Spanish Property News

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Paramount Park in Murcia - Latest News

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:54:00 +0000

I discussed some time ago the likelihood of the rumoured Spanish Disneyland being constructed in Murcia and at the time it seemed there was no evidence to back the rumours.

However I've just read an article which provides promise for those who already own property on the Costa Calida and those considering buying here. The Minister of Culture of the region of Murcia is in talks with Paramount Studios project team regarding the construction of a massive theme part in the region, to rival Disneyland in Paris. It appears it is still very early days but a team are due out to conduct feasibility studies which should be completed by the end of April.

Murcia must be a great contender as not only does it have the obvious good weather factor, it will be served by 2 international airports, a high speed rail link and a good motorway network.

A theme park of this scale would of course draw a truly international crowd to Murcia - and give the whole area a huge tourism boost.

Watch this space for any further news.....

***Latest Update**** - UK readers at the moment will be all too familiar with the twists, turns and tales of politics - and now in Murcia we have our own share of political muddy water. While the regional government announced the beginning of the Paramount studio feasibility studies the opposition have gleefully announced that Paramount studies have denied they are even looking at mainland Spain as a venue for a theme park.

Strange? It gets more confusing. The opposition have now been shown a letter from the Executive Vice President of Paramount which confirms Paramount are interested in exploring the idea.

So what is the truth? Certainly nothing is a done deal. I have read in the local press and indeed on other Spanish property websites that Paramount have definitely chosen Murcia for a theme park. This is of course not true. Still, we will continue to watch carefully - the Truth is Out There (somewhere....).

A big thank you to the website http://www.simplynetworking.es for their great reporting & features.

Renting your Spanish Property

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:46:00 +0000

One of the topics we often get questioned about is property rental in Spain. In times such as these most people will consider whether their property in the sun could be generating some income to pay for itself.

The way in which you rent your Spanish property out is determined by the type of property you have, its location and whether you wish to use the property yourself.

There are two basic rental types in Spain - long term or holiday rentals. Holiday rentals can be 3-4 days up to 3-4 weeks. Typically they are located in resorts or areas known to be popular with the local and / or foreign tourist market. Properties on developments with pools are very popular for holiday rentals, as are private villas with pools.

Long term lets can be located in cities, the country or resorts. There is really scope for any type of property to be suitable as a long term let. Young commuters may be looking for a well located apartment while retired ex-pats may be searching for a quiet country finca. It's worth noting that I've had several conversations with other agents and marketeers recently and all have said that enquiries for long term lets are on the increase - perhaps a sign of the current economic climate.

Both types of rentals have their pros and cons.

Holiday rentals can provide an excellent rental yield with a weekly rental charge. Typically in Spain the months of July and August are most popular however here on the Costa Calida the summer rental season can extend from April through to October. Depending on where in Spain your property is located you may also get winter rentals - if you are near golf or skiing facilities for example. If you set your rental rates competitively and target your market you should find new renters each year and build up repeat bookers. Another big advantage is that both you and your family can still use the property. You just book out the dates you will be staying and take bookings for periods when the property would normally be standing empty.

However holiday lets can have higher overheads and can be more labour intensive. The property will need to fully equipped down to the cutlery. You may hold a damage deposit to cover breakages but higher than average wear and tear on both furniture and soft furnishing is not uncommon. Utility bills are payable by the owner and of course you have limited control on expenditure in this area. You will need to arrange for key handover / meet & greet, linen & towel laundry, cleaning and basic maintenance. The bookings themselves need to be well managed and you have to be prepared to continually monitor your property to ensure it is maintained to a good standard throughout the rental season.

Mid to long term lets can be furnished or unfurnished and usually tenants do not expect a fully equipped property (i.e. crockery, cutlery, linen etc). Although the property is unavailable to you for the length of the contract the utility bills are paid by the tenants and you do not have the problem of it standing empty. You will have to ensure any property maintenance problems are dealt with swiftly. While monthly income may be lower than holiday rentals you do receive regular income for the length of the contract and do not have the hassle of arranging cleans, changeovers and laundry.

