Spain – A good place to buy property
Are you thinking of moving to Spain? Or are you considering the purchase of a holiday home in Spain?
Purchasing property in Spain is easier now than it has been in the past. Whilst prices have fallen in recent years, the property market is showing signs of stabilising, so it is as good a time as ever to buy.
Following the recent fall in property prices, there are a large number of properties available for sale. The banks have a large number of repossessed properties available and due to a change in the law they are now able to sell them at market prices rather than the “valuation” price. In the long term there is a possibility of the capital appreciation.
With the growth of home working and the internet, it is becoming more popular to live in Spain without giving up your job. The overall lifestyle of living in Spain is much more laid back, the diet is healthier and considerably more family orientated than in many parts of the UK.
A popular area for property purchase in Spain is the Costa Blanca region. The climate in the area is warmer than that of the UK and other Northern European countries with plenty of sun all year round. There are plenty of different areas to choose from. The Costa Blanca runs from Torrevieja and Murcia in the South to Valencia in the north. There are two main airports, Alicante and Valencia. Both of them have direct flights (Ryanair and EasyJet) to the UK all year round.
For example, the coastal town of Javea is a favourite with British and Northern European visitors. There is also a large expatriate community. It is roughly midway between the two main airports at Alicante and Valencia. It has been classed by the World Health Organisation as one of the best micro climates in the world. The town boasts 320 days of sunshine a year; the minimum temperature is usually around 10C and is protected from the harsh northerly winter winds by the mountainous region behind it.
Javea has three distinct areas, the “beach” area, which is also the main tourist area. The old town has lots narrow streets and there is a weekly market. Finally there is the port area which is home to many local restaurants. Inland from Javea there is a plain, a National Park and a mountainous region. There are also good road links to the major cities.
Whilst Javea is a tourist destination, it is quieter than many of the other major resorts such as Benidorm as there is a maximum height restriction for new buildings. In the peak of the tourist season (August) many holidaymakers are Spanish residents.
Purchasing property in the Costa Blanca region is easy as there are plenty of English speaking estate agents who offer a wide variety of properties. There are plenty of reputable of lawyers who are fluent in English. Whilst there are many potential pitfalls, a good lawyer will be able to ensure that your property purchase is a sound investment.