• Second home usage usually between 4 and 8 weeks per year (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Average cost of overnight stay in Spain hits €124 in August (Trivago)
• Costa Blanca second homes available from €155k (Taylor Wimpey España)

New data from leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España has revealed that buying a second home is cheaper than a hotel room. The astonishing insight is the result of average demographic and usage figures released by the Taylor Wimpey España team.

Sales and Marketing Director Marc Pritchard explains,

“Obviously we know all about the many advantages of owning a second home in terms of lifestyle benefits and convenience, but it is fascinating to see now that for the average buyer it actually works out to be more cost effective to buy a holiday apartment than to pay for hotel rooms. Yet another reason to buy that overseas property you’ve always dreamed of!”

According to the sales data, the average Taylor Wimpey España buyer is aged between 50 and 60 and uses their property for between four and eight weeks per year. Assuming a purchase age of 50 and six weeks’ usage (42 nights) per year until the age of 81 (the average UK life expectancy), the average buyer would use their second home for a total of 1,302 nights.

According to the monthly tHPI survey from Trivago.es, the average cost of an overnight stay in Spain was €124 in August. For 1,302 nights, that comes to a total of €161,448 (no accounting for price rises and inflation). A three bedroom, two bathroom townhouse on Taylor Wimpey España’s lovely Brisas de Alenda Golf development on the Costa Blanca costs from just €155,000.

Brisas de Alenda Golf is a private residential complex linked to the tranquil Alenda golf course, with views of the spectacular Sierra de las Aguilas Mountains. Perfect for long, lazy days spent relaxing in the sun, the development comes complete with private gardens and communal swimming pool. The Brisas de Alenda Golf complex also benefits from a clubhouse, supermarket and bilingual Spanish/English school. The pretty, historic village of Monforte del Cid is close by and the beach is just 15 minutes away.

Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard continues,

“Not only is it cheaper to buy a second home than to use hotel rooms, there is also the fact that with a second home you are left with a tangible asset at the end of the purchase process, which is yours to do with as you wish. While there are of course ‘hidden’ costs to second home ownership, such as maintenance, insurance and communal fees, some of this can be offset against the fact that hotel room prices will rise over time.

“Many of our buyers see their holiday property as an investment for their children’s future, not just their own.”

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.

• Island is regular haunt of Spanish royal family
• Claudia Schiffer owns home at Camp de Mar, Puerto Andratx
• Live like a celeb with a second home from €359,500 (Taylor Wimpey España)

From the super yachts bobbing about off the coast to the luxury pads tucked away in the hills, Mallorca is a playground to the rich and famous. Many A-listers call the island home and many more delight in visiting it for their holidays.

Models, actresses, sporting heroes, royalty… all have been wooed by the balmy breezes and stunning scenery of Mallorca over the years. Agatha Christie wrote Problems at Pollensa Bay while holed up in Puerto Pollensa in the 1930s. Winston Churchill holidayed just along the coast from the same spot. Even Grace Kelly and Charlie Chaplin have visited the island.

Today, Mallorca continues to attract an impressive list of celebrity visitors. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España and himself a Mallorca resident, explains the island’s enduring allure,

“The beauty of Mallorca is that it offers something for every occasion and mood. You can sit and gaze out at the ocean, watching the sun sparkle off the water and hearing nothing but birdsong and the water lapping against the shore. At the same time, you know that if you want the hustle and bustle of urbanity, with its shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife, Palma is the ideal city. Or if a few rounds of golf in the afternoon heat take your fancy, Mallorca offers that too. Then there are the water sports – snorkelling, parasailing, stand up paddleboarding, wind surfing and so many more. It’s a wonderful place for those who love the water.”

Claudia Schiffer is one celebrity with a home on the island, in the lovely Camp de Mar area at Puerto Andratx. It is one of a few select locations in which Taylor Wimpey España has chosen to develop its contemporary, high spec homes on the island. The company’s Camp de Mar Beach development offers easy access to the same local amenities that Ms Schiffer is able to enjoy, but at a price that you don’t have to be a catwalk queen to afford – key ready two bedroom townhouses start at €359,500.

Camp de Mar Beach offers direct access to the sands of Camp de Mar, just 50m away. The resort consists of two and three bedroom, Mediterranean style townhouses in a gated community, complete with verdant communal gardens and a pretty, curved swimming pool. Views of the sea are complemented by views of the fabulous Golf de Andratx course.

In addition to fashion royalty, Mallorca is well used to hosting actual royalty. King Felipe VI of Spain and his family regularly holiday on the island, enjoying its sunshine, relaxed atmosphere and plentiful historical sites. Other recent famous visitors include Claire Sweeney, Steve McFadden and Anthea Turner, while Andrew Lloyd Webber owns several homes on the island.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones are reported to be selling their villa on the island for a cool $60 million. But if that’s a little too pricey don’t worry – Taylor Wimpey España’s luxurious second homes are perfect for enjoying all that this wonderful island has to offer, from fabulous views to beautiful terraces to bask on.

