Perfect penthouses for enjoying some winter sun

Perfect penthouses for enjoying some winter sun

Spain ,
  • Taylor Wimpey España is offering a range of key-ready penthouses for sale
  • Now is ‘perfect time’ to buy, as prices in Spain return to pre-pandemic levels
  • Spacious penthouses can easily accommodate working from home

Taylor Wimpey España is showcasing a range of penthouses available for immediate purchase. With British interest in Spain continuing to rise, the leading Spanish homebuilder is enjoying keen interest in its properties along the Costa del Sol and in Cadiz province.

“Penthouse buyers are seeking something extra special. They are looking for spacious interiors and well-designed exteriors with plenty of room for outdoor dining and relaxation. Spectacular views are also essential, whether they be out to sea, over the verdant green of a golf course or all the way to distant mountains.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

One property that delivers on all fronts is Pier 2 in Cadiz, where the last two-bedroom penthouse is ready for occupation. Priced at €525,000 plus VAT, the property boasts splendid sea views from its prime position on the frontline of Sotogrande Marina. A shared pool and pretty gardens are provided for residents’ exclusive use.

Spain’s property prices are rising rapidly, as the market recovers from the impact of the pandemic. The latest figures from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) show an increase of 3.3% in the year to Q2 2021, while the price of new build properties rose by 6%. The figures mean that Spain’s property prices have now returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“Now is the perfect time for buyers to pick up a holiday home in Spain, as those buying key-ready homes can look forward to the prospect of using the property over the winter season. Penthouse homes provide a wonderfully luxurious way to enjoy the colder months and have plenty of room for those looking to work from home in Spain, as well as holiday there.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

A key-ready penthouse that offers the ideal work-from-home ambience can be found at Le Caprice, at the Westin La Quinta Golf Resort at Benahavis, Marbella. Costing €698,500 plus VAT, the property comes with three bedrooms and multiple large terraces, as well as spectacular golf course and sea views. The price includes the show home furnishings and an extra parking space, meaning that buyers can instantly enjoy using it.

“Being able to simply pack a suitcase and hop on a flight makes for a very easy way to start enjoying your new penthouse, so we find that fully furnished homes are always popular. Buyers can start enjoying their leisure time from the moment they arrive.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Buyers snap up key-ready homes in Spain as boltholes to avoid winter lockdowns

Buyers snap up key-ready homes in Spain as boltholes to avoid winter lockdowns

Spain ,
  • Taylor Wimpey España reports increasing demand for key-ready second homes
  • Costa del Sol proves most popular with British buyers, followed by Mallorca
  • Spanish islands see prices rise fastest over past year, at 7.9% (Tinsa)

With autumn upon us once again, and after a less than impressive UK summer, many families are thinking about getting away for some much-needed winter sun. Spain’s Costa del Sol has long been a favourite holiday spot for families looking to pick up a second home. Now it has the added attraction of serving as a winter bolthole for those looking to escape the potential of another winter spent under lockdown in the UK. As such, despite Covid and despite Brexit, the Costa del Sol continues to be popular with British second home buyers, according to new figures released by Taylor Wimpey España.

The leading Spanish homebuilder reports that the Costa del Sol remains its most sought-after region with British buyers. In terms of properties, families are increasingly seeking key-ready homes that they can begin to enjoy immediately and from which they can work. Reliable, fast WiFi is now an essential, not a nice-to-have.

A leading example of the type of property being sought in Benhavis is Botanic, where all apartments except the last, key-ready penthouse have been snapped up in the last few months. Priced at €720,000 plus VAT, the penthouse delivers exceptional accommodation backed by views across the rolling green hillsides down to the deep, glistening blue of the Mediterranean. The spacious interior provides room to work from home while also accommodation the family – perfect for the growing demand for ‘wolidays’, where the pandemic has blended work and holidays like never before. 

With so much interest in the Costa del Sol and other areas of the Mediterranean coast, prices are racing upward. They rose by 5.2% on average in Spain over that past year, with both the Mediterranean coast and the Spanish islands exceeding this, at 6.1% and 7.9% respectively, according to Tinsa.

