No Brexit blues for Ideal Homes International as overseas property agency expands 50%

No Brexit blues for Ideal Homes International as overseas property agency expands 50%

by Sophie Evans World
  • Ideal Homes International team expanding from 50 to 75 staff in 2016
  • Portuguese prices have risen for 10 consecutive months (RICS/Ci)
  • 55% of Lisbon properties now selling in less than 6 months (Confidencial Imobiliário)

Leading Algarve real estate agency Ideal Homes International has been enjoying a spectacular summer. In fact, the whole of 2016 has been positive, according to Founding Director Chris White, whose team is on track to grow by 50% over the course of the year.

With an already large roll call of 50 at the start of 2016, Ideal Homes International has enjoyed a bumper year so far. The company’s mix of residential, commercial and ultra-luxurious overseas properties has proven so popular with buyers from the UK, Ireland, Portugal and elsewhere, that the team is set to reach 75 staff by the end of 2016.

Portugal’s housing market is enjoying a sustained recovery, with buyers newly confident about its longer term prospects. Prices have risen for 10 consecutive months according to the latest RICS/Ci Portuguese Housing Market Survey. Meanwhile a new report from Confidencial Imobiliário has highlighted growing demand in the capital: more than half of the homes in Lisbon (55%) have taken less than six months to sell. Around 20% of homes sold in less than three months.

Down in the Algarve, the market has certainly been buoyant over the summer, with Ideal Homes International taking on 10 new staff in the last two months alone. From exquisite villas, such as this spacious, light-filled villa with pool for €1.4 million in Loulé, to countryside retreats such as this villa with stables, paddocks and pool for €980,000 in Lagoa, the region is awash with stunning properties that make the most of the Algarve’s fantastically sunny climate.

Chris White comments,

“It’s been a great year for the Portuguese housing market with strong demand from both domestic and international buyers. We’ve definitely not seen any ‘Brexit blues’ so far as buyers from the UK are concerned. Portugal’s winning combination of sun, sea and sand – plus great golf, waterparks, beautiful mountains and food – continues to strike a chord with those looking for the perfect holiday home just a short hop from the UK.”

Nor is Portugal the only market that the Ideal Homes International team is focusing on. Seafront apartments with generous pools and city apartments close to the beach in Spain have been selling well all year, while other global markets are being considered by the team.

“We’re getting very close to adding a fantastic new location to our offering and opening up another market to our buyers in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere” is all that White will reveal. “Watch this space for further news!”

With 75 staff in place and a new country on the horizon before the end of 2016, it will be exciting to see what more the Ideal Homes International team achieves over the course of 2017.

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

Homes for music lovers

Homes for music lovers

by Eleanor World , , ,

Music is known for its power to uplift, calm, excite and sadden. It has such a powerful effect that it is used therapeutically for everything from helping to control emotions to lowering blood pressure through stress reduction programs.

Fans of particular artists will travel for hours to hear their favourite music live, with some even crossing international borders in order to hear a specific band. There are also those whose connection to music is so strong that it is a core component of their home life. As such, we’ve rounded up some homes with musical connections that will be perfect for music lovers in the UK and overseas!

Beats in Barcelona

Music lovers will be delighted by this Barcelona rental apartment, available through Spanish property portal Kyero.com for €2,500 pcm. With exposed brickwork and designer furnishings, the home offers the ultimate in city chic, complemented by a generously sized home studio complete with piano, keyboard, drum kit and mics. Its location in the trendy Poble-Sec neighbourhood means it is also perfectly located for those wishing to enjoy Barcelona’s jazz scene and nightlife. 

Musical Mijas

Elsewhere in Spain, those looking to buy rather than rent will be drawn to this luxurious beachfront villa in Mijas Costa, available through Ideal Homes International. Stunning landscaped gardens, 180° ocean views, a sizeable pool and direct beach access make this one of the most exclusive villas on the Costa del Sol. The décor inside is almost palatial, which is fitting as the villa has been used by royalty, presidents, billionaires and sheiks. Music lovers will be delighted to know that the villa was the location of One Direction’s debut performance in the X factor “judges’ houses” screening in 2010. Such a music connection doesn’t come cheap though – Villa Moana is on the market for an eye-watering €40 million.

