Braking waves

Taken From the Algas Bar Near Moraira a taste of cafe life 

House of Commons

Hi. On the 18th November Beverley & myself will be going to the The Houses of Parliament to the House of Commons Members Dining Room 4-6 pm to meet MP’s and fellow Association of International Property Professionals. We are raising issues to do with ex-pats and second home owners. What questions would you like us to ask or what issues would you like to be raised?
http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/venue-hire/venues/members/

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Concrete Jungle The Place I love

Torrevieja

The town of Torrevieja is a short drive from our house.  The small city dates back to 1802 and is named after the old watch tower (Torre = tower and Vieja = old).  I have heard a number, and read a lot more, comments on how awful the place is and how crime-ridden by people who have not been there in recent years (if at all).  So large cities with high rise are not my kind of place but to my surprise I find I like many parts of this particular city. 

The buildings are, in the main, not that tall.  In fact smaller than other large tourist towns I know well in the northern Costa Blanca such as Calpe, Denia, Javea and of course, Benidorm (which I don’t know well as one visit was enough!).  The place is truly international with influences from as far apart as Italy and the Caribbean, with one of the most diverse populations in Spain.  In 2014 the population is recorded as 108.063 of which around 47,000 are Spanish and the rest a wide mix from across the globe.  Native English speakers make up about 11%-12% of the total population, which is pretty much in line with the overall percentage in Spain and lower than some other coastal towns. To give you some idea of how the town has expanded the current population is around four times larger than in 1990 and twice that of 2000.

The town’s blue flag beaches, long promenade, fishing port, yacht club and harbour make up the sea front.  Much of the tourist area of town has undergone an up-date with new pedestrianised areas, new theatre, new out of town concert venue, new tourist information office and much more.  The narrow streets are packed with individual shops and bars run by the Spanish, not ex-pats, with residential apartments above, many to only five storeys.  The town has somehow maintained its identity whilst catering for international visitors which swell its number to 500,000 in high season.

So is it crime ridden?  In the past the police force was over-stretched due to the very rapid expansion of the town, which stopped when the property boom ceased.  These days they seem much more on top of things and crime rates are comparable to other medium sized sea-side resorts.  As with resorts, cities and busy market places around the world there are pick-pockets and other opportunistic criminals taking advantage of the relaxed holiday makers.  But this is the same the world over.  If you take care of your belongings you will be ok.  As for comments I have read about ‘bars on windows’ I can’t help but laugh.  Window and door grills are, and have been for longer than the tourists have been coming, part of the way Spanish properties are built.  The sudden increase in eastern Europeans living in Spain a few years ago but unable to work in Spain caused a problem as they had to steal to eat but their numbers have declined as they have realised they can do better in other countries where they can find work or claim benefits.  In recent times the fact that there is no long-term benefit help to the unemployed has left some individuals desperate and feeling they have no option but to resort to crime to feed their families has become a challenge, but overall crime rates are not something to fret about.  Since the town made it illegal to buy from the ‘looky-looky’ men with their fake goods touted on blankets along the sea front they have almost disappeared.  Do I feel safe walking around Torrevieja?  Yes.  Do I feel safe walking around London?  No.

Perhaps one of our favourite pass-times when we go to Torrevieja is to visit Valors and enjoy their chocolate y churros, on the opposite side of the road to the square by the church of the Inmaculata Conception.  The original church, like much of the town, was destroyed by a major earthquake in 1829 and the current church was built in 1844 using the stones from the original watch tower (Torre) in the foundations.  If you have children then the fun fair and Park of Nations are a must.  Or if you prefer more cultural surroundings then have a coffee in the Casino (which is not a casino but a restaurant and art gallery and social centre).  If you are there for the right week in August then you can experience the Habaneras Festival which has been run annually in the city for over 40 years.  This is a music festival and competition where the music is a fusion of Cuban and Spanish.

