Good news at last!

"Sales edge up due to foreign interest" is the catchline in this week's 'SUR in English' local newspaper.
It appears that interest from foreign buyers have gone up by 43% this year and that there is now concrete evidence of light at the end of the tunnel. The newspaper continues with: "The storm of the financial crisis has relented for the British, Germans, Scandinavians and Russians who are once again showing an interest in the Costa del Sol, and mainly in Marbella, attracted by reductions in the asking prices of properties".
Sales have, it seems, have increased by 31% over the previous quarter. With the actual highest number of new buyers coming from the UK or Germany, 30% of all buyers will choose something in the Marbella area.
The same newspaper has a lengthy report on the enormous amount of work that has been done in creating the new promenade which runs from San Pedro to past Marbella itself.

Middle East pain is Spain's gain!

London Evening Standard

Sadly for several countries in the Middle East, the present unrest has prompted a number of Europeans to think twice about buying a holiday home in places such as Egypt & Tunisia & in other surrounding countries despite that most of them
 show no signs of civil disturbance. The press in Spain report an upsurge from those contacting airlines & travel firms to organise holidays here. Similarly, a number of the leading properties companies have recorded a very sharp increase in enquiries for Spanish properties although limited to the key destination areas such as the Costa del Sol. Despite the economic gloom, Marbella continues to offer a solid infrastructure; a wide range of well organised activities; better weather than nearly anywhere else in Europe &, above all, great stability. Add that to the lower pricing level of properties, the Costa del Sol is looking forward to a revival.

The Sunday Times on hot property deals

The Sunday Times has this week published a feature by Alexandra Goss entitled:
"Where in the world to find a hot property deal" with the sub-title of:

"The downturn has led to big bargains for Brits buying abroad".
The feature article mentions only four hot areas in the world - Barbados, France, Spain & Florida. Unlike some areas, it also mentions "Spain is still willing to lend to non-residents and you can borrow up to 70% of loan to value"
Marco says:
It is exactly what I keep saying! Now is the time to find something affordable.

€350,000 for a whole villa? Incredible!

One of the loveliest locations on the New Golden Mile and close to five star hotel Kempinski, in a picturesque little corner but accessible to the amenities of both, Estepona and San Pedro. The villa has wonderful sea views, a private pool and is built to a high standard that includes air-conditioning hot and cold and central heating. Fully fitted kitchen, fireplace in the living room. Heavily reduced from 560.000€. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Constructed area 190m2, Swimming Pool & Plot 640m2. Price: €350,000 Située dans un des plus beaux endroits, sur le “New Golden Mile”, près de l'hôtel 5 étoiles Kempinski, dans un coin pittoresque, mais non loin de Estepona ou de San Pedro. La villa jouit d'une merveilleuse vue sur la mer, avec une piscine privée. Elle est de haut standing et comprend air conditionné chaud et froid, chauffage central. Cuisine entièrement équipée, cheminée dans le salon. Prix fortement réduit de 560.000€. 3 Chambres, 2 Salles des bains, Construit 190m2, Piscine et Terrain 640m2                         Prix: 350.000€  Marco says:The only reason this super villa - and not an old place needing a complete makeover - is up for sale is simply that the charming lady owner is returning to her country & has to move as fast as possible!  C'est vraiement un prix extraordinaire, n'est ce pas?

What a price! / Prix fabuleux!

Attractive 4 bedroom villa with a breathtaking sea, golf and mountain views situated in the popular Paraiso Alto of west Marbella. The house includes a lounge with open fireplace, 4 bedrooms with 4 en suite bathroooms, guest toilet, spacious storage and garage for 2 cars. Marble floors, A/C, alarm system, double glazing. Private pool in a beautiful, mature gardens. The villa is circa 300m2 built on a plot of 1,050m2 with a terrace of 50%. 3kms to the beach! Price was €1.260.000, then reduced to €995.000 & now €799.000 & the owner is willing to accept an offer! Don’t leave this one too long!

Price: €799,000

Charmante villa de 4 chambres avec vue sur mer à couper le souffle et sur le golf et les montagnes. Située dans le secteur recherché d’Alto Paraiso. (Marbella Ouest). La maison comprend un salon avec cheminée, 4 chambres avec 4 salles de bains, toilettes d'invités, rangements spacieux et un garage pour 2 voitures. Sols en marbre, A / C, système d'alarme, double vitrage. Piscine privée dans un beau jardin d'âge mûr. À 3 km de la plage, sur un terrain de 1.050 m2 ! Cette villa est construite sur 300m2 environ avec une terrasse de 50%. de sa surface.  Le prix était: 1.260.000€, puis 995.000€ et maintenant 799.000€ Le propriétaire est ouvert à une offre! Ne tardez pas!
Prix: 799,000€

Information/plus d'infos:  +34 618 292 000

Marco says: 
What I like about this one, apart from the price, is that it's a real family home, not another newly built fashion statement & has lots of charisma. I love the split level living/dining area; that it's very private & outside eating under the lovely tree is wonderful. The garden is delightful. The downside is simply that there are no nearby shops or cafés but that's the price for privacy & the great views! However, there are shops just over half a kilometre away so it's not a problem but like most places, you'll need a car. Happy Days!