Praising in Portugal

Over in Portugal, music fans can pick up their very own superstar’s villa, with Christian crooner Cliff Richard’s home and winery on the market for €9.5 million at Ideal Homes Portugal. The estate includes a four bedroom farmhouse, three bedroom cottage, double office with studio, modern five bedroom villa, onsite shop and wine tasting bar. The property comes complete with the winery’s equipment, materials, shares and stock. It also offers stunning views from its position at the top of Quinta do Miradouro, three swimming pools, tennis court, landscaped gardens and a roof terrace with tower viewing point. This is unquestionably one of the more unique wineries in the Algarve and the only one to enjoy such an impressive musical connection.

Let it be Liverpool

Back in the UK, musical connections don’t get much better than owning a piece of Beatles history in Liverpool. That’s precisely what is being offered by Property Frontiers at Liverpool’s Parker Street Residences. The buy-to-let apartments are located in the former Reece’s Ballroom, where John Lennon and first wife Cynthia held their wedding reception. Available from £69,950 for cash buyers, the city centre apartments offer yields of 8% NET with the option of assurance for five years.

So whether you’re an investor looking for healthy yields, a buyer after a dream second home or simply looking to spend a few months based in Barcelona, you can satisfy your musical side when picking up your property.

For more information, please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Ideal Homes International: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434 or www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk

Ideal Homes Portugal: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434 or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Property Frontiers: +44 1865 202 700 or www.propertyfrontiers.com

Buyers shun city centres for country villas when it comes to lifestyle investment in Iberia

Buyers shun city centres for country villas when it comes to lifestyle investment in Iberia

by Eleanor Portugal Spain
  • Portugal offers 3rd highest non-urban yields in Europe (World First)
  • Spain is most sought after European destination in 2016 (TheMoveChannel.com)
  • Iberia flagged up as the perfect lifestyle investment choice (Ideal Homes International)

Europe’s capitals make for exciting holidays and interesting property investments, but when it comes to yields it’s worth looking beyond the big smoke and considering the countryside.

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique Algarve estate agency Ideal Homes International, explains,

“Areas like Portugal’s Algarve show the value of looking beyond urban boundaries when it comes to investing. While city breaks are popular and apartments there can be great for personal use as well as for short and long-term rentals, country and coastal properties also have excellent potential.”

Indeed, the recent World First report showed that Portugal is one of the top countries in Europe when it comes to yields for properties outside cities, with yields of 6.57% (only the Netherlands and Turkey could compete, offering 6.78% and 6.65% respectively).

Such attractive yields have led many buyers to turn to Portugal as a means of buying their dream holiday home and making an investment at the same time. The Algarve’s fabulous climate, stunning coastline, world-renowned golf courses and laid back lifestyle has made it a popular holiday destination for decades and many buyers choose to rent out their holiday home while not using it themselves.

“With such attractive yields available, it certainly makes financial sense to consider the Algarve as an investment destination,” continues Ideal Homes International’s Chris White. “It’s a great location for a lifestyle investment, particularly given it’s less than a three hour flight from most parts of the UK.”

A country villa with its own pool and sea views in the pretty area of Boliqueime offers buyers a taste of the luxury rural Portuguese lifestyle, just 20 minutes from Faro airport. The three bedroom home (two of which come with private sun terraces) is on the market for €395,000.

Spain is another popular investment destination with it comes to holiday home buyers who also want to use their property. According to TheMoveChannel.com, Spain has received more enquiries than any other European destination thus far in 2016, followed by Portugal in second place.

Like Portugal, Spain offers some stunning countryside properties, often at excellent prices compared with other European destinations. Super luxurious properties costing well under €1 million are offered in abundance, such as this three bedroom villa with panoramic views of the rolling countryside in Mijas, available for €790,000. The home boasts several terraces, some covered for comfortable al fresco dining, even in the height of summer, as well as a generously proportioned pool.

Investment properties such as these are ideal for buyers looking not just to generate income from their second home but also to use it to escape the stresses and strains of modern life. Plentiful sunshine and your own swimming pool certainly help with that, as does the knowledge that when you leave the property can earn money in your absence!

