Investment Property in Spain

If you´re looking to swap an item for something else, or sell an unwanted item to buy something new more to your liking then here´s some great news for you, SupaSwap has arrived!

SupaSwap is the first online shopping community for Parents, Teens & Kids, infact, all of the family! The site is packed with loads of items to Swap, Buy & Sell as well as so much more, including some great competitions with fantastic prizes to be won!!!

Why not become a fan of theirs on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and take a look at Youtube too. Whatever you do, make sure you check out SupaSwap soon!!!

You´re looking for a property to buy in Los Gigantes, congratulations, you have chosen a wonderful location for your investment. Los Gigantes is a wonderful place to live and work as well as having a great social network of  cafes, bars and restaurants! Also, the recent sponsorship of Carnaval Los Gigantes by Paul Ruane has managed to secure the future of the Carnaval and promote this fabulous extravaganza and explosion of fun enjoyed by all the family!

Of course, when you are looking for property to buy in Los Gigantes, you need to make sure that you choose a well established Estate Agent such as Paul Ruane where you can be  assured that your investment is being handled by a professional team team that will  look after you and your investment through every stage of the process. The staff at Paul Ruane are very familiar with the Spanish property system and how it works and will help you in your quest for your piece of paradise in this lovely corner of Tenerife.

Why not become a fan of Paul Ruane on Facebook as well as following them on Twitter, Flickr and Youtube.

Well basically it´s the same as any other real estate purchase, except you only purchase a share of the property instead of buying the whole property. Sure, there are a few more bits to it than that, but generally that´s it in a nutshell.  Now you can afford to have your place in the sun with family and friends at a fraction of the cost, with all the benefits!  Atlantis Investment Property are forerunners in this great way to invest in property

Solymar Holidays and FPM Property Management are pleased to announce their merger to provide quality holiday rentals and management in Fuerteventura.  Having been established on Fuerteventura for over 10 years, FPM have a wealth of knowledge in maintenance and management and Jane Ball from Solymar Holidays is confident that their expansion will prove to be a beneficial one for their owners and guests and is looking forward to a great business relationship with this ISO recognized company.

For most people selling, buying, renting and letting their property can be quite daunting as well as possibly  being a very expensive experience.  Using a low cost fixed fee Estate Agency Network such as dwood-property.com, saves you thousands on what is usually a straightforward transaction.  Bringing you total peace of mind and keeping you in touch every step of the way as well as reducing your outlay is what dwood-property.com is all about.  The brainchild of David Wood, who is a well respected Estate Agent having dealt with property sales and lettings throughout the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, it is the accumulation of the need for a good service for a fair price that has brought David to launch this new and innovative website.

“Over £6 billion has been invested in Spanish property, accounting for 27% of British foreign investments” (Office of National Statistics).

An online article from Kyero.com, one of Spain’s leading property portals, looks at Britain’s favourite holiday and investment location and points out some property “hotspots”.

In 2005, a staggering 13,864,000 UK tourists visited Spain, proving that the country is still by far the most popular holiday destination in Europe for the Brits. Ever since 1994, Spain has been the number one choice with UK holidaymakers.

It’s not just for holidays though. Every year more and more Britons are packing up and heading off to the sunshine – for good. Spain already has a huge UK expat community, and it’s growing.

The Spanish Property Market
Although Spain is seeing mounting competition from emerging markets in Eastern Europe, like Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, it’s debatable how much of a threat these places really are…

Being an established and mature market has certain advantages. Spain offers low interest rates and sustained long-term growth. Emerging markets on the other hand are infinitely less predictable and much more of a risk.

Another very obvious advantage is the climate. Spain clearly has a much better climate than Easter Europe. On the Canary Islands, for example, investors benefit from year round rental yields.

Spain is a massive country. It has everything – beaches, sunshine, nightlife, cuisine, beautiful islands, a high standard of life, good healthcare and education, highly cosmopolitan communities, a relaxed way of life, vast spectacular landscapes and every type of sport imaginable.

