across Spain while UK enquiries alone increased by 45.5% compared to September last year.

Further statistics from Taylor Wimpey España highlight the nationalities of property purchasers showing that Britons are still the biggest buyers of Spanish property accounting for 30% of sales, followed by Spain and Russia with 20% and Germany with 10%. The remaining sales were spread amongst buyers from Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and Holland.

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

“We have been seeing pleasing sales figures and enquiry rates recently which we are very excited about. September was a great month for us and October has been following in the same footsteps with positive sales in the first 15 days as well as Costa del Sol enquiries rising dramatically over the last 2 weeks with now only 2 stock properties remaining at La Floresta and 51 under construction between Los Robles II, Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club and La Floresta phase II.

“In addition, we have now sold almost 40% of the under construction apartments which we are extremely pleased with. It looks like we will be having a very happy ending to this year that’s for sure.”

For those looking to grab a slice of Spanish life, the expert team at Taylor Wimpey España are more than willing to lend a hand offering up an array of high quality properties in popular locations across Spain and the Balearic island of Mallorca.

Located on the south east coast of Mallorca, very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or El Puerto II consists of 2 bedroom apartments costing from just €165,000 + NO VAT until 2011 with furniture included. With 3 communal swimming pools available these properties are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty offering various other activities such as water sports, biking and golf in the local area.

Cala Magrana III in Mallorca situated close to Cala Anguila beach and the marina of Porto Cristo comprises 20 stunning 2 bedroom apartments surrounding a communal garden with a swimming pool. Ground floor apartments have a spacious terrace with a garden for private use while top floor apartments benefit from a private roof terrace, affording a great price of €220,000 + VAT.

Finally, the Calpesol residential complex located in Spain on the Costa Blanca consists of spacious homes with landscaped gardens and a communal swimming pool. The properties have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and costs from €160,000 + NO VAT until 2011. The properties include terraces, private gardens and outdoor parking all finished to a high standard; ideal for full time living or potential holiday rental opportunities.

For more information on making the perfect property choice in Spain please contact the experts 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 00 34 971 706 244.
 

Danes in Spain: Spain top choice for over half of Danish property buyers

by Georgina Spain

A decidedly happy bunch, Denmark holds a reputation of having an exceptionally good quality of life. In spite of this, more and more Danes appear to be investing their hard earned cash elsewhere with more than 70,000 purchasing holiday homes abroad, with Spain topping the charts as their perfect second home location this year.

Findings gathered from a recent survey on the 24th September 2011 at the Bolig i Udlandet Homes Abroad exhibition in Denmark which surveyed 225 visitors discovered some interesting results regarding Danish property buyers.

Of the individuals asked, around 92% currently live in owner occupied housing while a mere 8% live in rental property, hardly surprising considering the average household income of respondents totaled around €119,000.

Additionally, of the 83% of interviewees who said they were looking to buy a property, 39% chose a house for their purchase taking joint ownership with an apartment at a further 39%. The remaining 22% asked were undecided.

Further statistics highlight that 44% of respondents were looking to buy within 1 year while 2 years was needed by 29%.

In terms of location, the most significant discovery from the survey showed that a massive 51% of Danes desired a second home in Spain followed behind by France (15%), Thailand (14%) and Italy (12%).

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

“Spain’s appeal as a top second home destination will never falter with the majority attracted to the warm climate, blue flag beaches and scintillating Spanish lifestyle. Indeed, while it appears that Danes are happy to travel to worldwide destinations like Thailand, Spain, a close by second home destination reigns supreme – even France was no match according to the findings.”

Pritchard continues,

“We were lucky enough to participate at the exhibition with our partner Solboliger and from our own findings we discovered that while most visitors were looking for Spanish property, around 35% were searching for second homes in the Costa Blanca with a further 35% looking at the Costa del Sol while the remainder chose Mallorca.”

Interestingly, according to a report by AENA, Spanish Civil Aviation, Mallorca was the most visited destination in Spain amongst Danish visitors in July 2011 with around 40,599 passengers’ followed by Barcelona at 26,000 visitors indicating that Danish visitors have become hooked by Mallorca’s charm, year round lively atmosphere, celebrity residents and world recognised events such as the Global Ocean Race 2011-12.

Typically, Mallorca affords higher property price tags than its other Spanish counterparts with Kyero.com, Spain’s largest English language property portal (Q3 2011) highlighting that the Balearic Island of Mallorca has the third highest average asking price in Spain at €416,300 compared to the national average of €266,100.

