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Home ownership as popular as ever A
CCORDING to a study by Vía Célere, a property developer specialising in building and managing residential assets, 74 per cent of Spaniards own their own home, with Andalucia (85 per cent), Aragon (76 per cent) and Asturias (75 per cent) leading the way. In contrast, the data show that 21 per cent of Spaniards live in rented accommodation. By age range, young people between 25 and 34 years old are those who opt to rent to a greater extent, while the Canary Islands (37 per cent), Cataluña (29 per cent) and Galicia (26 per cent), are the autonomous communities with the highest proportion of renters. The study also shows that 73 per cent of those who live on rent have thought about buying a home. Even so, they acknowledge that they encounter barriers that prevent them from buying, such as lack of money (25 per cent), an unstable work life (24 per cent), a reluctance to sign a mortgage (18 per cent) and the impossibility of obtaining financing (17 per cent). Thirty-eight per cent of homes owned were bought between 2000 and 2009, while 37 per cent were purchased before 2000. In addition, six out of 10 Spaniards indicate that the purchase price of their current home was less than €150,000. Some 84 per cent of Spaniards say they feel quite or very satisfied with their current home, with Madrid and Andalucia being the best-positioned
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73 per cent of those who rent have thought about buying.
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HOME DREAM: Spanish want to own their property.
communities in this regard (91 per cent). Location (68 per cent) and price (64 per cent) appear to be the most important factors when choosing a home, although environmental services and construction quality also play a very important role. Flats (68 per cent), followed by vil-
las or houses (22 per cent) are the most demanded type of residence in Spain. In terms of the size and typology of Spanish households, 46 per cent live in dwellings between 81 and 120 m2 and 50 per cent say they live in a newly built dwelling. The possibility of personalising the dwelling is the characteristic for
which 74 per cent of Spaniards would be willing to pay a higher price, followed by an energy rating A (73 per cent) and a large kitchen (70 per cent). Common areas are also very attractive when it comes to choosing a residence. Having a park, a dog area and a bar nearby is highly valued by buyers.
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Penthouses remain at top of the market T
HE penthouse remains the undisputed jewel in the Spanish housing market. Although the value of ground floor apartments has also rebounded, the top floors have increased the pricing gap. According to real estate portal www.pisos.com the typical penthouse in Spain costs €275,735 compared to €258,876 in 2017, meaning a year-on-year price increase of 6.51 per cent. As for ground floor flats, the current average price stands at €143,891 for 85 sqm. In 2017, the price was €139,058, an increase of 3.48 per cent. The buyer who wants to enjoy good views must spend 92 per cent more than one who is happy to keep at ground floor level - that is six
GREAT VIEWS: Penthouses are very sought after.
Ruling on loan tax postponed By Tara Rippin THE Supreme Court has suspended a decision to make banks responsible for mortgage tax as opposed to buyers, just 24 hours after it was made. Contrary to an earlier decision made in February, the court last week ruled that lenders should pay the Impuesto sobre Actos Juridicos Documentados (AJD), a tax paid by the borrower at the time of closing, when a notary officially certifies the sale and the loan. Judges had determined that the bank is the only party with a vested interest in having the loan documented by a notary, as it allows the lender to start foreclosure proceedings if the payments are not made. Because this privilege through public deed is given to the lender, judges deemed they should pay the fee, an announcement that led to heavy falls of the banks on the stock market. It had been suggested that if the estimated eight million mortgage holders in Spain were to demand the tax back, it could represent around €24 billion. But last Friday it was announced that in the coming weeks, a panel of 31 magistrates will decide if it accepts that the bank or the client should pay the tax.
points higher than last year. However the figures are to some extent comparing apples to pears as they do not take account of floor areas. The average penthouse sold this year has been 118 sqm compared to the 85 sqm for ground floors. Per square metre, a penthouse averages €2,337, still considerably more than the €1,693 for a ground floor home but not as big a difference as the headline figures suggest. According to Ferran Font, director of Estudios de pisos.com, “the penthouse is a safe investment that, in times of uncertainty, may see falls in price, but not significant ones. However, in moments of optimism, its value rises faster and higher then apartments on any other floor.”