The attractions of owning a second home in Spain have never been greater, particularly with winter on the not-too-distant horizon once again. We’re seeing interest in all regions increase compared to 2019’s figures, with international clients turning to Spain for key-ready homes that provide them with plenty of flexibility when it comes to where to stay and where to work. Properties such as the Botanic penthouse are particularly attractive to British buyers, as the purchaser and their family become eligible for a Golden Visa, thus opening up access to the Schengen Zone once more.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Nor is the Costa del Sol the only Spanish region finding favour with British buyers. The sun-kissed island of Majorca continues to be a firm favourite with Brits, as well as with a broader international clientele. Homes such as those at Canyamel Pins, just a few metres from Canyamel Golf and the soft, white sands of Canyamel beach. Surrounded by pleasant communal gardens and with a generously sized pool, the homes provide the ideal antidote to the British winter blues. Prices start from €365,000 plus VAT.

“It’s been encouraging to see so many British buyers returning to the Spanish second homes market over the summer months. Despite travel restrictions, British appetite for Spanish property remains strong and many British families are looking forward to picking up properties in Spain with a view to using them as winter boltholes. This provides not only the opportunity to enjoy some winter sun but also the option to get away from the UK to spend any future lockdowns in the sunshine.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Demand for key-ready holiday homes in Spain to “remain strong in 2021”

Demand for key-ready holiday homes in Spain to “remain strong in 2021”

Spain ,
  • CBRE highlights heightened interest in immediately available new-build homes
  • Taylor Wimpey España reports increased demand for key-ready homes with terraces
  • New build prices showing far more stability than previously owned homes (Tinsa)

Figures from the CBRE, Tinsa and leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España are all pointing to 2021 being a particularly positive year for newly built, key-ready homes in Spain.

“One of the most striking consequences of covid-19 has been a heightened demand for new-build housing with immediate availability. With the spectre of further lockdowns hanging over them, buyers were not prepared to wait, and demand for immediately (or imminently) available properties should remain strong in 2021.”

2021 Spain Real Estate Market Outlook, CBRE

Buyers, it seems, have no time to lose when it comes to making the most of their holiday time, and CBRE’s projection is already proving true for Taylor Wimpey España.

“We have seen a notable increase in demand for key-ready homes recently. Homes with private terraces and communal outdoor areas with pools and gardens are proving to be precisely what buyers want to counteract the restrictions that so many of us have been living under for the past 18 months. Sunshine, fresh air and outdoor space have never felt so special.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Figures from Tinsa highlight the impact of this increased buyer interest. The Coastal Housing 2021 report shows that 76.1% of locations were delivering price stability for newly built homes, compared to 49.5% of homes that had been previously owned.

The Spanish Colegio Registradores, meanwhile, reports that foreign buyers now make up 9.7% of all property purchases in Spain (as at Q1 2021), with Mallorca and the Costa del Sol being the most popular areas. British buyers are leading the charge, accounting for 25.8% of all foreign purchases in Spain during the quarter.

Homes in the Costa del Sol certainly deliver when it comes to space in which to enjoy the sunshine. At Natura, for example, townhouses at La Cala Golf Resort deliver accommodation split across three levels as part of a private, gated development with communal pool and pretty gardens. Each spacious, three-bedroom home comes with a large solarium, measuring over 50 m2, and a private garden. Key-ready homes at Natura are priced from €450,000 plus VAT.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Holiday home purchases jump 56%, hitting pre-pandemic levels in Spain

Holiday home purchases jump 56%, hitting pre-pandemic levels in Spain

Spain ,
  • Surge in Taylor Wimpey España sales to British buyers
  • Costa del Sol leads the field for Brits buying in Spain
  • Sales forecasts for coming months looking very positive

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has reported a surge in demand from British buyers, with year to date sales for July 2021 now equalling those in the same period in 2019.

Confidence has been returning to the Spanish second homes market for several months and it’s great to see that British buyers have now regained the appetite that they had for Spanish property before the pandemic.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Purchases by British buyers are up by 56% compared to the same period in 2020, when the impact of the pandemic on second home sales was in full swing. Many other nationalities are also showing interest in Spanish second homes in numbers that are equal to or higher than they were before the pandemic struck. In total, buyers of 23 nationalities have purchased homes from Taylor Wimpey España this year.