However, Taylor Wimpey España shows that stunning property on the beautiful Balearic Island does not have to come at a bank breaking price affording high quality developments at national average price tags.

Considering research from Bolig i Udlandet Homes Abroad exhibition discovered that Danish respondents desired an average property price of around €200,000, Cala Magrana III in Mallorca, situated close to Cala Anguila beach and the marina of Porto Cristo affords a great price of €220,000 + VAT.

This development comprises 20 stunning 2 bedroom apartments surrounding a communal garden with a swimming pool. Ground floor apartments have a spacious terrace with a garden for private use while Top floor apartments benefit from a private roof terrace.

For more information on purchasing a piece of Spain 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.
 

Q3 2011, a bumper period for Spain as property prices rise according to latest figures

by Georgina Spain

With all-time record numbers of tourists visiting Spain, seeing 7.64 million foreign visitors in August alone, a 9.4% increase over the same month in 2010, it seems that the third quarter of 2011 has been a bumper period for Spain, with Spanish property prices rising in certain locations.

Statistics from Kyero.com, Spain’s largest English language property portal, for Q3 2011 show that the national average asking price for property in Spain increased to €266,100 in September compared to €263,000 back in June this year, suggesting a shortage of quality properties in the most popular regions.

Of course, as prices rise and tourism booms with some Costa hotels enjoying 100% hotel occupancy over the summer months, potential buyers will be on the hunt for attractive opportunities. In fact, property professionals across the nation have already witnessed an increase in inquiries and inspection trips, with overseas mortgage specialist Conti recording a 7% rise in enquiries about Spanish property in August this year.

Marc Pritchard, sales and marketing director of leading Spanish developer Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“The price rises in certain parts of Spain is an encouraging sign for investors with locations such as the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida, Alicante and Murcia experiencing marked price increases.

“Alicante, for instance, has experienced improvements in its infrastructure, seeing a second airport terminal open, which is always good news when it comes to attracting more visitors.”

Indeed, Alicante is one such region that has seen average property prices rise steadily since the end of last year with average asking prices of €220,000 seen in December 2010 gradually rising to €231,000 last month according to the latest figures from Kyero.com in Q3 2011.

With prices in Alicante province below the national average it is hardly surprising that it experienced the biggest number of sales to foreign buyers between April and June 2011, however of the 22% increase in Spanish property sales in Q2 2011, a total of 90,746 properties sold according to the Spanish government, Malaga hit the top spot for sales to foreigners with 1,110 sales taking place in the second quarter of this year.

Interestingly, despite the price of property in Malaga standing at €299,500 (September 2011), above the national average, buyers seem to have taken a shine to this Costa del Sol region thanks to its important cultural infrastructure and rich artistic heritage. Malaga has even been nominated as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture, destined to boost future tourist numbers as well as property sales.

Meanwhile, further statistics from Kyero’s Spanish House Price Index (Q3 2011) highlight that the Balearic Island of Mallorca has the third highest average asking price in Spain at €416,300. Perhaps the golf courses, infrastructural developments, glorious beaches, year round lively atmosphere, celebrity residents and world recognised events such as the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 account for the high asking price compared to other Spanish provinces.

Indeed the Spanish government´s 4% reduction in IVA (the equivalent of VAT) on new stock properties until 31st December 2011 offering a potential saving of €8,000 on a €200,000 home combined with Taylor Wimpey España’s additional 4% contribution is certainly a big factor at play in attracting more buyers to the country. And, whilst property on Mallorca is more expensive than many of its counterparts, savings such us this can make a real difference, offering a quality property in a popular location at a discounted price.

Following the success of Cala Magrana I and II, Taylor Wimpey España is now launching phase III comprising 20 stunning apartments on Mallorca situated close to Cala Anguila beach, a selection of golf courses and the marina of Porto Cristo.

Costing from €220,000 + VAT, this residential development consists of 2 bedroom apartments surrounding a communal garden with a swimming pool. Ground floor apartments have a spacious terrace with a garden for private use while Top floor apartments benefit from a roof terrace also for private use.

For more information on purchasing a piece of Spain 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.
 

5 must-ask questions when buying BMV properties

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

What would you do if you saw a property priced below its going rate? The sensible decision would surely be to open your wallet and snap it up as quickly as possible. Indeed, buying below market value (BMV) property, essentially below the prevailing market value is quite simply the key to any good investment, allowing investors to enjoy instant equity in most cases.