We run a successful holiday rental apartment ourselves and while it is hard work we have a streamline process from advertising through to the actual rentals which works well for us. However if you live in another country it can be difficult to manage everything from a distance. If you prefer a less hands-on approach you can always employ an agent to do as little or as much of the management as you require.

With long term lettings I would always recommend using an agent with experience in this market to manage your tenancy contract, the tenants and the property.

In summary renting out your Spanish property can be a very good way to generate income from the property. You should always check your insurance policy, use a tenancy agreement and also take relevant legal and tax advice. Holiday makers are still flocking to Spain to enjoy the sun and increasing numbers of residents are searching for long term homes, so if you have a property in Spain, or you are thinking of buying one it is certainly worth thinking about.

Avoid Spanish Property Heartache

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:19:00 +0000

Over the weekend I spent some time with two clients who are getting reading to complete on a property in Murcia. Not an unusual activity for us here at Dream Spain, however these clients did not buy through our company. Unfortunately for them, their agents made and charged for great big promises of fantastic customer care services that have disappeared leaving this lovely couple high and dry on their property purchase.

People who have not bought a Spanish Property often wonder why completing the buying process without an agent is a problem. Indeed some people actively seek to avoid Spanish property agents in the hope of making a saving.

I am the first to agree that not all Spanish property agents are equal, and unfortunately over the last few years there have been a number of big companies with booted and suited sales staff whose sole mission has been to sell and up-sell, not provide an invaluable service. Thankfully the recession has had the positive effect of either sending these companies running or at least making them rethink what they need to offer their clients.

So what does a good agent bring to the client? It should go without saying that they must have a good choice of properties to view, local experience of their property market and provide genuine advice on how to spot the property which suits your needs. They should be able to help you negotiate a great sales price on a resale property or payment terms on a new property.

They should have contacts in finance and currency exchange which help you save time and money on currency transactions and the financing of your property purchase.

Then they should be there to keep you updated throughout the sales process - offer advice on pre-sale tasks you need to complete and find the most economical ways for you to complete those tasks. When you complete on your Spanish property their advice on furnishing and fitting out your property ought to be focused on getting you the best dressed apartment for your budget.

In fact if you are just looking at the financials I know that we have been able to save our clients over 7,000 Euros per sale during the completion process by helping them with one simple task. I'm not even counting any other savings or the hours of work and worry we have saved them by being here on the ground in Murcia with the connections that simplify the buying process.

The couple I was with on Sunday considered pulling out of their property purchase when they found out their agent had disappeared. They were concerned about how they could cope with the process. Now however they are looking forward to their completion and spending time relaxing in the sun.

Wherever you are thinking of buying in Spain, choosing a good agent is an essential part of a successful purchase. Look for one that is well established, locally based, service orientated and of course recommended by people that have successfully purchased their own property in Spain.

Spanish Property Prices - Word on the Street

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:13:00 +0000

The latest news update from the Spanish property portal Kyero confirms what many Spanish property agents on the ground have been seeing - Spanish property prices have touched bottom.

Martin Dell from Kyero states that "I continue to predict a wave of foreign investment money flowing into Spanish property. Word on the street plus confirmation by Knight Frank that real Spanish property prices have bottomed out means that what we're waiting for now are the investors."

At Dream Spain we are seeing increasing amount of buyers looking at property on the Costa Calida. When you can buy a detached villa within walking distance to the beach for 160k euros you can understand why.

We will continue to add more great resales to our Spanish property portfolio over the next couple of weeks, to complement the really interesting new build properties already available.

Spain is still the popular choice for foreign buyers - I have no doubt about that. As I write this in November it is 25 degrees here on the Costa Calida. Property is available at great prices, interest rates are low, it all makes perfect sense.

