Spanish Hot Properties Buyers’ Guide to the Costa del Sol
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