It’s been quite a while since we last posted, or wrote a blog post, and so we decided it was about time we get back into sharing with our loyal followers.
Over the past few years, we’ve been taking our time to understand the landscape of the Spanish property industry post Brexit. We also took some time to discover areas of Spain that we hadn’t been to before, and settled down for a couple of years of living by the sea, learning the language, and taking in the full experience of living in Spain.
It’s been a transformative journey, and we have learned so much. During that process it has been an honour to be able to pass on those experiences and our advice to our customers, and we are so looking forward to continuing to do just that.
We’ve always been here, quietly working in the background and still helping many to find their very own place in Spain. Now feels a very good time to reach out and connect with our followers once again, to write blog posts, and share updates and properties that we think our customers will love.
We’re here to help, as always. So stay tuned, there’s plenty to come…..
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Spanish Property For Sale.
Buenos Dias, and we hope you and your families are in ‘buena salud.’
Well at last, something positive to write about, the Spanish Government has begun the slow process of a return to what some are calling the new normal. We will watch with fingers crossed, hoping it goes well.
After so much has been written and broadcast across all media platforms, we hope to look forward as opposed to repeating the narrative. Now, we want to begin to provide some information to those people who are looking to move forward and re-kindle the dream of owning a property in Spain.
Your Place in Spain offers Spanish Property for Sale on the Costa Blanca, Murcia/Costa Calida & the Costa del Sol. We work with a process that (should our customers require) includes a free of charge, pre-visit chat with an independent solicitor located in Spain. We strongly advise this, and believe it is vital buyers gain an understanding of the obligations of a homeowner in Spain, once the purchase has completed.
Apartments, townhouses & villas are all available in the locations of our portfolio. As well as location information, we plan to advise on current availability of property in the those locations.
Should your search be ongoing or about to begin, for any information required please send us an e-mail using the details on our Contact Us page here.
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Ruth and Haydn from Manchester purchased their very own place in Spain in April of this year. They found a beautiful Villa in Villamartin, Southern Costa Blanca. At the start of the year they spoke to us about their plans to find a property that they could rent out to holiday makers during the summer months, and then visit themselves for the rest of the time.
As a family of five, it was important to them that the villa had everything that they would need when they were there. Their wish list was a villa, with a pool and garden, plenty of space inside as well as outside, and in a location just a short walk from amenities with everything that they would need for the perfect holiday.
“We always knew that we wanted to buy our own place in Spain eventually, and we also knew exactly what we wanted from a property there, but we just weren’t sure where in Spain it would be. As a young couple we lived in Marbella, and we travel to Murcia every year for our summer holidays with family and friends because we love the traditional towns by the Mar Menor. I also spent every summer on the Costa del Sol as a child as my grandparents lived there. Spain is a special place for us.”
“We have so many happy memories from our times in Spain. Being close to a lovely beach was important to us all.”
With Ruth and Haydn wanting to rent their property to holiday makers, they ideally wanted a location that would tick all the boxes with regards to amenities close by, beaches not too far away, easy access to airports, and plenty to do and see. The Southern Costa Blanca, and Villamartin in particular, was our first suggestion for a location that could be ideal.
“We really liked the Plaza, and knew that it would be good for those people who would be renting our villa too.”
We put together a portfolio of suitable properties and locations, and soon the flights were booked and the couple were off to view properties, and take in the location that they felt could be ideal.
“The first thing I saw was the lemon tree. The lemons were enormous, and it smelt amazing. I have always wanted my own lemon tree.”
“We landed at Alicante airport first thing on the Saturday morning; we were collected from the airport and taken straight to our first property. It took me all of two minutes to fall in love with it! The lemon trees in the front garden, the jasmine that reminded me of my Nanna’s garden in Mijas when I was little, the beautiful pool in the garden. We were just swept off our feet by it! We had a good look around the villa, both inside and out, and we both absolutely loved it.”
“We fell in love! The garden and pool was everything we wanted. Really gorgeous.”
After a tour around the local area, the beaches, and a look at some other properties that we had shortlisted for them to take a look at, they took the afternoon to relax, and discuss all they had seen. Since January they had looked on websites and property portals trying to find a villa that they could see themselves in. It felt like finally, here was the perfect one, waiting for them in Villamartin.
“We sat under the blue sky, eating tapas, and enjoying a glass of wine. We knew we were making the right choice.”
“The weather was just beautiful, and we had left behind a grey and rainy Manchester. We sat by the pool of our hotel in La Zenia with a drink and some lunch. We thought about how perfect the villa was both for ourselves and our children, but also for those that would want to rent it out for their own holidays too. We made the decision to make an offer. It was soon accepted, and all of a sudden it wasn’t just a dream anymore. We had done it. We had our own place in Spain! It is just the best feeling.”
From going on their trip to Villamartin in early March, to getting the keys at the end of April it has been a quick turnaround for Ruth and Haydn, which is exactly what they wanted because guess where they are going for their next holiday in the sun…
Ruth and Haydn used our service from beginning to end, and took our advice by using our highly recommended independent legal team, who ensured their purchasing process was both safe, and efficient. They also used our preferred currency broker to get the best exchange rate possible at that time. If you would like to speak with our team, and use our purchasing process then contact us here. We look forward to working with you, and helping you find your very own place in Spain.
“We can’t wait to start making special memories in our new place in Spain. We love it so much.”
Your Place in Spain currently understand that the Brexit decision will affect the purchase process of buying a permanent or holiday home in Spain.
How?
Well firstly we must advise any changes will take effect only when Britain officially leaves the EU and we understand that is circa 2 to 4 years from when the button is pressed, metaphorically speaking.
What will change?
We can only look at how property in Spain is purchased from countries outside of the EU, countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Russia, Australia and America, for example. The process appears to be straight forward, affordable, and manageable.
It maybe a Visa will be required (available on-line in some locations.) It maybe that the legal costs will increase as the process required for a non EU buyer will perhaps be a little more long winded.
It maybe that the Spanish government will require another tax (why wouldn’t they, like every county they may see an opportunity)
Health care
This is an area where uncertainty is high, currently retirees (65 years plus) from the UK receive free healthcare on a reciprocal basis. It has been mooted that many tens of thousands of Spanish people currently live & work in the UK across many sectors, anything that damages that agreement may impact on those people too.
The value of the Euro
This is a difficult one, in as much as since the decision to leave the EU the euro/pound exchange rate fell to as low as circa 1.16 from a pre referendum high of circa 1.30. As we write this document the rate stands at 1.19 fluctuating around the 1.20 mark, interestingly over the last 4 years the rates have been just as volatile with some highs and lows.
One benefit not to be overlooked is that with the current rates any British seller with a view to returning to Britain will receive more sterling, which could suggest that asking prices are open to a haggle.
After speaking with our currency exchange partners we understand that until an exit, and the timeline for an exit is established, the Euro may well continue to be just as volatile.
A Property purchase stampede?
We Brits love Spain and Spain loves us Brits, the weather, the beaches, the cost of living, the people, the golf, and the villages. For many buyers the dream of owning ‘Your Place in Spain’ is still on, with 2 years at least before any changes are likely to be implemented it may just be the time to get serious again about the prospect of buying before any increases are implemented.
Here is a link to an article written by Mr Marl Stucklin a well renowned Spanish Property market analyst: http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/2016/06/27/post-brexit-change-will-come-slowly-british-expats-spain/
So should you begin to turn you mind to buying in Spain, let us help. We look forward to hearing your property criteria and requirements and helping you in your search. Take a look around the property on our site, and for further information get in touch here.
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