See the Costa Calida - video and images from Dream Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:16:00 +0000

See just one of the reasons why we love this part of Spain.....

House Price Index and Costa Calida Property Prices

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:27:00 +0000

Tinsa, the leading valuation company in Spain, release a monthly House Price Index, and this is seen as the best indicator we currently have of house price trends in Spain.

The indication that the decline in Spanish Property prices has bottomed out has been reinforced by the latest Tinsa index. In June we saw that the Tinsa House Price Index was indicating a static monhtly decline in property prices of approximately 10% year on year. August 2009's Tina House Price Index once again shows a year on year decline of approximately 10%.

How does this translate to prices on the ground on the Costa Calida? New build property prices have certainly remained static over the last few months, as have the prices of resales owned by those that are not in a rush to sell. Where we are seeing those elusive 10%+ reductions are from those owners who need to sell quickly, or with developers who have a few key ready properties left on a new development. As you can imagine these properties come and go quickly - so if you want to to know what bargains are available right now do contact us.

Murcia tourism defies the recession

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:36:00 +0000

While tourism in Spain as a whole suffered a 6.1% decrease this July compared to the previous July, the region of Murcia saw a 24.3% increase in visitors.

A survey conducted by Frontur for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Commerce reveals that during the month of July the Region received 119,867 foreign tourists compared with 96,462 in 2008.

Certainly having just experienced July and August here in Murcia we can confirm that it was a busy holiday period. It certainly helps that Murcia has a good choice of low cost airlines arriving at Murcia airport, a great climate and a fabulous coastline. Just the right mix for the perfect overseas property location.....and with some great property offers available why not start your search now?

With thanks to The Costa Calida Reporter online newspaper for the Frontur data.

5 Month figures show Spanish market at bottom

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:46:00 +0000

We looked at the Tina House Price Index some months ago and saw that it had suggested the Spanish Property market was bottoming out.

Now five months later the figures certainly seem to confirm this. The steep decline in Spanish house prices seems to have abated and instead we are seeing prices declining by approximately 10% year on year. This means that those Spanish Property buyers who have been sitting back and waiting for the lowest prices can now consider moving into the market. There are some good discounts to be found on Costa Calida property but as the index suggests property prices are now remaining static. If you would like to take advantage of these discounts while they are at their best, contact us now.

Spain just "sunshine, cheap cigs and wine?"

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:32:00 +0000

A recent article by a BBC reporter caught my eye as it gives an account of a number of British people who are moving back to the UK.

It is an unfortunate fact that Spain, like the rest of the world is in the midst of a sharp recession and has fairly eye-watering unemployment figures. So it is not surprising that during this downturn there are British people who cannot find work, especially if relying solely on employment from among the ex-pat community. However one comment struck me as very disappointing "People talk about living the dream but all it seems to be is sunshine, cheap cigs and wine".

To be honest, if that is all Spain was to this person then maybe a return to the UK is overdue!

Whether living or holidaying in Spain it does not take long to appreciate all Spain has to offer. Of course everyone talks about the sun, but the great weather here is not just about sun tans. The climate here on the Costa Calida has been recognised by the World Health Organisation for the health benefits it brings. I speak to any number of people who find that joint problems and stiffness disappear when they are here. And for people who suffer from depression due to the short, dark days of a UK winter the longer lighter days are incredibly beneficial.

The Spanish culture promotes entertainment and enjoyment as often as possible. Visit one of the towns during a fiesta day (and there are many days to chose from) and you will see what I mean. From carnaval dancers to Roman battles there is a theme to suit everyone. For music lovers here in Murcia we are absolutely spoilt for choice during the summer months. Not only do we have the world renowned San Javier Jazz Festival but also Cartagena hosts "Mar de Musicas", a world music event which often attracts well known names - this year one of those is Marianne Faithfull.

Of course alcohol is cheaper than the UK, but one of the joys of drinking that fine locally produced red wine is the tasty tapas or Spanish dish you eat it with. Pick your time to eat and your choice of restaurant carefully and you can still eat and drink like a king for a great value price.