Costa del Sol leads new home boom
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SINCE the financial recovery in Spain, the demand for more new homes has boosted the construction industry in the country; and it’s particularly high in the Costa del Sol. According to a study by AEDAS Homes, more and more people are looking to buy new homes by the sea in preference to resale properties. In places like the Costa del Sol, almost 77 per cent of those interested in buying a new home do so to use it as a holiday home or a second resiis Mijas. r areas of the Costa del Sol dence. Compare that figure BOOSTED: Among the popula with the national average across Spain of 19 per cent, with Barcelona only attracting 4.9 per cent of that particular market. pats are mostly looking for two-bed- rooms, views, terraces and places Javier Sanchez, Director of Mar- room homes to serve as a house with services nearby.” keting and Innovation at Aedas that is not their main residence, a Foreign buyers in Spain account Homes, said: “Half of the potential demand that does not correspond for up to 75 per cent of the market for buyers of a new home on the Costa to that of other residential markets. potential buyers of new builds, espedel Sol are not Spanish. These ex- In addition, expats value spacious cially those from northern Europe.
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€12.2 million house sale A
HOUSE in the Madrid region has being sold for €12.2 million in one of the most expensive sales carried out this year, according to a property website. The property, in the La Moraleja area, is three floors high and covers an area of 2,100 sqm on a plot of around 11,000 square metres, Idealista said. The sale was carried out through the Everyprop luxury estate agent. Spanish businessman Trinitario Casanova bought the property, according to reports. Architects Javier de Hita and Javier Lopez Sanchez designed the house in collaboration with Gustavo Ortiz. The house contains a 220 sqm master suite with two bathrooms. There are four other suites and two bedrooms in the property, all with en suites. The first floor houses a
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SOLD: The house covers 2,100 sqm. gym and an adjoining spa. The garden features a small pond complete with its own waterfall. It also features a paddle tennis and mini tennis court and a swimming pool. The house’s entrance consists of four metre automatic doors that open out onto a 70 sqm foyer. A staircase and panoramic lift connect the three floors,
one of which houses a 140 sqm private cinema with a four-metre wide screen. The second floor houses living areas, a kitchen, dining rooms and small office covering a space of 400 sqm. The third floor features several terraces along with the master suite, its bathrooms and a dressing room
which covers 80 sqm on its own. The property’s modernist design allows for expansive views across its plot of land. It has a garage with room for six cars. The house has an energy efficiency rating of ‘A’ due to its geothermal air conditioning system, insulation, lighting and treated glass.
Cost of renting through the roof THE cost of renting a property in Spain is now equivalent to nearly 50 per cent of an average worker’s salary, according to real estate portal pisos.com. An increase in demand for rented accommodation has pushed rental charges up by 15 per cent over the last year. At the same time, figures from the National Institute of Statistics show that wages have typically gone up by a mere 0.6 per cent over the same period. In some regions of the country the news is even worse for renters. In the Canary Islands, Cataluña and the Basque Country the cost of renting is closer to 55 per cent of average monthly earnings, in the Valencian Community it’s more than 60 per cent, and in Madrid and the Balearic Islands it’s a whopping 70 per cent. The report reveals that the most expensive parts of the country for property rentals are the Community of Madrid (€1,395 per month), the Basque Country (€1,126), and the Balearic Islands (€1,109).
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House price hike F
IGURES released this week show that property prices in Spain have risen by 5 per cent in just 12 months. In the Balearics, the figure stands at 4 per cent. Most in demand on the islands are coastal properties, along with houses in the large cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, where prices continue to rise. According to the report from the ministry of development, the Balearics and the Canaries have seen the biggest increase in property prices since 2014, when Spain came out of the recession, with a growth of almost 20 per cent. But despite the rise, house prices across Spain remain 35 per cent lower than before the credit crunch in 2007.
RISE: The cost of property in the Balearics has increased by 4 per cent in a year. Only in the Balearics is the situation slightly better with property prices 22 per cent below those of 11
years ago. Reports from real estate agents indicate the overall market picture for the
Balearics is good, and that the main issue is finding quality homes and developments.
