• Costa Blanca leads the way for Russian property sales (Taylor Wimpey España)
• Russian visitor numbers to the Costa del Sol up 17% (Tourism Board Malaga)
• Air passenger traffic up 4.6% overall (AENA)

There’s no questioning the attractions of the Spanish Costas. With sea, sand and sunshine, they make the perfect location for everything from a quick weekend break to a permanent move overseas. While Brits and Germans have been heading to Spain for decades, Russian property investors and tourists have been a more recent addition.

Russian buyers in the Costa del Sol are nothing new. For several years now Russians have been scouring the area for upscale properties, so much so that the luxury market is flooded with them. In fact, recent data from the General Council of Notaries has shown that buyers from the former Soviet Union are now at the top of the ranking of investments in property costing €500,000 or more in three Spanish provinces.

Figures from the Tourism Board Malaga-Costa del Sol have shown a 17% year on year increase in Russian visitors arriving at the Malaga-Costa del Sol airport, with visitor numbers this year up to 42,861 from 36,610 the year before. Clearly the Costa del Sol continues to tempt Russian buyers, but the real story at present is the Costa Blanca.

At the same time as the Spanish Tourism Office in Moscow is reporting a sharp upturn in the number of people wishing to travel to Spain, based on visa application numbers, Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, is experiencing a boom in Russian buyers looking to be part of the Costa Blanca property scene. He explains,

“We’ve noticed a definite increase in demand from Russian buyers of late. While interest in the Costa del Sol still exists, it’s actually the Costa Blanca that is attracting the majority of our Russian purchasers. Front-line properties that are well located for international airports, such as Alicante, are top of the shopping list, so developments such as La Recoleta III, Montesol and La Vila Paradis are all extremely popular.”

According to Eye on Spain, the Costa Blanca is becoming so popular with Russian buyers that they have overtaken even the British when it comes to foreign investment in the Spanish property market. While Russian buyers represented less than 5% of the foreign purchasers in Alicante just four years ago, they now account for half of the 7,000 sales made to non-Spaniards last year.

Taylor Wimpey España’s Costa Blanca developments showcase the high spec accommodation that Russians are seeking. Just two minutes from Punta Prima beach, La Recoleta III is a tranquil development of two and three bedroom apartments, including luxurious penthouses with solariums and outstanding sea views. Prices start at €142,000. Montesol in Calpe, one of the Costa Blanca’s most beautiful locations, has townhouses for sale from €252,000, while La Vila Paradis combines both apartments and townhouses, starting at €265,000. In line with Taylor Wimpey España’s reputation for delightful design, all three developments include prettily landscaped grounds and generously sized swimming pools.

Spain has experienced a country-wide improvement in air passenger numbers so far this year, with data from Spanish airports network AENA showing a 4.6% increase in air passenger traffic during the first nine months of 2014. The increase took the total to more than 153.2 million passengers, many of them travelling from Russia for inspection trips or to make cash purchases.

As well as visitors, investment capital has also been flowing into Spain. According to a report from Money Market UK, Spain is positioned first in Europe in terms of the amount of foreign investment received during 2013, equating to some €28,755,000.

Much of the investment has been in property and a recent report from Knight Frank Russia & CIS has placed Russians fifth for total investments in Western European real estate. As the Spanish market stabilises, thanks to both an increase in foreign buyers and strengthening domestic demand, rating agency Fitch has observed in a recent statement,

“The house price and mortgage market stabilisation reflects Spain’s macroeconomic recovery and banks’ increasing willingness to lend.”

With Russian interest continuing to drive forward property sales in the Costa Blanca, developers such as Taylor Wimpey España are feeling positive about the signs of the property market’s reinvigoration within the area. Marc Pritchard concludes,

“Russian buyers are not only providing a strong boost to the Costa Blanca’s property market, they are emphasising the desirability of high end developments across the Costas. The attractions of Spain’s golden visa programme mean that many of those purchasing property here have serious cash to invest, which is helping to ensure a healthy and stable property sector once more.”

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.