“This year is shaping up to be a good one for Spain’s second homes market – our projections for August and September are looking very positive. Buyers want sunshine, fresh air and beautiful beaches to balance out the stresses of the past year.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

It is the Costa del Sol that is attracting most interest from British buyers right now. With 150 km of stunning coastline, picturesque mountains, world-class golfing facilities, vibrant cities, historic and cultural sites and a wealth of gastronomic delights, the area has much to offer. This is the case even in the diversity of second homes it offers, from lakeside living at Marbella Lake, to beautiful golf homes surrounded by myriad shades of green, such as those at Green Golf, to penthouses with stunning sea views, such as the last key-ready home available at Botanic.

Mallorca – British buyers’ second most popular area, based on Taylor Wimpey España’s figures – also has a wide variety of holiday homes available. The company has launched several developments there this year, with one of the most popular being Ikat. The spacious apartments, penthouses and duplexes in the heart of the town of Ses Salines launched just four months ago, priced from €260,000 plus VAT. Just seven homes remain available for sale, with the rest having been snapped up off plan.

The third most popular area with British buyers is the Costa Blanca, which is known for its beautiful coastline and lively towns, as well as its superb value property. At La Recoleta III in Punta Prima, for example, a key-ready, two-bedroom apartment just metres from the beach costs from just €185,000 plus VAT.

For Britons who’ve not previously bought a second home overseas, buying in Spain may seem daunting at first. But a few simple precautions can ensure a smooth transaction, as Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard explains: 

“Buying a property in Spain doesn’t need to be a stressful or risky experience. Always buy with a developer with a long-established reputation and a focus on providing outstanding customer care. And never sign anything if you feel pressured in any way – no reputable company will make you commit to a purchase before you are ready. It’s also important to use an experienced, dual language property lawyer – one who has your interests at heart, rather than those of the company you’re buying from.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Taylor Wimpey España and La Cala Golf Resort celebrate €100 million of property sales, with further 700 homes planned

Taylor Wimpey España and La Cala Golf Resort celebrate €100 million of property sales, with further 700 homes planned

Spain ,
  • 300 homes delivered in past 6 years
  • High-quality homes complement outstanding golf, spa and restaurant facilities
  • 6 more years of partnership working will see total homes at La Cala Golf reach 1,000

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has announced that it has sold over 300 properties at the Costa del Sol’s La Cala Golf Resort, with plans in place to build a further 700 homes. The total sales volume of properties at La Cala Golf so far has surpassed €100 million.

With its outstanding facilities and top-notch international reputation, we knew from the outset that homes at La Cala Golf Resort would need to deliver something special. We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in our joint venture with La Cala and look forward to many more years of successful partnership working.”

Javier Ballester, General Manager, Taylor Wimpey España

Six years ago, Taylor Wimpey España Managing Director Javier Ballester and David Kelly, Chief Executive of FBD Property & Leisure Group, revealed plans to build an exciting new range of homes at the prestigious La Cala Golf Resort in Mijas, on the Costa del Sol. Their vision began with the construction of apartments at Miraval and of townhouses at Horizon Golf. Both sites have long since sold out, as have the apartments at Grand View that followed them.

At present, a number of key-ready homes are available at La Cala Golf, including the lovely Sun Valley apartments, which overlook the Europa golf course, and the townhouses of Natura, priced at €251,000 plus VAT and €440,000 plus VAT respectively. A further phase of Sun Valley has just been launched, as have homes at Harmony, which deliver impressive views over the valley of La Cala de Mijas, the golf course and the sea.

The partnership between Taylor Wimpey España and La Cala Golf Resort will run for a further six years, delivering 1,000 homes in total. Buyers from around the world have been attracted to the properties that Taylor Wimpey España has built there so far. The selection of homes has found favour with buyers from the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia and Switzerland.

“The facilities at La Cala Golf are world-class. We’ve found that they appeal to second home buyers of many different nationalities over the years, all of whom are united by their love of the Costa del Sol and its fairways.”

Javier Ballester, General Manager, Taylor Wimpey España

Facilities at La Cala Golf Resort include three challenging golf courses and a golf academy providing everything from golf school lessons to one-on-one coaching. There’s a luxurious hotel on site, along with four restaurants and a poolside bar. The La Cala spa offers a range of treatments, along with wellness activities and hydrotherapy circuit.

