Welcome to Property Update No. 24 ............ and a Feast of Opportunities!

The first 3 months of this year have been manic!  Its amazing how much the market can change in such a short period.  For the last couple of years the housing market all but came to a standstill in Spain then just after Christmas enquiries shot up and in the first 2 months of this year we had more enquiries than the whole of last year and they are still coming.

This is obviously good news for our sellers but it is also an indicator that the bottom of the market has now definitely been reached and as the sales start to increase there is likely to be a greater number of sellers sticking out for their asking prices.

However this does not mean that prices will immediately shoot up and I anticipate that prices will probably not start to generally increase until next year and this seems to be the concensus in the industry.

So this year will almost certainly be one of the best ever times to buy in Spain and get real value for money.

To give you the best selection of properties to choose from we have over the last few weeks been adding a wide variety of properties to our website from Building Plots in some great rural settings (but Urban land so totally legal!) to a fabulous house within easy reach of the beach with 7 bedrooms and 10.000m2 of land.  Also included are village and country properties suitable for reforming as well as a few more reformed houses.

We also have a very special Development Opportunity for those looking to turn their purchase into a profitable investment.

For those of you who are still hankering to get out to Spain but struggling to sell up in the UK then we also have some good news for you - see later in this newsletter for full details.

But first ......... a selection of some of the properties recently added...........

Building Plots - La Loma - 50.000€
Want a house that exactly meet your needs?
Want a beautiful country setting with great views but just 5 mins from Huercal Overa?
We have several building plots from 450m2 upwards in this location all of which are on Urban land so are totally legal to build on.  Mains services are also available.   Our architect can design a villa to your own specification and employ reliable local builders  all at a very affordable price.
We also have various sized plots in other locations such as 2 plots in Urcal Village of 375m2 and 400m2 for just 35.000€ each or a 5000m2 country plot with Project and Licence to build a 3 bed house at just 58.000€ (or 138.000€ with completed house).

Ref: 01487 - Santa Maria de Nieva - 95.000€
This is a large Village House of 300m2 that is habitable but would benefit from some modernising.  It currently has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom but its possible to make 2 further bedrooms and another bathroom.   It is located in a village with essential amenities just outside Huercal Overa.   There is an enclosed courtyard to the rear of the property.  This is a lot of house for the price.

.

Ref: 01495 - El Saltador - 170.000€
Reformed Cortijo needing a little extra work complete with 10.000m2 of Irrigated land planted with Olive and Orange trees.  This is a good sized house at 180m2 with 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus there is a large garage which will hold 2-3 cars but could also be converted into extra accommodation if required.   Some further work will be required on the house, however it is habitable so could be lived in whilst the work is done.  Water is connected and electricity is available to connect.  This cortijo is located just 5 mins outside the main town of Huercal Overa where there is a good selection of shops, bars, restaurants and all the services you might require. 

R01497 - Bedár - 220.000€
Three Houses in One  - Ideal for Rural Tourism.  Two of the houses are habitable but would benefit from some extra work to modernise and the third needs reforming. Water and electricity are connected. The houses are currently configured as individual dwellings with a total of 8 bedrooms but could be converted into a single property for use as a rural hotel or B&B. To complement the house there are 10.000m2 of land so plenty of room to install a pool and provide parking facilities.  Access is good and there is some beautiful scenery around the property. It is within easy reach of the motorway and the beach at Mojacar.

Ref: R01486 - Vera - 399.995€ (negotiable)
Two Houses in One with option of a further apartment.  This interesting large house is actually configured with separate living quarters on each floor with the ground floor having 3 bedrooms and a large bathroom and the first floor and attic having 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  There is a Kitchen and Living/dining room on both ground and first floors.  Outside on the 10.000m2 of land is the large pool terraced which is raised up from the surrounding ground creating space underneath to fit out as a totally separate apartment or use as a garage/workshop/gym, etc.  The house has electricity, water, telephone, internet, airconditioning and full radiator central heating.  It also benefits from some great views.  Located just 2 mins from Vera town and 10 mins from the beach.

Development Opportunity............. or cheap Villa?

2 three bedroom Villas, a partially reformed Cortijo and 2 further Building Plots for just 235.000€ !
......or perhaps just one of the Villas for 95.000€ ? What an amazing Opportunity.

This is an unfinished development in the village of Urcal which now needs to be disposed of - either in separate elements or as a whole. The 3 bedroom semi-detached Villas have the electrical wiring, plastering and flooring completed together with tiling and bathrooms fitted out.   Only minor works need to be finished off such as decorating, fitting electrical switches and sockets and installing the kitchen of your choice.  A quotation can be obtained to complete these minor works but a lot of the works are well within the capabilities of a competent DIY'er.  The villas are on plots of 388m2 and 507m2 and mains services are available to connect.  The Villas are 95.000€ each.
The Building Plots are just 35.000€ each and are 375m2 and 400m2
The partially reformed Cortijo is also available separately at 90.000€ which is also a good price considering its 150m2 build on a 630m2 plot in a very handy village location.
The sum total cost of all these is therefore 350.000€ so you can see what a good investment the total package is at just 235.000€ !!

Want to Buy while Prices are Low ....... but not sold in UK?

This is a problem that many of my clients are faced with at present although the situation does seem to be improving in various regions of the UK.  However if you are in one the areas where buyers are not that plentiful then there may be a solution to get you into the Spanish property market while prices are still low.
We now have links with a Mortgage Broker who can source Interest Only mortgages that can be taken out against your Spanish property.  This ensures that instalments are kept low whilst trying to sell your UK property and allows you to grab one of the great bargains around at present.  Obviously you will still need to come up with the deposit plus taxes and legal fees so this will not necessarily be for everyone but with loans of up to 80% of purchase price it will be of benefit to many.
We are also now able to obtain mortgages with repayment terms up to 80 years of age rather than 70.

Its also worth pointing out that some developers are now offering Rent-to-Buy options on their new properties ranging from Apartments through to Villas and from coastal to countryside.  In fact one in particular is offering the option of up to 10 years to sell your house and the 'rental' you pay contributes to a reduction in the overall price of the property which is fixed up front.

Another developer in conjunction with a Spanish bank is offering up to 100% mortgages on certain top end properties.  This is possible because the bank has subrogated the developer's debt.

So please don't rule out the possibility of buying now just because you have not sold up in the UK - there may be ways around it.   Just give us a call and let's see what we can come up with for you.

Don't worry........new properties are coming onto our books all the time so your ideal property might be available but just not yet reached our website.   Please also remember that we work with other local agents to help find you the new home you really want so just ring Peter on 01367 240013 and he will look to see what else might be available to you.

Decided Almeria is not for you and want to look further afield?

We have links with agents right up through Murcia and the Costa Blanca with a wide range of properties and prices so once again just give Peter a call and chat through what you are looking for.
                                ............  or CLICK HERE to see what is available   ...............

Many thanks for your continued interest in our company and if there is a particular area, type of property or topic you would like to see featured in a future 'Property Update' then please just let me know.

Many thanks,
Peter

All property details and prices in this newsletter are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press but we are unable to take responsibility for any errors and omissions or changes on the part of our vendors

Casas Almeria Gestion S.L.L.,  Urb. Costa Fleming  118 bajo,  04600 Huércal Overa,   (Almeria),  Spain