• Spain and France tied for first place as favourites with foreign buyers (HiFX)
• 89% of ‘foreign’ buyers already live in Spain (Ministry of Development)
• Spanish property costs 4.4 times average salary, versus 6.1 times EU average (Deloitte)

A popular winter sun destination, Spain is packed with delights to engage and entertain those looking to while away the days in a warmer clime than the UK affords. The temperate weather has appealed to holidaymakers for decades, with average temperatures remaining firmly above 10C/50F, even in the depths of winter. Even the sea remains a respectable average of 15C/59F at the coldest point in its annual temperature cycle, according to holiday-weather.com.

With property prices that have fallen significantly since the global financial crisis, many investors are seeing now as the perfect time to put their funds into Spain’s housing market. Spanish real estate and construction accounted for around 18% of Spain’s GDP back in 2007, with a market capitalisation of more than €30 billion. It is now about a tenth of that, with the result that economists and investors alike are looking at Spain as being one of the last bastions of good value property in Europe. European Portfolio Manager Dean Tenerelli of T Rowe Price summarises the situation succinctly,

“We are at an interesting juncture as real estate in Spain has reached a trough since the crisis; rent prices are historically low and there is an abundance of low-cost property on sale.”

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, at the heart of the Iberian country’s residential property market, comments,

“Spanish property is some of the best value in Europe. Buyers from across the globe are taking an interest in what Spain can offer, both as an investment choice and for the lifestyle benefits. We’ve found that our buyers include a mixture of those looking for an escape pad for long weekends, those chasing the winter sun and then summering in their country of origin and those looking to move fulltime to Spain and settle here for the long term.

“The Balearics are proving particularly popular right now. They provide fantastic value and developments such as our Cala Magrana III resort, which offers easy access to both golfing and beaches, are being snapped up at an impressive pace. So much so that we only have a few apartments left there.”

Two bedroom apartments at Cala Magrana III currently cost from €230,000 thanks to an end of season offer from Taylor Wimpey España. Foreign buyers are enjoying the high end apartments, with their designer fixtures and fittings, large swimming pool and communal gardens, as well as the sandy beaches, coves, water sports and crystal waters of the surrounding area.

Figures from the recent HiFX Property Hotspots Report confirm the interest that foreign buyers are currently taking in Spain. The latest report saw Spain tie in first place with France as the destination of choice for buyers, garnering some 35% of the vote. Additionally, the National Statistics Institute has confirmed that home sales are rising, up 8.8% in June 2014 compared with a year earlier, while Spain´s society of notaries has reported that foreign buyers favour coastal areas. The breakdown of foreign buyers included 15% Brits, 10% French, 9% Russians and 7% Belgians, according to the data.

While the influx of foreign property investors is good news for Spain’s economy, the situation for domestic buyers is also looking up. Deloitte’s fourth annual analysis of the Spanish housing market has shown that the average price of housing is now 4.4 times the individual gross salary. This compares with an EU average ratio of 6.1%, rising to 7.9% in France and 8.5% in Britain.

Interestingly, many of the ‘domestic’ buyers benefitting from this situation are foreigners already living in Spain. According to data from the Ministry of Development, 89% of foreign buyers in the second quarter of 2014 were already living in Spain. The figures reveal that Malaga is one of the most popular parts of Spain when it comes to home sales to foreigners, which reached a total of 2,499 transactions during Q2 2014 – a level not seen since 2007 and an increase of 30% over Q2 2013.

Taylor Wimpey España’s experience certainly supports the finding. Their Horizon Beach development in the Estepona area of Malaga has only a few apartments left for sale. One of the last beachfront plots in the Costa del Sol, Horizon Beach’s 36 two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses offer a level of exclusivity that sets them apart, having been designed to impress even the most demanding of buyers. Prices start at €370,000. Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard concludes,

“It is the perfect time to buy in Spain right now, whether for foreign property investors or domestic buyers. Property here offers some incredible bargains and it’s great to see the market beginning to pick up pace as the world wakes up to the excellent value for money that the Spanish residential property market currently affords.”

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.