More living alone ONE in three people in Spain will live alone within the next 15 years, the National Institute of Statistics predicts. The Household Projection 2018 report shows that not only will nearly six million people live on their own by 2033, there will also be an increase in the number of senior citizens: one in four of the expected 49 million population will be over 65. The rise in single-person households is the main factor behind the forecast of nearly 10 per cent growth in the number of households overall in the 15-year period to just over 20 million. The Institute expects just 4.9 per cent growth in the population residing in family households over the same period, leading to the conclusion there will be less people living in each home. It forecasts average household size will drop from the current 2.5 people to 2.38. This compares with an average of 2.9 persons per property in 2001 and four people per property in 1970.
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Housing market boost T
HE amount of houses sold in Spain during August stood at 44,637, the largest quantity for that month in more than a decade according to new figures. Data from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) showed the amount sold was the highest since August 2007, at the height of the pre-recession property boom. A total of 58,872 houses were sold at that time. Figures for last August show a 7.4 per cent increase compared to the same time in 2017. Sales fell in month on month terms between last July and August by 2.8 per cent. Almost 352,770 new and second-hand properties have been sold this year, a growth of 11.1 per cent compared to data posted this time last year. Fernando Encinar, from the
27% The property market is starting to boom with prime property sales up.
SALES BOUNCE: The figures were the highest for a decade. Idealista online property portal, said figures showed as many houses had been sold so far this year as were sold during the whole of 2015.
The Madrid region saw the largest year-on-year increase in Spain, with sales rising by 7.6 per cent compared to August 2017. The regions of Cataluña
and the Balearic Islands were the only two in Spain where sales fell compared to August last year. They fell by a rate of 11.2 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.
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First impressions key Keep it clean It’s logical enough, but a property should always be presented spick and span: kitchen tops wiped, bathrooms stain-free, newly dusted, and everything kept tidy. Clear the decks Declutter as far as possible, and remove surplus furniture to make rooms look more spacious. Good as new Owners might have long since stopped noticing the loose tile in the bathroom, the flakey paint in the sitting room corner or the mark on the bedroom wall, but a potential buyer will pick up on these kinds of small details and will get a sense the property has not been well maintained. Get round to doing the small repairs and the overdue decorating so the property look as at its very best.
FIRST impressions are vital when it comes to selling a property. The key is to get potential buyers already imagining themselves right at home there from the get-go. Giving a property the immediate wow factor does not have to be a complicated or costly process however. A house or apartment can go from forgettable to memorable with a few simple home staging techniques.
Depersonalise Put personal items like holiday souvenirs and knickknacks, family photos and kiddies’ toys out of sight to create a neutral look. Well defined spaces Each area of the property should have an easily identified function. So if for example a property is being sold as threebedroomed, then all three rooms should have a bed in them.
Let there be light Open the curtains, pull up the blinds, add extra light to dark corners, and if it can be avoided, don’t show the property on cloudy or rainy days. Freshening up Open windows 10 minutes or so before visits to let in clean, fresh air. Strategically placed flowers will also help to create an agreeable, welcoming ambience. Highlight the unique selling points Draw attention to the property’s unique selling points, whether it’s a Jacuzzi on the roof terrace, a sleek new kitchen or a charming fireplace.
SIMPLE: Declutter and keep your home clean.
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Empty house plans SPAIN’S government has begun drawing up measures to stop speculators buying up empty homes. The ruling left-leaning Partido Socialista (PSOE) is aiming to reclassify housing as a public service ‘in the general interest’ to avoid empty properties being bought up as investments. The Housing Secretary General’s Office has also called for measures to end speculation on properties to be brought into law, as has the Development Ministry. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he wanted to take housing “far” from speculative buyers. “I am calling on all political forces to reach a pact that will turn housing into a right for citizens,” he said. The news comes as Jose Luis Abalos, the Development Minister, previ-
CHANGES FLOATED: Public housing would be protected under the plans. ously floated changes to property laws including extending lets from three to five years. He also announced plans to build 20,000 homes in areas where rent prices had been driven up due to high levels of demand. Changes to Spain’s National Housing Plan have
also been floated which would see houses built with public money made exempt from sales to investors. The proposals follow two rulings in which courts decided the social role of housing in their decisions on property sales. A Madrid court ruled in favour of an appeal
against the sale of almost 3,000 apartments to the Encasa Cibeles investment fund. Another Madrid court ruled earlier this year that publicly funded housing projects serve a social purpose and the sale of public housing violated the right to adequate housing.