Torrevieja grew from the salt industry, still a major employer, producing half a million tons of salt a year.  There are two lakes, Laguna Salada de la Mata and Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, but they are more commonly known as the blue lake and the pink lake.  The Parque National surrounds the blue (La Mata) lake while the pink lake is a hive of industry.  The lakes, together with the Mar Menor to the south and the Santa Pola salt lakes to the north, create a unique micro climate, one the World Health Organisation lists as one of the healthiest in the world; particularly good for those who suffer with joint or respiratory problems.  Combined with the warm average winter temperatures (higher than the Costa del Sol and several degrees warmer than north Costa Blanca) of over 10 degrees (usually upper teens in the day)

www.spanishdreamproperty.com

www.house-by-the-pool.com

Torrevieja- Welcome to Torrevieja

http://youtu.be/Wx80oHN4hwU

Villa / Detached in Campoamor

  3 Bed 3 Bath
Villa / Detached in Campoamor

Ref: 3948   Type: Villa / Detached   Area: Costa Blanca South Town: Campoamor Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Pool: Yes Price: €168,000 Description:  3 BED, 3 BATH NEW BUILD VILLAS ALARM SYSTEM (FLOODING AND FIRE) INCLUDED HOME AUTOMATION FOR SHUTTERS UNDER FLOOR HEATING IN BATHROOMS SOLAR PANELS FURNISHED KITCHEN   http://www.spanishdreamproperty.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=63720

http://www.spanishdreamproperty.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=63720

Villa / Detached in Jalon Valley

Ref: NCBA1333
Type: Villa / Detached
Area: Costa Blanca North
Town: Jalon Valley

Beds: 3
Baths: 3
Pool: Yes
Price: €360,000

3 Bed 3 Bath
Villa / Detached in Jalon Valley

Description: A 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom detached villa located on an 8,000m² plot close to the attractive village of Lliber. The property is situated at the end of a long private driveway and the main house has accommodation on three levels. The ground floor consists of a large lounge area with a picture window overlooking the swimming pool and terrace, kitchen and utility room. Stairs lead up from the lounge area to the first floor with a main bedroom and bathroom with large corner bath. The second floor consists of another bedroom. In the grounds there are two separate buildings, each consisting of a bedroom and bathroom. The house is designed to conserve energy and is in immaculate condition throughout. The grounds are very private and there are two covered areas for further seating and an outside kitchen. A well provided the property with its own water . There is a secluded swimming pool and two ornamental ponds. The views over the Jalon Valley are superb.

http://www.spanishdreamproperty.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=64297

A nine year high

Foreign purchases of Spanish properties highest in nine years

Apr 21, 2014 | 0 Comment(s)

Foreign investment in Spain’s housing market in 2013 was the highest for nine years, at €6.45 billion (US$8.95 billion), up 16% on the previous year, according to the Bank of Spain.  

 

British nationals were the biggest buyers with 15.1% of total foreign residential property purchases.  The French bought 9.84%, the Russians 8.58%, and Belgians with 7.26%. 

 

Foreign investment helped the rate of house-price falls slow to 7.8% last year, compared to a price decline of 15.1% in 2102.  Spanish home prices are now declining by only 4.1% per annum.  But sales of new housing units fell by 37.4% year-on-year to February, according to the National Institute of Statistics. 

 

Spain, Europe’s fifth-largest economy, has witnessed a drop of up to 40% in home prices since 2007. Due to restricted credit, withdrawal of tax benefits, and rising unemployment, it is becoming increasingly difficult for locals to buy properties. 

 

Half of all households in Spain have some sort of debt, the average debt being €42,900. Young families are especially burdened:  81% of young families, i.e., where the main bread earner is under 35 years old, have property-related debts. About 584,000 dwellings are vacant in Spain, waiting to be sold.

 

While domestic buyers are bearing the brunt of the slowdown, the Spanish government is promoting inward foreign investment. Spain started issuing residency permits to non-EU nationals in February, in return for real estate investments of €500,000 ($670,000)

 

 Global Property Guide Apr 21, 2014

 

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Market Analysis - Spain

Time series for residential property

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Penthouse in Alicante

Property Of the week

 

 

 

2 Bed 2 Bath
Penthouse in Alicante

 

Ref: VRE 1173
Type: Penthouse
Area: Costa Blanca South
Town: Alicante

Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Pool: No
Price: €390,000

 

Description: This Unbelievable Luxurious Modern Two Bedroom Penthouse Apartment in Alicante is located 2nd line sea front, with the most outstanding views across the coast and beautiful blue sea. Situated within a minutes reach of any amenities or facility you require, also having of course direct access to the beaches directly in front. This extremely spacious property of approx. 130m2 comprises of an open plan truly ultra modern fully fitted kitchen with a feature island in the middle; desirable lounge/dining room with wide glass curtains and electrical sun awnings across the whole living area, bosting those panoramic views; two double bedrooms, both with en suite shower rooms and the master being over 25m2. This property was reformed in 2008 and has been equipped with the highest standard of products and finishes!