• Germans account for 18.4 million overnight stays during 2013 (Ultima Hora)
• Touristic apartment occupancy up 3.4% in August 2014 (INE)
• High spec 2 bedroom apartments from just €230,000 (Taylor Wimpey España)

Mallorca is an island blessed with stunning beaches, scenic mountains and a climate that attracts holidaymakers in their droves. It became a major tourist destination in the 1950s, since when the island has delighted millions of visitors, offering everything that a summer holiday should entail.

The largest of the four main Balearic Islands, which together accounted for 18.3% of Spanish tourism during 2013 according to Ultima Hora’s economic review of the year, Mallorca is the isle of choice for those looking for a sun-soaked family holiday, as well as for couples looking for a beach break with a little more sophistication and elegance.

The Ultima Hora report highlights the popularity of Mallorca with German tourists in particular. German visitors far outstripped those from other countries, with 18.4 million overnight stays during 2013. Visitors from the UK trailed behind, with just under 10.8 million overnight stays over the course of the year.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has a number of leading developments on the island, comments,

“Mallorca is a true holiday paradise. Sun, sea and fabulous cuisine keep people coming here year after year and there are enough activities available to amuse everyone from toddlers to retirees.”

Pritchard speaks from the heart. His passion for Mallorca is such that he moved there with his family more than 20 years ago, since when he has been proud to present Taylor Wimpey España’s developments on the island to those looking for a high end second home in an exclusive location.

The company’s latest key-ready properties at the picturesque Cala Magrana III offer everything that visitors to the island are looking for from their accommodation, regardless of their country of origin. Available from just €230,000 thanks to an end of season offer, the last apartments have sea views and are located just 600m from Cala Anguila beach. Golf courses and Porto Cristo marina are also nearby, as well as a wealth of restaurants, bars and shops.

With either spacious gardens or generously appointed roof terraces, the apartments ensure that owners can partake of Mallorca’s laid back, outdoor lifestyle. The resort boasts a large swimming pool, communal gardens and dedicated sunbathing area in furtherance of this approach.

According to data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), occupancy in touristic apartments on Mallorca during August 2014 was some 3.4% higher than the previous year, emphasising the popularity of this kind of accommodation on the island. Visitors looking to own their own apartment, rather than renting someone else’s, are frequently delighted with the range of offer from Taylor Wimpey España, as well as the ease of the buying process.

Barbara Hibbert, an owner at Cala Magrana, was impressed with the high build quality of the development and that the apartments had clearly been built for owners to live in, rather than just as holiday accommodation. Features such as decent-sized fitted cupboards and a handy utility room ensured that her apartment could be a true home from home, meaning she could relax the moment she arrived. The location, with the beach, restaurants and shops all within walking distance, was also perfect.

With more and more visitors discovering Mallorca each year, Taylor Wimpey España’s developments are rarely for sale for long, so those looking to live the Mallorquin dream, whether full time or just for a few weeks of the year, are encouraged to act sooner rather than later.

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.

• Spain is world’s third most visited country with 60.7 million annual visitors (WTO)
• Tourism-related employment up 3.8% (Ministry of Tourism)
• August visitor numbers at all-time high of 9 million (FRONTUR)

Spain is the world’s third most visited country, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization, and with everything on offer from beautiful beaches to delicious cuisine, there’s no questioning why that is. According to FRONTUR – The Inbound Tourism Survey Spain welcomed some 60.7 million visitors in 2013, up 5.6% on the year before.

2014 looks on track to be another fantastic year for the Spanish tourism sector, with August figures from FRONTUR showing a record month. Visitor numbers in August reached 9,070,024 – the highest figure since the FRONTUR surveys began and an increase of 8.8% on the previous year.

What is particularly interesting is the origin of the visitors. While the UK remains top of the table when it comes to visitor origin, with 2,136,879 in August, followed by France and Germany (with 1,981,643 and 1,290,777 respectively), the countries showing the largest growth were the US, Portugal and Italy.