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

 

Spain enjoys flying start to 2016

Spain enjoys flying start to 2016

by Charly Spain ,
  • Spanish property portal Kyero.com records 25% Y-O-Y rise in sales enquires (Q1 2016)
  • Jet2 adds more flights to Girona increasing passengers numbers by 40,000 for summer
  • Spanish house sales roseby over 26% Y-O-Y in January 2016 (General Council Notaries)

The Spanish property market is set to have a great year if current figures continue, according to Kyero.com. The leading English-language Spanish property portal has already recorded a staggering 25% year-on-year rise in enquiry levels in Q1 2016.

Back in December 2015, Kyero.com predicted that 2016 would be a bumper year for Spain and it certainly looks likely with latest GDP figures showing a 3.4% growth, more than twice the Eurozone average, confirming the company’s forecasts for an economic rebound.

Martin Dell, Founder and Director of Kyero.com, comments,

“Our positive forecast for the year is looking probable at the moment.  We suspected that there would be a rise in international property transactions and our latest data reveals that international buyers generated over 100,000 sales enquiries in Q1 2016.  This confirms the upward trend reported by the Spanish Ministry of Development back in Q4 2015.

“Enquiry growth has been strongest on the Canary Islands (particularly Tenerife), while Alicante province retains the crown as top spot for overseas investors, attracting over 33,000 enquiries.”

The General Council of Notaries also published new statistics last week revealing that in January 2016 the number of house sales in Spain increased by over 26% compared to the same period in 2015.  This amounted to 27,568 property transactions and highlighted the 28% rise in apartment sales and 33% in resales.

Sales Manager of boutique Spanish property agency Ideal Homes International, Andrew Jepson, concurred, commenting,

“We have had an influx of enquiries for both new build and resale properties in Spain since the start of the year. The majority of enquiries have been from British buyers who are feeling more confident in the market and we had a particularly successful show at A Place in the Sun Live in Manchester last month where we took 300 enquires and have already booked 10 inspection visits to Spain.

“Talking to buyers at the live event, it was apparent that those looking for a second home in the sun are being driven towards ‘safe havens’ such as Spain.  Tourism is guaranteed, airlines regularly add more flights and the Spanish economy is on the rebound.”

Initiatives such as the Costa Brava’s ’Year of Golf & Gastronomy’, which is celebrating 50 years of golf in the region, help to drive tourists to Spain’s sunny shores.  Budget airline Jet2 have added three more routes to Girona (the Costa Brava’s main airport) from Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle which increases passenger numbers by a further 40,000.

They say that Spain has something for everyone and this is indeed true, the diversity of properties available for sale is extreme. Today on the Costas buyers can choose from a land plot at €10,000 to a nine bed luxury villa at €20,000,000! Apartments though do start from a more modest €13,600 so there really is something for almost every budget.

Kyero.com’s Martin Dell concludes:

“Our agents are all telling us a similar story – enquiries are up, viewings are up and 2016 is going to be a bumper year in Spain.”

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com and Ideal Homes International: 0800 133 7644, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

Shun the single supplement – holiday homes for singletons

by Charly Portugal Spain Turkey World , , , ,
  • 51% of England & Wales is now single (ONS)
  • 24% of overseas travel is by solo tourists (Visa)
  • Perfect holiday homes for singletons available from €75k (Ideal Homes International)

In 2015 the Office for National Statistics released figures that showed that 51% of the population in England and Wales is single. The demography of these nations has shifted significantly over the past decade and companies and services are racing to keep up with the new shape of modern society. So why are single person supplements of between 10% and 100% of the standard accommodation rate still so widely used by the travel industry?

“It’s not a system that meets the needs of today’s travellers,” comments Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com. “In both the rental and the sales sides of our business we’ve seen the impact of the growth in single travellers. The industry needs to catch up or risk missing out on a key emerging market.”

The 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study found that 24% of people travelled alone on their most recent foreign holiday. It’s a rapidly growing sector. Indeed, some singletons are already taking matters into their own hands and shunning hotels and their single supplements in favour of second homes of their own overseas.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“Property prices in destinations like Portugal are so affordable right now that it’s perfectly possible to pick up a holiday home on a single income. Second homes are definitely no longer just the preserve of wealthy couples entering their retirement years.”