Meanwhile, each of the low density Taylor Wimpey España developments comes with one or more pools and beautifully landscaped gardens, in addition to the extensive gardens, terraces and/or solariums that come with each property.

“We are delighted to have built so many high-quality homes at this very family-orientated development. Sustainability and family will continue to be at the core of our new buildings, as we seek to preserve and celebrate the wonderful natural environment that gives so much joy to second home owners from around the world.”

Javier Ballester, General Manager, Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Taylor Wimpey España reports double digit growth as buyers rush back to Spain

Taylor Wimpey España reports double digit growth as buyers rush back to Spain

Spain ,
  • Web visits, leads and sales all experiencing double digit growth as demand booms
  • Costa del Sol sales up 59% year-to-date
  • New launches – such as Marbella Lake – proving popular with international buyers

As pandemic-related restrictions continue to ease, Taylor Wimpey España has reported a surge in demand for Spanish second homes, with web visits, leads and sales all enjoying double digit growth in June. The leading Spanish home builder’s experience is being reflected across the market more broadly, as well. Q1 2021 figures from Spain’s Colegio de Registradores show a 23.42% surge in the purchase of new build homes, along with an increase of 11.08% in previously owned property sales. Prices are up too, by 4.83%.

Spain is, without question, back in business. We saw demand building gradually earlier in the year, but buyers are now back en masse and seeking the ideal sun-kissed retreat after what has been an exceptionally tough year for everyone. We’re seeing sales ramping up across the board, with Mallorca and the Costa del Sol in particular proving popular right now.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Currently on the UK government’s green list for travel, Mallorca is welcoming a surge in holiday makers and second home buyers. Jet2 reported a 3,000% increase in bookings for the Balearics for July, while a British buyer has already snapped up the first property at Taylor Wimpey España’s just-launched Es Llaut, on Mallorca’s north-eastern coast.

The Costa del Sol is also extremely busy, with Taylor Wimpey España reporting a 59% increase in year-to-date sales there in June. Buyers of 15 different nationalities have purchased property there through the company so far this year, with Belgian buyers leading the charge and Britons in second place.

It is perfect timing then, for details of the brand new Marbella Lake development to be revealed. Just 5 kilometres from Puerto Banús, in Nueva Andalucía at the heart of Marbella’s Golf Valley, the residential complex will deliver 98 apartments. Spread across several three-storey buildings, the homes will be set within beautifully landscaped gardens, with four communal pools on site.

“It’s exciting to have such a lovely new development to launch just as the market is booming in the Costa del Sol. We have plenty of potential buyers looking for homes that offer a sense of escape and peace, which is precisely what Marbella Lake provides in such abundance. We’ve designed the development so that each home can benefit from impressive panoramic views, as well as generously sized terraces and living spaces, for the ultimate relaxing escape.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

The lakeside homes are located on the banks of the Viejo del Angel reservoir. The hilltop position provides panoramic views of the reservoir, the Marbella coastline and the golf courses at Los Naranjos, Las Brisas and Aloha. Buyers can choose between two- and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses and duplexes, with prices starting from €285,000 plus VAT.

Marbella Lake’s communal areas have been inspired by the “Boho Chic” and “Country Chic” aesthetic concepts. Natural materials and colours combine to blend into the local scenery in a balanced way, adding to the development’s sense of relaxation and harmony with its peaceful surroundings. Sustainability also features heavily, with solar-powered hot water, pre-installation for electric cars and LED lighting all contributing to the development’s energy rating of B.

As well as the delights of Puerto Banus, the Marbella Lake development, which has a total investment value of €35.5 million, provides easy access to Marbella’s best beaches and restaurants, making it ideal for holidaymakers who want to get the best out of their time away. The presence of the nearby Aloha College international school also provides plenty of potential for those looking to make a longer-term move.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Second home buyers just can’t get enough of Mallorca

Second home buyers just can’t get enough of Mallorca

Spain ,
  • Taylor Wimpey España reports 80% of development sold in just 3 months
  • Newly launched Es Llaut apartments at Cala Bona coincide with reduced travel restrictions
  • Sustainability to remain a top priority for all Mallorca properties

From Love Island to its newly won spot on the UK’s green travel list, Mallorca has a lot going on right now – and so does its property market. Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has sold 80% of its Port Blau development in just three months, while its homes at Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita have sold out entirely (watch this space for details of a new phase launching soon).