Visitors from the US increased by 35.4% during August, according to the FRONTUR figures, while those from Portugal increased by 24.4% and from Italy by 15.5%. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has been satisfying overseas holiday home owners for years with its stunning housing developments, comments,

“We see a true mix of international visitors here in Spain. While the UK, German and French markets remain strong, it’s good to see that Spain’s appeal continues to widen, adding to the diversity of those who visit its sunny shores.

“Spain itself is a country of vast contrasts, from landscapes to cuisine, so it seems fitting that those who visit it should also be from contrasting countries and backgrounds. Of course for many one visit just isn’t enough and many look to Taylor Wimpey España to provide them with a fantastic holiday home that they can enjoy time and again.”

Taylor Wimpey España’s brand new La Vila Paradís apartments and townhouses typify the kind of properties that overseas visitors are demanding. With an enviable beachfront location at Villajoyosa, the gated development boasts swimming pools, private parking and communal gardens. Buyers at La Vila Paradís can opt for two or three bedroom apartments, or three bedroom townhouses. All enjoy well thought out layouts, with beautiful views over the Paraíso Beach and sea. Prices start at €265,000.

Such properties are increasingly popular with those visiting Spain on a regular basis. The FRONTUR data revealed that while those staying in hotels in August increased by 4% (and accounted for 53.7% of total visitors), the 46.3% of visitors who stayed in non-hotel accommodation increased far more sharply – by 15%.

With such a strong month for tourism in August, employment in Spain has seen a marked benefit. Figures from the Ministry of Tourism show an increase of 3.8% during the month for the tourism sector, putting the total of those employed across the sector at 2.15 million. It’s a win win situation – Spain is opening up to new markets and attracting growing numbers of visitors from an increasing range of countries while building a strong economic foundation for its own future. Something for which future generations of Spanish citizens will no doubt be most grateful.

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 homes sales up 10.7% in July (National Statistics Institute)
• Penthouses commanding price premiums of 30% (Globaliza)
• 90% of foreign buyers don’t require financing (Aguirre Newman)

Spain’s property market is on the up, as a flood of foreign investors are snapping up bargain properties following years of tumbling prices. Provisional July figures from the National Statistics Institute have indicated that home sales increased by 10.7% compared with the same month in 2013, with 28,583 transactions in total.

The July figures mark the fifth successive month of rises, with homes sales increasing by 22% in March, 5% in April, 5.4% in May and 8.8% in June. The second hand sales market is doing well, while the homebuilding market has also experienced an uplift, with popular tourist areas issuing an increasing number of licences for new homes. In Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca, for example, the local planning department dealt with 451 licences in H1 2014 – an increase of 339% over the previous year, according to The Leader.

Demand is growing significantly on the Costa del Sol as well, with discerning buyers looking for high quality second homes and primary residences. Penthouses in particular are proving popular, with Globaliza.com reporting price premiums of 30% for such dwellings.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which has just released a new phase of its stunning Avalon development, with two and three bedroom apartments from €265,000, along with a lovely selection of penthouses, comments,

“We’ve seen a lot of interest from foreign buyers in the Costa del Sol recently and our penthouses are proving particularly popular. Buyers are looking for extremely high build quality at the moment, along with serious luxury when it comes to interiors. Obviously this is great news for Taylor Wimpey España as this is our ethos.

“As well as Avalon, our La Floresta Sur site near Marbella is proving a hit with buyers this year. Two bedroom apartments are available from €178,000, with buyers looking to enjoy the area’s fabulous sea and mountain views, lovely beach and delicious cuisine. Two large communal swimming pools and landscaped gardens provide a delightful setting for La Floresta Sur, while free unlimited use of all the facilities of El Soto Golf Club also add to the development’s family appeal.”

Interestingly, a new report from Aguirre Newman has shown that not only are foreign investors attracted by the bargain property prices of the Costa del Sol, but that they are also cash-rich when it comes to purchasing, with 90% able to buy their new property without financing, in stark contrast to the domestic market.

Such foreign investment is helping to reinvigorate the Spanish market and bringing money back into the country. The demand for new build property is also creating jobs and comes in light of the news that unemployment is finally falling. Employment Ministry figures show a decrease in the number of unemployed people of 122,700 in June, followed by a decrease of 29,800 in July.