In Portugal, a beautifully refurbished townhouse in the heart of the historic town of Silves can be bought for just €75,000. Single buyers with a bit more cash to spend have a vast range of options available to them. One upscale five-star resort and spa complex in the popular Algarve town of Carvoeiro is offering one bedroom apartments with lush outdoor gardens from €260,000.

Singletons looking to travel a little further afield are discovering the delights of beach resorts around the globe. Over in Istanbul, the prime seaside district of Beylikduzu, Gurpinar is home to the beautifully designed Rose Residence, available through Universal21. With shops and restaurants on the doorstep, the beach just a few minutes away (top floor apartments enjoy fabulous sea views) and pool and health club facilities on site, the apartments are perfect for active solo travellers looking for a base in this bustling city.

Of course, it’s not just young singletons who are travelling overseas on their own these days. An increasing number of older travellers – both married and single – are choosing to holiday solo as a means of escaping the noise of modern life for a short while. Golf resorts can be a popular choice for this demographic, particularly when you consider what you can get for your money in sun-kissed destinations like Spain.

Leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers a range of apartments and townhouses in popular Spanish locations. At Brisas de Alenda Golf, near Elche on the Costa Blanca, a three bedroom townhouse costs just €145,000. The private, tranquil development offers high spec homes, excellent golfing facilities, private gardens, a swimming pool and access to the Alenda Golf complex’s small supermarket, restaurant, bar, clubhouse centre and paddle tennis courts. It’s an ideal location for solo travellers looking for peace and relaxation, all within an easy flight from the UK.

The trend for solo travel looks set to continue growing, at least for the foreseeable future, and with such a range of affordable holiday homes available to single buyers across Europe, it is reasonable to expect that overseas estates agents will increasingly be looking to capture the attention of this rapidly emerging market.

For more information please contact:

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Universal21: 0203 287 8700 or visit www.universal21.com

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

The rise of the resale – what British buyers want from the Spanish property market

The rise of the resale – what British buyers want from the Spanish property market

by Charly Spain
  • 76% of Spanish home sales are now resale properties (Ideal Homes International)
  • Overseas buyers steadily accounting for 17-19% of transactions (Ministry of Development)
  • Spanish property market growth up 1.8% year on year (Knight Frank)

Market intelligence gathered by boutique overseas real estate agency Ideal Homes International has revealed an interesting trend when it comes to Spanish second homes. It seems that Brits are turning their backs on new build properties, in favour of older, resale homes.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“We’re seeing a trend in Spain right now for British buyers opting for resale properties instead of new builds. Resale properties now account for 76% of sales, compared with just 24% for new builds. While there is still interest in new build developments from Scandinavian and Belgian buyers, the Brits are all about the resales right now.”

Many British buyers are looking for dual purpose properties when it comes to purchases in Spain. In the immediate term, they want a great holiday home that also has the potential to earn income as a holiday let. In the longer term, they want somewhere that can act as investment for their golden years, either as somewhere to escape to for a life in the sunshine or as somewhere that will grow their capital so that they can sell it to fund their retirement.

The jitters about buying second homes overseas, caused by the financial crisis of the late 2000s, seem finally to have been put to bed. Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index increased by 3% in 2015, with buyer confidence keeping both domestic and overseas property markets alive and well. Spain’s year on year growth stood at 1.8%, according to the report, with overseas purchasers accounting for between 17% and 19% of transactions since the start of 2015 (based on Ministry of Development data).

“There was a time when British buyers flocked to new build developments in Spain,” continues Ideal Homes International’s Chris White, “But the financial turbulence of the past decade has had an interesting impact on British property purchases in Spain. Confidence is back and the market is growing at a healthy pace, but the type of property that buyers are seeking has definitely shifted. The attractions of sparklingly brand new homes have given way to the warmer appeal of more homely properties. Location is key too – buyers are focused on the closest airport and beach, the nearest shops and other local amenities.”

This two bedroom apartment in La Zenia, for example, priced at €115,000, is located close to the La Zenia shopping centre, offering spacious, fully furnished and comfortable living accommodation in a great position, with the added benefit of an on-site swimming pool.

