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19 the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015 POTTED POINTERS olive press t he roperty Dream come true Steaming ahead Property expert Mark Stucklin on how the market is suddenly gathering speed with help from the British market The secret Spanish homes of a dozen leading celebrities Marbella’s leading agent Chris Clover on how he started out on the Costa del Sol in 1970 PAGE 2 PAGE 6 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, con- sectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur a mauris ut risus congue scelerisque PAGE 9 PAGE 7 20 - Page Special hifx ORIGINAL: This stylish villa, designed by renowned architect Angel Taborda and complete with waterfall pool and mature garden, could be yours for just €4.7 million through Andalucia Development Contact our Marbella Office: Tel: +34 951 203 986 [email protected] Avda De Manolete, Centro Plaza Local 12-13, Nueva Andalucia, 29660, Marbella, Malaga HiFX Europe Limited Sucursal en España is a branch of HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2009, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services. HiFX Europe Limited Sucursal en España is a branch of HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2009, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services. Don’t let the banks cash in! www.hifx.co.uk Put us to the test. See if HiFX could save you time and money. Buying or selling property in Spain? Let us help you reach your destination. Tel: +34 951 203 986 [email protected] www.hifx.co.uk Don’t let the banks cash in! Buying or selling property in Spain? Let us help you reach your destination. Put us to the test. See if HiFX could save you time and money. www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015 P 45 years as an agent Fit for a star HOMESELLERS REPORT

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Page 1: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

19www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015

POTTED POINTERS

olive pressthe

roperty

Dream

come true

Steaming ahead

Property expert Mark Stucklin on how the market is suddenly gathering speed with help from the British market

The secret Spanish homes of a dozen leading celebrities

Marbella’s leading agent Chris Clover on how he started out on the Costa del Sol in 1970

PagE 2

PagE 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, con-sectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur a mauris ut risus congue scelerisque

PagE 9

PagE 7

20 - Page

Special

hifx

ORIGINAL: This stylish villa, designed by renowned architect Angel Taborda and complete with waterfall pool and mature garden, could be yours for just €4.7 million through Andalucia Development

Contact our Marbella O�ice:

Tel: +34 951 203 [email protected]

Avda De Manolete, Centro Plaza Local 12-13,Nueva Andalucia, 29660,Marbella, Malaga

HiFX Europe Limited Sucursal en España is a branch of HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2009, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services.HiFX Europe Limited Sucursal en España is a branch of HiFX Europe Limited. HiFX Europe Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2009, registration 462444, for the provision of payment services. Don’t let the banks cash in! www.hifx.co.uk

Put us to the test. See if HiFX could saveyou time and money.

Buying or selling property in Spain?

Let us help youreach your destination.

Tel: +34 951 203 986 [email protected]

www.hifx.co.ukDon’t let the banks cash in!

Buying or selling property in Spain?Let us help youreach your destination.Put us to the test. See if HiFX could save youtime and money.

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

P

45 years as an agent

Fit for a star

HOMESELLERS REPORT

Page 2: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

20 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property Now www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 201520

IT’S been a slow train coming, but after seven years of ‘la crisis’ there are finally some signs of light at the end of the tunnel for the Span-ish property market... at least in the best areas

of the main cities and prime parts of the coast where foreign buyers tend to buy. Elsewhere the housing market is largely mori-bund, creating a two-tier market that could last for years to come.After false dawns at the start of 2011 and 2013, when sales appeared to increase in what turned out to be a mirage of inflated sales created by a government tinkering with the tax code, the property market expanded by 10% in January, according to monthly data from the National In-stitute of Statistics (INE). That is the first time the market has gen-uinely expanded in January since the crisis began.Even more encouragingly, the Spanish housing market has grown on an annualised basis for five consecutive months, and in ten out of the last elev-en months, suggesting that the market has finally found a floor after seven years of de-clines.There were 286,408 home sales last year (excluding social housing), up 4% compared to 2013, though still down 60% compared to the peak year of 2007. And looking just at January - the latest figures from the National Institute of Statistics - the mar-ket increased by 10% in a year, and 28% in a month, which is all positive news for Spain.But look more closely and it’s clear sales are concentrated in various areas and in segments, so the good news is not evenly spread. Malaga province, home to the Costa del Sol, was the star performer in 2014, with sales up 20% in the year, compared to a national average of 4%. Based on this data it looks like the Costa del Sol housing market is clearly recovering.Other markets with big increases last year were the Balearics, the Costa de la Luz, Madrid, Bar-celona, and the Canaries - all areas that appeal to foreign investors.

Steaming ahead!Property expert Mark Stucklin explains why there is light at the end of the tunnel for Spain’s property market - and in particular on the Costa del Sol

In contrast, areas that rely heavily on local de-mand, like Sevilla, and Aragon, were still shrink-ing by 10% or more last year. So, a gulf is opening up between segments that attract foreign buyers, mainly on the coast, and those that rely on domestic demand, mainly in the interior.Another big difference emerging is that between new build and resale segments. The pipeline of attractive new developments is running dry all over Spain, which explains why new home sales plunged almost 20% last year, while resales in-creased by 20%. In Malaga province, new home sales fell 10%, while resales rose 50%. The market would almost certainly be more

buoyant, especially on the Costa del Sol, if there were more attractive new proj-

ects for sale. The biggest constraint is now financing for new projects, and it will take time to bring new developments to market.With increasing sales in places like Marbella, house prices are responding with small gains in the best areas. Data from Idealista.com, a prop-

erty portal, shows that asking prices have risen 9% in Marbella

since bottoming out in the second quarter of 2013, taking them to 83%

of their peak prices - a peak-to-present fall of 17%, and shrinking.We can thank foreign investors for the recovery in places like Marbella and the Costa Del Sol. Domestic demand is still hamstrung by high un-employment and mortgage restrictions, but for-eign demand is diversified and better financed, and taking full advantage of today’s prices to snap up bargains. Foreign demand increased 14.5% last year, to reach a record 14% of market share, lead by the British up 28%. It seems the British love affair with Spanish prop-erty is still strong if the price is right.

Mark Stucklin runs www.spanishproperty-insight.com, a property information web-site.