Quite simply. People love Spain. It’s hard to know if these new Easter European markets will eventually establish the same kinds of UK expat communities that exist in more established and well-known markets like Spain and France.

Popular Locations
Malaga, Granada and Alicante are the most searched areas on the Internet, according to Kyero.com.

However, they also point out that, Almeria province is one of the areas in Spain is where property prices are still well below the national average. It also has strong capital appreciation and rental potential.

Spain’s Canary Islands, off the coast of North Africa offer excellent rental potential, largely because of the year round sunshine and warmth.

Featured Location – Almeria
Almeria Province in the south west of the country is spectacularly beautiful – a vast desert like landscape with polar blue skies, intense light and amazing beaches. Numerous spaghetti westerns have been shot here because of the similarities with America’s wild west.

It’s a top scuba-diving spot and just a short drive away from the ski slopes in the Sierra Nevada.

The landscape is dotted with small coastal villages and picturesque towns. Mojacar, still relatively unknown, is one of Almeria’s best-kept secrets.

The province is gradually becoming more popular; there are now plenty of new hotel resorts and golf developments. You can now fly direct to Almeria via Easyjet, Ryanair, Monarch and Flybe.



It’s still untouched and undeveloped compared to neighbouring Malaga and this is why property prices are lower. It will however, continue to expand as it becomes more popular and prices will no doubt increase but for the moment it remains 
good value for money and a very nice part of Spain to live.

Tenerife (Canary Islands)
The Canaries are often described as the “last paradise isles in Europe”. Blessed with year round sunshine ane warmth, they’re also home to some of Spain’s most dramatic and diverse natural landscapes.

Volcanic in nature, Tenerife is spectacularly beautiful – home to lush green forests, Volcanoes, epic cliffs (Los Gigantes), Mount Teide’s snow capped peak, white sandy beaches, black volcanic beaches, endless nightlife and some very affordable properties.

Tenerife and the other Canary Islands are the only genuine winter sun destinations in Spain. Temperatures in the archipelago, rarely fall below 18C or rise above 25C. The climate is described as being like “Perpetual Springtime”. It’s always peak Season here, so you can rent out your property to holiday Makers at any stage of the year at peak season prices.

The island is very popular with UK tourists and homebuyers. There are many reputable English speaking estate agents in Tenerife that can help you find your piece of Canarian paradise.

The past few years have seen what appears to be a mass exodus of UK nationals to destinations within Europe and beyond. According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), there are now 41 nations that are home to 10,000 or more permanent UK residents.

More and more, new homebuyers are looking to genuinely immerse themselves in the Spanish culture when they decide to take the plunge.

They’re looking for lesser-known areas, areas not polluted by mass tourism and overdevelopment. Places that are ideally of little or no interest to other overseas buyers – so they can Spain all to themselves.

But hidden Spain or the “real Spain”, as it’s often called, can be an elusive if perhaps fickle character.

With growing numbers of overseas homebuyers choosing to relocate to these idyllic “traditionally Spanish” locations, what often happens is they end up creating their own foreigners’ ghettoes. The Spanish happily sell up at a profit and move out to a much more modern urbanisation.

There are examples all over southern Andalusia. In rural villages like Monda, Coin and Alhaurin el Grande in Malaga, English is almost as widely spoken as Spanish. Initially these places were seen as a respite from the over packed, overly English Costa de Sol. Investing here was investing in hidden Spain. Not anymore.

Don’t be surprised if, after extensive research, you find the most Spanish of Spanish locations – the real rural Spain – traditional tapas, flamenco music, goats, horses and bullfights – but after moving in you find that your next door neighbour is called Bob from Essex and the next year Phil and Kathy from Barnsley move in.

But there’s always the dream of starting fresh; a new home, a new country, a new lifestyle, a new beginning in the sun. Living the Spanish dream.