Of course, a homely property doesn’t have to mean a small property, as this five bedroom detached villa with pool and panoramic sea views shows. Just 300 m from Cabo Cervera beach and 800 m from La Mata beach, the extensive family home is split across three storeys and includes a huge solarium, TV and music room, large living room with fireplace, five bedrooms, three bathrooms (one with Jacuzzi bath), garden, two car garage and plentiful terraces. The villa is available for €790,000.

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

London versus the world! What can you get abroad for the price of an average property in the capital?

London versus the world! What can you get abroad for the price of an average property in the capital?

by Charly Portugal Spain United States , , ,
  • Average London house price is £514,097 (Gov.uk)
  • This is enough for 3 detached villas with pools in Spain, with €80k change (Kyero.com)
  • Or 2 5-bedroom resort homes with pools in Florida (Ideal Homes International)
  • Cliff-top townhouses with infinity pool in Mallorca also an option (Taylor Wimpey España)

According to the UK government’s December 2015 House Price Index, the average property in London now costs £514,097. Based on a quick Rightmove search, £514,097 is enough to purchase a new build one bedroom flat in Newham, a two bedroom flat in a converted house in Acton or a four bedroom mid-terrace house in Tottenham in need of some serious modernisation.

But what could you get for the same money overseas? £514,097 is worth just over €656,151, or USD $743,053, at today’s exchange rate, which opens up a wealth of property options to those looking to buy on the continent or even further afield.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,

“There are some fantastic bargains to be had when it comes to overseas property at the moment. Portugal and Spain are offering incredible value for money and are just a short hop on a plane from the UK, making them ideal locations for second homes or investment properties that you want to keep a close eye on. For fans of the US, Florida is also offering some serious bargains and is a perennially popular destination thanks to its winning combination of sun, sea and theme parks.”

In Portugal, €650,000 is enough for a four/five bedroom villa in the hills at Soalheira, 10 minutes from the beaches and golf courses of Vilamoura and just two minutes from the town of Loulé. The villa comes complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, pergola sunbathing area, pool house and gardener’s bathroom, two double garages, ocean views, grill house with sink, fridge and BBQ, cinema room, wood burning fire and under-floor heating in the two bathrooms. A far cry from a run-down terraced house in Tottenham!

For beach bunnies, the Spanish island of Mallorca is the ideal location. There, €625,000 will buy a premium frontline townhouse with incredible sea views, close to the golf courses and marina of Porto Cristo. There are just seven spacious three bedroom townhouses on the Cala Magrana Mar development, from leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which also benefits from a communal infinity pool and sunbathing area, designer fixtures and fittings and the latest security features.

Another option for those with €650,000 to spend is to invest in more than one property, which is easily achievable for this budget in both Portugal and Spain. Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,

“It’s staggering what you can get in Spain for the price of an average London property. Those looking for rental investments can pick up a whole string of properties in idyllic coastal locations for that kind of money.”

In the pretty seaside town of Javea, for example, detached villas with pools can be bought off plan for £189,800, with scope for the buyer to personalise the layout, with the build completed within 5-7 months. Instead of a one bedroom flat in E16, a buyer could pick up three of these villas and still have €80,000 left in his pocket.

Over in America, a buyer can easily pick up two five bedroom villas with pools in the hugely popular Kissimmee area of Florida for $743,053, the equivalent price of the average London home. Resort homes with screened in pool and spas in gated communities just a few miles from Walt Disney World are available for between $350,000 and $450,000. Certainly food for thought for all those thinking about buying a home in London at the moment!

For more information please contact:

Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk or www.idealhomesportugal.com

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Europe’s hottest property investment opportunities

Europe’s hottest property investment opportunities

by Charly Portugal Spain
  • Head to Spain and Portugal for Europe’s best investment opportunities (Ideal Homes International)
  • Spanish property market undervalued by 26% (OED)
  • Lisbon visitor numbers up 42% since 2011 (MasterCard Global Destination Index)
  • Resale properties account for 76% of Spanish sales (Ideal Homes International)

“Spain and Portugal are ripe for property investment this year. Iberia is definitely the place to be looking right now.”