2 Property

GROWTH SPURT: Malaga is leading the way with over 60% year on year growth

WELCOME to the first edition of the Olive Press’ special Property magazine.Appearing bi-monthly with the newspaper, it offers an incisive, in-depth look at the burgeoning property market on the Costa del Sol and inland.Keeping you updated on the fast-moving market, with the latest statistics, changes to the law and useful up-to-date information, it will also focus on ideas for your home.Featuring a range of articles and interviews, we hope it will become an essential tool for buying and selling your home in southern Spain.For our launch issue, we have the latest overview of the market

by Sunday Times property writer Mark Stucklin, an interview with Marbella’s best known agent Chris Clover, of Panorama Properties, and a feature on the celebrities who have bought in this wonderful corner of Europe.We hope you enjoy it and would like to say thanks to all the agents and advertisers for supporting this launch. We hope you will con-tinue with us over the coming years.Do not hesitate to contact us with feedback, ideas or to advertise in the next edition out in May. Email [email protected] sincerely,

Jon Clarke, Publisher

Welcome to our incisive, up-to-date report

We can

thank foreign investors for the

recovery in places like the Costa del

Sol

Page 3: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

21www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property 3

CASCADA DE CAMOJÁN 5-bedroom Andalusian style villa offering the best views to the Mediterranean coast in an established complex on the Golden Mile with 24-hour security. Tropical garden with pool. Lots of potential. Ref. 8025

Enclosed: 536 m²Plot: 1,697 m²Terrace: 213 m²Price: €1,950,000

HACIENDA LAS CHAPAS Stunning mansion in a sought-after residential area with 24-hour security. Built to high specifi cations, 8 bedrooms, enormous terrace with chill out area and partial sea views, gym, garage for 4 cars and security cameras. Ref. 8543

Enclosed: 554 m²Plot: 2,000 m²Terrace: 188 m²Price: €2,375,000

Offi ces at the Puente Romano Hotel & opposite the Marbella Club HotelTel. (+34) 952 863 [email protected]

An InternationalAssociate of Savills

GOLDEN MILE Stunning 3-bedroom townhouse within an Andalusian village style complex, with communal pool and social club. Patio and enormous basement. Excellent location, within a 10-minute walk to the beach and close to amenities! Ref. 8573

Enclosed: 265 m²Terrace: 62,50 m²Price: €625,000

RÍO REAL Just steps to the beach! Beachfront ground fl oor apartment in a gated community with mature gardens and pool. Magnifi cent sea views. Newly renovated, originally a 3-bedroom unit, transformed into a 2-bedroom. Garage and storeroom. Ref. 8559

Enclosed: 169 m²Terrace: 98 m²Price: €1,050,000

THE world’s top billionaires are all looking to Spain for a cut-price piece of the property pie. With Bill Gates, George Soros and Spain’s richest man, retail tzar Amancio Ortega, al-ready holding stakes in Spanish real estate companies, Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim is now eying up his own Spanish empire. After beating off Soros to become the largest shareholder in building firm FCC in Decem-ber, Slim is now set to become the second largest investor in Realia, one of Spain’s larg-est property developers.US billionaire Soros took a €92 million stake in Hispania Activos Inmobiliarios, a Spanish property-investment vehicle, last March. While Microsoft founder Bill Gates owns a 5.7% stake in Spanish builder Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA.

Slim pickings

PROPERTY sales rose by almost 10% in the first month of 2015.

OnwardS and upwardS

ALMOST 100 families were evicted from their homes per day in Spain last year. Some 119,442 foreclosures went ahead in 2014, a rise of 10% on 2013. Figures from the National Institute of Statis-tics (INE) showed that the regions most hard hit were Andalucia, Catalonia and Valencia.

Evictions soared in 2014

Bright hopes for bankHOUSE sales are expected to grow ‘moderately’ in 2015, estimates leading bank BBVA.The country’s economic growth prospects and more favour-able financing conditions have been touted as catalysts for the property market.The bank maintains that Spain’s property sector began its recovery in 2014, and as a result of the current trend has increased its economic growth forecast for this year up to 2.7%.

January saw an upturn of 9.6% in purchases € with a total of 33,416 transactions recorded.

This is the best figure Spain has seen in 14 months, and also continues a five-month growth trend for the sector.Second hand homes performed par-ticularly well in January, accounting for 73.1% of home sales.Leading the charge were the Canary Islands, where there were 126 sales per 100,000 inhabitants and La Rioja, coming a close second at 122.At the bottom of the pile, Galicia and Asturias, recorded just 56 and 57 sales respectively per 100,000 residents.

prOpErTY pICKThe number of building licences award-ed for new homes was greater than the number rejected last year, for the first time since the onset of the crisis in 2007.

ELITE CLUB: Slim and (inset) Soros, Ortega and Gates

SWEETHOME

zagaLETa

STUNNING: Brand new, ultra-modern Zagaleta property costs €6.7 million through Panorama

THEY’RE back in a big way - and the exchange rate means Britons will be buying even more Spanish prop-erty this year.Britons bought more property than any other foreign nationality in Malaga province last year, helping trigger a 28% rise in sales. Of the 23,929 homes sold, 38% were to expats. In fact, foreigners buying property in Malaga has almost doubled in the past two years alone, from 5,140 in 2012 to 9,000 in 2014.After the British buyers, the Scandinavians came sec-ond, while the French were third, then Benelux buy-

ers, Germans and Russians in that order.Meanwhile, property purchases by Spaniards also rose by 29% last year, as figures almost returned to pre-crisis levels.Nearly a third of all the properties sold in Malaga province were in the so-called Golden Triangle of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis, which saw an in-credible 6,821 properties sold last year, topping the 2007 pre-crisis levels..The last quarter of the year registered an incredible 2,030 sales alone.

UK buyers lead the pack as foreign purchasers return to Malaga helping to trigger a sales rise of 28% last year

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

The British are back

Page 4: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

22 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property Now www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 201522

Terra Meridiana. 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona. Tel: +34 951 318480. Office Mob: +34 678 452109

Email: [email protected]. http://www.terrameridiana.com

Property

WHETHER you’re a hotshot busi-nessman, Saudi prince or a Hollywood starlet, the prop-erties available on Andalu-

cia’s sun-bathed shores are some of the world’s finest.Stunning properties on the Costa del Sol can change hands for up to €30 million, and offering a dream combination of fantastic weather, discreet locations and every imaginable facility, it doesn’t take a genius to see why.International architects that dream up

LaVISH: This stunning estate, in the exclusive community of Madronal, has ten bedrooms, spare guest villa and all the mod cons. The price? €5,450,000 with Overseas Dreams

BREaTHTaKINg: This €4,995,000 Sotogrande Exclusive prop-erty, with seven bedrooms, has a wine cellar, four car garage and even a staff appartment

PRICELESS: This extraordinary, mod-ern creation from Terra Meridiana, price on demand

MODERN: For effortless chic, this styl-ish five-bedroom villa is available with Andalucia Development for €3,295,000these extraordinary spaces seem to see

them as works of modern art than func-tional living spaces, with the wow factor reverberating in every glass-fronted ga-rage, indoor pool and cinema room.With a single square metre selling for a staggering €5,450 in the Puerto Banus area, these creations often set in size-able estates with stunning views can fetch a pretty penny.Read on for Andalucia’s most amaz-ing properties, the creme de la creme of the region...