The news comes as Taylor Wimpey España reveals the first glimpse of its new Mallorca development, Es Llaut. Named after a traditional Mallorcan fishing boat, the development is home to 32 two-bedroom apartments with large terraces and gardens, situated in Cala Bona, close to Port Verd. Just a short stroll from the beach, harbour and town, the spacious homes are flooded with natural light, with beautifully unobstructed views from the upper terraces. Prices start from €276,000 plus VAT.

“With open plan kitchen and living areas that lead out onto generously sized terraces, Es Llaut delivers the ideal environment for enjoying long, lazy holiday days away from the cares of the world. We are delighted to be able to launch these apartments just as Britons are able to travel to Mallorca once more and enjoy the incredible natural beauty that the island has to offer.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Taylor Wimpey España is doing all it can to contribute to the long-term preservation of that natural beauty by building sustainability into the design and build process of Es Llaut (along with all the company’s other developments). This is a key area of focus for the housebuilder.

At Es Llaut, energy efficiency is achieved through individual heat pumps for efficient domestic hot water production, three-speed mechanical interior air renewal systems and individually controlled air conditioning in each room. LED spotlights mean that very little energy is consumed for lighting the homes, taps are fitted with aerators to reduce output and toilets feature dual flush technology, as each room plays its part in terms of enhanced sustainability.

Sustainability also features strongly in the communal areas at Es Llaut. There are bioclimatic architectural elements for sun protection and control, preinstallation of charging stations for an electric vehicle in each parking space and garden irrigation using a drip system. The outdoor and pool lighting is on an automatic timer, there’s a storage take for drinking water and a rainwater tank for irrigation purposes. Grey water harvesting, meanwhile, is used for irrigation and WC cisterns.

“Our challenge is to push the boundaries of what we can achieve in terms of sustainability with every new development and we’re delighted with Es Llaut’s eco-credentials. We’ve prioritised local businesses and suppliers in the construction supply chain as well, to minimise the carbon footprint of the build.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

As Mallorca welcomes British travellers once more, many will be keen to use their time on the island to find the perfect second home. Given how quickly its other developments have been selling, Taylor Wimpey España’s advice is to book a site visit (either in person or virtually) without delay, particularly as interest in Balearic properties is expected to boom now that Brits are flying there once more.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Impact of pandemic and climate crisis evident in design of new luxury homes at The Crest

Impact of pandemic and climate crisis evident in design of new luxury homes at The Crest

Spain ,
  • Taylor Wimpey España environmental strategy puts sustainability at heart of new homes
  • The Crest offers luxury living with customisable outdoor spaces
  • Climate change, nature, resources and waste all under the spotlight like never before

The way we live and the way we holiday are changing. Both the pandemic and climate change are having an impact, as leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España explains:

“The pause in international travel during the pandemic, combined with the focus on facilitating working from home, has caused us to think about how we work, live and travel in new ways. The circumstances have opened the door for longer breaks, with many families now able to combine working from home overseas with taking some time off to enjoy the sun.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Fewer, longer breaks involve fewer flights than multiple short breaks. This is a key factor in enabling holidaymakers to enjoy overseas locations in a more sustainable manner. It also means that second homes are particularly well suited to those looking to minimise their impact on the environment while also getting away from the stresses of everyday life.

Of course, sustainability is about far more than the behaviour of those using second homes – it is also about how they are designed and built. Taylor Wimpey Espana’s environmental strategy aims to account for a range of factors when the company develops new properties, from water shortages and habitat degradation to the impact of increasingly extreme weather and the need to consume fewer materials. 

All of this and more has been taken into consideration at The Crest, Taylor Wimpey España’s newly launched development on the Costa del Sol. Located at the Westin La Quinta Golf Resort and Spa, at Benahavis, Marbella, the boutique development of 14 luxurious, three-bedroom homes enjoys fabulous natural surroundings. The protection of that natural setting is a top priority, as is building the homes in a way that minimises their impact on the environment.

The Crest, which has an energy rating of B, has an electric water heater with an energy savings system, with the hot water supply produced by thermal solar energy. Each home also includes a parking space with preinstallation of an electric vehicle charging station. Prices start from €385,000 plus VAT.