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.

• 80% of properties sold in Spain in 2014 were apartments (General Council of Notaries)
• Shops and restaurants now just as important as beach access (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Mallorca highlighted as one of world’s top diving spots (La Tienda del Buceo)

The days of the rural holiday villa are numbered, according to Taylor Wimpey España. The leading Spanish homebuilder has been operating in Spain for more than 50 years and over that time has seen second homeowners’ tastes change and evolve.

Sales and Marketing Director Marc Pritchard explains,

“Buyers are much more discerning than they used to be when it comes to property type and location. Remote, isolated villas are falling out of favour as second homeowners’ demands have changed. Nowadays, proximity to shops, restaurants and beach access are the priorities. Buyers want modern conveniences, like apartments that are pre-wired for internet connectivity and decent water pressure for the shower. Rustic charm has had its day in Spain.”

The official figures certainly back up Taylor Wimpey España’s findings. According to a report published this summer by the General Council of Notaries, 80% of the properties that changed hands in 2014 were flats or apartments. Both domestic buyers and those from overseas favour condominium style living when it comes to Spanish real estate.

“We still do have some demand for townhouses,” continues Pritchard, “but apartments are definitely king at the moment. Almost all of our developments now feature a mix of apartments and townhouses, in order to satisfy the shift in demand.”

Costa Beach in Mallorca is an excellent example. The site offers a range of apartments and townhouses, from ground floor homes with private gardens to luxury penthouses. As with all of the homebuilder’s developments, lush communal gardens and a generously sized shared pool perfect the site. The resort is located close to local shops, eateries and golf courses, as well as the idyllic beaches of Port Vell and Costa de los Pinos. Prices start from €242,000.

Buyer numbers are up as confidence in the Spanish property market increases. Prices are projected to rise by 2% by the end of 2015, according to Bankinter, prompting many British buyers in particular to buy while the exchange rate is so good and before prices increase further. The figures say it all: cumulative sales data to July 2015 shows that Taylor Wimpey España’s buyer numbers have jumped by c. 28%.

The sun-drenched island of Mallorca is one of the company’s top selling spots. Popular with British and German buyers, Mallorca offers a host of holiday delights, from stunning scenery to beautiful beaches. It also provides plenty of opportunities for water sports, with La Tienda del Buceo recently highlighting it as one of the top diving spots in the world.

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.

• Spanish luxury market tipped to grow 6% in 2016 (Luxury Spain)
• Record numbers of private jets use Palma de Mallorca airport (Enaire)
• Tourist spending up 8.4% in Balearics in H1 2015 (Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism)

From designer clothes to high-end properties, Spain’s luxury market is picking up. In fact, Luxury Spain (the national association of the luxury industry) has projected that the sector will grow by 6% over the course of 2016.

For many UK buyers, it is luxury properties that are proving most tempting in Spain right now. According to leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España’s year to date figures for July 2015, one in five customers hails from the UK, making them the largest single nationality buying properties in Spain at present. And when it comes to luxury properties, seafront locations are an absolute must. Sales and Marketing Director Marc Pritchard comments,

“Waking up to views of the sea from your bedroom window, sipping fresh Spanish orange juice while breakfasting on your terrace before the heat of the day builds, popping down to the pool for a quick dip to cool off after relaxing in the sun for hours – it’s a luxury lifestyle that many holidaymakers are keen to enjoy and a seafront property is the way to go about it.”

But how to reach such luxury in style? According to Enaire, a record number of private jets and air taxis used the Balearic Island airports of Ibiza International and Palma de Mallorca during 2014, with luxury residential tourism giving rise to the increase.

Both islands offer a selection of opulent coastal homes, such as those at Camp de Mar Beach, Puerto Andratx, Mallorca, which are available from €359,500. The exclusive development is set in the heart of the Golf de Andratx community, with two and three bedroom Mediterranean style townhouses set around a large, modern swimming pool. The beach is a mere 50 metres from the development, while restaurants, cafés and other amenities are all within walking distance.

Puerto Andratx is one of the most desirable areas of Mallorca, offering stunning surroundings and a wealth of entertainment options, from fine dining to water sports. Foreign tourists there – and elsewhere in the Balearics – have very much been embracing the luxury lifestyle this year, with the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism reporting that their expenditure reached  €3.75 billion in the first six months of 2015, up 8.4% on the same period last year.

Spain’s mainland also has its fair share of luxury properties by the sea, with the Puerto Banus area attracting wealthy individuals and celebrities in pursuit of luxury in their droves. Just 100 metres from the seafront promenade connecting Puerto Banus to San Pedro de Alcantara, Jade Beach is an exclusive residential complex consisting of 24 stylish homes, complete with swimming pool and landscaped gardens. Prices start at €450,000.