The Property Insiderby Adam Neale

4

THE latest data on prop-erty sales in Spain ap-pears to show signs of improvement, but

that’s not all.What the numbers really re-veal is that there is no such thing as a Spanish market. There are too many massive differences between munici-palities. Last September, a well-respected commentator on Spanish property worried he might risk a lynching if he talked about a possible market recovery. Six months on, I’m going to put my neck on the line – metaphori-cally speaking, before any-one below the line gets any ideas... - and say that on the Costa del Sol, especially in-demand areas like Marbella, the recovery is already un-derway.In 2014, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, there were 20% more property transactions nationwide than the year be-fore. This was based on fig-ures from the notaries who register all sales. Increased sales and rising prices are not uniform nationwide, however, but vary signifi-cantly from region to region and city to city.An annual report from ide-alista.com, drawing on more

Facts behind the figuresThere is no such thing as a ‘Spanish’ property market… but the Costa del Sol’s is back, writes Adam Neale

than 310,000 sales in 650 municipalities, found that the average sale price per square metre nationwide was €1,594. In San Sebastian, however, you’d have to pay more than €3,750 for a square metre. While in Lleida, less than 400 kilometres away, the same space would cost less than a quarter of the price, at just €910/m2.In the province of Malaga, and even in towns on and close to the Costa del Sol, the differenc-es can be almost as dramatic.

In Marbella (including high-end villas on the beach and bud-get apartments in the back-streets), average prices rose 3.7% in 2014 to reach €2,307/m2. Next door, in Mijas, pric-es fell by more than 5%, to €1,334/m2. Meanwhile, just 60 kilometres from the coast in Ronda, they dropped 14% to €972/m2. The most obvious reasons for imbalances in the market-place between Marbella and elsewhere are the law of sup-ply and demand, the number

of properties sold to foreign buyers and the percentage bought in cash, rather than with a mortgage. Marbella is a small market with a large potential client base, many of whom hail from overseas and rely less on financing.In 2014, province-wide, 38% of properties sold were bought by foreigners and, in the last two years, sales to foreign buyers shot up by 80%. Sales to Spaniards also grew, but by just 29%. Most tellingly, however, last year there were 3,997 sales reg-istered in Marbella – repre-senting an annual increase of 29% in a city with a popu-lation of 150,000 – com-pared to 3,947 in the city of Malaga itself, home to nearly 570,000 people.When you consider the euro has lost ground to most other currencies, premium loca-tions in Spain now look like great value compared to con-ventional safe havens like London. If you have funds in another currency and want to buy, in euros, in places like Marbella, then do it now… both from a security and a return-on-investment point of view.

DECEPTIVE: Reality is not as it seems in Spain’s property market

Prize padsRAFALUX

I N T E R I O R SFurniture, Lighting, Interior Furnishings,

Children’s Decor

WE HAVE THE BEST QUALITY DESIGN LABELS

Tel: 952 891 019

[email protected] Facebook: Muebles Rafalux

Calle Bolivia 8, 29692, Sabinillas

Page 5: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

23www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property Now 23

Andalucia DevelopmentCentro Comercial Plaza 63, 29660 Nueva Andalucia, Marbella

[email protected] www.andadev.com

Working in Marbella Real Estate since 1981 Tel: +34 952 816 250

Mansion - La Cerquilla, Nueva Andalucia Ref. 176-00942P

5.350.000 €Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5Guest Toilets: 1 Plot: 2.560Terrace: 162 Built: 976

Ground Floor Apartment - Albatross Hill Club, Nueva Andalucia Ref. 176-00920P

595.000 €Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3Terrace: 145 Built: 200 Guest Toilets: 1 Construct Year: 2005 Community Fees: 600 € /Month Garbage Tax: 180 €/YearLocal Rates (IBI): 900 €/Year

Apartment - Andalucia Garden Club Nueva Andalucia Ref. R176-01040

347.500 €Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2Terrace: 20 Built: 90Construct Year: 1975 Community Fees: 235 € /Month Garbage Tax: 186 €/YearLocal Rates (IBI): 970 €/Year

Magnificent and totally refurbished Villa/Mansion in La Cerquilla, Nueva Andalucia. Truly a master piece of contemporary design with all the extras you can imagine. Fantastic views over the valley, sea and mountains and Puerto Banus and the beach are just a short drive away. The property further benefits from underfloor heating throughout, air-conditioning, Integrated sound system, cinema, spa, gym with sauna, large Jacuzzi, hydro-massage baths and showers, ultra modern Japanese toilets, gazebo with BBQ, heated salt water pool, a top range sophisticated security system, garage for two cars plus plenty of parking on the driveway, and separate guest apartment.

Page 6: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

24 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property Now24

Fit for the starsWhether it’s a quiet life in the hills or a champagne-fuelled binge on the Costa del Sol, celebrities have been flocking to Andalucia for as long as memory can serve. Reporter Rob Horgan takes a look around the region to see which famous faces are here today

WHETHER it’s ex-England footballers or Hollywood hotshots, Andalucia has that A-list appeal that keeps the ce-lebrities coming.

From British royalty and Saudi sheikhs to the Obamas and Lady Gaga, swanky resorts like So-togrande and Marbella are prime destinations for high-profile holidaymakers and many a fa-mous face has decided to stay put for good. From the early days when Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant could be spotted chatting over break-fast in Marbella, through resident ‘stalwarts’ like Antonio Banderas and ‘fallen stars’ like Max Clifford, to the current batch of publicity-hungry reality TV celebs routinely spotted falling out of clubs, the trend shows no sign of abating. And with the region’s growing reputation for five-star infrastructure and first-class cuisine, as well as its well-catalogued sun, sea and sangria life-style, it’s easy to see why. The illustrious list of former celebs who once re-sided in sunny southern Spain includes Rolling Stones’ star Ronnie Wood, Irish actor Sean Con-nery and superstar Prince. So who’s buying into the Costa del Sol dream to-day and, more importantly, where do they hang out?

Former MEP and TV personality Robert Kilroy Silk has a huge mansion in the hills near Casares. The 11-bedroom converted olive mill is used as a holiday home by the former Kilroy host. When he is not in residence, he rents out the property for an eye-watering €12,700 a week.