With the global property market having slowed in recent years, buying BMV property can certainly have some fundamental benefits to the investor. For example, if prices within the market become stagnated or even experience a slight dip, buyers will still be able to make money on their investment aided by the safety harness of having built-in profit from the very beginning.

As well as this, purchasing BMV will also make your property easier to sell thanks to capital growth automatically being factored into the property purchase meaning that the investor doesn’t need to obtain the maximum price to make a sufficient gain. Strong rental yields can of course also be achieved as no matter what its sale price the right property in the right location will attain the same rental income as a comparable property which has been purchased at full price.

Many would argue that BMV is a win-win situation for both developers and investors but what questions should you ask when buying BMV?

Nick Stuart, MD of leading Spanish estate agent Spanish Hot Properties, offers these 5 must-ask questions when buying BMV properties:

If you are a small investor who is looking for a bargain or a ‘life style’ purchase these are the questions you should consider:

1.  What was the original sales price and what is the discount?
2.  If I intend on using the property myself, does it fit my requirements and needs?
3.  Can I get a large mortgage?
4.  Do I need to invest in the property to bring it up to a usable state?
5.  Can I rent the property?

On the other hand, if you are a large professional property investor these are the questions you should consider:
1.  What is the market value?  (The Spanish valuation system can be unreliable
2.  What is the exit strategy?
3.  How quickly can I get my money back?
4.  What is the threat of the market in terms of the failed sovereign debts and macro economic factors?
5.  What is the degree of hands on work required for the investment?”

Now you have an idea of what questions you should ask, why not take a quick look at what BMV properties Spanish Hot Properties have on offer in Spain.

Samara – Set into the hills of Marbella, this is luxury living at its finest. All Samara properties are spacious, light and exquisitely finished, providing everything you need for a luxurious stay. Each property benefits from an open-plan living room which has been carefully designed to maximise the spectacular views whilst still delivering complete privacy.

The attention to detail is clearly evident in the finishing touches. Kitchen furniture is by leading Italian specialists Snaidero, electrical appliances Bosch, and each property has a pre-installed Bang & Olufsen audio system. Bathrooms come with under-floor heating and every room benefits from cold/warm air conditioning. Two bed apartments are available from €206,500, previously priced at €360,000 – a massive decrease of over 48%.

Banus Beach Gardens – An exclusive residential complex of 14 penthouses, 23 garden apartments and 23 first floor terrace apartments situated in over 8.000 square meters of private tropical gardens with lake style swimming pool or relax at your private spa, with its own gymnasium, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna and fantastic indoor heated swimming pool.

Two bed, two bathroom apartments have been dropped to just €470,000.  Previously priced at €950,000 – over 50% decrease.

Marina de la Alcaidesa – A stunning development close to excellent restaurants & bars, miles of beautiful, uncrowded beaches, championship 18 hole golf course, shopping and bustling nightlife and within easy reach of the airport.

Prices for a 2 bed apartment from €240,000 reduced from €720,000 – a staggering 69% discount!

For more information on these BMV properties please contact Spanish Hot Properties on 00 44 207 558 8355 or visit www.spanishhotproperties.com

 

Spain’s dedicated to being a record breaker with 7.64 million foreign visitors last month

by Georgina Spain

In August this year 7.64 million foreign tourists visited Spain, a 9.4% increase over the same month in 2010, with data from the survey of tourist movements at FRONTUR indicating that this marked an all-time monthly high for the country.

Since the beginning of 2011, 40 million tourists have visited Spain, representing a 7.8% increase over the same period in 2010.

The Ministry of Industry which produces the tourist movement survey suggests that August visitor figures ‘reinforces the good prospects of Spain in 2011’ highlighted by the fourth best year in the history of Spanish tourism, a great achievement considering the economic recovery only began back in the second half of 2010.

Further data indicates that while Brits are one of the most regular and indeed loyal visitors to Spanish shores standing at 9.5 million, there has been impressive increases in numbers of other foreign visitors to Spain between January and August this year, with a 16.7% rise in American tourists in the month of August as well as a 12.3% increase in German and 10.5% rise in Italian visitors.

By destination, Catalonia was the largest recipient of foreign tourists receiving 1.9 million visitors in August whilst the Balearic Islands followed closely behind with 1.8 million tourists in the same month. Meanwhile, 1 million visitors flocked to Andalucía, 821,000 tourists visited the Canary Islands while 737,000 foreigners picked Valencia and 550,000 made Madrid their destination of choice.