“At The Crest, we were keen to show that homes that respect the environment can still be wonderfully luxurious. We’ve provided spacious living areas and large terraces, all nestled on a pretty hill, delivering a sense of privacy and exclusivity that is a step above other residential complexes in the area.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

The Crest’s landscape-style terraces merge into the living rooms of each home, while large patio doors make the most of the natural light available and the spectacular views. The five penthouses feature amazing private solarium areas, with owners able to choose from a range of setups for different uses, including outdoor dining, sunbathing, exercise and ultimate relaxation, with the installation of a rooftop Jacuzzi. There is also a designer communal poolwith a solarium area and showers at The Crest, along with prettily landscaped gardens. 

The prestigious La Quinta Golf, meanwhile, provides a Mediterranean sauna, aromatic steam bath, Hammam, hydromassage, aquatherapy, eight wellness treatment rooms and a fitness centre, in addition to its outstanding golf and dining facilities.

“The high specification homes at The Crest are very well suited to the prominence of La Quinta. This is a superb new development; we anticipate demand for these homes will be particularly strong.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

Forget the Euros: will Spain, Portugal or the UK win the battle of the property champions?

Portugal Spain United Kingdom , ,
  • Portugal may be the defending European champion, but how does its property market stand up?
  • Will Spain’s second home credentials win out?
  • Or is UK property still holding its own?  

Euro 2020 excitement is reaching fever pitch, with the first match (Turkey versus Italy) due to kick off in Rome on Friday 11 June. In total, 51 fixtures will be played across 11 host cities. Both Spain and the UK will be hosting matches (in Seville and London, respectively), as defending champions Portugal seek to retain their championship title.

But enough about football. What about the contenders’ property credentials – does it make more sense to buy property in Portugal, Spain or the UK right now?

“Each country has its own merits when it comes to buying property there. Whether it makes more sense to buy in the UK, rather than Portugal or Spain, for example, depends entirely on what you plan to use the property for – and how long you intend to hold onto it before selling.”

Dale Anderson, Managing Director, Fabrik Invest

Owning property in Portugal has plenty of appeal. The cost of living/holidaying there is a major draw. Numbeo reports that Portugal’s cost of living is lower than that of Spain, which in turn is lower than that of the UK. The Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer 2021, meanwhile, reports that Portugal’s Algarve is cheaper to visit that Spain’s Costa del Sol. And with property priced at €1,185 per square metre, Portugal’s homes are also cheaper than pretty much all of western Europe. Score one for Portugal.

Portugal also delivers an enviable lifestyle, particularly in the sun-kissed Algarve, with its stunning coastline, world-class golf and marine sporting facilities and its picturesque towns and villages packed with independent restaurants and cafés serving up the delicious local cuisine.

In terms of what you can get for your money in the Algarve, the homes at Amendoeira Golf Resort are a great example. Two-bedroom apartments cost from €285,000, while three-bedroom villas with private pools are priced from €490,000.

Owned and operated by Kronos Homes, Amendoeira Golf Resort presents buyers with a range of additional facilities, including golf, tennis, a gym, communal pools, a sports bar, a restaurant and a stunning new clubhouse. For those currently fixating on the Euros, there’s a natural grass football field built to FIFA’s standards, along with two AstroTurf five-a-side football fields.

So, what does Spain have to offer? Like the Algarve, southern Spain offers a superb outdoor lifestyle, with 300 days of sunshine per year. It also provides a wealth of golf and other sporting facilities, along with a wonderfully scenic coastline. Spain’s coast is on the Mediterranean, so it wins out over Portugal when it comes to sea temperatures (as Portugal sticks out into the Atlantic).

For those who like to treat themselves while on holiday, Spain is also the place to be. From designer clothes to yachts, the country’s southern shores are awash with high-end goods and upscale beach clubs (far more so than that Algarve, which tends to deliver luxury in a rather more laid-back fashion).

“Spain has long been a favourite destination for British holidaymakers and second home buyers. Its vibrant towns, superb gastronomy and cosmopolitan atmosphere are ideally suited to relaxation and enjoyment.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Spain also wins out over its Iberian neighbour when it comes to flight times – just. Flying from London to Alicante takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, while London to Faro is closer to 2 hours and 50 minutes.