Kilroy-Silk’s Casares cash cow

Property

HOME to Premiership footballers, regularly visited by royals , the scene of one of Europe’s most prestigious

polo clubs and Europe’s number one golf course, Valderrama, it is clear to see why Sotogrande property is so sought after.A stone’s throw from Gibraltar, half-an-hour from Marbella and up the road from Ronda, Sotogrande is perfectly placed along Spain’s southern coast.And property expert Monique Westdo rp, owner of Sotogrande Exclusive, predicts interest in the luxury resort will only grow.“The market is definitely moving up,” she says. “Sotogrande didn’t suffer from the economic downturn as much as the rest of Spain, but it is still benefiting from the boom now.”Westdorp expects to see an increase in both long-term rental and permanent sales markets, with holiday bookings also predicted to soar.“Sotogrande is a great place for families to set up,” Westdo rp added. “There is a great outdoors culture, and I predict couples in their forties to invest heavily in the area in the year ahead.“With the Sotogrande International School just along the road, there is no safer and more practical place for people to buy.” For more information contact [email protected] or call 617005844

Sotogrande soaring

TV chef antony Worrall Thompson may have fallen from the dizzying a-list heights he reached with Ready, Steady, Cook in the 1990s, but he is still enjoying the high life, making regular trips to his avocado farm in the hills above Mijas. He’s also been busy in gibraltar of late where he’s a judge on gBC TV’s hit reality cooking show, Rock Chef.

Antony Worrall Thompson’s Mijas finca

England international and Liverpool footballer glen Johnson can often be spotted lapping up the post-season sun in his sensational Sotogrande home. Its polo fields are a favourite divot-stomping ground for royals like Princes William and Harry. Leafy Sotogrande’s multi-million euro mansions have attracted a number of soccer stars in recent years, including Shay given, glenn Hoddle and Brendan Rodgers.

Glen Johnson’s Sotogrande suntrap

6 www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

Page 7: Olive Press Property magazine Issue 1

25www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015 7

Fit for the stars

David Bentley’s Benahavis bolt-hole

The former golden girl of Saturday night TV is pushing 72 but Cilla Black still gets ‘a lorra laughs’ chilling at her luxury Estepona villa. That was until last year when her luxury pad was struck by a fire while the ex Surprise Sur-prise host was in the UK. Happily, a renova-tion job looks to have restored the property to its former glory and our Cilla should be back for another date with the coast this summer.

Cilla’s Estepona eyrieJust up the coast in alicante, former England manager Terry Venables is taking on his lat-est managerial adventure after restoring a 500 acre olive grove into a luxury Spanish hide-away. El Tel opened up to the public in Octo-ber, with guests paying a tidy €200 per night.

Terry Venables’ managerial venture

One of the men behind the great Train Rob-bery, criminal mastermind gordon goody, has gone from bad to the ‘good life’ on a farm in almeria. While his criminal associates – Ron-nie Biggs and Bruce Reynolds (to name just two) – became cult figures in the UK, Goody escaped to Spain to run beach bar Chiringuito Kon Tiki in Mojacar.

Gordon Goody’s Mojacar getaway

Hidden away in the hills above the Costa del Sol in alhaurin, Status Quo rock legend Rick Parfitt can often be found kicking back in his decadent mansion with his wife and twins, Tommy and Lily. With tennis courts, a swim-ming pool and a garden to rival any horticul-turist’s wildest fantasy, Parfitt’s pad is the per-fect hideaway.

Rick Parfitt’s Alhaurin hideout

Once dubbed the ‘next David Beckham’, the former Tottenham and England footballer David Bentley hung up his boots at the age of 29 for a new life on the Costa del Sol. Now involved in a string of hip hangouts including popular La Sala in Puerto Banus, when he’s not socialising with the clientele Bentley can regularly be spotted practising his swing on the golf courses around his beautiful family home in Benahavis (pictured left).

and at least one crook...

Russian president Vladimir Putin is well-known for his admiration of excess and the construction of his Benahavis mansion in the hills above Marbella is no exception. Kitted out with two swimming pools, a cinema and a €1 million wine cellar, Vlad’s pad is one of the most enviable in anda-lucia.

Vlad’s Marbella pad

NEWS IN BRIEFDeluxe developmentSOME 400 luxury properties are set to be built in Estepona by develop-ers iKasa. The first 50 homes, costing €300,00 to €600,000, will be ready by 2018.

Shopping spreeBRITISH investment group INTU Properties is set to invest €450 mil-lion in a new shopping and leisure centre in Torremolinos.

Road to recoverySPaNISH house prices are climbing faster than they have since 2008. Prices around Spain were up around 0.3% in 2014, comparing to a drop of 10.6% in 2013. almost 2% more properties sold in the last quarter of 2014 than the previous year.

Villas in vogueFOREIgNERS spent €6.05 billion on homes in Spain in the first nine months of last year, a 30% rise on 2013. Over 40,000 properties were purchased, with most purchases in the regions of Valencia, andalucia and Catalunya.

Green housesa MaJOR Europe-wide study led by Spanish project co-ordinator Bax and Willems could transform the way housing markets value ‘green’ homes. The ‘Revalue’ project will assess the impact of energy efficiency measures on the valuation of homes.

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27www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property 9

THE world’s oldest practising firm of surveyors is open for business on the Costa del Sol.

To capitalise on the rejuvenated Spanish market, Cluttons has opened a new office on Marbella’s Golden Mile. Now in its 250th year - and with of-fices in over 100 countries - man-aging director James Evans be-lieves the company is destined for Spanish success. “Cluttons has established itself as a forward-thinking firm with a his-tory spanning four centuries,” Ev-ans says.“We are now currently on the look-out for listings to offer prospective clients on the Costa del Sol. “With the euro in its current state, and Spain undergoing a property resurgence, the timing is perfect.”He added: “The international ex-pertise we offer to clients really sets us apart from our competitors. We are one of the world’s most ex-perienced firms when it comes to offering advice.” Established in 1765, when William Clutton took over his father-in-law’s business in Sussex, Cluttons were true pioneers of surveying. Passed through the generations, Cluttons grew steadily through the 19th and 20th centuries before bursting onto the international are-na in the 1970s. After capitalising on the surge of property development that followed the First and Second World Wars, Cluttons paved the way for global surveying firms with a move into the Middle East.Always a forward-thinking firm, new ventures in South Africa, India and Nigeria are driving home Cluttons’ determination to stay ahead of the pack.

Pioneering surveyors Cluttons are in Marbella… and on the hunt for listings

Ready for the rush

For more info call 951 120 169 or email [email protected]

ESTUCO INTERIORS INTERIOR design experts Estuco Inte-riors have opened a new flagship show-room in Centro Plaza, in Marbella, to meet their ever-expanding business needs.

Established more than 20 years ago, the Es-tuco team offers bespoke designs perfectly tailored to meet your needs.Estuco’s multilingual professionals from the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Holland and Spain work together to manage every single as-pect and detail of a project from conception to completion.They have built up a trusted network of craftsmen, builders, painters, electricians and suppliers who are always on time, on spec and on budget.The versatile team takes on residential, hos-pitality and restaurant projects and clients may choose from a huge range of fabrics, furniture, object d’art and the in-demand Farrow & Ball range.Whether you are considering an entire home revamp or simply want to freshen up that bedroom, the team would love to meet you at their Nueva Andalucia premises.

