Realty Notes

  Los Gigantes translates into “The Giants”, and references the cliffs that tower most of the skyline in the south west of Tenerife. It is also perhaps the main attraction of this town. Many people view the west of Tenerife, along with Los Gigantes, as the compromise between areas of the north and the south. While it is not as energetic and vibrant when compared to the south, it is also not such a “culture shock”, like the north is. Over the last few years, Los Gigantes has become a more popular tourist resort on this island. The way this town has grown has made it difficult for tourists to tell the difference between Los Gigantes and close by Puerto Santiago. Visitors usually move between these 2 towns as each comes with its own advantages. Los Gigantes may not be known for idyllic beaches, yet it caters far more to the English speaking tourists, due to the increasing number of British expatriates. If you prefer visiting beaches when on holiday, you may want to visit Playa de la ...

  Many people consider the idea of moving abroad to be a distant fantasy. The increasing spread of modern technology and convenient transportation make it much easier than you think to slow your life down and move it permanently to sunnier climes. The Canary Islands is a very attractive target for both a happy retirement and a more pleasant working life. There are seven main islands to choose from, offering you an impressive array of new environments. If you're considering a permanent move to the Canaries and make it your home, your decision needs to reflect careful thought on some key factors: Local news sites offer a variety of info to get things rolling. Businesses Operating In The Canaries The Canary Islands are especially attractive for businesses looking to move abroad thanks to their highly favourable tax policies. The looming uncertainties of Brexit have only made this sort of migration more attractive. These are some of the most significant incentives for businesses: ...

  Although most realtors in the US have access to Multi Listing Services (MLS), those outside the US don't and must find alternative ways of marketing their business or services to find potential clients independently. Getting your business the necessary exposure it needs locally is vital and there is no better way than actively promoting it via Citations . These are listings on quality business directories that contain all the important information about your business and gives readers the information they need when searching for businesses like yours. In this article, I'll be using one of my clients as an example with all their listings so that you can see exactly what they should look like.   Map Listings on Search Engines Top of the list is making sure you create business listings on both Google and Bing. Once you fill out all the details requested, you'll be asked to verify the business is yours and is at the address you stated in the listing. Make sure you fil...

  Many people find it hard deciding where the best location is for their dream Tenerife home. If it’s going to be a permanent move then choosing the right location is vital. It’s very easy to get this wrong. Maybe the area is too noisy, too far from the beach, or even far too close to the beach and commercial activity. Tenerife resorts are designed to appeal to both holidaymakers and residents of the island so you’ll need to consider everything wisely. Below is a quick overview of some of the questions you need to be asking yourself before you see any Tenerife estate agent to help you with your property purchase. 1. Is The Property Close To The ‘Strip’? In most of the large popular Spanish resorts, you’ll find something called the ‘Strip’. It’s an area which is normally pedestrianized lined with several bars, cafes, and restaurants to entertain both locals and holidaymakers. Other commercial activity like shops also form part of the mix and can usually be found very close...

  The growing number of expats arriving in Spain not only boosts the tourism sector, but also benefits the property market. 61,000 homes, mostly in the islands and coastal provinces, were purchased by foreigners in 2017 alone. From data obtained by the Spanish Registry, of the properties that were sold last year, 13.11% were acquired by expats predominantly from Britain, France, and Germany. In terms of pure numbers, foreign property purchases were reaching record breaking figures with more than 61,000 deals closed last year, accounting for just more than 13% of the total number of property transactions. Despite being lower than the percentage for 2016 when it reached 13.25%, the number of transactions was higher compared to the 54,000 registered for that year. The Property Statistics Registry affirmed the fact that not only did foreign demand constitute a significant recovery in the Spanish property market as one of the main focuses of demand during the country’s property and f...

  The property market in Spain is booming. The facts are proof of this, with mortgage numbers granted in Spain in the month of April soaring by 34% year-on-year. Average mortgage values rose by 9.1% to €123,256, and the capital amounts loaned also increased by 46.5% to €3.54 billion. The Statistical Office in Spain stated that Andalucía was a region with the 2nd highest numbers of mortgages at 5,154, just after Madrid with a figure of 6,018. These figures were followed by Catalunya with over 4,700 mortgages sold. The prices of houses are increasing into the double-digits across several coastal regions which include Malaga, Alicante, and Mallorca. Foreign demand is still driving this growth, while the British still remains the largest buying group, followed by the Belgian and Nordic markets who are starting to catch up. Yet with this significant strong growth, there are some who are concerned about the boom and bust cycle repeating itself again. Is there really a cause for such ...

  One of the most popular resorts on the island of Tenerife is Los Cristianos. It overlooks a spectacular harbour and some of the nicest beaches in all of the Canary Islands. Plenty of promenades make it easy to stroll along the beach to enjoy the beautiful views and pop into any of the bars and restaurants dotted around the area. With activities catering for people from all walks of life, it's no wonder Los Cristianos has become one of the most sought after destinations by tourists, especially those looking for a second home and a slice of paradise. Beautiful Beaches Los Cristianos is a fantastic resort because of its location on the southern tip of the island and its facilities. Las Vistas beach that fronts it has soft, white sand, and the sea is always varying tones of turquoise and blue. The water here is very calm due to breakers deliberately designed to make it the perfect place for safe swimming and also boasts of shallow pools which are perfect for the kids and non-swimm...

