Signs that the Spanish property market could stabilise and the pound remain strong against the euro make 2014 an ideal time to purchase a home in Spain, said a leading estate agency in January, after the firm saw a strong hike in interest in Costa Blanca homes last year.
Article written by The Overseas Guides Company
Estate agency HomeEspaña recorded a 30 per cent increase in demand for property in resorts along the Costa Blanca in 2013 compared to 2012 and believes this growth will continue during 2014. Testament to the strength of the market is the firm’s recent opening of new premises in the northern Costa Blanca, serving clients searching for a home in one of the region’s many pretty villages.
“Market conditions have led to the opening of our new office in Benidoleig, ten minutes inland from Moraira,” said Kieran Byrne, MD of HomeEspaña. “We now have four offices in the Costa Blanca – two in the south, in La Zenia and Los Dolses, and two in the north, in Moraira and Benidoleig – so feel ready to build on the success of 2103 in terms of sales to British and other foreign buyers. We’re certainly seeing signs of stabilisation in the market, with prices in established, sought after areas no longer falling and silly offers way below the asking price rarely being accepted for quality properties. The strengthening UK economy means the exchange rate should remain favourable to British buyers too, which is a bonus.”
In the southern Costa Blanca, HomeEspaña expects key resorts of the Orihuela Costa to remain in demand in 2014, with properties near the beaches at Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Punta Prima and the town of Torrevieja to be especially popular. In the northern Costa Blanca, the resorts of Moraira and Jávea, as well inland in the Orba Valley and Jalón Valley, will continue to gain favour with British buyers.
Continued Kieran Byrne: “The average spend for properties in the south is now around €125,000, but there are apartments and townhouses available for less. In the north, expect to pay more for a quality property – we’re seeing sales go through in the €200,000 to €400,000 bracket. Inland, things are more affordable and we expect savvy buyers to continue to snap great value villas, which combine a rustic Spanish lifestyle with easy access to the north’s stunning beaches. Opportunities in 2014 won’t be limited to discounted resales either, as we’re seeing a definite interest in new-build projects again, with some excellent beachside developments on our books selling out quickly.”
Typical of the property currently available, in the southern Costa Blanca HomeEspaña is selling a two-bedroom apartment in Villamartín for €89,995. The property is on the ground floor, set amongst landscaped gardens and comes with access to a communal pool.
In the northern Costa Blanca, HomeEspaña is selling a two-bedroom detached villa in the small resort of Els Poblets, near Dénia, with an asking price of just €149,000. The two-storey property sits on a 600-square-metre plot that includes a private pool and boasts views as far as the Orba Valley.
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A simple way to save money when buying property in Spain is to use a currency exchange specialist when transferring your pounds into euros. For more information on this, download Smart Currency Exchange’s free report or visit the Currency Zone.