Visit www.estucointeriors.com, call 952 810 633 or email [email protected] for more details

WANTED: Top homes for listing

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

NOT many people have lived through five reces-sions. So to be running a business – particu-larly an estate agent – that has survived five

downturns, you have to be doing something right.Chris Clover is one rare businessman, who despite the odds, has kept his family business, Panorama Properties, not only running, but prospering for 45 years on the Costa del Sol.Since opening an office in 1970, Panorama has survived no less than five recessions, with the last one ‘definitely the worse, but fortunately we made a profit in every year’.“It began at the end of 2007 and we only started to come out in 2012,” he explains at his well located office overlooking the Marbella Club Hotel, where modern-day Marbella commenced in the mid-50’s.Thankfully, things today have rarely looked so rosy for agents on the Costa del Sol, and particularly the Marbella area, where sales volume shot up in 2014 by over 28% compared with the previous year.On the day we meet, Chris is pouring over statis-tics for his annual property report, which is soon to come out.What we can clearly see is the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ comprising Marbella, Benahavis and Este-pona saw more sales last year (6,821) than in the pre-crisis year of 2007. It is excellent news and with the pound currently as strong as it has been for nearly a decade, the year ahead looks to be even better. “Panorama made a record number of sales in 2014 and the crisis is definitely over,” he explains. “But that has been clear in the quality end of the market of the Golden Triangle for some time now.”He puts this down to the fact that 85% of the buy-ers in this market are foreigners, with British buy-ers very much back at the top of the pile, and putting the Marbella area easily two and a half years ahead of the recov-ery of the property market in Spain in general.“The British are still the most im-portant singular market here and it has been the same since the 1980s, with a few ups and downs, of course.”But it all began for Chris way back in the late ‘60’s with the US market, when his father’s American real estate business saw an opportunity to sell second homes to up-per middle class Americans in southern Spain, and opened an office in Marbella in 1970. After graduating with distinction from The Univer-sity of Virginia in 1969, he joined his father in the business, moving to Marbella in 1973 from the

We began flying hundreds of Americans over in the Sixties on inspection trips

Olive Press editor Jon Clarke discovers how Marbella’s longest-established estate agent Chris Clover from Panorama Properties started out on the Costa del Sol in 1973

company’s headquarters in Washington.“Marbella was very much the place to go for the jet-set and most of our American buyers had an affin-ity to Europe and were well travelled and cultured,”

he says.They found them through their US asso-

ciate agent network, exhibitions and adverts in the New York Times and Washington Post and flew them over on inspection trips, the largest with 120 passengers aboard.The first villas sold in the late ‘60’s for between $10,000 and $20,000

and after selling hundreds of them they realised they needed a base on

the Costa del Sol.Chris became the natural choice to run the

new office.He had soon invested in his first property; a small $10,000 beachfront villa in Bahia Dorada, be-tween Estepona and Casares. “We fixed it up and sold it in 1974 and moved to Puerto Banus. It meant I was closer to the office and could better

serve the customers,” he explains.He has been there ever since and with his son Alex and daughter Katinka both on board, it means there have been four generations in the company, which started with his grandfather in Chicago in 1904.The key to success, he puts down to ‘hard work’ and despite now approaching his 70th birthday he shows few signs of slowing down. Part of his suc-cess, he says, is having a great team of 28 profes-sionals working alongside him.He still works at weekends, always answers his phone, and when pushed for what he gets up to in his spare time, insists he hardly has any. “I play a lit-tle tennis and meet with my best friends,” he says.As for his ongoing love affair with Spain, there ap-pears to be no end in sight. “I certainly feel very closely connected to Spain. It is my home, I have my Spanish nationality, a Spanish wife and both my children were born here plus I love my work. I don’t plan to go back to America.”

Email [email protected] or call 952 863 750

The British are still the

most important singular market on the Costa del

Sol

HOMESELLERS REPORT

All you can wish for in interior design

STALWART: Chris Clover in Puerto Banus in the 1980s and (inset) the estate agent now

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28 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property10

Inland Andalucia boss Graham Govier headed inland to get away from the traditional fry ups - and he hasn’t looked back

Moving inland - away from the Greasy Joe’s!

Marchena

Agua Dulce Cocoya

Fuente Genil

Antequera

gardens of 1,500m23 bed, 2 Bath and furnished

amazing value in good location. 5 bed, 2 bath furnished property

amazing value in good location. 3 bed, 2 bath furnished property

Large pool and gardens. 6 bed, 3 bath furnished rural location

Ready to move into. 3 bed, 2 bath furnished town location

absolute bargain with this 4 bed, 3 bath furnished property

Community pool, roof terraces. 4 bed, 3 bath and furnished

Stunning views, recently painted. 5 bed, 2 bath ready to move into

Fully furnished centre of town. 3 bed, 2 bath apartment

Community pool, shared gar-dens. 3 bed, 3 bath and furnished

“ONE morning 15 years ago, I was sat in a cafe in Fuengirola listening to two women complain that they couldn’t get a good fry up in Spain.“That’s when I said to myself ‘surely there must be more to life in Spain than this’”.That was the moment property expert Graham Govier (pictured) packed his bags and headed to the hills above Malaga... and he hasn’t looked back since.Based in both Mollina and Alcala la Real, in Jaen, Govier’s property agency Inland Andalucia has es-tablished itself as the leading, go-to property agent away from the coast for over a decade.“Living inland is completely different to living by the coast,” Govier adds.“The lifestyle inland is more focussed on traditional family values, there is much more of a community feel. Something we seemed to have lost in the UK and don’t experience on the coast.“A plumber will talk to a lawyer who will be friends with a road sweeper. Who you are or what you have doesn’t matter to people living inland.“The thing most people don’t realise is how near everything is. From Mal-aga airport you can be in Antequera in just 40 minutes, whereas it can take up to 90 minutes to drive to Manilva.”Over the last year Inland Andalucia has invested heavily in a new website and database in conjunction with Google to make it virtually possible for buyers to view a home from the comfort of their armchairs.With full details of the properties, GPS location details and interior videos available online, potential buyers are able to walk down the street of any property. The new system also allows lawyers to log on and view all prop-erty documentation and contracts on behalf of their clients.For more information visit www.inlandandalucia.com or call 952 741 525 (Mollina) or 953 587 040 (Alcala la Real)

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MartosPriego de Cordoba

Fuente Genil

Marchena

Alcala la RealCastillo de

Locubin

Puerto Lope

Ready to move into. 3 bed, 2 bath furnished town location

Fully reformed large property. 7 bed, 2 bath with furniture

Stunning 2 bed property in quiet location. Must be seen

Stunning 3 bed property in quiet location. Must be seen

3 storey property to finish off. 2 bed with garage and terraces

2 bed property in quiet location. Close to all amenities

5 bed property near town centre with 2 car garage. Ideal for B&B

Fully reformed centre of town. 3 bed with furniture included

Fully reformed large property. 2 bed with furniture included

Stunning views with pool, 3 bed, 2 bath. Beautiful garden

Stunning views with large pool. 3 bed, 2 bath split level villa

Community pool, large garden, 4 bed, 2 bath and furnished

Private pool, mature gardens. 3 bed, furnished

absolute bargain with this 4 bed, 3 bath furnished property

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30 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property Now www.theolivepress.es March 201530

MARBELLA €525,000 (£371,561) * REF: WW236

This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ground floor apartment is located in a beautiful complex which is ideally located between Calahonda and Marbella, in a frontline beach location, offering not only outstanding views of the sea and Cabopoino port, but also benefiting from many on-site facilities including both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts gymnasium, 24 hour security and wireless internet.