While Spain’s recovery is still at an early stage, the future is looking increasingly rosy for the Iberian nation, so those looking to pick up Spanish property at the perfect price point had better act fast!

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 hotels 22.6% more expensive in 2014 (National Statistics Institute)
• Costa Blanca revealed as area of choice for overseas property buyers (National Statistics Institute)
• Alicante-Elche airport sees more than 1.2 million passengers in busiest ever month

This summer has seen Brits heading abroad in their droves to take advantage of cheap sunshine breaks in the Costas. But it seems that Spain isn’t the cheap holiday destination that once it was, with recent data from the National Statistics Institute revealing that the price of hotels in the Iberian country has risen by 22.6% so far this year. Additional figures from the Consumer Price Index showed that the month of July alone saw an 8.3% increase in the price of hotels and other accommodation.

To beat the hotel price rises, an increasing number of clued up holiday makers are turning to investment in a second home in Spain as an alternative means of enjoying the Costas at their best. The Costa Blanca in particular has proven popular with both holidaymakers and foreign investors. In fact, according to data from the National Statistics Institute, Alicante absorbed almost 40% of total purchases made by foreign European buyers during H1 2014 – 4,267 homes in total – while Alicante-Elche airport recorded its busiest ever month in August, with passenger numbers in excess of 1.2 million.

As well as providing an alternative to hotel accommodation, holiday homes in Spain are used by many families as a means of building something up as an investment for future generations, as well as a potential retirement property in the more immediate future. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of established homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which specialises in developing luxury accommodation in key areas of Spain, explains,

“Many of our buyers are thinking way beyond their immediate desire for a holiday home. They are seeing their purchase as a nest egg for their retirement, or as something that their children and grandchildren can benefit from. Second homes provide a lifestyle benefit that multiple generations of family can enjoy.

“This summer here at Taylor Wimpey España we’ve noticed a particular increase in sales of holiday homes within the Costa Blanca. Our La Vila Paradis and La Recoleta developments are answering many would-be holiday home owners’ dreams by providing then with luxurious properties in prime locations.”

Located in carefully selected spots on the Costa Blanca, both developments offer beachfront accommodation that has been designed with owners’ comfort and luxury in mind. The two and three bedroom apartments at La Recoleta cost from just €142,000. The resort’s Mediterranean style buildings, wide avenues leading down to the sea and immaculate garden areas are complemented by a large swimming pool that is perfect for family fun.

Over at La Vila Paradis, sea views are the order of the day, with the gated development including two and three bedroom apartments as well as three bedroom townhouses. A communal swimming pool and landscaped gardens complete the site, while individual properties benefit from private gardens or terraces, depending on their position at the site. Prices begin at €245,000.

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.

• Record 8.3 million foreign visitors head to Spain in July (tourism ministry)
• Visitor spending up 7% to unprecedented €34.5 million for Jan-Jul (EGATUR)
• Balearic visitor numbers up 3.9% in July (Frontur)

It seems that tourists everywhere have been packing their sun cream and heading off to Spain this year for some summer beach time. 2014 has seen millions of foreign visitors flock to Spanish shores, with a record 8.3 million in July alone – up 5.9% year on year, according to the country’s tourism ministry. Industry Minister Jose Manuel Soria comments,

“If the trend continues I think we will have a good August, too.”

The impressive visitor numbers are backed by further positive news, as figures from the Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGATUR) show a record spending increase of 7% year on year from January to July. Total tourist expenditure for the period reached €34.5 million, while July alone saw expenditure of €8.1 million – another record and an increase of 4.5%.

The Spanish economy has welcomed the additional tourists and their eagerness to spend more than ever before. The impact on unemployment in tourist-driven areas such as the Balearics has been positive, with the number of people out of work falling 0.24% in August compared with the previous year. Data from the Ministry of Employment and Social Security registered the largest monthly drop in unemployment in the services industry, with 133 fewer people unemployed.