Ignacio Osle, Sales & Marketing Manager of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Despite difficult economic conditions across mainland Europe, Spain is one of the most resilient holiday destinations, remaining popular with foreigners whatever the market conditions. Recently, the IMF stated that Spain will be the only country that will experience higher levels of growth next year compared to its European counterparts of France, Italy and Greece. Spain has a global appeal as a tourist destination; we have even seen 53,000 tourists arrive from India in the first half of this year, representing a 35% increase.

“Spain is recovering well especially with the help of the country’ss overall tourism drive and low cost airlines like easyJet increasing the number of flights it operates from the  Netherlands to destinations such as Mallorca next year. Indeed, Mallorca is one such destination that has performed better on the property front than its mainland counterparts offering strong rental market potential.”

Following the success of Cala Magrana I and II, Taylor Wimpey España are now launching phase III comprising 20 stunning apartments in Mallorca situated 600m to Cala Anguila beach, a selection of golf courses and the marina of Porto Cristo.

Costing from €220,000 + VAT, this residential development consists of 2 bedroom apartments surrounding a communal garden with a swimming pool. Ground floor apartments have a spacious terrace with a garden for private use while Top floor apartments benefit from a roof terrace also for private use.

For more information on purchasing a piece of Spanish heaven 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.
 

Leading Spanish house builder bucks trend and reports positive outlook for Q4 2011 with sales up by 8%

by Georgina Spain

With the National Statistics Institute in Spain revealing that the number of property sales declined during July, both on a year-on-year and monthly basis, leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España is proud to report an 8% increase in sales to date in 2011.

Reviewing its performance this year so far, Taylor Wimpey España which has been operational in the Spanish market for over 50 years, has seen positive growth in international sales with a 70% increase in customer enquires compared to 2010.

British buyers remain the largest market at 32%, followed by the Spanish at 24%, Germans at 13% and the Russians at 9%. It is reported that clients from all nationalities are primarily seeking holiday and retirement homes as opposed to investment properties in the traditionally popular areas of Mallorca, Marbella and Alicante.

Ignacio Osle, Sales & Marketing Manager of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Spain remains one of the most popular holiday and second home destinations in the world for Northern & Central Europeans. Consistently ranked number one in TheMoveChannel’s Top of the Props monthly report and one of the most searched for destinations in the recent Conti mortgage advisory survey, the demand for property in Spain is clearly evident.

“A combination of property price reductions, decreased supply of property in the prime locations and a steady flow of serious interest has enticed home buyers to make the positive decision this year.”

And indeed these factors combined with the Spanish government’s decision to reduce IVA tax by 50% and Taylor Wimpey España’s pioneering action in covering the remaining 4% due on stock properties until the end of December 2011 has resulted in the house builder being positive about its sales performance in the remaining quarter of the year.

Ignacio Osle continues,

“Due to growing demand and very little stock availability, we have launched several new developments over the past 12 month in key areas across Spain with a total of 132 units under construction now. Despite the off plan market having reportedly gone out of favour, 39% of these properties have been sold off plan and additional new developments such as Cala Magrana III on Mallorca will be released this week to meet ongoing demand.”

For more information about buying a home in Spain then contact the experts Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 244.
 

Spanish Hot Properties Buyers’ Guide to the Costa del Sol

by Charlotte Ashton Spain

Quite simply Spain has something for everyone and is the chosen second property or holiday home location for most of Northern Europe including UK citizens as well as buyers from Scandinavia, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Russia who are attracted to the Iberian nation for its year-round sunshine, easy to reach location, stunning scenery, brilliant golf courses, excellent transport and relaxed lifestyle.

The Costa del Sol is the destination of choice by some distance for international property buyers and with the population expected to grow by as much as 50%, rental incomes and good capital growth in the long term is predicted to flourish – great news for potential buyers!

So for those thinking about buying property on the Costa del Sol for its 320+ days of sunshine a year, excellent schools, sublime restaurants and wonderfully diverse landscape, why not take a look at leading estate agency Spanish Hot Properties’ top tips for buying Spanish property in the forever popular ‘Coast of the Sun’.

Before you begin…..

1. Think about your budget

This is the most important question you should ask yourself before you begin your property search. Work out your budget and then deduct 10% buying costs from that budget to help you figure out what you can afford.

2. Why am I buying?

To determine what type of property you need you must first decide what you want. If you are looking for a holiday home you will probably want the property to be in close proximity to amenities such as the beach, restaurant and shops. If you are looking for an investment you ideally want a property that can be let all year round thus giving you a good return on your investment. If you’re buying for retirement it will be important to make sure your property is within reach of high quality healthcare facilities. Finally, if you’re buying with the intention of living in Spain full-time you need to think about what type of lifestyle you want on a daily basis.