With the foreign exchange rate so favourable to UK buyers at present, Spanish luxury property is becoming increasingly affordable and the market is expected to flourish as more and more second home buyers opt for Iberian opulence.

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.

• Taylor Wimpey España property buyers up c.28%
• Kitchens and bathrooms ‘give a home its soul’
• Light and quality are most important features

The stunning apartments of Cala Magrana III on the Spanish island of Mallorca bask in the afternoon heat haze. The noise of the gently lapping waves can just be heard as owners enjoy the magnificent view of the sea sparkling in the bright sunlight, while they sip cooling drinks on their generously proportioned terraces. In the grounds, children splash happily in the large communal pool.

The importance of kitchens and bathrooms is probably the last thing on their minds, yet Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which built the development, believes that it is those very rooms that led to many of these owners buying their second homes in the first place. He explains,

“Sea views and terraces provide the initial wow factor, but it is the kitchen and bathroom that enable buyers to picture themselves actually spending time in the property – they give a home its soul. It’s why we place such emphasis on these rooms in every development that we design.”

Light and quality are the two features that contribute to the perfect kitchen, according to Marc.

“We always ensure that kitchens have at least one large exterior window, so that they are full of light. Kitchens are true family spaces and we want people to be able to image themselves spending time in them, from Mum or Dad preparing a feast for the whole family to teenagers grabbing snacks from the fridge and little ones pestering for treats.”

High quality appliances and materials are also essential. An attractive appearance backed by practical considerations is ideal, believes Taylor Wimpey España. Plentiful cupboard and drawer space, alongside high spec fixtures and fittings, will ensure that owners have the tools they need to enjoy their kitchens fully.

Apartment layout is also important when it comes to kitchens, with open plan kitchens flowing into indoor and outdoor living areas in order that family and friends can share time together comfortably, even while preparing meals.

For bathrooms, the same rigorous standards are applied to the quality of fixtures and fittings. As Marc Pritchard observes,

“Little details can make a real difference. A modern mixer tap, an easy-to-clean shower screen, carefully positioned plug sockets… they’re not the most exciting details but every element contributes to making the perfect bathroom.”

Lighting is important in bathrooms, as well. Materials are chosen based on how they will reflect or absorb light and contribute to the overall luminosity of the room. It’s a delicate balance – a bathroom that is too bright can feel clinical and impersonal, yet one that is too dim offers a poor environment for completing tasks like shaving or putting on makeup.

“There’s so much more to kitchens and bathrooms than meets the eye!” concludes Marc. “A huge amount of thought goes into their design and though they might not initially come across as the property’s most exciting features I really do believe that they can be the rooms that turn prospective buyers into happy owners.”

The figures certainly seem to back the theory. Cumulative data to July 2015 shows that Taylor Wimpey España buyer numbers have increased by c.28%. Meanwhile just-released data for July shows that Brits are leading the charge, accounting for 20% of purchases, while German buyers account for 15% and Scandinavians for 14%.

The two last key ready properties at Cala Magrana III are available from €220,000.

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.

• More than €21 million to be invested
• 700 direct and indirect jobs to be created
• 48 apartments and 55 houses to be constructed over next 5 years

Taylor Wimpey España, a subsidiary of property developer Taylor Wimpey PLC (a listed company in the UK FTSE 100) and La Cala Resort, the company behind the prestigious complex of three golf courses and hotels in Mijas owned by FBD (the publicly traded Irish insurance company), have signed a long-term partnership that will allow them to develop 48 apartments and 55 houses over the next five years, with a total estimated investment of €21 million.

The partnership seals La Cala Resort’s position in the Costa del Sol, not just as a golf destination but also as one of the most attractive places for international tourist to visit and reside. The three excellent 18 hole golf courses, the exclusive hotel and four-star spa and the prime location just 30 minutes from Malaga airport, provide the perfect setting for capturing the growing European demand for second homes on the Costa del Sol.

Taylor Wimpey and La Cala Resort began working together in 2014, with the development of Miraval – a complex of 60 luxury apartments overlooking the golf course and sea. After 12 months of activity, more than 50% of Miraval’s properties had been purchased. In fact, the resort proved so popular that work was accelerated in order to provider owners with their new homes earlier in 2016.

This high level of interest from overseas buyers has prompted both companies to enhance and extend their working relationship. Thus January 2016 will see work begin simultaneously on a new complex of 55 townhouses and one of 48 apartments. The two developments will involve a total investment of €21 million over the coming five years.

A British company with a passion for Spain

Taylor Wimpey is an international developer, with its roots in the UK. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, it is a FTSE Top 100 company and one of the largest construction companies in the UK. During 2014, Taylor Wimpey delivered more than 12,000 homes. It has over 4,000 employees in the UK and Spain.

