Murcia estate agent sees sales soar by 70%
Back in January this year, Murcia-based estate agent Mercers boldly predicted sales to increase by 25% in 2013 over 2012. At halfway mark, sales are already up a mighty 70% over the first six months of 2012 and positivity abounds.
Chris Mercer, Director of Mercers, explains, “We’ve sold in excess of 20 more properties in the first half of 2013 than we did in the same period last year, up 70%, and our feeling is that the market is set to accelerate further as the year progresses. There is definitely a more positive vibe coming from the UK and this will translate to a larger percentage of British buyers for us as we move into autumn. Bank lending is still virtually nonexistent, but ironically that’s helping us. Prospective buyers know they have to raise funds in their home nation and this saves a lot of time, weeds out the dreamers and leaves us with serious clients with finance already in place.”
Volume of sales aside, Mercers was also surprised to note that the average sale price had increased over 2012. Chris continues, “Last year our average sale price was 84,884 euros. So far for 2013 it’s at 92,331 euros. I had thought that this particular figure would be more or less the same as 2012, but instead we have a not insignificant increase of almost 9%. I find this very encouraging as it suggests that the ‘fire’ sales have passed through the system. Many of the developers who were selling stock with 100% finance have now done so, leaving established agents such as Mercers to continue what we do best and that’s sell great value property to traditional buyers. Also, as we expected in January, SAREB has had no effect as Murcia contributed very little property to Spain’s ‘bad bank’.”
As predicted six months previously, the Brits have bounced back and now top the nationality chart for Mercers’ buyers in the first half of 2013. The split is 60% British, 11% French, 11% Dutch, 8% Spanish (a sizeable figure showing that there is money in Spain, to be spent on good value property), 6% Swedish, and then mixture of Belgian, Swiss and German. Brits should increase their slice upwards of 60% as the year progresses.
Mercers’ positivity coincides with Spain officially claiming to be out of recession. This week Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said "The recession is over. The issue now is how strong the recovery is going to be." Spain’s economy will grow in the second half of the year but the Government must continue to implement reforms and reduce the deficit to keep recovery on track. The IMF also said in June that it expected Spain to return to growth in the latter part of 2013, but warned its banks were still fragile and unemployment too high.
On the Market: Ref NED196, Neptuno Deluxe Villa, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia
Fantastic value for a three bedroom three bathroom (two of them en-suite) detached villa on a substantial 626m² plot. At ground floor there is an entrance hall with built-in cupboard and a large lounge with feature fireplace with one archway leading to a dining area and fully fitted kitchen, and another to two double bedrooms, both with built-in wardrobes. The master is en-suite whilst there is a separate guest shower and toilet. The first floor is accessed via an external staircase from the back/kitchen door and comprises a self-contained double bedroom with plenty of storage and an en-suite. French doors lead to a very large rooftop solarium. Outside there is a tiled driveway leading to a gravelled garden with decking area, swimming pool and pool shower and shady gazebo. The property is available fully furnished and also has heating/air-conditioning. Camposol Golf has an 18-hole course, four star Spa hotel and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars on site including an opticians, vets, medical centre, hairdressers and a weekly market. The blue flag beaches and marina of Mazarron are within a 15 minute drive.
Price 157,000 euros (approx 135,800 pounds)
For more information, visit spanishproperty.co.uk.