I could continue and talk about the beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, beautiful cities, the simple fact that you can be outdoors enjoying clean fresh air for most of the year - all of this is free.

Whether you live permanently in Spain or own a Spanish holiday home this all available for you to explore and enjoy. You need to pick both your property and location carefully of course and remember to leave unrealistic expectations at the boarding gate. Spain is not paradise, but it can be a fantastic place to live, work and holiday.

Primelocation have just announced in their newsletter that UK interest in Spain is once again on the increase due to the excellent property prices now available.

So if you are unsure whether Spain is the right place for you to buy, why not give us a call and find what life is really like here, right now.

Furnishing your new Spanish Property

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:52:00 +0000

Completing on a new property in Spain is an exciting time and there are lots of things to organise. Finances, NIE numbers, signing dates – after waiting for your Spanish property to be built it can suddenly feel like a whirlwind has hit you. Additionally with Sterling now much weaker against the Euro the money you set aside to set up the property may have to stretch that much further. Furnishing your property will be high up on your to-do list but it can seem both a daunting and expensive task.

Actually it doesn’t need to be either. In our experience the best places to choose your furniture are the local furniture shops. These businesses are generally family run and offer good value quality furniture coupled with excellent service. Typically they have a show room where you can see the basic designs available and plenty of catalogues which give you lots of additional options.

We’ve found a huge benefit of buying locally is that the owners often know the size and shape of the properties on new developments in their area. This is really helpful as even armed with detailed plans and photos it can be difficult to assess what will and won’t work, especially when you are furnishing a whole property in one go.

Delivery is a matter of days, not the weeks we are accustomed to in the UK. Extra requests such as the adding a sofa bed mechanism to a sofa or co-ordinating dining chairs and sofas are easily accommodated.

Most places we have seen offer different ‘grades’ of furniture – for instance you will have a basic quality mattress, medium and top of the range. I suggest that unless you are going to be using the property full time the medium quality range of furniture is ideal in terms of both quality and price. Fully furnishing a two bedroom apartment with medium grade furniture should cost you around 4,000 Euros.

We’ve got a number of clients about to complete on their off-plan properties and we have been showing them some of the furniture stores here on the Costa Calida that we recommend they consider. This is all part of the service Dream Spain clients receive.

Spanish Property Offers - up to 28% Discount

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:30:00 +0000

The average property price in Murcia is approx 31% below the national average (see the Kyero price index) so there is still plenty of room for future growth. But even better for you the buyer, the property market has been slow and as a result Dream Spain in collaboration with trusted local builders is delighted to offer you fantastic quality properties in Spain at hugely discounted prices.

Request our new brochure of great Spanish property offers with up to 28% discount - before the offers are released onto our homepage.

Spanish Property Repossessions - bargains or not?

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Spanish property repossession is undoubtedly a buzz phrase at the moment – we are told this is the way to grab a bargain property in Spain. Indeed if you Google ‘bargain Spanish property’ you’ll see the phrase several times on page one. Public access to Spanish repossessions was thrown into the spotlight when CAM bank (Caja de Ahorros de Mediterraneo) launched a website offering their repossessions and properties in danger of repossession to the general public. There are various agencies offering access to the properties, but this is the direct link - www.mediterraneancam.com/. Here you can see the CAM bank properties available and if it has the term “en subasta” next to it, you can go to another website to bid on that property in an auction.

Almost every article on Spanish property at the moment will not fail to say that there is an over-supply of property in Spain. They suggest that hundreds of apartments lie empty and banks are having keys thrown back at them by disgruntled ex-pats. Here in Murcia, the building of resorts by Polaris World are used by some as an example of the apparent over-supply in this region. Therefore as CAM bank have worked with Polaris World on their developments I would expect to see endless lists of incredibly cheap properties, many of those from Polaris, on the CAM repossession website.