BENAHAVIS from €305,000 (£215,859)* REF: WW188

A fantastic development in Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club, this modern development is beautifully set in the hills of Benahavis. Located just a 10 minute drive from the luxury yachting marina of Puerto Banus. Only 10 units of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments remain. The first three phases have already sold out.

MARBELLA from €284,000 (£200,997)* REF: WW180 Situated in the heart of the golf valley surrounded by Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, Aloha and La Quinta golf courses, this complex comprises of 48 spacious and beautifully appointed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, each with its own sun-drenched private terrace. Only 15 units left. Reduced by 58%.

MARBELLA from €410,000 (£290,172) * REF: WW230

This is an exclusive development of 24 luxury apartments in the San Pedro area of Marbella. This fantastic development is being built by a renowned English developer and will include 2 & 3 bedroom apartments set amongst landscaped gardens with a communal pool just 100 metres from the beach.

FUENGIROLA from €241,000 (£170,564)* REF: WW234 A fantastic opportunity to purchase a brand new, modern townhouse in Fuengirola, walking distance to local amenities and just a few minutes from the beach. The 3 bedroom properties have sunny terraces, great views, underground parking and a communal pool.

MARBELLA from €650,000 (£460,028)* REF: WW112

These luxury 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments are located in a private urbanization of 58 contemporary style, luxury apartments in the exclusive and highly sought after area of Sierra Blanca, Marbella, just 5 minutes from the luxury yachting marina of Puerto Banus.

* Disclaimer exchange rate correct at time of going to press.

tel: +34 952 880 [email protected] www.winkworth.es

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31www.theolivepress.es the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015Property www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015 13

PROPERTY is almost certainly the biggest purchase anyone will make outside their home country. And yet, for a lot of people, the c a u t i o u s approach that would be adopt-ed at home often dis-a p p e a r s under the time constraints of buying abroad.But it is essential - whether acquiring modern or older property - to know what potential problems you are buy-ing in to. In order to achieve this it is essential to have a professionally conducted survey prior to committing to the pur-chase.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is an internationally rec-ognised body which ensures that its members are capable of carrying out this function. Gibson Gale Chartered Surveyors has experienced surveyors working inde-pendently to estate agents, banks and owners to ensure the best un-conflicted advice.In the current market where real bar-gains can be found and where build-ing standards are not always as high as in northern Europe, buyers must beware. Houses which may look fine on the surface often have problems which lurk unseen.A survey ensures peace of mind and stops a purchase turning into a mon-ey pit.

Call Gibson Gale Chartered Sur-veyors on 00350 2007551

Buyers beware

THIS year estate agency Winkworth is celebrating its 180th anniversary.Having opened its doors in 1835, the company has lived through wars, recessions, coronations, diamond jubilees,

and man landing on the moon. And not only has it survived, it has grown into one of the UK’s leading, and London’s largest, estate agency with a strong international presence.In fact, last year alone, the agency opened six new offices in-cluding an exciting new venture in Guadalmina on the Costa del Sol. Capitalising on its strong footing in the European property market, the new Spanish office has made brilliant progress al-ready, taking on exclusive properties along the coast. A beauti-ful seven-bedroom home in Estepona, costing €15 million, be-ing one of the highlights.With the success of this latest foreign expedition, it is worth re-membering how it all began as a family affair.Winkworth was founded in 1835 by Henry Winkworth. The origi-nal head office was located in Curzon Street, Mayfair, and there was also a country office in Brighton, which was run by Henry’s

brother Edward. The main business involved selling residential property to an exclusive client list and letting houses in Mayfair to the landed gentry for ‘the season’ – a time when the elite of society held debutante balls, dinner parties and large charity events.Since then, Winkworth has gone from strength to strength and now stands at over 90 offices strong around the world. It also offers services from its head office – still based in Mayfair - such as Country House, International and China Desk team.Yet throughout this time the core values of the company have remained engrained in its work. Expert knowledge on the local area, property market and industry are something all Winkworth agents pride themselves on, as well as offering a tailored ser-vice and unique perspective to ensure that clients get exactly what they need, whether they are looking to buy or sell.

That’s why if you need expert property advice you should speak to your local Winkworth Team. You can contact Winkworth Gua-dalmina on 952 880 941 or visit winkworth.es

Our 180th birthdayFounded in 1835 to serve London’s elite, Winkworth is is now conquering Spain

KICKING ON!AN Olive Press campaign to expose the unethical practice of lawyers giving estate agents ‘kickbacks’ for using them has gained the support of a number of legal firms. Launched this month, our ongoing probe aims to stop the bent practice of lawyers paying estate agents unethical com-missions of up to 20% for awarding work. And the appeal for clean lawyers to step forward has already gained momentum. “I am very pleased that someone is finally exposing this,” said lawyer Adolfo Martos Gross from Gutierrez del Alamo & Martos Abogados, in Marbella. “I believe that up to 70% of the top firms offer commissions to agencies and it should be stopped.” Fellow lawyer Javier Lopez from MT Lawyers in Fuengirola

K.O. the kickbacks

Campaign to clean up unethical carve up between estate agents and lawyers gathers speed

added: “Apart from being against our ethical professional rules, such practices spoil the reputation of Spanish lawyers.“It generates mistrust in the Spanish economy and rewards unprofessional agents who are more concerned about their commission than in providing an independent quality service: “It is in absolutely everybody’s interest that the practice ends.” Other law firms also adding weight to our campaign include

My Lawyer in Spain, Lawbird, Anderson PCL, Temple Cam-bria, Poveda & As-sociates Lawyers and Paradigm Family Law.

AppealWhile we are still ap-pealing for lawyers to step forward, we are now extending our ap-peal to gain the sup-port of clean estate agents. Agents already sup-porting the campaign include Panorama Properties, Cluttons and Terra Meridiana.

