Moving to a new location when retirement approaches is something many of us dream of, aspiring to eventually one day free our minds, spread our wings and fly off, maybe to sunnier skies, or to somewhere where we can pursue our hobbies or to a place that is simply closer to family and friends. But what alluring location you might ask has proven most popular with retirees in particular us British folk this year?

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting the masses time and time again, Spain reigns supreme, ranking as the number one foreign destination British people retire to followed by Australia, USA, France and Ireland according to research conducted by pensions and savings experts Standard Life. The news comes as the Worldwide Property Group reports that 65% of people see now as a good time to buy a property abroad.

But what is the attraction of Spain as a picture-perfect retirement location? Well, it could very well be the appeal of Andalusia’s quaint gleaming white villages bathed in history and tradition or Mallorca’s sublime restaurants and beautiful sunsets. Maybe some go to Spain for the array of leisure activities on water or the golf course or maybe it’s the 320 plus days of sun? For others, it could well be Spain’s laid back lifestyle, the tempting midday fiestas, the soulfully penetrating flamenco, or the fascinating Moorish architecture.

Whatever the reason, one of the biggest attractions is likely to be the relatively low cost of living with a three course meal and bottle of wine costing from as little as €10 allowing even those on fixed pensions to dine out on a regular basis rather than just an occasional treat.

Of course, it will come as no surprise that the majority of retirees flock to Spain’s beach hotspots such as the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol where there are big expat communities. However, nowadays the idyllic island of Mallorca is fairing popular with retired individuals searching for a peaceful yet interesting Mediterranean gem swamped in character, class and of course, good weather.

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

“Mallorca to some, is a sleepy, tranquil island and to others, a vivacious and wealthy location where life is in full bloom. Here, you can have the lifestyle you have always dreamed of whether you’re after peace and relaxation in a lesser known traditional village or remain in a city where there is plenty to see and do. There is a general feeling of good health a wellbeing evoked by the island which is enough to encourage anyone looking to retire to make Mallorca their new home.”

One such couple who fell in love with Mallorca, Phil and Pam Redican from Cumbria, UK could certainly vouch for the island as an idyllic retirement location having purchased a house there with the help of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España with Mr Redican commenting,

“I am retired and Pam is due to retire soon so we knew we wanted to buy a home abroad in a place with a warmer climate, within walking distance to shops, the beach and restaurants and somewhere within easy reach of our home in the UK. We decided on Mallorca as we had been there 3 times prior to buying and loved it. The property on the Los Altos des Golf resort shown to us by Taylor Wimpey de España was perfect with the opportunity to live on a golf course being a big attraction – neither of us played golf before but we knew we wanted to learn and now we are both playing.”

With this in mind, Taylor Wimpey de España, who are now offering FREE VAT on their stock properties are providing the perfect opportunity for potential buyers to view the luxurious side of Mallorca with their affordable fully furnished ready to move into properties at their show home event until the 31st December 2011 with properties such as El Puerto II, Cala D’Or.

El Puerto II consists of two bedroom apartments located on the south east coast of the island, very close to the stunning Cala D’Or marina costing from just €177,000 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 retiring to Mallorca 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.
 

With its opening weekend on the big screen grossing £13.2 million, the biggest of any British-made comedy film, The Inbetweeners movie seems to have taken the UK by storm with holiday experts expecting the film to set the travel trend for 2012.

The movie, an extension of the hit television series, follows four main characters to Malia, Crete where the comically crude lads plan to vacation before going to university. Unsurprisingly, following its release, the UK’s leading youth brand Club 18-30 has seen an increase in searches for clubbing holidays to Malia according to Russell Whitton, the clubs trading manager.

In spite of this, it is becoming publicly known that whilst some parts of the film were shot in Malia the film company decided to shoot most of the movie in Magalluf, Mallorca as well as Soller and Palma where many of the local businesses and workers were used as extras.

Ignacio Osle, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España, which operates on the island comments,

“Even though Magalluf was not mentioned, it was the unnamed star of the movie and we fully expect Mallorca to feel the new travel trend already taking place in Malia, especially when people find out where the film was actually shot. We are hoping that people will be inspired to visit this beautiful Mediterranean island.

“Magalluf is a cheap and cheerful party haven especially for the younger generation and attracts some of the world’s top DJ’s to the super trendy clubs. It should definitely be experienced at least once. However, Magalluf is not to be confused with the rest of Mallorca which affords regions of complete tranquillity and areas of genuine class and sophistication. It is an island of distinct contrast which offers something for everyone.”

A favourite destination with the King and Queen of Spain who regularly holiday on the island as well as British blue bloods like Prince Harry who was spotted enjoying a meal at the Villa Italia restaurant in Port Andratx last month, Mallorca has also become an exclusive second home location with model Claudia Schiffer owning a £6 million paparazzi-proof lavish hilltop estate in Camp de Mar as well as other glitterati A-listers including Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Boris Becker owning property on the island.