In terms of properties, the Costa del Sol has a wealth of options available. Leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España offers everything from golf apartments to stunning beachfront homes.

A property at Sun Valley, for example, provide residents with all the benefits of living at the prestigious La Cala Golf Resort. Priced from €251,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, the south and southwest facing homes enjoy panoramic golf and sea views and come with a communal pool and infant splash pool. The individual apartments all feature large terraces and spacious interiors.

Where does all this leave the UK? Well, while Portugal and Spain are winning big with second home buyers, investors looking for passive income are turning to the UK, according to property investment firm Fabrik Invest. The company cites the UK’s stability as an investment destination as a key part of its appeal

Owning a rental property in the UK certainly comes with plenty of earning potential. The Exchange in Preston is an excellent example. It offers contemporary urban apartments within one of the city’s key redevelopment zones – Stoneygate. On-site amenities include a gym, residents’ lounge, elegant rooftop garden, concierge and bike storage. Not only are the homes set to benefit from the impact that the Stoneygate masterplan has on the local area, but the North West region is projected to lead the UK in terms of property price growth. Savills predicts that prices in the North West will increase by 28.8% in the five years to 2025.

So… which country wins? It seems the answer really does depend on what you want to own the property for. And as for who will win Euro 2020, only time will tell!

For full details of Amendoeira Golf Resort, please email realestate@amendoeiraresort.com, call (+351) 282 320 820 or visit https://www.amendoeiraresort.com/en/

For more information on Taylor Wimpey España, call 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

For more information on Fabrik Invest, call 020 8175 9891, email enquiries@fabrikinvest.com or visit www.fabrikinvest.com

Taylor Wimpey España reports strong demand for Mallorca homes as new Sa Galera development launches

Taylor Wimpey España reports strong demand for Mallorca homes as new Sa Galera development launches

Spain ,
  • Balearic property reservations up 37% compared to 2019
  • New seafront homes launch at Sa Galera, overlooking the Bay of Palma
  • Spain’s islands lead the way for property price growth, with rise of 4.6%

Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has reported strong demand for its properties in Mallorca in May. Reservations across the company’s Balearic properties are up 37% when compared to 2019, with German, British, Austrian and Swiss buyers all racing to pick up second homes. The company’s Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita development is now fully sold across all four of its phases, while details of new site Sa Galera have just been revealed.

It’s good to feel such energy back in the property market once more, with Mallorca leading the post-lockdown recovery. May has been particularly busy for Spain’s islands and we’re seeing prices rising and properties being snapped up as buyers look to secure their homes in the sun. It’s the ideal time to share details of our lovely new townhouses in Cala Estancia. With just eight homes available, this is a development that we expect to sell out particularly quickly.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

Sa Galera’s eight townhouses are just 300m from the beach in Cala Estancia, delivering stunning views of the Bay of Palma, Bellver Castle and the cathedral from their solarium terraces. Each home has large terraces and private gardens, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The properties face south-west and west and come with landscaped grounds and a communal pool. Prices start from €725,000 plus VAT.

Property prices across the Spanish islands rose by 4.6% in the year to May, according to the latest figures from Tinsa, meaning the islands are leading the country in terms of growth. The second highest rise – of 3.2% – was seen along the Mediterranean Coast, while Spain as a whole saw prices increase by 1.3%.

New build homes continue to attract considerably more interest than previously owned properties, with both key-ready and off-plan homes performing well, according to Taylor Wimpey España.

“Spain has seen a notable shift in favour of newly built homes recently as buyers seek out modern interiors, contemporary layouts and better sustainability credentials than older properties can deliver. The pandemic has pushed some buyers towards wanting a property immediately, to provide them with greater flexibility should there be further lockdowns. Others prefer to ‘wait it out’ and purchase off-plan now in order to start enjoying their new property once life has returned to a more normal state of affairs. So we’re seeing interest from both of these buyer types right now.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

A number of airlines are now ramping up their flights to Spain. Finnair resumes flights to Mallorca from June, while the first Ryanair flight to depart from the revamped Teeside Airport was headed to Palma.

“Foreign tourism is increasing and we’re expecting a busy summer so far as our Mallorca properties are concerned. The island has so much to offer families who own second homes here, from its beautiful beaches and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities to the superb local cuisine. It’s the perfect antidote to the stresses of the past year.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK, you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.