Year: 2019

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Rising Family Holiday Costs? A Solution is Here

Rising Family Holiday Costs? A Solution is Here 1

One problem with a growing family? Rapidly rising family holiday prices! Thankfully a fresh new approach to turning holiday bills on their head can now solve that family holiday headache. We’re hearing from more and more extended families who not just fund a shared holiday home together BUT use rental income to keep their costs low. This means they not only have access to a stunning home from home, but share a valuable asset for the future.

Why Buy in Spain?

We’ve been helping people find their dream Spanish home for over 15 years – that’s because we loved Spain and working in Spain so much we moved to Murcia from Northern Ireland! We also LOVE hearing client stories about how a Spanish home has solved so many travel, investment or holiday headaches. A favourite? Clients who’ve been able to stop wasting money on annual trips with growing family and instead enjoy some incredible benefits:

  • Freedom to choose WHEN: Booking a family trip with kids, the peak season cost can climb and fast. Your own home in Spain means travelling when you like without a shock to your bank account.
  • Your time, your choice: Instead of working to a hotel’s schedule and being faced with four walls, your family can relax in a bright, modern home when you wish and take off to explore when you wish. Your own time to enjoy how you choose.
  • Spain at your feet: Spain might make you think of pristine beaches and stunning town streets, but city-breaks to Barcelona and Madrid become a breeze to enjoy.
  • An investment for the future: Instead of a wasted annual budget for expensive peak-time holidays, hotel meals and an ever-climbing spending money bill, your own home-from-home means a tighter budget AND an asset you own.
  • An investment in your time and yourselves: When life changes, such as kids leaving for university, your free time to enjoy being overseas – and enjoy time as a couple – increases. Your new home and community in spectacular Spain will be waiting for you to visit as often as you like.

Family Holidays – Changed Forever!

The expense, uncertainty and planning of family holidays can be made easy by having a holiday homme you already own, in an area you love and with that truly relaxing ‘we’re home’…except in the sun!

You’ll enjoy:

  • More time together – The option of your dream Spanish home to yourself, overlapping with family members or even inviting friends can mean time to enjoy each other’s company without the distractions of home.
  • Share availability to suit – School holidays? Even Christmas and New Year? You can pick and choose the times to suit each family member.
  • Act now to plan for change – Brexit, exchange rates, rising prices in Spain and strong rental demand all combine to make a great time to buy. See our specialist view below for more information.
  • Less holiday stress – A home-from-home to explore and build-up favourite places over the years with the freedom to relax or celebrate whenever you please.
  • Rental to benefit everyone – The option of rental income to make your investment even more budget-friendly, there are even a huge range of property values on offer.

Why Buy Now?

The right time for prices – Increasing prices in Spain mean a host of advantages to buying soon. A strong start to 2018, following rises in 2017, means a great time to act with the price rise in place long enough to look like a trend but recent enough to keep prices affordable. For now.

The PropertyWire specialist news service describes the market in Spain as being “at the highest level since the market started recovering”, adding: “Land Registry data published by the National Institute of Statistics show that sales increased by 16% in 2017, the fourth and biggest consecutive year of growth. The figures also show that sales were up 8% in December, the highest monthly growth since December 2008.”

The Brexit opportunity – Buyers from GB, Northern Ireland and beyond, a vital part of the economy in Spain, have been told their lives will not be disrupted post-Brexit by no less than Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis. Our experience, based on many years of helping people to find and move to their dream Spanish home, shows that the valued overseas buyer community will continue to be an essential and protected group.

The right time for choice – The buoyant property market in Spain means a confident construction sector building a superb range of high-quality, stylish homes. Developers are willing to not just invest in the standard of property available but make sure the design features and finish of their homes are first class. Put simply: it’s a great time to browse the best of the local market and see just how far a wide range of budgets can stretch.

The right time for exchange rates – The one thing we know about the Sterling v Euro exchange rate for certain? It won’t sit still for anyone! Peaks and troughs in recent years have led – however – to relative stability in recent times. Meaning there’s an advantage to buying while this remains. Could moving closer to Brexit cause a change? Certainly. Timing-wise, stability now will always beat uncertainty later.

Expect More!