Respectful, clean and sociable ACCORDING to a house sharing website the most requested qualit i e s o f a h o u s e m a t e a r e t o b e re spectful, clean and sociable. The website says those are the qualities people are looking for when searching for an ideal person to share a home, with 72 per cent of respondents saying that these features vary depending on whether you are still a student or already working. The main problems in house shares are cleaning issues with 61 per cent saying that accumulating dirt and rubbish in the shared, communal areas is a big problem, followed by privacy (40 per cent) and relationships (29 per cent). However, house sharing does have some benefits, 40 per cent said they became more organised and tidy as a result of sharing. The most in demand cities according to the site are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Granada, Alicante and Malaga.
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Evolution of second T home trends
HE international second property market has changed significantly in the last 10 years and now buyers are looking at gaining income through rent as opposed to buying solely for your own use. In the 70’s, only 10 per cent of owners rented out their second property. And at the turn of the millennium, only 20 per cent earned an income from their properties. But in the last few years, the situation has changed drastically, and more than two thirds of owners rent their second homes during certain periods of the year to cover all or part of the expenses. A third rent their properties out all year round. According to a leading estate agent which carried out the study, in an environment with ‘a low interest rate, investors look for assets that
INCOME: More second home owners want to earn money from their property. generate income.’ Today, buyers of second homes want properties that work financially and increasingly seek that they not only cover expenses, but generate profit.
It’s reported that 38 per cent of Spanish property owners make money from their properties and 28 per cent partially cover expenses. Experts claim the trend when
buying a second home differs depending on the country of origin of the owners. The study reveals that British owners are the ones who buy more secondary homes out-
side of their country. Just 24 per cent of those properties are located in the UK, 19 per cent are situated in France and 16 per cent in Spain. The top three destinations chosen by international owners are apparently the Algarve (5 per cent), Costal del Sol (4) and Costa Blanca (4). And only a quarter of the second homes of Dutch owners are in the Netherlands. When it comes to other countries involved in the study, the majority of owners have their second property in their own country. Less than 5 per cent of Spaniards, Italians and Portuguese, buy their second residences abroad. The main areas where Spanish properties are located are the Canary Islands (12 per cent), Costa del Sol (9 per cent) and in the Balearic Islands (9 per cent).
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CAVE HOUSES: Getting more popular. EVERYONE loves a cave - or so it seems when talking about the ‘Hobbit holes’ that seem to be growing in popularity in certain parts of Spain. A new build cave house (or casa-cueva as they are known) is extremely rare, but there is a thriving market for older ones. One of the main benefits of cave houses is their natural insulation, which cools them down in summer and keeps them warm in winter - a great advantage in Spain where the climate can vary wildly through the year. One of the areas in Spain where there
Live in a cave… are most cave houses is in the province of Granada. Those in the regions of Guadix and El Marquesado and the Baza-Huescar area are particularly fa-
mous and have become a huge tourist attraction. Locals and foreigners alike have seen the tourism potential of the properties. So many a rundown or aban-
doned house has been refurbished for use as rural accommodation. This area of Granada has a climate that is hot and dry in summer but very cold in the winter, so the advantages of cave houses has made them a traditional form of housing for centuries. Most of those seen today were hewn out of the terrain in the 19th century by farm workers. They are becoming increasingly popular with foreigners looking not just for somewhere to live, but also for a great business opportunity, as they are popular amongst tourists who are aware of the importance of protecting the environment.
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Village for sale A
N estate has gone up for sale in northern Spain with a plot of land containing not only a house but an entire village. El Mortorio, in Asturias, has been restored over two decades and is now a holiday business. It comes complete with 12 buildings on a 13 hectare plot of land at a cost of almost €2.4 million. The village is around 10 kilometres away from the market town of Infiesto and 20 kilometres from Spain’s Atlantic coastline. RUSTIC LIVING: El Mortorio is in Asturias. It is made up of eight holiday homes, or Casa someone looking for a as well as the San Isidro ski cenRurales, that can drastic change in liv- tre. The Spanish accommodate a ing, the firm added. The site includes 20 buildable housing market total of 48 T h e v i l l a g e l i e s i n plots with space for further expangrew by 8% in guests. the Picos de Europa s i o n . T h e r e i s a l s o a w o o d e n Iberia North, area of Asturias and is structure typical to Asturian vilthe first five the estate agents a short drive from the lages known as a horreo. months of 2018. selling the vilcities of Gijon and Each house on the plot comes lage, said the O v i e d o , w i t h S a n - with two to four bedrooms, a kitplot offered plenty of scope to ex- tander airport about 150 kilome- cen, lounge and dining areas. pand the existing holiday busi- tres away. It is also near to two All have been modernised but n e s s . I t w o u l d a l s o i d e a l l y s u i t natural parks, Redes and Ponga, retain a traditional feel.
