Bye bye Belgium, hello Spain! Belgian buyers race to pick up a Spanish second home
- Spanish property sales up 8.8% in June 2014 (INE)
- Sales to Belgian buyers up 27% in Q1 2014 (Het Nieuwsblad)
- Belgians such as Herman Dircx now account for 11% of total buyers (Taylor Wimpey España)
- New Ryanair Brussels base connects directly with Alicante, Malaga and Palma
Spain’s property market is roaring back to life, with sales climbing 8.8% in June according to figures from Spain’s national statistics institute, the INE. It is the fourth consecutive month of rising sales numbers that the Iberian country has reported. Spain’s central bank also has positive news to report, announcing recently that the country’s economy grew by 0.5% in Q2 2014 – the fastest rate of growth in six years.
The changes have tempted many buyers to see now as the perfect time to pick up their dream second home in Spain, a decision backed by the latest pronouncements from Standard & Poors (S&P): the agency has predicted price rises of as much as 2% across Spain in 2016, as the economic recovery settles into its stride.
For British buyers in particular, Spain remains a perennially popular destination. UK government data shows it as being the most popular country within Europe for Brits to emigrate to, with some 770,000 British citizens currently residing there.
Other nationalities that are relocating to Spain in significant numbers include Russians, Germans, the French and Belgians, based on the findings of the recent study from Fotocasa. The report found that foreign buyers invested an average of €381,860 on the purchase of Spanish coastal properties during 2013. At the top end of the scale, Russian buyers invested an average of €678,424, while at the lower end French buyers invested €171,644 on average.
Belgian buyers sat mid-table, investing an average of €346,728 on Spanish coastal property during 2013. The new and exclusive Santa Ponsa Residencial development at Santa Ponsa, Calviá in Mallorca, typifies the kind of high end properties that Belgian buyers are demanding. Offered to the market by leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, the residential complex consists of 40 apartments with ample terraces with views over the golf course, along with a communal swimming pool and the beach just five minutes’ away. The apartments are priced at the perfect point for Belgian buyers: from €345,000 for three bedrooms.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, comments,
“We’re seeing much more interest from Belgian buyers this year – our sales to them were up 8% in June. Belgians now account for 11% of our buyers, whereas this time last year they accounted for just 8%. Our Costa del Sol properties have proven particularly popular with Belgian buyers, with Horizon Beach at Estepona, Málaga attracting the greatest number of sales so far this year.
“Proximity to the beach is definitely proving important to Belgian buyers. I believe that it is Horizon Beach’s direct access to the 2 km long golden sands of La Galera beach that has made the complex such a hit, along with the stunning quality of the three bedroom, two bathroom homes of course!”
Taylor Wimpey España’s experience is reflective of the broader national picture. Sales of Spanish homes to Belgian buyers were up 27% in Q1 2014 compared to the same period a year before, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
With Ryanair’s new Brussels base connecting directly with Alicante, Malaga and Palma, access from Belgium has never been easier, adding to Spain’s already significant charms. Herman Dircx, one of many Belgians who has snapped up a Spanish home in the sun, comments,
“I bought a wonderful apartment in the Costa del Sol through Taylor Wimpey España. I chose to buy a holiday home in Spain due to the excellent weather, great surroundings and brilliant golf courses to potentially retire to and use as a base to meet family and friends. This particular development (Avalon) caught my eye due to the modern design and competitive price for such a beautiful location, there’s no wonder so many mainland Europeans are buying in Spain!”
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.