  With stunning beaches, a sunny climate, and the diverse landscapes that range from quaint-coastal havens, to majestic mountain ranges, it comes as no surprise why Spain is one of the best destinations for people in search of a way to experience their very own portion of “la Buena Vida”. Did I also mention that you can buy fantastic property at reasonable prices? Spain is also ranked in second position out of 46 countries when it comes to experiences associated with categories like people, lifestyle and setting up home, in the HSBCs Expat Explorer Survey in 2017. It has become clear that the expats view Spain as one of the ideal destinations, especially those people looking for a place to retire. Here is some information that explains the “need to knows” for the retirees, like lifestyle, health, and cost of living.   1. The Climate As all the expats that move to Spain soon find out, there are differences between the climate and the weather. Spain has to do with climate....

  Spain retains its number one spot in the Top 10 Best Places of 2018 to buy property . We see its dominance taking over even more just in the past year. Security fears have grown in other European locations and there are British buyers looking to move out before Brexit. Both issues make Spain the winner for best place to be. Tourism is flourishing, flights are growing, and the property market is expanding. Prices have remained below market peaks in most areas except for places like the popular and sought-after Madrid, Barcelona, and Balearics. Lifestyle buyers and investors alike are targeting places like Barcelona. It is one of Europe’s most exciting markets as one might suspect, but another spot is Costa Blanca. This is a yearly destination favourite with plenty of property at affordable prices. There are plenty of new construction buildings for investors and other buyers. Spain’s hottest destinations include Torrevieja, Villamartin, and Cuidad Quesada. While they remain in ...

  The real estate market in Spain was hit hard in 2008 when the recession hit and all the transaction levels conducted before the recession were recovered.  However, despite the property prices remaining low, the official figures continued to show.   Boosted by a strong economic growth in 2017, approximately 465,000 real estate purchases were noted in the year - 'the highest annual figure since the 2008 crash', according to a report by the Spanish national property register.  This represents a rise in property prices of close to 15% since the previous year of 2016. At the end of the 20th century, the country experienced a property boom with property being at the highest sales prices in many years.  However, when the bubble burst in 2008, the global economic recession caused a reduction in the Spanish economy; thereby, preventing the majority of borrowers from repaying all property loans.  Prices collapsed and only began rising again in 2014 when the rece...

  According to several property agents in Spain, there are three important experts every prospective home buyer should seek before purchasing a property abroad. These include a currency specialist, a reputable property agent, and a solicitor. This trio are referred to as the Golden Three given the critical roles they play in the process. Anyone hoping to have a positive buying experience abroad should engage the assistance of these professionals as early as possible so that the proper support and insights can be gained at the very start. If you have these professionals steering the entire process, it is possible to sidestep some of the most typical errors and risks that can arise in the context of buying an overseas property. Reputable Property Agent There are seemingly countless property agents working these days, and this is certainly true within Spain. Selecting one can prove extremely daunting, as it can be tough to determine which ones have the necessary expertise. It's alwa...

In earlier times, where the property sector across the globe was struggling through what seemed to be doom-and-gloom that was never-ending, when it comes to Tenerife, it now seems like the sun is breaking through the clouds. Many residents on this island went through hardships in the initial years associated with the economic-crash, when this crisis effected markets in Europe and the UK. As many jobs were lost and people stared to tighten their belts, the people who lived in these effected countries were forced to give up on their vacations. With a significant decrease in the tourist numbers to Tenerife in the last 5 years along with the respective “spend per head” that decreased more and more, many people that moved to the island and built their businesses that were reliant on tourist trades were faced with extremely tough decisions. Just about all of the expat residents that still reside in Tenerife, know of one or more people that were forced to leave this island caused by the glo...

  There are a lot of secrets that come with selling a home that you might not be aware of.  There are some secrets that estate agents are willing to share and others that they are not.  If you are going to be selling your home , it is recommended that you know what some of these secrets are so you can successfully sell your home. Staging Changes With The Seasons Staging a home for sale was once a secret, but the cat has been out of this particular bag for a while now.  However, the practice of staging is still evolving and it can be more complicated than you imagine.  You might not realize that when you stage your home in the summer months, you should be using smaller furniture than you would in the winter.   The reason for this is that smaller furniture will make your room feel longer and overall bigger which is something that will stay in the mind of potential buyers.  Another staging secret that you might not be aware of is that you should play s...

  The Buying Cost Just like anywhere else in the world, the total cost of buying a Spanish property will generally depend on the location. However, when it comes to Spanish property , it is important to note that each independent Spanish region set their transfer tax (Known as ITP or Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales). This tax is payable on a resale purchase. For example, a property the size of a football park may require you to pay ITP of about 7%. The percentage tends to be higher in regions that are popular with foreigners. For this reason, you may be required to pay 6.5% for a bar size property. If purchasing a property in the Costa Blanca, which is part of the Valencia Region; the transfer tax rate for buying a property would be 10%. If you buy a similar property in Costa del Sol, which is a part of the Andalusian region, the buying tax would be 8%, of the property. Other costs include; a notary fee of €1,800, land registration cost of €2,000, legal fees and other c...

  When you decide to sell your property, you want to sell it for as much money as the market will allow. Pricing too high will keep your home from selling. A low price will keep you from receiving full value. There are Three Main Points to Consider when Pricing your Property: 1. Know the Market a. The market determines value . We all know that. b. Price your home competitively based on the price of homes that have recently sold, are currently for sale, and those listings that have expired in your neighborhood. 2. Condition of your Home a. Buyers base their decisions on the condition of the home as well as the price. b. Take the time now to prepare your home to attract potential buyers. 3. Select a Good Real Estate Agent a. A real estate agent brings the market to you. The market brings your price. b. The right agent is the one who knows the market and can get you the best price possible - not the one who promises you the highest price just to get you to list with them! {load...