Fuerteventura – One of Spain’s last Paradise Islands
Located off the Western Sahara Desert, Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands. It’s also the second largest.

Famous for its beaches, it remains isolated for most of the year. It’s sparsely populated and remains free of mass tourism and overdevelopment.

Fuerteventura has arguably the best beaches in Europe – endless stretches of fine white desert-like sand bathed by the pristine turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are over 152 beaches in total, some of which are rarely, if never visited. Over two thirds of the beaches are made of fine white sand, the rest are black volcanic shingle.

It’s a surfer’s paradise, with large winter swells and summer trade winds creating perfect wind and wave conditions all year round. Sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, and big game fishing are also popular here. In the warm waters surrounding the island, whales, dolphins, marlin and turtles are common sights.

Inland, the landscape is barren and desert-like, made up of surreal lavascapes and grand volcanic mountains. A lot of the large plain areas are protected. The last volcanic activity took place here over 4,000 years ago.

Fuerteventura is, as of yet, an almost deserted island paradise but no doubt the crowds will follow.

For the moment, if you’re looking for somewhere with guaranteed sunshine all year round, spectacular beaches, a low cost of living and a high standard of life, this authentic Spanish island could be well worth considering. As an investment area, it has tremendous potential…

Investing in Fuerteventura
Investors who have bought either residential or commercial properties on the island have already made significant returns through property appreciation.

Buy-to-let investors have the opportunity to rent out all year long at high season prices because of the hot and sunny year round climate – it’s always peak season in the Canaries.

Fuerteventura is starting to become more than just a two-week winter sun holiday destination and transient surfer hangout. People now want to live here – the Irish and English in particular.

As the island becomes more popular and the growing numbers of homebuyers and investors keep pouring money in the various new developments, property prices will continue to increase.

Prices are still relatively low, especially when compared to the other Canary Islands and mainland Spain. They’re set to escalate though. Fuerteventura is undoubtedly one of the most up-and-coming Canary Islands at the moment. If you’re considering investing here, now is the best time to move.

Click on the following link for some of this year’s best properties – Fuerteventura Property for Sale.

Europe is unquestionably top of the list when it comes to favourite overseas investment locations amongst UK investors. A recent report from Holiday Rentals, states that it accounts for up to 90% of all overseas property purchased by them.

After Europe, it’s North America and the Caribbean. They’re the second most popular locations and account for just 5.2 and 1.5% of properties owned by Brits worldwide. Florida (the Sunshine State) is by far the most appealing location in North America attracting 89% of UK investors in America.

Barbados is the most popular Caribbean destination amongst the Brits. And understandably so – this island paradise has a perfect year round climate and the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. Up to 49% of UK buyers in the Caribbean invest here.

Other islands favoured by the Brits include St Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago and Aruba.

Although far-flung destinations like the Caribbean, South America and Thailand are fast becoming viable investment options, UK buyers still want something a little closer to home. Europe remains a firm favourite – dominating the UK’s overseas investment markets.

Established markets like France, Spain, Portugal and Italy are still the most sought after areas and account for the highest proportion of purchases by UK investors.

Eastern Europe has been opened up and is proving to have significant investment potential. These markets have also become infinitely more accessible with the advent of budget airlines like Ryanair and easyjet offering flights at almost ridiculous prices.

Croatia and Bulgaria are being sold by estate agents as one of this year’s most profitable emerging markets with great rental potential and strong property appreciation.

Known as the “The pearl of the Mediterranean”, Montenegro has seen phenomenal growth. Located between Croatia and Bulgaria, bordering the stunning Adriatic Coast, this has been one of Eastern Europe’s star performers in 2007.

According to Holiday Rentals, they’ve seen an increase in property rentals in Montenegro of up to 113% between 2006 and 2007.

Other places that have seen positive growth this year include Greece, Germany, Malta and Turkey. The number of investment locations with significant growth potential within these countries has been increasing a lot faster than most other places in Europe.