The Balearics, along with mainland Spain, have been enjoying a share of increased visitor numbers. Some 6.2 million tourists visited the islands between January and July, 0.8% more than for the same period in 2013. The Frontur tourist movement survey shows that July was 3.9% better than the year before for Balearic visitor numbers.

With stunning beaches, excellent sailing and water sports facilities, distinctive cuisine and plentiful sunshine, it’s not too hard to see the Balearics’ appeal. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, one of Spain’s most prestigious and respected homebuilders, comments,

“To my mind, the Balearics are paradise on Earth. Mallorca, in particular, is an incredible place to visit. It offers holidaymakers everything they could wish for, whether they’re holidaying as a young couple, a family group or a retirees. Mallorca’s charms captured my imagination from the moment I first set foot on the island – so much so that I was compelled to make it my home.

“The impressive tourism figures show Spain’s recovering strength as a nation and reflect the fantastic leisure pursuits, weather and recreational activities that this wonderfully varied country has to offer.”

For those, like Marc, who want more than just a brief holiday under the Mallorcan sunshine, Taylor Wimpey España offers a range of delightful homes on the island, from two bedroom luxury apartments with communal pool close to the beaches, coves and amenities of Porto Cristo (from €230,000), to pretty townhouses just 50 m from Camp de Mar beach (from €377,000).

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.

• 361 metre MS Oasis of the Seas set to arrive at Malaga on 11 September
• Cruise passenger numbers double in decade to 2013, to 20.9 million (Cruise Market Watch)
• International visitor numbers to Andalucía up 4% from 2012 to 2013 (Andalucia.com)

The gateway to Spain’s Costa del Sol, the municipality of Malaga is steeped in culture and history, from its contemporary art centre to its two Moorish castles and museum dedicated to the city’s most famous son – Pablo Picasso. It is also home to some of Spain’s finest beaches, with wide expanses of sand at locations such as Estepona attracting hordes of tourists each year.

In fact, the autonomous community of Andalucía, where Malaga is located, attracted some 7.9 million international tourists during 2013 (up 4% on 2012) according to Andalucia.com. The area’s combination of sunshine, beaches and delicious cuisine has proved a winning combination with visitors for decades.

Now, the world’s largest cruise ship is set to join the list of those enjoying Malaga’s myriad attractions. On September 11, the 361.6 metre long MS Oasis of the Seas, which has 16 decks and can hold up to 6,365 passengers, will dock at Malaga en route from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona. The ship features the usual range of bars, restaurants, lounges and shops but also includes everything from a miniature golf course, 5 swimming pools, 10 whirlpools, an ice-rink, tattoo parlour and water park.

The cruise liner industry is one that has experienced massive growth over the past decade, with passenger numbers doubling from 10.4 million in 2004 to 20.9 million in 2013, according the Cruise Market Watch. By 2018, the figure is expected to rise to 24.1 million. In the 2015 and 2016 alone, 17 new cruise ships are expected to come online, adding $3.4 billion in annual revenue to the industry.

Spain is a popular destination not just for cruise passengers. According to the UN World Tourism Organization’s Tourism Highlights 2014 Edition report, it is the third most visited country in the world, with the Costa del Sol amongst the leading tourist attractions.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España, one of Spain’s most prestigious and respected homebuilders, comments,

“Spain, and in particular the Costa del Sol, has so much to offer that tourists can spend weeks here and still go home feeling that there were things that they didn’t have time to do. It’s one of the reasons that so many look to purchase a second home in Spain, so that they can return time and again in order to make the most of this fascinating country.”

The current strength of the pound against the euro has certainly also played a part in prompting buyers from the UK to look to Spain to find the holiday home of their dreams. Those wishing for property in the Malaga area would do well to consider the stunning new Horizon Beach development in Estepona.

With direct access to the beautiful, 2km long Galera Beach, overlooking the Bay of Gibraltar, the two and three bedroom homes at Horizon Beach boast sea views, private gardens or sunroof terraces and a delightful cream marble finish in living rooms and bedrooms. With delivery set for June 2015, prices start at just €360,000.

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.