However if I go to the website this is not what I find. There are currently only 107 properties on the website for the region of Murcia. Yes, there are a few very cheap inland properties for sale – ideal for those with a big restoration budget - you have always found these on Spanish Property portals. There are also a handful of low priced apartments in Cartagena city. I don’t find that surprising as, like most cities, there will always be parts of the city where cheap property surfaces during difficult times.

However if I look in the areas most popular with second home buyers - the Mar Menor, Los Alcazares, Polaris World resorts - I do not see an endless list of repossessed new build properties or even very low priced resale opportunities. There is the odd property which looks reasonable value- especially when compared to the quoted original price. However I am not convinced by the accuracy of these original valuations – and the “repossession” prices are often no cheaper than some of the properties we have available in the resale or new-build market.

We will keep watching this repossession site with interest to see how much clients can really gain by purchasing one of these properties. We know that our clients want the best value for their money. This is achieved by finding a property that is constructed to a very high quality, in a great location and at a realistic market price. Great value property has always been available on the Costa Calida – but to judge this accurately you need help from someone who really knows the local market conditions regarding prices, location and build quality. That way you can be sure that you really are grabbing your own Costa Calida property bargain.

Disneyland in Murcia?

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:22:00 +0000

My friend here in Murcia mentioned to me yesterday that he is hearing rumours that Disney are buying-up plots on the Costa Calida for the next Disney theme park.

This would be of great interest to anyone owning or thinking of owning a property in Murcia.

However I am fairly sceptical as the only ‘rumours’ I can see on the web suggest plans were once in the pipeline for a theme park further south. Furthermore with the current global economy building a new theme park seems a risky plan for Mickey and crew. (If you seriously KNOW better then post and let us know).

It did get me thinking about all the attractions we have in Murcia and wondering if we are really missing out not having Disney in Murcia.

Disney boasts of fantastic shows, spectacular parades and breathtaking firework displays. Well in Murcia for this you need to look no further than one of the region’s fiestas. The processions and fireworks of Semana Santa (Easter) kept my 4 year old nephew quiet for hours (miracles do happen in Murcia!) and the re-enacted battles of the Cartagineses and Romanos contain enough drama for anyone.

Disney is great for keeping the kids entertained, but then most parents and kids love the safe fun they have on the Mar Menor beaches. It’s a unique salt-water lake connected to the Mediterranean and a fantastic place for families as the water is shallow, warm and without currents.

Of course for the more active kite-surfing, jet-skiing, go-karting and quad biking are all readily available. While it is true that there is a distinct lack of white knuckle rides in Murcia, the water shoots and slides at Murcia’s water park definitely raise the adrenalin levels during the summer months. The tranquil spas at Archena and Fortuna are there for those that need to calm down afterwards.

I have heard people say the Disney franchise has no soul - well Murcia certainly has plenty to share. The city of Caravaca is one of only five holy cities of the world and celebrates one of its holy days with an infamous wine horse race – a real spectacle.

I have barely touched upon the activities available in Murcia, but I am sure that if even if Mickey has decided not to buy a home in Murcia there are many people who don’t need the razzmatazz of Disney to convince them it’s a good place to own property.

One Foot in Each Country?

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Despite or may be because of the doom and gloom filled media many people are wondering if they can still fulfil their dream of moving to Spain. With savings in the bank now bringing a minimum return they are attracted to the opportunities in the Spanish property market and the potential to rejuvenate their lifestyle.

A fear which is preventing people from making the move is the “no going back” syndrome. If you sell your property in the UK it can be difficult to return – especially with the current mortgage situation. What if your Spanish dream doesn’t work out? What if you don’t like living in Spain? What if you need to return to your family in the UK?

Spain does not work out for everyone so it is always sensible to have a Plan B. Rather than selling up in the UK more and more people are looking to rent out their original home whilst they trial a new life in Spain. It has a number of advantages – you retain your asset and the rent covers your mortgage or provides an income. Most importantly you do not have to start all over again should you decide to leave Spain.