Indeed Mallorca continues to have broad appeal amongst discerning property buyers around the world with properties in good locations continuing to sell quickly. And, whilst the national average price for property in Spain is in the region of €263,000 Mallorcan property is priced well above at €431,700 (June 2011) reflecting the high demand for property on the Balearic island according to statistics from the Spanish House Price Index provided by Kyero.com, Spain’s largest English language property portal.

With this in mind, Taylor Wimpey de España, who are now offering FREE VAT on their stock properties are providing the perfect opportunity for potential buyers to view the luxurious side of Mallorca with their affordable fully furnished ready to move into properties at their show home event until the 15th September 2011 with properties such as El Puerto II, Cala D’Or.

El Puerto II consists of two bedroom apartments located on the south east coast of the island, very close to the stunning celeb hangout of Cala D’Or marina costing from just €177,000 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 the Mallorcan property experience 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.

Making it even easier to buy your dream home in Spain, top developer Taylor Wimpey de España, has announced that it will match the Spanish government’s 4% reduction in IVA (the equivalent of VAT) on new properties meaning that NO VAT will be due on new stock properties delivered before the end of 2011.

In an attempt to reduce the volume of stock property in Spain and stimulate the construction sector once again, the Spanish Government has decreed that IVA will be reduced by 50% until the end of the year, making purchasers of both first (mostly Spanish nationals) and second new homes liable for only 4% of the purchase price, a saving of €8,000 on a €200,000 home.

Commenting on the policy change which comes into immediate effect, Ignacio Osle, Sales& Marketing Manager of leading Spanish homebuilder with over 50 years experience, Taylor Wimpey de España, says:

“Whilst this action will not fully solve the problems of oversupply in some areas of the Spanish property market I believe it will stimulate action both with potential buyers who have been cautious to commit and the Spanish construction industry which is extremely keen to get moving once again.

“The Government has seen that price reductions by developers and agents in some cities of Spain such as Marbella and Alicante where there is oversupply has helped to reduce stock levels and it is hoped that by lowering prices through the halving of IVA will reduce excess stock even further.”

With an 86% customer satisfaction rating already, Taylor Wimpey de España is committed to assisting potential buyers further and is delighted to be able to match the reduction in IVA creating a rare time-limited opportunity for investors to purchase their dream home in Spain VAT free.

Fortuitously for second home buyers, the majority of new homes which meet the policy requirements are located in sought-after coastal destinations such as the Costa del Sol, Mallorca and Costa Blanca. Newly completed homes are now often priced equally to used homes yet owners enjoy the advantages of new electrical appliances, white goods and construction guarantees.

Ignacio Osle remarks that second hand homes in Spain are still liable for an 8% transfer of ownership tax. In addition not all the stock properties in the market, many owned by banks, qualify as new homes and are eligible for this VAT reduction as there could have been a prior transaction between the previous owner and the bank.

Ignacio Osle concludes,

“Now is the perfect time to invest in a new home in Spain. The reduction in IVA combined with the favourable Euro – Pound exchange rate mans that British buyers can make hefty savings without compromising on quality”.

Buy today – VAT free!

El Puerto II, Cala D’Or, Mallorca

Two bedroom apartments located on the south east coast of the island very close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or. 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.

These properties are available fully furnished from €177,000. NO VAT!

Calpesol, Calpe, Costa Blanca

The Calpesol residential complex consists of houses with gardens and communal swimming pools.

The properties have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, cloakroom, garden, roofed sun terrace and private parking and are constructed to a high quality.

These properties are built and available now from €160,000. NO VAT!

La Floresta, Elvira, Costa del Sol

The development also has two large communal swimming pools, landscaped gardens and external private parking.  The 2 bedroom apartments measure 141 square meters and the 3 bedroom penthouses are 239 square meters. The ground floor apartments have a private garden measuring approximately 3 metres.

All units are built to the highest standard with first-class finishes including an Italian designed integrated kitchen with Silestone worktops, thermal and acoustic insulation and air-conditioning. Each block has its own elevator and exterior carpentry finishes in aluminium.

These properties are available now from €199,500. NO 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.

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Notes to Editors:

–    This is a special promotion for only new properties on stock to be delivered before year end (the public deed has to be signed before 31st of December 2011).
–    The special offer is not for properties under construction to be delivered in 2012.
–    Taylor Wimpey has only a limited number of properties in stock. It is just a special offer for no more than 20 units available in different sites in Mallorca, Alicante and Costa del Sol.
–    Taylor Wimpey de España has been selling well during the last years due to price reductions, excellent after sales service, quality of the construction, modern design and extras packages. It is for these reasons that TWE has practically eliminated their stock last year and has started to build new developments across Spain.

Following on from last year’s success, the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella will once again play host to this year’s Marbella Masters Tennis Tournament from the 25th-27th August with a grand slam line-up of tennis legends including Bjørn Borg and Yevgeny Kafelnikov battling it out on the famous clay courts.

Joining the 11 time Grand Slam Champion, Bjørn Borg who managed the club after it first opened in 1979 and former World Number 1, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, will be Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash and past top 15 players Younes El-Alanoui, Ronald Agenor and Iranian tennis star and entertainer Mansour Bahrami.