Marco a écrit:  

Ce que j'aime à ce propos, à part le prix, c'est que c'est un véritable maison de famille, pas une autre construction comme tant d'autres récemment construites. Elle a beaucoup de charme. J'aime la répartition du séjour/salle à manger. L'endroit est très privé et manger à l'extérieur sous les arbres est merveilleux. Le jardin est ravissant. L'inconvénient,c'est tout simplement qu'il n'ya pas de commerces ou cafés à proximité mais c'est le prix de la vie privée. La vue magnifique! Les magasins se trouvent à 500 m.  environ et comme dans la plupart des cas, vous aurez besoin d'une voiture. Salut!

What a snip! / Quelle prix!

If I didn't live here already & simply wanted a place for holidays within walking distance of Puerto Banús, I'd be very, very tempted with this one!

PRICE €190,000

What a price?  Bright & breezy Penthouse duplex apartment of 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms in a popular development in Nueva Andalucía with supermarket, restaurants, cafés, bank & shops immediately to hand & the well known Centro Plaza (for the Saturday market haggling) a few minutes away. A large 110m2 of living space with sun terraces of 45m2. The development is quite clearly well maintained with 24h security and 2 pools - one of them heated. Large living/dining room with access to the two terraces, fitted & equipped kitchen and one bedroom - en suite - are on the first floor. Master bedroom en suite and terrace are on the second. A/C + heating, marble floors & garage space are included. Unrepeatable price – as agents will always say but true in this case!

Plus points * Worth a lot more * Super holiday property & location * Two swimming pools - winter & summer * Excellent rental potential * Walk anywhere & everywhere  * Must be one of the cheapest properties around.  * Just been completely repainted!

Minus points * Busy development with lots of properties * Not for a retired vicar looking for total peace & quiet - more the young at heart  + Will be sold extremely soon & that's a fact! *

Happy days - Marco
PS: We concentrate, these days, very much on bank repossessions, distressed and/or forced sales along with some amazing offers that are going to public auction. We met the auctioneer's lawyer last Friday at 1pm for a property the court valued at €1.8m Euros & for sale at €500,000 but the bank took an offer by 8pm that night so we didn't get to sell it nor you to buy it. Damn! We have a handful of bargain, bargain properties at any one time!

Quel prix peut-on estimer pour vivre proche de Puerto Banus?  PRIX 190,000€ 
Duplex lumineux et aéré de 2 chambres – 2 salles de bain à Nueva Andalucia dans un environnement animé de restaurants, cafés, banques, boutiques et super marchés. Non loin du célèbre Centro Plaza avec son marché du samedi. Superficie de 110 m2 + terrasse ensoleillée de 45 m2. Sécurité 24h et deux piscines dont une chauffée. Le living/salle à manger est vaste, avec accès sur les deux terrasses. Cuisine équipée, une des chambres est sur cet étage, tandis que la chambre de maître se trouve avec sa salle de bain à l’étage supérieur, dotée de sa terrasse privée. Bien entendu, air conditionné, chauffage, sol en marbre et garage privé sont inclus. Le prix est vraiment imbattable!  

Points positifs * Vaut beaucoup plus * Super propriété de vacances * Très facile à louer * On peut tout faire à pieds * Doit être une des meilleures occasions!  * Entièrement repeint

Points négatifs * Développement très actif avec beaucoup de propriétés * Pas pour un ermite à la retraite * Sera vendu très vite   Plus d'infos:  +34 618 292 000

A Swiss bank's view of Marbella property

Talking to an investment manager at UBS bank in Switzerland the other day, he believes it is a wonderful time for some of his investment clients to buy holiday properties in the Costa del Sol now that prices are so affordable, for the first time in many years. As his clients aren't earning that much by depositing their money with the bank, a number of them are thinking of buying property in and around the Marbella area, renting out when they don't use it themselves & keeping the property for long term use or possibly selling on in a few years. We are going to follow this up with him & his bank & will be preparing a portfolio.

Marco says: 

Welcome the Swiss is what I say!