However it also brings its own set of challenges, not least being an overseas landlord with an emotional attachment to your rental property. Finding a good UK based letting agency is vital to ensuring you can enjoy your life in Spain without worrying about what is happening to your property in Blighty. Communication is key for overseas landlords and you need a letting agency that acknowledges this and is prepared to keep you informed and take real responsibility for your property.

Director of SurreyLets, Sally Asling, has this advice for potential overseas landlords “Letting your home in the UK whilst you move abroad is a sensible option as if things don’t work out you still have your home to return to.

Once you are overseas and are content it was the right move, you can either sell your home and reinvest in more conventional buy to let properties to maximise your returns on your investments whilst keeping a foothold on the UK property Ladder or sell up.

It is however imperative to work with a Letting Agent that you trust and find out who will be dealing with your home on a daily basis. Too many larger companies pass you over to call centres and the personal touch disappears. Here at SurreyLets we pride ourselves on offering clients a personal and professional service that is tailor made to suit you. The professional staff can advise you on all aspects of letting you home and assist you with every step along the way, ensuring your best interests are put first”

Often people who try this approach find that the knowledge that they still have a ‘haven’ in the UK helps them settle into their new life in Spain, and it is soon a case of “Never going back”.

People looking for Certain Sunshine in the Gloom?

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:19:00 +0000

To be sure of a sunny holiday in these uncertain times it appears that more holiday makers are considering the Mediterranean than last year. bmibaby, the low cost airline that flies to both Murcia and Alicante, reports that over 1.3 million people searched for flights to the Mediterreanean this February compared to 87,500 last year.

rawford Rix, managing director of bmibaby says "With the current economic downturn consumers want to make sure their annual summer holiday guarantees them some sunshine".

bmibaby, along with many of the other low cost airlines have increased their summer flights to Murcia and Alicante bringing more people than ever to this tranquil coastline.

Spanish property landlords on the Costa Calida of course will be pleased by this news and holiday home owners will welcome the increased opportunities to visit their property for relaxing summers breaks. The poor exchange rate may have deterred some people from considering Spain, but on the Costa Calida prices for food and drink are still good value for money while the beautiful beaches and bright sunshine are still free!

Free Calls to Dream Spain

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:46:00 +0000

Great news for all our new and existing clients - CALLS to our UK NUMBER - 0845 86 200 50 are now FREE from a BT Landline at certain times. So why not call us to find out about some of the great property deals available with Dream Spain.

Think that the poor exchange rate means you can't buy a property in Spain? Well talk to us now - some of our properties are available at a fixed sterling price based on an exchange rate starting at 1.45 Euro to the Pound.

Would you like some friendly no-nonsense advice about how to turn your dream of owning a Spanish property into reality? Call 0845 86 200 50.

Buying in Spain for sunshine & lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Ninety-two percent of ex-pats living in Spain have said the weather is their top reason for leaving the UK, while eight-five percent appreciate the slower pace of living. The top four reasons for ex-pats to leave the UK are: Better weather, better quality of life, higher standard of living, lower crime rate. These findings have just been released in a survey conducted by Alliance and Leicester.

As I write this in the middle of November, I'm looking out at a clear blue sky and clear blue Mar Menor sea, having enjoyed a day where the temperature reached around 21 degrees....and I whole heartedly agree with the survey results. Despite all the apparent doom and gloom surrounding property in Spain the glorious weather and the excellent quality of life here has not changed. With some excellent value properties now available, if you are in a position to buy, now really is the time to get your foot on the ladder. In Murcia prices have always been much lower than the national average and the landscape and culture here remain unspoilt - come and see for yourself soon.

Survey results at Alliance & Leicester website

Beating the Exchange Rate

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:22:00 +0000

With the pound slipping to an all time low against the Euro you may think it is a bad time to be looking for property for Spain. However here in Murcia, developers have developed a pricing structure which helps clients from the UK beat the low exchange rate.