Taylor Wimpey España has operated in Spain since 1958, constructing prestigious real estate developments in popular areas such as the Balearic Islands, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol. The company is known for its sustainable approach and respect for both the environment and the local communities in which it operates.

Taylor Wimpey España delivered a total of 220 homes in Spain during 2014.

Taylor Wimpey España’s long-standing experience of purchasing land and developing property in Spain means the company is confident in its latest Costa del Sol plans, which are attuned with its aims of building to improve its clients’ quality of life and providing added value to their properties.

Through this value-driven approach, Taylor Wimpey España is about more than just building successful housing: the company focuses on providing homes that enhance clients’ quality of life, provide top notch facilities in an attractive environment and offer the best locations and settings. Their approach is to add social, economic and environmental value in every community in which they work.

Quality, reliable services

Taylor Wimpey España is governed by three principles: construction quality, buyer confidence and first-class service delivery.

The 60 apartments under construction at Miraval will form a private, gated community with swimming pool and communal gardens. The two and three bedroom apartments feature two bathrooms, storage areas and underground parking. As Taylor Wimpey España homes, they enjoy superior construction quality and facilities, including air conditioning and heating systems, cream marble flooring in the living room and selected bedrooms, high-end sliding windows with safety glass leading to all terraces and well appointed, fully equipped kitchens.

Miraval’s apartments have been designed to optimize space and light, with large, open place living areas leading onto terraces surrounded by safety glass railings.

Both Malaga and the Costa del Sol have flourished during Taylor Wimpey España’s time there. The company is currently developing luxury second homes in several major areas of the Costa del Sol, Marbella, Mijas, Benahavis, Estepona and Ojen, totalling more than 500 residential units spread across seven key locations.

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.

• Brits accounted for 22% of total visitors to Spain (Jan – May 2015) (Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
• Record 16.93% of properties bought by non-Spaniards in Q1 2015 (Ministry of Development)
• Palma is Spain’s 3^rd busiest airport, with 23 million passengers in 2014 (ENAIRE)

It looks like Spain’s hopes for a record summer are well on the way to being realised and this tourism season it is the Brits who are ready with the readies. Official government figures for April showed that UK travellers spent in excess of €1 billion in Spain, making up 19.5% of the overall visitor spending figure of €5.155 billion.

In May, the spending continued, with 6.5 million overseas visitors spending €5.89 billion – a record-breaking total and a leap of 11.8% on the previous year, according to the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism. Visitors from the UK made up 22% of the total to the end of May, with France and Germany also making up significant proportions of the market.

Many of those travellers are regular visitors to Spain, which is a popular destination for second homes, particularly amongst British buyers. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Spain offers British buyers everything they are looking for from a holiday home location – it’s a short flight from the UK, the weather is fantastic, there are more Blue Flag beaches here than anywhere else in the world and the cost of living is low compared to the UK. It’s a winning combination, particularly with pounds stretching even further thanks the exchange rate at present.”

Nor is it just the Brits who are buoying up the Spanish property market. Figures from the Ministry of Development show that non-Spaniards accounted for 16.93% of all properties bought in Spain during Q1 2015, a rise of 17.2% over the Q1 2014 figure. Areas like the Costa Blanca, in Alicante, top the list of popular destinations, while Mallorca also attracts a large share of overseas buyers each year.

In terms of visitor numbers, Palma airport on the Balearic Island of Mallorca is the third busiest in Spain, accommodating more than 23 million passengers in 2014, according to ENAIRE (formerly Aena) statistics.

Mallorca is a long-time favourite with British and German visitors with one of the area’s most popular locations being Porto Cristo, with its pretty marina, wide expanses of golden sand and plentiful shopping and dining options.

Taylor Wimpey España currently has two key-ready developments in the Porto Cristo area. Cala Magrana III has just two two-bedroom apartments left, which are available for €220,000 as part of an end of season offer. Nearby Cala Anguila II also has only a few apartments left, with two-beds starting at €230,000. Both developments include delightful communal pools, lush gardens and easy access to Cala Anguila beach and nearby golf courses.

“Many buyers are seeing this as the ideal time to purchase Spanish property,” continues Marc Pritchard, “And our Mallorca developments have been incredibly popular. Over 50% of our apartments at Cala Anguila with direct access to the beach were sold off plan in just six months. It’s excellent news for the Spanish economy, as is the promising summer that looks to be in store in terms of visitor numbers and spending. There are a lot of signs around right now – economic indicators, unemployment figures and so forth – that the Spanish economy is undergoing a serious recovery, so buyers want to pick up properties now in order to enjoy capital gains in the coming years. And with properties in places like Mallorca, they can sit back and relax in the sunshine while they watch their capital grow.”

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.