 

http://spanishdreamproperty.co.uk/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=59988

 

 

www.spanishdreamproperty.com



DETACHED FINCA A LOVELY COUNTRY HOME

3 Bed 1 Bath Country Property in LOS URRUTIAS

Ref: SDP1866 Type: Country Property Area: Costa Calida / Murcia Town: Los Urrutias

Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Pool: Yes Price: €165,000

Description: 3 BEDROOM DETACHED FINCA A LOVELY COUNTRY HOME LOCATED JUST A 10 MINUTE WALK FROM THE BEACHES OF THE MAR MENOR This typically Spanish finca offers the best of both worlds, being close to the coast and a selection of bars and restaurants yet also providing lovely views of the countryside. • Private swimming pool • Electric gates, off road parking plus double garage • Summer house and outside WC/ large garden with built in BBQ • Hot/cold air conditioning fitted plus log burner • Sold furnished and equipped          http://spanishdreamproperty.co.uk/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=58179

Property of the week

Ref: SDP1831
Type: Villa / Detached
Area: Costa Calida / Murcia
Town: Santiago De La Ribera

Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Pool: Yes
Price: €169,950

Description: 2 & 3 BEDROOM DETACHED VILLAS 500m FROM THE BEACH 2 bed from 169,950 euros 3 bed from 197,950 euros The contemporary 2 & 3 bedroom villas have been thoughfully designed to provide the perfect individual private contemporary living space. Just a few minutes stroll to the promenades of Santiago and Lo Pagan with its Spanish tapas bars, restaurants and beach bars. • Private pool with large terrace area • Glass to ceiling sliding patio doors • Enclosed garden & driveway • Convenient location for local amenities inc. bars & restaurants • Approx 10 minutes drive to Murcia airport

                       http://www.spanishdreamproperty.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=55461 

                                                        www.spanishdreamproperty.com

Ten good reasons for using a property finder 10

10. It is important that the property you buy is the right one for you. Having discussed your requirements and 'wish list' we can help prioritise those points, send a selection of property for consideration, listen to your feedback and refine the search criteria which leads to showing the right properties, in the right area at the right price for you.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 9

Ten good reasons for using a property finder 9

9. We are not sales people and therefore you will not be chased by a sales person. Buying a property, especially in another country, should not be hurried. We are not interested in 'selling' you any property but in finding you your dream home in the sun.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 8

Ten good reasons for using a property finder 8

8. We ourselves own property in the area in which we work. We have been through the process of buying ourselves so can empathise with your concerns and understand the purchase process from a buyers perspective.


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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 7

Ten good reasons for using a property finder

7. We work in a relatively small geographic area; an area we know well. As a result we know the local market trends, have local knowledge and therefore search from an informed position.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 6

Ten good reasons for using a property finder

6. Our service is actually free to our clients! When a property is chosen the estate agent with which it is listed pays us for our services to you out of their commission on completion.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 5

Ten good reasons for using a property finder
5 Because we work for the buyer and not the seller we are not bound, as an estate is bound, to get the best price for the seller. We are interesteTen good reasons for using a property finderd in getting the best price for you, the buyer.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder.4

Ten good reasons for using a property finder.
4 Once we are aware of your requirements we can alert you to any suitable properties new to the market. This is particularly important when you are about to visit Spain to view property.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder 3

Ten good reasons for using a property finder

3. We are not tied into working with just one estate agent so we can search through the properties listed with various reputable agents, some of those properties being listed on our own web site where our clients can also search should they wish to do so.

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Ten good reasons for using a property finder.

2. We spend the time searching and providing a suggested short-list, thereby saving you time and money.

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Independent advice 1

1. It is important to have independent advice at all stages of finding and purchasing a dream property. Estate Agents are effectively employed by a home owner to sell their property. A Property Finder doesn't work for the seller but works to find you, (the buyer), the best possible options for your preferences and budget.

 

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