8%
A house with an edge SPANISH architect Ramon Esteve has completed a Norway-inspired mountainside property surrounded by pine trees and vegetation. Located in Alicante on Spain’s south eastern coast, the house has been conceived as a concrete block that rests gently on the sloping terrain. ‘Oslo House’ is made up of two overlapping spaces set back from one another to draw in daylight and ventilation. Esteve’s unique design plays creatively with light and shadow, and openings in the floor slabs allow natural light to enter the residence as the sun’s position moves throughout the day. This helps to establish a closer relationship between indoor and outdoor space, and from the main living area the house opens out towards the landscape, taking in sweeping sea views. The ground floor has been extended with a beautiful infinity pool which blends into the horizon. As for the choice of materials, cool concrete walls juxtapose the warmer wooden textures used inside the home, and the house is fully painted in creamy white.
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An island of tranquility M
ENORCA was the last territory in Spain to fall to General Franco in 1939, and in a fit of pique the military dictator ensured the Balearic isle received no funds during the Spanish tourism boom of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Menorca never caught up and remains charmingly unspoilt, with 1.7 million tourists last year, a fraction of Mallorca’s near 14 million. There are no mega-resorts, no giant aquariums or huge beer kellers, but there are plenty of uncrowded beaches along its 134 miles of coastline. It is lined with low key towns and tranquil rural fincas, into which high-profile actors like Daniel Craig and Benedict Cumberbatch can disappear. It is not surprising therefore that the property market in
BEAUTIFUL: Ciutadella de Menorca.
UNSPOILT IDYLL: Low key Menorca is an attractive getaway. Menorca is more sedate compared with that of its Balearic sisters, and Spanish and French buyers are vigorously capitalising on its affordability. “This unique and beautiful island has huge poten-
tial as the Balearic with the biggest growth opportunity,” says Alejandra Vanoli. Property prices are about 25 to 35 per cent less than in Mallorca, says Gary Hobson, Managing Director of estate agency Engel &Volkers Mallorca North.
“Many buyers have looked at Mallorca, but the appeal of Menorca is that you can get a seafront property for €1.5 million to €1.8 million.” The British have long favoured the east of the island in and around capital Mahon.
Advertising Feature by NeoGlass
Welcome to NeoGlass UNLIKE other companies, who have their origins in English double glazing, NeoGlass is a company which was established exclusively to bring to the glass market a line of products which improved upon those that had gone before. Coupled with this, the founders believed it to be of the utmost importance to introduce a level of care, support and service that had previously been lacking and since their inception they have made this their credo. Further to this, due to the fact that the products they offer were designed and are produced here in Spain, NeoGlass is able to give peace of mind through their full five-year guarantee for glass curtains and two years guarantee for the rest of their products. Since their formation, their products have gone on to be distributed worldwide. NeoGlass glass curtains allow you to enjoy your terrace all year round, shutting out any inclement weather, while simultaneously enhanc-
ing the overall appearance of your property. The system is bottom weighted and there are no moving components which have to support it, which makes for incredible durability, effortlessly smooth operation and greater stability. The weight of the glass panels is divided equally and supported along the bottom track, thus avoiding wear and tear on the components and guaranteeing excellent functionality and durability. The system’s components are made from the best materials, which ensures amazing durability and negates corrosion.
For more information, pictures and videos of their products please visit www.neoglass.es and have a look around. For a free quote contact them through their website or give them a call on 951 775 214.
IMPROVED: NeoGlass’s products are a class above.