Destinations like South Africa, Bali and Thailand have also had a good year according to Holiday Rentals, with an increasing demand for properties for rent in these locations.

Research – the Key to a happy investment
Extensive research is essential prior to any property investment, whether you’re looking at a new development in Bulgaria or a resale property in Fuengirola.

It’s important to thoroughly inspect the property as well as the surrounding location and climate – especially if it’s a buy-to-let investment. Year round sunshine means year round rental yields at peak season prices. Places like Cape Verde, Florida, Barbados and the Canary Islands can guarantee this.

Make sure to look at the place out of season – especially if you’re planning on actually living there. What might be paradise during high season could well be depressing, bordering on uninhabitable during the dark winter months, particularly in Eastern European.

Top winter Sun Destinations – The “Happy Islands”
The Canary Islands are where to go if you want guaranteed sunshine and genuine warmth; an escape from the bleak winter back home.

Although estate agents and tour operators like to promote mainland Spain as a year-round “sun destination”, anyone who actually there will tell you that it’s not. It’s certainly sunnier than the UK, but it can get incredibly cold in winter.

The Canaries, on the other hand, located of the north coast of Africa are blessed with a very mild temperate climate, similar to Florida. It’s “Eternal Springtime” here – never too hot and never too cold.

Along with Cape Verde, just one hour south, property owners on the Canaries can command peak season rental prices at any stage of the year. Tenerife property, for example, is in big demand in winter, spring, summer and autumn.

Investing in property abroad seems to be all the rage. And with significantly lower prices, a better standard of living and some excellent investment opportunities, why not!

This year’s emerging hot spots include: Budapest, Dubai, Morocco, Estonia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados, Thailand, Brazil and Australia.

Older more established markets like Spain and the Canary Islands are still going strong, despite the recent market “crash”. Both still have excellent long term potential.

One of this year’s most talked about emerging markets is Cape Verde, located just off the north west coast of Africa.

Cape Verde Investment Property
Often called the “New Canary Islands” Cape Verde, with its year-round tropical climate and stunning beaches is set to rival the Canaries tourism trade.

Experts agree that Cape Verde is one of the best locations worldwide to invest in property if looking for a good Return on investment. Property prices are still low but as soon as Cape Verde becomes a mainstream holiday destination they’re expected to increase drastically.

Santiago, the largest Cape Verde Island and home to the country’s capital city (Praia), is set to become the world’s new luxury tourism destination. The island’s new airport will no doubt facilitate this.

According to Jonathan Grepne, Managing Director of a Cape Verde based development company; “The opening of the new airport puts Santiago on course not only to become a popular tourist hub, but also to offer imaginative British property investors an excellent financial return, and a high-quality environment for their personal enjoyment”.

Spanish Investment Property
Over the past 10 years property prices in Spain have increased by over 200%. “At the height of the construction boom in 2005 there were 7,000 estate agents on the Costa Blanca,” according to the Daily Telegraph.

But the bubble burst. It couldn’t last forever – it was only a matter of time. In the second quarter of 2007, the rise of property prices was below the rate of inflation for the first time in 10 years.

So, is the crash a good or a bad thing?
Well, both really. For anyone who owns property in Spain, they could see their property values falling as the market struggles. Get-rich-quick investors will certainly be hit hard and will probably end up offloading their properties at a loss.

On the other had, a crash is also an opportunity for you to buy in low! Spain has again become a buyers market because of the sagging market and anxious sellers. Buyers can negotiate with sellers and developers who are anxious to offload their stock in exchange for cash. There are some great bargains about and the market has an excellent long-term forecast.

It’s also a wonderful place to live, so anyone buying for personal use will find this market more attractive than those interested in the short term.

Spain is unquestionably one of the most popular vacation spots in the world – it was ranked ninth this year (2007). Despite the recent property slump, it’s likely to remain a popular destination for years to come and offer excellent potential as a place to own a home or vacation rental property.