Mayor opens bigger premises for Murcia Estate Agent
Murcia estate agent, Mercers, is currently riding the crest of a wave of success with the highlight being the opening of new larger offices in Camposol Golf Resort on 17 November. Mayor of Mazarron, Ginés Campillo, cut the ribbon and toasted the thriving local business.
Chris Mercer, Director of Mercers based in Camposol Golf since 1998, says, “Granted, not many agents are moving to bigger premises in Spain these days but we like to buck the trend. We’ve taken over a prime frontline corner position that ironically used to belong to a Spanish bank and now have five window displays rather than just the one. Already we’re feeling the effects with a notable increase in prospective buyers and sellers – so much so that we’re taking on a new native Spanish team member to handle enquiries. What recession?”
Fortunately for Mercers, they do not rely on the much diminished UK market for their sales but estimate that around 60% of their buyers are non-British. Market conditions are still tough, not helped by the banks’ reluctance to spend, but they handle many cash buyers or those who are able to source finance in their home country.
Chris continues, “Prices have of course fallen significantly, back to the same levels as a decade ago, but I do believe they have finally levelled out – in our area at least. For the first time we are seeing demand for certain property types and, as we all know, demand ultimately leads to rises in values. The market for us has been steadily increasing this year but we saw a big jump in activity in September and October with record sales in the former. There is a misconception that agents are all selling bank repossessions with 100% finance but in fact the reverse is true, 90% of our sales are straightforward resale properties.”
When asked about the predicted effect of Spain’s new ‘Bad Bank’ which will spend up to 90 billion euros on foreclosed properties and defaulted loans at 20% to 68% of their face value, Chris was confident that Murcia would be ‘different’.
“For a start only 35% to 40% of the bad bank assets will be finished residential property, with a large proportion of this being in major cities and other areas of high volume construction. Murcia does not fall into this category. So, if people are waiting for a flood of cheap bargain properties to hit the market in 2013, I think they will be disappointed.”
On the Market in Murcia:
“Fortuna” Villa – Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia
Phenomenal value four bedroom two bathroom detached villa on its own 400m² plot. The property has a guest suite with two double bedrooms and a shower room on the lower level – ideal for holidaying friends and relatives. Amongst the numerous extras are an extended kitchen, private swimming pool with outdoor shower in landscaped gardens, glazed front porch, rooftop solarium and workshop. Camposol Golf has an 18-hole golf course, four star Spa hotel and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars on site. The blue flag beaches and marina of Mazarron are within a 15 minute drive.
Price – 125,000 euros (approx 101,000 pounds)
For more information, visit spanishproperty.co.uk.
