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Sunday, May 13, 2007

Buying a property in Spain - Making the first move toward a place in the sun

Over the past 20 years, thousands of UK residents have acquired a property in Spain, and a consistent and substantial growth in UK property prices has provided the opportunity for many people to achieve their dream of owning a second property. Reasons for considering a purchase of property in Spain can vary greatly. Some people might look for a holiday home for the family or perhaps a retirement home; others might look to make an investment on a property, perhaps to take advantage of market growth.

Many of the long-standing resort areas of Spain have seen a downturn in development of property construction, which is partly due to the availability of new areas of the country. While Costa Blanca remains popular with property buyers, lesser-known parts of the country, such as Costa Calida are now becoming more established.

Potential property buyers will undoubtedly have different needs in terms of location and property type, and these needs will be dependent on the purchasers’ motive for securing a home in Spain. For example, a speculator might seek to buy into the early stage of a new property development, whilst a holiday-home buyer might look for a property close to the beach. For many potential buyers, another consideration might be the proximity of the property development to an airport. This is an important factor in allowing quick and easy access to their property; Costa Calida and Costa Blanca are well served in this regard, with year round flights from many UK and Ireland airports.

Consideration of road travel times is less important than in the UK, with the achievement of a significant road improvement programme; and with less cars per kilometre on Spanish roads, journeys are relatively straightforward. Furthermore, most property developments are situated only a short drive away from towns and cities and can cater for all modern life requirements, while numerous traditional Spanish villages provide a glimpse of life as it once was.

For golfers, the Murcia region of Spain is famous for its many golf courses. In fact, the region is home to La Manga Golf Club - the scene of many international tournaments – and one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the country. For an investor, golf courses are a major draw and properties situated on or near golf developments greatly enhance the possibility of frequent lets of accommodation to leisure golfers.

Before buying a property in Spain, it is important to conduct some detailed research. Although much of this research can be done at home through magazines, the internet or attending an exhibition, take some time to research the desired location along with what’s on offer, thus ensuring the perfect investment for you. It is also helpful to consult a knowledgeable and reliable Spanish property agent who can advise on choosing the right area, provide a list of suitable properties and can also provide information on schools, leisure facilities, local culture and communities to match your needs. Furthermore, property agents can also advise on the best way to finance the purchase of property in Spain, so you can set yourself a budget for your purchase.

Buying a property in Spain isn’t as daunting as it might appear. With careful planning and research, you’ll have a much better idea of the desired location for your property - making that move to a place in the sun a lot easier.




Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_127633_33.html

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