So speaks Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, when asked about his recommendations for places to invest in property within Europe. He continues,

“2016 is a tale of capital cities and beaches when it comes to property investment. In Portugal it’s Lisbon that is offering some of the most enticing opportunities, while in Spain the sun-kissed Costas are definitely the places to find the ideal investment property.”

Portugal’s Lisbon was highlighted recently as one of the highest ranked cities in Europe for property investment, with PwC and the Urban Land Institute’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate report awarding it seventh place overall. The city is know for its rich history, fabulous architecture and late-night party scene. It is a major tourist destination, attracting some 3.5 million visitors per year. In fact, the MasterCard Global Destination Index revealed that Lisbon has the fourth highest growth rate for foreign visitors in Europe. Since 2011, the city’s visitor numbers have risen by 42%.

Lisbon offers vast choice when it comes to property investment. Buyers can choose from stunning contemporary apartments in the heart of the city to luxury condominium townhouses with pools, tennis courts and a host of other facilities.

Meanwhile over in Spain it is all about the Costas when it comes to property investment. The Costa Blanca is awash with high quality properties at great prices, including beachfront apartments that are ripe for investment. Over on the Costa Cálida buyers can choose anything from spacious villas to off-plan townhouses.

Spain and Portugal’s position as top investment destinations is lent further weight by the findings of the Organisation for Economic Development, which has examined property markets around the world to find those that are the most overvalued and the most undervalued. Southern Europe, including Portugal and Spain, was found to have some of the lowest price property. Spain’s property market was noted as being undervalued by 26%, Portugal’s as by just over 7%.

According to Ideal Homes International, it is resale properties that British buyers are most interested in in Spain right now. Resale properties account for 76% of sales, compared with just 24% for new builds. While new build developments remain popular with buyers from Scandinavia and Belgium, many Brits are looking for resale townhouses and apartments that they can invest in as a nest egg for their golden years, as well as for properties that can earn them income as holiday lets.

“There are some serious bargains to be had in Iberia at the moment,” concludes Ideal Homes International’s Chris White. “Portugal and Spain offer a wealth of great opportunities for buyers looking for investment properties, as both enjoy thriving tourist markets, meaning there is good scope for profiting from a rental property. Of course, both countries are also fantastic places to visit, so there are lifestyle benefits as well as potential financial benefits to be had from owning a second home in them.”

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

Bagging bargains in Iberia – Holiday homes for under £100k

Bagging bargains in Iberia – Holiday homes for under £100k

by Charly World
  • Portugal named top global location to get on the property ladder (Everything Overseas)
  • First line Spanish golf properties available from €49k (Ideal Homes International)
  • Homes in swanky Algarve tourist locations affordable for €110k (Ideal Homes Portugal)

The days of holiday homes being the sole domain of Hollywood A-listers and the well-to-do are long gone. With property prices in Spain and Portugal still offering incredible value compared to those in the UK, ownership overseas is more achievable than ever.

Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, comments,

“Although Spain and Portugal have seen house prices increasing steadily for some time now, there are a plethora of bargains to be picked up in both countries. Many holiday home buyers are amazed at how much they can get for their money. Clients come to us looking for an apartment with a pool by the sea for under £100k and are delighted with the extensive choice we present them with.”

Spain has more to offer those looking for the very cheapest second homes within easy reach of the UK. Keen golfers looking for a bolthole in the sun will be delighted to find they can pick up a first line Costa Blanca golf bungalow for just €49,000. And buyers who prefer the water over the fairways only need to spend a little more – €55,000 will buy a Costa Blanca apartment with pool just 300m from the beach.

While neither property promises the height of luxury, it can’t be denied that a second home in the Spanish sunshine for under £50,000 is rather tempting!

For buyers with up to £100,000 to spend (around €130,000, according to XE), the choice of properties is extensive. Ideal Homes International currently has 265 listings at or below that price in Spain alone. At the upper end of the price bracket, coming in at €130,000 on the nose, is a brand new, two bedroom townhouse in Torrevieja, in the southern Costa Blanca. Part of a gated community, the house comes fully furnished and enjoys a large private garden and solarium. There’s also a communal pool for cooling down after those long, hot summer days.