To add your support email [email protected] or call 951 273 575

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IF you’ve been toying with the idea of buying a luxury home, upgrading your property or in-vesting in a buy-to-let deal on the Costa del Sol, then there has never been a better time

to do so. The signs of recovery are aligning and investors and construction companies are once again back in the market.Southern Spain’s luxurious coastline - often dubbed the ‘California of Europe’ - is returning to its former glory as Europe’s top destination for second homes.With luxury homes in Marbella and Puerto Banus at around 50% of their original value, it is no sur-prise the buyers are flooding back. Sales increased by 30% at the end of 2014 and the latest Eurostat figures show construction is up by an amazing 16%.As tourism increases, more people are opting to purchase a holiday pad for regular getaways. A recent survey found that 50% of visitors stay in their own, or rented, holiday homes - great news for the buy-to-holiday-let market. And things are set to get better, particularly with British buyers cur-rently seeing the best exchange rate in a decade and making them, once again, the leading purchas-ers on the Costa del Sol, followed by Scandinavians, Belgians, French, Dutch and Ger-mans. Investing in a sec-ond home is well within the grasp of many people and no longer a secret just for wealthy investors and entrepreneurs. The main criteria for an overseas buyer - and investor - is usually good climate, good local facilities, a safe environment and a secure and stress-free transaction. Demand for property is proportional to the qual-ity of life you can expect to enjoy there. The Costa del Sol has a great availability of low-cost flights, a good infrastructure, hi-tech com-munications, top healthcare, excellent schools and, of course, 320 days of sunshine a year.Can all this be said for countries like Bulgaria, Dubai, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt, who have all seen a property boom over the past decade, but equally suffer from instability, organised crime and low standards of living.Also, while they do generally have plenty of sun,

Market gaining speedExpert Peter Bowerman explains why there is a renewed interest in Costa Del Sol propertythe so-called ‘promised lands’ can also suffer from cold, wet winters of -5 degrees and searing desert heatwaves.Spain now has a land registry system very similar to that of the UK, so with the right agent and law-yer, buying a property in southern Spain should be easy and risk-free. With only 10% of payments usually needed be-fore completion, bank guarantees protect pay-ments. On top of this, mortgage rates are down to 3-4% and loans of up to 80% can be arranged subject to status and valuation. It is a fact that due to infrastructure improve-

ments and bet-ter lifestyle facil-ities, there has been a huge influx of young, professional ex-patriate families coming to live in this dynamic land of opportu-nities. No surprise, privileged resi-dents enjoy a c o m p r e h e n -sive choice of healthy outdoor sports and lei-sure activities all year round.

There are dozens of golf courses and plenty of opportunities for watersports.Rained-off barbecues and cancelled beach par-ties are simply unheard of. And when it comes to nightlife. Well, you’ve got Puerto Banus, Marbella, Estepona and Benal-madena marina - all buzzing many nights of the week. Investing in bricks and mortar has historically al-ways shown good long term capital growth. So if you’re contemplating buying, instead of renting or upgrading to a better property while prices are low, now is the best time to do so.For more information on buying or selling prop-erty on the Costa del Sol, contact Peter or any of his team on Tel: (0034) 951 551 444 or Email: [email protected]

Peter Bowerman is the managing director of Overseas Dreams estate agency in Marbella and La Cala de Mijas. He is a frequent contributor to the UK press and is one of the panel of experts for the Overseas Property Professional Magazine

FROM laying the foundations of the World Trade Center in Gibraltar to shoring up land-slip affected luxury villas on the Costa del Sol, Roger Bullivant has built a reputation as one of Europe’s leading construction firms.Working in Gibraltar since 2003, the firm has delivered a wide range of piling, under-pinning and engineering solutions for the Government of Gibraltar and many of the Rock’s leading commercial organisations.Whether providing ground engineering so-lutions at Gibraltar International Airport or designing and installing the civil engineer-ing for the Sunborn Luxury Floating Hotel (pictured above), Roger Bullivant is in high demand for complex, challenging projects.

“With a unique understanding of the vari-ables, constraints and hurdles to successful project delivery, our specialist teams will en-sure that your project is completed to your exacting specifications and to the absolute highest standards of quality,” said Andrew McGowan, Director.Other high profile projects include installing a Geothermal heating system for the luxury beachside El Presidente Urbanisation and completely reforming a luxury villa at Mar-bella’s Monte Mayor resort.

For more information on our services please call our office telephone 952 883 248/620 461 288 or visit our website www.rogerbul-livant.eu

Grand designs

LUXURY: Lifestyle and properties

GREAT DEALS: At www.overseasdreams.com

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NEARLY a decade ago, Richard Woodland realised the ultimate expat dream: he bought some land and con-structed his own finca.

It has all helped to build up solid relationships with local tradesmen and, in turn, a thriving property business in Coin to show for it.Property Overseas Group now has an inland office in Coin dealing with sales and rentals in Coin, Monda, Guaro, Tolox and Alhaurin el Grande.Richard has unparalleled experience and knowledge of buy-ing and selling property inland, offering a complete property service - as well as knowing which architects, lawyers and builders you should trust.The Property Overseas Group office can be found opposite La Trocha commercial centre in Coin.Contact Richard on 952814780 or visit www.propertyo-verseasgroup.com

Living the dream

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

CONSTRUCTION giant Taylor Wimpey is capitalizing on the upturn in Andalucia’s property market.The celebrated UK real estate de-veloper is planning to deliver 120 homes in 2015, some 20 more than last year.“We started to plan for this when we saw an upturn in the market nine months ago,” explains Igna-cio Osle, Regional Director for Taylor Wimpey in Andalucia.“We have around 300 units un-

Strong foundationsUK construction giant Taylor Wimpey is set to deliver 20% more units this year

der development this year and expect this to increase in 2016.”Among the projects under de-

velopment is a 48 luxury home development in Marbella in San Pedro called Jade Beach, and a 60 unit project in Mijas.Incredibly, all 36 units of a proj-ect in Estepona have sold in just one year.Such was the speed of sales, the company ended up increas-ing the prices by 8% because of demand.“Much of this growth has been due to a big British return to the market, which is excellent news,” continues Osle, who was born in Pamplona, but lives be-tween Jerez and Marbella.“We now only have five proper-ties left in the La Floresta Phase 2 development in Elviria and 11 available in Miraval Phase 2 in La Cala Golf Resort, in Mijas.“Other than that we are pretty much sold out and we are trying to acquire more land to build more.”