On certain developments you can purchase your Spanish property at a fixed sterling price. This is clearly a benefit because the price you sign for in sterling is the price you will pay on completion - you do not have to worry about the impact of changes to the exchange rate. In addition, the developers are offering excellent exchange rate terms - far above the current market rate.

For example a property available at a price of 136,000 euros is also available at a fixed sterling price of £90,600 - therefore you are getting an exchange rate of 1,50 euros to the pound. This option is not available on all developments and the rates offered do vary - however it does provide the opportunity to turn back the clock and beat the current currency market conditions.

Spanish Property Crash - What does that mean to you!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:46:00 +0000

Yesterday one of our clients showed us a UK newspaper story with the headline "The Pain in Spain". Articles about recent events in the western economy have put everyone on edge so it is interesting to take a step back and consider what these headlines & phrases really mean.

Debbie Jenkins, author of the best selling books "Going Native in Murcia" and "Buying Property in Murcia" has launched a new website Spanish Property Expert with a view to taking an objective look at what is really happening here in Spain. Her latest article Naming Things Gives Them Wings is definitely worth a read.

Please do visit the site and share your thoughts with her.

More time to fly into Murcia

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:09:00 +0000

Although worldwide it is a difficult time for airlines with rising costs, Murcia (San Javier) airport is going to expand its timetable to allow flights throughout the day from March 2009.

This will help spread out the flight timetable and should help in cases where flights have been pushed to late evening slots due to the current restricted flying hours.

Anyone who has visited Murcia (San Javier) airport will know that it is shared with Military and therefore in the afternoon flying has been restricted to military aircraft. However the military will now have a runway of their own, leaving the existing runway for commercial traffic.

Spain still at the top

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:48:00 +0000

A new study shows that Spain tops the list of the 101 most popular overseas property destinations searched for on the internet - not a surprise to those who know the reality behind the many downbeat newspapers stories currently circulating.

The study looked at which countries UK internet users search for, and Spain came in at number one, with the region of Murcia itself in the top ten.

The research, from Globaledge.co.uk, analyses 200,000 property related searches over the last 100 days and groups them into specific locations.

Ashley Rigg, director of Globaledge.co.uk, said: "An amazing 11 out of the 20 most popular overseas searches in the last 90 days were for Spain or for Spanish towns and regions. Despite the media gloom surrounding the Spanish housing market, there is still considerable demand from Brits for property in Spain and the lifestyle that goes with it."

See the full report at globaledge.co.uk.

Murcia (San Javier) Airport Upgrade

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:36:00 +0000

A further boost to the Murcian economy is the news that 49.3 million euros will be invested in the existing airport in San Javier, Murcia. There are plans to build a new terminal building, expand the car parking areas and provide new roads leading to the airport.

Additionally the second runway will open - which will mean an increase in flight availability to the area.

Murcia remains good option for buyers

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:16:00 +0000

Spanish property buyers have been reassured that while the market has slowed down Spain is still the place to buy and Murcia in particular. Speaking recently in UK newspaper, Liam Bailey from the global property consultancy Knight Franks stated that "Spain has been one of the stronger performers in recent months." He pointed out that although house prices in Madrid went up by just 2% last year, property values in Murcia increased by more than 8% during the same period. Visit the Dream Spain website to see properties that our available now in Murica.

A Place in the Sun magazine also confirmed Spain's continuing popularity during a recent survey which showed that Spain is the most popular overseas property market for British buyers.

Murcian Economy Boost

noreply@blogger.com (Martine Cherry) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:15:00 +0000

The Murcian economy will recieve an injection of 1000 million Euros from the regional government to energise employment and growth. Key investment will be in infrastructure, industry, commerce and hotels, agriculture and water, homes and tourism.

Murcia has enjoyed above national average growth for the past 12 years and this plan has been created to ensure that it will continue to enjoy long term economic stability.

The Costa Calida Report - Issue 91