As a member of the ATP, the Puente Romano Tennis Club, situated in the heart of the Golden Mile, a residential district between Marbella and Puerto Banus, about a 35-minute drive from Malaga International Airport has hosted some prestigious matches including the Davis Cup and the WTA with some of the biggest stars of the tennis world gracing its courts over its 31-year history.

Indeed, it is likely that this year’s tournament will surpass last year’s 15,000 spectators, with fans flocking to not only view the entertaining sporting action but to bask in Marbella’s perfect setting, one that provides sunny skies, dazzling scenery and rich culture for such an esteemed event.

Angel Mora, City Councillor of Sports in Marbella has this month been encouraging tourists to visit the city to experience all the area has to offer and to enjoy the admired event that is unique in Spain. Of course, with well know events such as the Marbella Masters 2011 coming to town Marbella, already voted the third trendiest and most fashionable city in Spain as well as having the best beaches in the country, will not be short of visitors this August.

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

"International events of such magnitude help boost Marbella’s and indeed Spain’s global appeal and of course, it doesn’t hurt that world events such as these are located in parts of Spain where the sun always shines, and where visitors can relax on the many blue flag beaches, and enjoy the numerous gastronomic delights available.

“Of course, while Marbella hosts tournaments for past legends, the Spanish island of Mallorca boasts an impressive history of cultivating championship tennis stars including Carlos Moyá and most famously former World Number 1 Rafael Nadal. And for the next generation of budding tennis stars, we have a fully furnished ready to move in property on Mallorca located just 5 minutes from superb tennis courts, ideal for practicing your serve.”

The new Cala Anguila residential development is located on the east coast of Mallorca near Porto Cristo and benefits from being one of the last few plots of land for a home next to a beach in Mallorca with tennis courts found within 800m of the resort.

Cala Anguila, costing from €225,000 consists of 25 two-bedroom apartments designed to reflect the beauty of the surrounding area all equipped with a private outside parking space.

For more information on finding the perfect Spanish property to practice your skills 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.

It seems Britain’s loyalty to Spain, one of the UK’s most favoured holiday and second home spots abroad still remains strong according to figures from the College of Registrars with British property buyers responsible for one in four properties purchases in Spain by foreigners in 2010.

Figures show that British expats and property investors were the biggest buyers of Spanish property buying a total of 4,350 properties last year with the French following behind buying 1,627 homes in comparison.

Undeniably, the recent credit crisis led to a subduing of the market and a realignment of prices but thankfully it’s beginning to fight back with a 4.4% rise in property sales to foreigners last year.

Although Brits are the biggest players in the market, last year also saw a rise in demand from Northern Europeans, with an impressive 102% increase in Swedish demand and a 58% increase in Norwegian demand for Spanish property.

Mark Stucklin, MD of  Spanish property information web site Spanish Property Insight comments,

“It is undoubtedly good news that international demand for homes in Spain is getting more diversified. The holiday-home market used to be far too dependent upon British buyers, which was a risk that many promoters and the banks’ lending to them failed to understand. With the process of international diversification sales should slowly start to increase.”

In spite of this diversification, the Spanish government remains to make every attempt to appeal to their British devotees; persuading British property buyers to purchase a home in the country by providing more information in English to ensure buyers are accurately informed of any legal issues connected with a property. For instance, costing just £29 for a Land Registry certificate in English, it is hoped that efforts such as this will potentially lead to increasing numbers of British buyers looking to make offshore investments in a new Spanish property.

Ignacio Osle, Sales and Marketing Director of leading house builder Taylor Wimpey de España which has been present in the market for over 20 years and recently attained an overall 86% customer satisfaction rate for 2011 comments,

“We are proud to have a variety of customers from all over the world but plenty are from the UK. Brits are and have always been Spain’s biggest fans attracted to the easy reach location, sunny skies and laid back lifestyle. At Taylor Wimpey de España we focus on all our customers, but we do have a soft spot for our British admirers.

“Indeed, when it comes to location one of our most popular Spanish spots with Brits is the golden island of Mallorca. Even though Mallorcan property prices are on average higher than mainland Spain our developments offer exceptional quality and afford only premium locations.”

With this in mind, Taylor Wimpey de España are providing the perfect opportunity for potential buyers to view their stunning well priced fully furnished ready to move into properties in Mallorca at their show home event until the 15th September 2011 with properties such as El Puerto II, Cala D’Or and Pollentia Mar in Puerto Pollença open to prospective buyers.

El Puerto II consists of two bedroom apartments located on the south east coast of the island, very close to the stunning celeb hangout of Cala D’Or marina costing from just €177,000 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.

Pollentia Mar located in the seaside town of Puerto Pollença on the north-east coast is within easy reach of the UNESCO listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range and is priced from just €265,000. As a single block of apartments Pollentia Mar has a communal area, swimming pool and private parking with an abundance of facilities nearby as well as offerings of peace and quiet and beautiful views.

If you would like more information on the amazing property opportunities available in Mallorca 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.