AMBITIOUS: Plans made by Taylor Wimpey’s Ignacio Osle

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REAL estate is back in business on the Costa del Sol, say the property

pros at Hamilton Homes.The Sabinillas estate agents forecast that 2015 will be the year of the mortgage and the British property buyer - both scarcer than hens’ teeth since the property bubble burst. Plus, with the Manilva area offering what the company believes is the best price/quality ratio on the coast, it is expecting a busy year.Banks are keen to lend money again and the strong pound is likely to see the Brit-ish market back in its number one slot, ahead of the French, German and Scandinavians who have been keeping sales ticking over, says director An-drew Bacarese Hamilton.And with property prices 50 to 70% lower than they were at the height of the boom in 2007, now is a great time to buy.However, banks are crack-ing down on paperwork and purchasers will need expert help to cut through the extra red tape. Working closely with finan-cial institutions, the team at Hamilton Homes is in the perfect position to help buy-ers negotiate a hassle-free mortgage. “The banks over-lent in the heyday of the market and we all suffered from their over-exuberance,” says Andrew.“Understandably they don’t want to get back into that situation so, as a result, there’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of regulation, and it can be overwhelming for people who haven’t been through the sys-tem before.”Seeking the help of an expert has got to be worth it with the amazing local bargains around. Luxurious penthouse apart-ments at Finca Cortesin that originally sold for €500,000 are now changing hands for

Brit future for homes market

It will be a golden year for Spanish property, British buyers and, yes, mortgages too - but now with even more red tape, reckons Sabinillas estate agent Hamilton Homesjust €250,000.Dream properties are flying off the shelves as they come on the market - think a three-bedroom townhouse in idyllic Casares for just €99,000, but don’t think about it for too long! Analysing properties along the entire coast from Gibraltar to Malaga, Manilva is the zone which is currently offering the best price/qual-ity ratio, says Andrew.Here is his advice for new buyers:

To buy a property the first thing you need is an NIE. This little number costs under €10 and once you have it, it’s for life. Hamilton Homes can help set up your NIE appointment and guide you through the entire purchase process in a friend-ly, personal way.Ideally, give them at least two to three weeks notice to set the appointment up before meeting them. You’ll find your experience with Spanish bureaucracy can be dramati-cally easier.

Having worked for Citibank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Credit Agricole and Barclays between them, Andrew and his partner Shanalle know a thing or two about property financing. Not only will they help you find the perfect place, they’ll secure the perfect mortgage.They set up their company in 2003, having identified a serious gap in the market for agents with strong financial backgrounds.Together with you, they can

analyse, plan and budget to make your purchasing experi-ence free of fuss and unwant-ed costs down the line.

Your age (it affects the length of mortgage you are entitled to)Your income (that’s net in-come, minus any debts and existing loans) Your funds (how much you are willing to invest in the property).

If you don’t know the precise state of your finances, don’t panic. It’s far more common than people think.Clients are frequently unsure of what they can really afford. “That’s what we’re here for,” says Andrew. “You don’t have to come up with a magic fig-ure yourself.“Over a coffee or over the phone, we can go through your finances on a case-by-case basis, and work out the perfect place for you.”The financial analysis balanc-es what you have with what you need, so you will only be shown properties you can af-ford. This avoids disappointment and unrealistic expectations. Although in some cases, peo-ple discover they can afford more than they imagined!

Despite the supply being there, the backlog means banks are inundated with sales and the process of buy-ing in Spain is taking longer

than normal.If the entire process of se-curing a property with a mortgage used to take two months, Andrew estimates that now it can take as long as four.Prospective purchasers should be delighted, however, as the longer wait is a result of much improved checks against money laundering and ensuring the market’s foundations are solid.Andrew believes the market has bottomed out. But, as Hamilton Homes has unprec-edented access to properties that the banks are trying to sell, the deals now are better than ever. High-quality homes are going for staggeringly-low prices, and 2015 looks to be a great year for Spain’s property mar-ket, he predicts.Hamilton Homes specialises in sales across the region, including Alcaidesa, Soto-grande, La Duquesa, Sabinil-las and Estepona.

To get in touch, contact Ham-ilton Homes on +34 952 890 444 or email [email protected]

To get in touch, contact Hamilton Homes on +34 952 890 444 or email [email protected]

Where to start

Number crunching

What you need to know

Figuring it out

Market forces

Fantastic deals in Duquesa Village

DUQUESA Village is an enclosed residential complex with land-scaped communal gardens and designed in a typically Andalu-cian rustic style. The urbanization, just a 15 minute walk from the beach, is a holidaymaker’s paradise; with five communal pools, a chil-dren’s pool, paddle tennis court and located on the presti-gious Duquesa Golf Course. Specifications:The apartments have high quality specifications including: · Fully-fitted kitchen with granite worktop and utility area · Master Bedroom with jacuzzi bath· Air/conditioning and heating (fully fitted)· Marble flooring throughout· Electric Blinds· Lock-up storage room· Private underground parking Prices start from €95,000Contact Hamilton Homes for more details

IN THE KNOW: The Hamiltons

LIFE’S A BEACH: If you do all your homework before buying

BARGAIN: Prices from €95,000

www.theolivepress.es March 19th - April 1st 2015

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THE Costa del Sol has seen an explosion of growth over recent decades and in order to be savvy with the market, it’s essential to speak to people who know their stuff.

The small but very well-established Scandina-vian team at Andalucia Development, in Marbel-la, has a wealth of experience in the Spanish and international real estate market.Since the company was set up by Kjell Hesse-dahl, Ulf’s father, back in 1981, it has been per-fectly poised to be part of the immense growth of Marbella and the surrounding areas.The multilingual team is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for your needs and can take care of all the details and bureaucratic hoops that are involved when buying or selling a house.Nurturing solid relationships with clients, law-

Ulf Hessedahl and his Andalucia Development ‘one stop-shop’ have been involved in property for over 30 years

yers, building and property management compa-nies and many more over the years, their con-nections make the whole process of buying or selling a house as smooth as possible.Their goal: to make their customers feel as com-fortable as possible throughout what can be a stressful process.They also secure all of the practical after-sale aspects so you don’t have to worry about a thing.With an approachable, welcoming workforce for whom nothing is too much trouble, the team at Andalucia Development would love to see you – drop in if you find yourself in the area!

You can find them in Centro Plaza, Local 63, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, or call them at 952 816 250 or email [email protected]

DEVELOPING ANDALUCIA

FOUNDER: Kjell Hessedahl

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Call now

tay lorwimpeyspain .com

The best golfchoice ofthe Costa del SolWe offer three exclusive golfdevelopments along the coast withpanoramic views in a naturalsurrounding.

900 13 00 44

The homebuilder you can trust

MIRAVAL-La Cala Resort, Mijas2 and 3 bedrooms apartments+ Front line La Cala Golf Course+ South-facing with sea and golf viewsCompletion on September 2016

New homes from

263.000€

NewRelease!!!

AVALONLos Arqueros Golf, Benahavis2 and 3 bedrooms apartments+ Panoramic views to the golf and sea, Tropical gardens+ Five minutes from Puerto Banús+ Underground parking and storageCompletion July 2016

RESORT

New homes from

181.000€

Show homenow open

New homes from

305.000€

LA FLORESTA SURElviria Alta2 and 3 bedrooms apartments+ Woodland see views+ included facilities of El Soto Golf CourseCompletion October 2015