Or head to the beautiful expanse of Poniente Beach for spectacular sea views from your living room window, for just €129,800. One bedroom apartments in Edificio Don Miguel Angel come complete with communal swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as enjoying a fantastic location.

In neighbouring Portugal, the choice of properties at or below €130,000 is also extensive. The popular Algarve region is ideal for those looking for easy access from the UK and property prices are so low that Everything Overseas recently crowned Portugal the world’s top place to get on the housing ladder.

In the bustling town of Portimão, just minutes from the stunning beach of Praia do Vau, a top floor apartment with views of the Monchique Mountains can be had for just €115,000. Landscaped gardens with a children’s play area, tennis courts, barbecue facilities and swimming pools provide an excellent setting for this spacious property.

The upscale resort of Vilamoura is also perfectly achievable on a budget, with a generously proportioned and recently remodelled studio apartment with communal pool close to golf and beaches available for €110,000.

“£100k goes a very long way in both Spain and Portugal,” concludes Ideal Homes International’s Chris White. “You can enjoy a choice of location and features for that price, from a swanky studio in a popular tourist location to a two bedroom home somewhere more laid back and authentic. It’s definitely a buyer’s market so far as bagging bargains in Iberia is concerned.”

For further details call Ideal Homes International on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email info@idealhomesinternational.co.uk or visit www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk.

A picture is worth a thousand words – why great photography is essential in selling overseas property

A picture is worth a thousand words – why great photography is essential in selling overseas property

by Charly Portugal Spain World , , ,

The concept of a single image being able to portray a situation or an idea more evocatively than whole paragraphs of text is not a new one. In fact, the old adage that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ dates back to the early 1900s. However, it remains just as relevant today as it was when the expression was coined.

This is particularly true when it comes to selling overseas property. The majority of potential buyers will use the internet to begin the search for their dream home overseas and in a marketplace crowded with information the perfect image can stand out like a beacon, calling to a buyer to find out more. In the same way, a poorly staged image can cause a property to be passed over with little more than half a glance.

“Good photographs are absolutely essential when it comes to selling overseas property,” observes Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España. “You need a photographer who can highlight the property’s features, both inside and out. If you build high quality developments, the images need to reflect that quality. Otherwise so much of your hard work is undone. Quite simply, poor imagery can result in fewer sales.”

For Taylor Wimpey España’s La Vila Paradis apartments on Spain’s Costa Blanca, the photographer needed to capture the light and space that flows through the apartments, as well as the sizeable swimming pool, golf views and sparkling sea in the background. The result was an excellent set of shots that truly represented the luxurious feel of the property.

So what makes a good image when it comes to overseas property? Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, should certainly know. His company lists more than 200,000 homes from 3,000 estate agents. He comments,

“When it comes to property photography I think I’ve seen everything, from the very worst to the very best! Good images can certainly help a property to generate more interest and sell faster, particularly on a portal like Kyero, where buyers are scrolling through lists of potential homes – it will be the one that looks instantly appealing that is likely to capture their interest first.

“The same is true of rental properties, which we also list on Kyero. Those that have the best pictures are usually the ones that are snapped up first. If a landlord has dressed the property nicely – that is, if it’s clean, tidy and well presented – then a few great photos will really bring it to life in the eyes of those viewing it online. They’ll be able to imagine themselves there, which is precisely the point.”

Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, concurs.

“It’s all about selling the lifestyle associated with the property through the imagery,” he explains. “Many buyers seek to find at least a handful of properties they like before going to the expense of travelling overseas for a closer inspection. A property that shows its potential and that they can picture themselves in, will be one that sparks buyers’ imagination.”

Chris cites the stunning apartments in Salgados as an example. The private resort enjoys proximity to both beach and golf, with spacious apartments and wide terraces designed around enjoying the outdoor pursuits that the Algarve has to offer. Seven swimming pools and extensive grounds make the resort ideal for families, with an emphasis on health and happiness, which is precisely what the artfully staged photographs convey.

Selling property overseas is about more than selling houses – it’s about promoting a dream lifestyle that individuals can buy into. And for that kind of venture only the very best photography will suffice.

For more information please contact:

Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 or www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

Kyero.com: www.kyero.com

Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434, www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk or www.idealhomesportugal.com