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House hunters home in onSpain
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ROPERTY buyers looking for a retreat overseas are understandably turning to Spain, one of the most popular European countries among retirees and young people alike. Spain is reportedly more affordable for expatriates at the moment than it has been in decades, with day-to-day expenses said to be lower than in the UK. Alicante, on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast, is home to about 334,000 people, and not surprisingly so as the city offers all the modern conveniences, including an international airport. According to real estate agents, apartments can be snapped up in the centre for under €100,000. Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, and benefits from convenient air and rail
FORT OFFER: Rooms come priced at €500 a month.
Rent a castle room
CAPITAL: Madrid combines everything. connections, major hospitals, universities, parks, museums and historic centres. But the cost of living and real estate in Valencia is still cheaper than in Barcelona and Madrid. Rents for one and two bedroom apartments in decent neighbourhoods start at around €550 a month, while sales start at about €110,000.
Malaga is another attractive location with its pedestrian only city centre and revamped harbour. Apartments start at under €175,000, and around €450 a month to rent. Stylish Barcelona is popular for retirees because of its climate, culture, infrastructure, public services, accessibility and cost of living. Around €220,000 will buy a modern apartment for two.
ROOMS in a Castle near Madrid have come onto the market and they could be yours for €500 a month. The fortress, in the Guadalajara area and an hour and a half from the Spanish capital, covers an area of 2,000 sqm and contains more than 20 rooms. It was built in the 13th century, made up of nine floors and sits on a 6,000 square metre
plot of land. The catch to the €500 a month rental rate is that the castle is empty so anyone who rents a room would have to furnish it out of their own pocket. The owner of the castle told the Idealista property portal website that it was also possible to buy a part or all of the property. Rent and durations are negotiable, the owner added.
Advertising Feature by Grupo Exit GRUPO INMOBILIARIO EXIT is one of the leading names on the Costa del Sol within the real estate sector. Since the birth of the company in 2004, it has become one of the main agencies in Malaga as well as a leader in land management, new development and resale properties. With a broad portfolio of properties that covers all the Costa del Sol, they have an extensive reach backed up by a large team of multicultural agents who work tirelessly to offer clients professional treatment with the personal touch in the process of buying and selling a home. This has made GRUPO EXIT one of the foremost real estate agents west of Malaga and the first choice amongst many when it comes to the management of first and second homes. By having a presence in the main towns of the Costa del Sol, from Benalmadena to Estepona, they can combine
GRUPO EXIT: A leading name in real estate FIRST CLASS: GRUPO EXIT is the entry into Malaga’s property world. their expertise with in-depth local knowledge, which helps them help you. They have an extensive track record in all aspects of property sales and management. This has given them a deserved reputation of having a great team of professionals who work tirelessly to ensure their clients in whichever department get the best possible service, with a full range of options available. GRUPO EXIT’s portfolio includes second-hand properties as well as promotions of new construction in the region,
both through their own agents as well as through a wide network of collaborative real estate agencies. For buyers this means unbeatable choice in all areas, while for sellers it offers the widest marketing exposure. They use the latest technolo-
gy to provide the strongest possible advertising tools such as extensive databases, as well as having a presence on leading websites, both national and foreign. This helps them to publicise, advertise and position themselves - and your property - strategically within
the real estate market. In addition to the purely commercial work carried out by its team of agents, GRUPO EXIT leads the customer through the whole process of buying, starting with a close study of their wishes in order to find the perfect product to satisfy the client’s needs. The company also has customer service that includes translators, lawyers and tax advisors, among others, to help and advise the client at any stage of the sale process. GRUPO INMOBILIARIO EXIT, with its main office in Avda. Santa Amalia, 28 in Fuengirola, is one of the reference names on the Costa del Sol within the real estate sector.