Next Steps….

1. Area Focus – Chose your location

Peace and Quiet – Estepona to the west of Marbella and Benahavis, known as the “table room” of southern Spain because of its high concentration of top quality restaurants are major attractions for property buyers who want a slightly more relaxed way of life.

Stunning Views – Mijas Pueblo is a typical old style white Spanish village with stunning views of the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar and Africa while La Cala de Mijas is in close proximity to the beach but maintains a village feel making it a highly desirable location.

High end – The Golden Mile is the chosen home for many overseas property buyers. Puerto Banús affords the very best designer brand shops, stunning boats and of course, upmarket bars and restaurants popular with the rich and famous if glitz and glamour is your thing.

2. Reserving your dream home

You will usually need to place a reservation deposit of around 6000 Euros made by credit card or bank transfer. Make sure the sum is readily available as a delay could mean your dream becoming another person’s reality. Payment of this sum fixes the price, confirms your intention to buy and means that the property is taken off the market and reserved for you and will stop you getting gazumped.

3. Consider finance options

Take into consideration your personal circumstances. If you require a mortgage and prefer to use a Spanish lender you will usually be able to borrow up to 70% of the value of your property repayable over 10 – 30 years depending on your age. Generally your repayments must not exceed 35% of your net monthly income or joint monthly income if two people are applying. Costs involved can amount to 3 – 4% of the amount you are borrowing.

4. Instruct a Lawyer

Select someone with local knowledge who speaks your language. Your lawyer will carry out numerous checks to safeguard your investment so when you receive ownership of your property you will not inherit any outstanding debts.

What’s on offer?

Now you have an idea of what you should do, why not take a quick look at what Spanish Hot Properties has on offer on the beautiful Costa del Sol.

Los Monteros – Located in the prime suburb of Los Monteros, within walking distance of some wonderful beaches and restaurants, Spanish Hot Properties have a sublime villa on offer with facilities including a gymnasium with attached steam room, home cinema, intelligent networks that control climatic conditions and security, climatic controlled bodega, laundry, garage space for four cars and independent staff quarters. With 6 beds and 6 bathrooms this fabulous villa is priced at €8,000,000.

Villa Natasha – This property has excellent views over the well-manicured Las Brisas golf course and is in close proximity to Puerto Banus, Marbella. Built on three floors, this ample and generous property also lends itself to an excellent rental potential. The elevated plot has a wooden decked pool, home cinema and master suite which has been placed in a tower affording privacy and seclusion. A five bedroom and five bathroom villa for €3,450,000.

La Cala Golf Resort – One of Southern Europe´s finest golf and leisure destinations, just 30 minutes from Malaga International Airport and just a 10 minute drive from the nearby coastal attractions, La Cala Golf Resort features three 18 hole golf courses, a 5 star hotel, a stunning new health and beauty spa with indoor pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, clubhouse, bars and restaurants.  All properties have either a golf mountain or sea view and have been built to the highest standards. Luxury 2 bed Townhouses from €255.000.

What if I still can’t decide and need more help?

That’s one of the easier questions to answer, just contact Spanish Hot Properties and their dedicated team will only be too pleased to discuss your own situation in detail and give you the correct advice to put you on track for your Spanish property search. They will also be able to help you with any specific questions with regards to living in Spain and any other general questions that you may have.

For more information contact Spanish Hot Properties on 0034 952 799 191 or visit www.spanishhotproperties.com

Global Ocean Race 2011-12 is set to make a splash in the Mallorcan property market

by Georgina Spain

With only 5 days remaining until the start of the Global Ocean Race, Mallorca the launch pad of the highly anticipated event, is gearing up to see thrilling high speed activity from various nations doing battle on its sunlit watery landscape this weekend.

Having announced the final entries for the 2011-12 sailing extravaganza, the race is set to begin its first leg, from Mallorca to Cape Town on September 25th 2011. The Global Ocean race, a double-handed, round the world race for Class40 yachts saw 19 teams officially entered in early summer this year, however difficulty in securing offshore yacht racing sponsorship in a changeable financial environment has meant that numbers have slowly dwindled to only six confirmed entries for the 2011-12 circumnavigation.

The GOR’s Race Director, Josh Hall, is enormously proud of the racing teams commenting,

“It is so impressive that six teams have made it to the start. Clearly, it is disappointing for the teams and for the GOR Race Organisation that the overall fleet total has been reduced, but it shows the commitment, ingenuity and sheer determination of the skippers that they have made it to Palma.”

