Spain
The fate of Spanish coastal property – bulldozers or just balderdash?
Legally, as defined by 1988 Coastal Law, the Spanish Government controls a coastal strip of 106 metres of which none can be dedicated to private housing. Technically any property built close to the shore after 1988, of which there are many thousands, could be earmarked for demolition.
Costa del Sol golf property to become a finite resource
In the 1970s golf courses began to appear on the Costa del Sol, gradually at first and then by the fistful throughout the 1980s, 1990s and beyond. Tourists flocked, attracted by the fact that they could play cheap public golf in the year-round sunshine.
Marbella for under 400,000 euros
Unexpected as it may seem, you can still get beachfront apartments and homes with uninterrupted golf views within striking distance of Marbella for less than 400,000 euros. As a result of the Costa del Sol property market’s period of stabilization, it’s a buyers market, and the bargains are out there.
Zen property in Marbella
One of the most attractive elements of Zen Buddhism is the art of Zen Gardens, or Karesansui meaning ‘dry landscape’ in Japanese. These gardens make strong use of stones, gravel, sand and the occasional patch of moss in order to represent mountains, islands, boats, seas and rivers and are used for reflection and meditation.
Costa de la Luz – Five times more sunlight than Northern Europe
The province of Huelva on Spain’s most south-westerly coastline embodies the sentiment of the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) perfectly. Huelva has a mammoth five times more sunlight than northern Europe, an intriguing chestnut to savour as you button up your cardigan and notch the thermostat a few degrees higher.
Premier Resorts to market Novo Carthago on the Costa Calida
Premier Resorts Ltd, European independent resort property company, has been contracted to market and sell Novo Carthago on the Costa Calida, Spain in the UK and Ireland. The 5,700 hectare resort is the most ambitious and exciting real estate development on the Costa Calida and combines two of the most sought after features of a Spanish property – golf courses and beaches.
Older properties seek favour in Spain
For those looking for higher priced homes – older more established properties seek favour in Spain.
MIGs become more commonplace in Spain
Mortgage Indemnity Guarantees (MIGs) were widely used in the UK a decade ago to safeguard lending at high loan to value (LTV). They still exist in the UK to a certain extent although lenders now have to make it very clear that the premium protects the bank and not the customer due to widespread criticism in the press.
Spanish property prices increase
Average property prices in Spain increased by 1.4% in the last month, rising to €248,000 in October 2007, according to latest data from Kyero.com, the English language Spanish property portal.
Carefree living for generation Xperience on the Costa De La Luz
A famous US basketball coach once said, “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off” and he couldn’t be more right.
Raising the standards when searching for Spanish property
The majority of overseas property buyers start their research online, considering different locations, property types and budgets before committing to a viewing trip or paying a deposit.
Are you a number cruncher?
‘Due diligence’ is a term drilled into the discerning property purchaser; in practice this means using an independent solicitor, seeking out the best rates for foreign currency exchange and of course researching property prices to ensure you pay a fair market value.
Do facilities and beautiful grounds matter more than the property?
“People buy in Spain mostly because of the weather”, says Craig Stocks of Eden Villas, “which is why the outdoor facilities within a complex or their own private grounds is so important.
A new set of 18-holes for Spain’s finest address – La Zagaleta
La Zagaleta has recently unveiled a brand new 18-hole golf course, ‘Los Barrancos de la Zagaleta’, bringing the tally of courses within the 900 hectare private resort up to two.
Titan Properties expands resale portfolio to meet demand
In response to a marked increase in the proportion of lifestyle rather than investment buyers in southern Spain over recent months, Titan Properties is expanding its ‘ready to move in’ resale portfolio by adding the Punta Coral townhouse development in El Rompido. The western Costa de la Luz specialists are confident of Punta Coral’s appeal to northern Europeans and do not expect the properties to linger on the market too long.