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Green light after 130 years Sagrada Familia gets building permit in multi-million deal
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NYONE who has tried to build a property in Spain will be familiar with the bureaucracy and red tape that must be sorted out before the first bricks are laid. But despite all the paperwork officials would never wait more than a century to grant building permits, unless the property in question is one of Spain’s most famous landmarks. Planning authorities in Barcelona granted permits to the Sagrada Familia Cathedral 136 years after foundations for it were laid in the Catalan capital. Cathedral authorities have agreed to pay €36 million for the permit. City authorities
PERMISSION GRANTED: The Sagrada Familia has being under construction since the 1800’s. plan to use the money to improve public transport and the surrounding neighbour-
hood. A spokesperson for the basilica said on Twitter the agreement
to begin the necessary procedures to get a works licence from the council had been
signed. Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau said its status should be regu-
larised by next year. The religious building, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, sits on a plot of land that has been marked as empty in Barcelona’s property registry since 1995. The land is owned by the diocese of Barcelona, according to reports. Previous arrangements meant the City Council had no oversight on the building works. Building works to the Sagrada Familia are due to be completed in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has attracted around 4.5 million visitors every year, an average of 12,000 a day.
Keep the stress to a minimum WHEN moving house it is occasionally difficult to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not for nothing does it rank with those two other life-changers, divorce and death. But there are ways of making the ordeal a little easier, beginning with a calculation of how much it is going to cost. Obviously this will be dictated by the shape, size and weight of the objects to be shifted. It is also vital to settle whether those moving intend to do the packing themselves or if they plan to pay the removals company to do the job. According to an online blog from Bankia, the cost can start at €400 for an average number of possessions inside an average apartment of up to 50 sqm.
This rises to €800 for a home of between 70 and 90 sqm and Spain has retained its more than PACKING: Will you do your own or use a specialist? popularity as a second €2,000 for a home destination with large property up to 87% of sales big or unaccording to the Bankia exwieldy objects like household by cancelling utilities while making sure made to foreign inperts. appliances or furniture to a spe- that gas, electricity, water, telephone vestors in tourist As with any cialist removals company. While line and internet are up and running hotspots. packing and taking smaller pos- when moving into the new home. kind of outlay sessions oneself is certainly And above all, it not only wise but alit’s essential to ask for estimates from several compa- possible, using a professional removals so imperative to register on the municinies and as it is usual to pay only after firm will definitely relieve the stress of pal Padron and sign up with a doctor at the primary care health centre. the move has been completed, any- the move. Equally as important as the move itInevitably there will be stress during a body moving house should be wary of any company asking to be paid upfront. self are the paperwork and bureaucrat- move, but follow these guidelines and Neither is it a bad idea to leave the ic details. The householder should start there should be fractionally less.
87%
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Showing buyers your home I
F you want to make a timely sale of your home, it is worth remembering a few pointers when showing people
around. On the day of the viewing it’s important that the property is decluttered and tidy and the place throughout smells nice. If any rooms suffer from insufficient sunlight turn on the lights. Always start the showing in the best room and finish in the best room. Importantly, let the buyers look through the property on their own. Don’t follow them around. If you really think you should show them around, say this is to let them know what’s where. Always let them enter the room first. Once you’ve shown them around give them time on their own. Ideally you don’t want to be present at all. Good advice is to let an agent conduct the viewing. It makes for a more relaxed atmosphere for the buyer. You don’t want to be put on the spot when they ask you direct questions like ‘what are the neighbours like?’ Plan for any possible questions by writing down the answers. Are the neighbours noisy? Only on Sunday afternoons when they stand in a circle holding hands singing Kumbaya My Lord -
apart from that they are friendly sorts. Best not to tell them a lie. Make sure your home smells nice. Give it a good airing. Use pot pourri. If you’ve got pets take steps to reduce their smell. Put on a pot of coffee. Plug in air fresheners to diffuse a smell through the house, don’t make it too obvious though. Do not smoke, as the smell can be a turn off. Worth mentioning again declutter, ideally move non-essential items into storage or your friend’s garage. This will give the impression of more space and by also removing family photos it will allow the prospective buyers to visualise themselves in the home. Always focus on the positive aspects of the property. Be friendly, accommodating, welcoming and forthcoming with information. Be a good listener people's favourite thing is to talk Spain’s central about thembank estimates a selves. 12 month capital And finally, nevgain on property er show anyone of 6.8%. around without an appointment.
6.8% GOOD MOVE: Get an agent to show potential buyers your home.