In spite of this, the excitement is bubbling enhanced by the official opening of the race village last Friday which houses the sponsors and various organising bodies and will be host to numerous events and presentations over the coming weeks. While the race itself attracts thousands of sports fans from across the globe to the golden island, entry to the village is free to the public with organisers aiming to give visitors an insight into one of the sailing world´s toughest challenges as well as promoting the sport to potential boating enthusiasts.

Indeed, international events of such magnitude help put Mallorca on the global stage and while many sailing devotees are attracted to these sporting events and the extras that go along with them, many more stay for Mallorca’s sun soaked climate, sublime blue flag beaches and high class restaurants.

Meanwhile, despite holiday company Mallorca Tours, listed as the official tour operator for the racing event in Mallorca having organised discounts with hotels in Palma ranging from 5* to 2* hotels all within easy reach of the GOR village, savvy property hunters have their own ideas about how to take advantage of the increased demand for accommodation, in particular rental property seeing homes close to marinas in particular become more desirable. Indeed, for buyers, owning a home on the Balearic Island can provide the opportunity to reap a generous rental income throughout the year.

Ignacio Osle, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“Mallorca is highly regarded in the world of water sports, hosting an array of premium yacht racing events such as the Copa del Rey, the Palma Velas, the Superyacht Cup and the Global Ocean race as well as being noted as a leisurely holiday stop for the rich and famous which are big attractions in their own right.

“The island evokes a sense of style and sophistication and tourists as well as property buffs want to take ownership of that lifestyle by purchasing a high quality property. The great thing is that world class events, combined with a great social programme and stunning natural beauty helps increase the demand for rental property with good locations and quality builds always selling well whatever the market conditions. International events just add to their year round appeal.”

Leading house builders, Taylor Wimpey España, has plenty to offer in terms of affordable high quality property with properties in Mallorca waiting to be snapped up.

El Puerto II consists of two bedroom apartments located on the south east coast of the island, very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or costing from just €177,000 + NO VAT with furniture included. With 3 communal swimming pools available these properties are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty offering various other activities such as water sports, biking and golf in the local area.

For more information on making a splash in the Mallorcan property market 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 00 34 971 706 244.
 

Optimism high with 396,000 Spanish homes sold in the past 12 months

by Georgina Spain

According to Government figures, a total of 396,000 homes have been sold in Spain in the past 12 months with sales accelerating in Q2 2011.

A total of 90,746 homes were sold between March and June this year, bringing about a 21.9% increase on the first quarter with new housing accounting for 33.7% of the total transactions in the second quarter of 2011 the research discovered.

While the department for housing suggests that non-Spaniards continue to be one of the key drivers in the housing market, sales to foreigners who reside in Spain has increased by 22.9% in the second quarter of this year, totaling 8,514 purchases while by province Alicante received the greatest number of purchases at 2,308. Malaga followed behind with 1,110 sales while Santa Cruz de Tenerife experienced only 599 sales with only 567 transactions made in the Balearic Islands according to the Ministry of Public transactions.

Meanwhile, according to a study of 100,000 properties recently published, Spanish property prices are on the rise in Costa Blanca and Costa Calida areas with Alicante and Murcia noted as being two locations where prices have pushed upwards in Q1 and Q2 of 2011.

Ignacio Osle, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España, comments,

“Although Spanish property prices are yet to catch up with the highs seen in 2007, the price increase is nevertheless an encouraging sign for investors in the market. Alicante for instance has experienced improvements in its infrastructure seeing a second airport terminal open which always good news when it comes to attracting more visitors.

“In light of rising property sales in Spain, we have made our homes even more attractive to buyers, matching the Spanish Government’s 50% reduction in IVA on a limited stock of new properties to be delivered this year, and we’re hoping to see some very positive results.”

For those looking to enjoy the sunnier side of life, Taylor Wimpey de España has two wonderful properties available in Costa Blanca.

The Montesol residential complex consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a cloakroom, garden, roofed sun terrace, private parking, air conditioning, heat pump system, and hydro massage bath from €237,900 situated in one of the best areas of Calpe – Maryvilla.

Located one hour from Valencia and 35 minutes from Alicante, the Calpesol residential complex in affords three bedroom two  bathroom properties, situated in a scenic beach side valley surrounded by mountain landscape, offering various activities such as water sports and golf in this popular town now from €160,000 + NO VAT.

For more information on these not to be missed properties 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 00 34 971 706 244.