Advertising Feature by Marbella Viewings
Not just a home - a lifestyle too MARBELLA VIEWINGS is very conscious that they do not simply sell property, they sell a lifestyle. This is why their slogan is ‘Life is so much better in Spain’ - and they are willing to go the extra mile to help people attain their Spanish dream. Founded in 2012 by Peter Larsen, the team’s experience goes back many more years on the Costa del Sol. With their in-depth knowledge of the local property market, the Spanish system and with their skills and experience in marketing they can help sellers and buyers alike. What sets them apart is they really do care about their business, which means they have a strong commitment to all of their clients. They are reliable and have a straight-forward approach no matter the market conditions. Integrity and personal ser-
LUXURY: Some of the prime properties for sale through Marbella Viewings. vice are their key words. Marbella Viewings cover all areas between Mijas Costa and Estepona, taking in all the prime neighbourhoods of the Costa del Sol. By specialising in this region they have built up an unrivalled, in-depth knowledge of such iconic sites as the Golden Mile, Nueva Andalucia and Marbella East, as well as Puer-
to Banus, Benahavis, Estepona, Mijas Costa and more. The company offers some of the most prestigious properties available in these much sought after areas, with a prime selection of villas, townhouses, elegant apartments and exclusive penthouses and, for those who want to build their home to their own specifications, plots of land.
Should you be looking for a new build home, Marbella Viewings has access to some of the most prestigious new developments, while they also offer resales and bank repossessions. Although they specialise in the coastal strip from Mijas Costa to Estepona, they can also help if you are searching for a home in other popular areas
including Mijas village and Benalmadena. They can help in your language too, with English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Spanish and German all catered for by their team. For more information or to discuss your requirements, please call 951 506 100 or visit their website www.marbellaviewings.com.
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Three out of four buyers take out mortgage T
HREE out of four buyers in Spain take out mortgages to finance their property purchase, a recent report by Fotocasa reveals. In the last 12 months, 4 per cent of Spaniards over the age of 18 acquired a house or apartment, and of those 75 per cent applied for mortgages - up from 71 per cent last year. So far this year, in the region of 144,000 mortgages have been taken out, 11 per cent more than over the same period of 2017. Nearly six out of 10 people who have taken out mortgages in the last 12 months were women and 77
34% The banks are lending again with the number of mortgages approved up 34% on a year ago.
THE kind of person who purchases a property in Spain can be broken down into five broad categories, a Comprar casa study suggests. To begin with there is the first-time buyer, typically a young person aged between 25 and 35 looking to leave the family nest and set up home on their own. According to the report, the chances are they won’t have a huge amount of savings and may have to overcome various obstacles in order to get a mortgage. On average, first-time buyers stay in their first rung on the property ladder home for around eight years. Then you have the buyers who have outgrown the starter home due to changing circumstances. Maybe they’re now living with their partner, children have arrived, or they simply have different needs. The report identifies these as often 35 to 45 years old, although there are also the retirement age buyers looking to downsize. In both cases their available budget tends to be around the €350,000 mark, de-
FINANCE: A loan or mortgage is often a necessary step to get on the property ladder.
per cent were aged between 25 and 44 years
old. The report identifies 50 per cent of people giv-
en mortgages as middle class, and nearly eight
OLDER BUYERS: Are often looking for an investment.
Buyer types identified
out 10 as living as a couple, and half of those have children. Before buying this year, 89 per cent were already living in their own property and 11 per cent were renting. Around 88 per cent bought properties to be used as their main residence, while 8 per cent bought holiday homes and 3 per cent acquired property as an investment. By area, Madrid and Barcelona accounted for the lion’s share of mortgages at 26 and 21 per cent of the total respectively. They are followed by Andalucia (14 per cent), the Valencian Community (8 per cent), and the Basque Country (5 per cent).
pending on where in the country they live. A third buyer classification is those searching for a second property to use as a holiday home or weekend getaway, usually somewhere on the coast or an inland rural location. They may also be thinking longer-term, planning to live full time in the property following retirement. The report gives the typical budget for this kind of buyer as €129,000, but adds this could be considerably higher in pricier parts of the country, among them Cataluña, the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands. Moving on there is the small investor, or the people who opt to put their savings in good old bricks and mortar, who quite possibly plan to rent out the property. Within this grouping the report includes foreign buyers as well as Spaniards, usually over-50s who don’t need a mortgage, with an average budget of about €95,000. Finally there are the big investors, the professionals or companies, both national and based overseas.
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