Thanks to the strong local property market and our local negotiating power, we pride ourselves on being able to provide FREE extras like aircon, furniture…or even a car! Depending on the value of the property you buy, we’ll make your first visits to your dream home even more special with a bonus luxury with our thanks. With 15 years of experience and perfectly placed to source properties in the stunning areas of Los Alcázares, Mar Menor, Costa Cálida and Alicante. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful family holiday home, a high return investment property, or a golf resort villa to retire to, we can find the perfect property to fit your needs and budget!

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The Highs and Lows of a Spanish Holiday Home: We Asked Buyers

The Highs and Lows of a Spanish Holiday Home: We Asked Buyers 2

We’ve all been tempted by adverts for property in Spain. After all….sun, relaxation and a home-from-home, what’s not to like! But what FIRST HAND lessons from buying abroad would others pass on to potential buyers. We asked customers of Dream Spanish Homes for their open and honest essential tips. Here’s what they said…

Retired Couple: “Savour Your Home Comforts”

One  newly-retired couple from South Belfast recently bought an apartment in Spain’s Murcia district to dodge NI’s wet winters in favour of putting their feet up in the sun instead! Their advice?

The highs? Arrival day! 

“I don’t think we’ll ever forget the day we were handed over our keys. It was hard to believe after a lifetime of working that we had a place of our own in Spain. It still hasn’t sunk in! Our advice is to bring the small things that make home your home…a few favourite books and games and mementos you can use to make your Spanish home a part of your home home!”

The Lows: Not Part-Renting Sooner! 

“We were cautious about renting our home while we aren’t in Spain and didn’t but, based on what neighbours have told us, having that income is something we could have used for our travel costs and things.”

Family Couple: “We Beat Holiday Cost Blues”

We helped this couple, who have three children of a range of ages, find a beautiful Spanish home within a great community of families in Murcia. It has been a joy to see them settle in – many of our customers become friends, since we’re all Murcia residents – and take to life in the sun!

Their tips for the move to owning a dream home in Spain?

The highs? Holiday budget changed…forever! 

“With five of us, our holiday costs were increasing more and more every year. We thought we’d have to stick to ‘staycations’ due to flight costs but our budget for a Spanish home went further than we thought. We have no more huge holiday bills now, for obvious reasons, and there’s no hotel bills or check-out times or anything to do but whatever we like! We’d recommend doing the maths for big family holidays vs a Spanish home investment as it really, really worked for us!

The lows? Getting organised! 

“Most of the hassle is taken care of BUT there’s always a bit of work to be done to get things ready at home for being away for long periods. We left this a bit late, if we wound back the clock we’d find someone to keep an eye, review our home security, find storage for our car and other little practicalities much sooner. Talking to someone ASAP who has made the same decision to buy overseas – or Gerry at Dream Spanish Homes – can help prevent any surprises.”

The Cost of Waiting

Too often we see customers waiting ‘just another year’ to buy – which is, of course, their choice and one we respect hugely – in the hope that a purchase price may fall by an amount equivalent to the price of a few drinks a month when the mortgage quote is created.

And in the meantime? Thousands of pounds spend on holidays could have been saved if the property was already in place, perhaps even covered completely by rental income.

Expect More!

Thanks to the strong local property market and our local negotiating power, we pride ourselves on being able to provide FREE extras like aircon, furniture…or even a car!

Depending on the value of the property you buy, we’ll make your first visits to your dream home even more special with a bonus luxury with our thanks.

With 15 years of experience and perfectly placed to source properties in the stunning areas of Los Alcázares, Mar Menor, Costa Cálida and Alicante.

Whether you’re looking for a beautiful family holiday home, a high return investment property, or a golf resort villa to retire to, we can find the perfect property to fit your needs and budget!

 

Have you ever visited Spain on holiday or wish to move over today? Get in touch with Dream Spanish Homes or visit our office located in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

Dream Spanish Homes have a range of guides about the different areas in which we sell properties. Some of the most sought after areas include the Costa Calida, Los Alcázares, Alicante and Murcia. Visit our areas page to find out more. We are continuously expanding the areas in which we sell properties throughout the East Coast of Spain.

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Reasons to Buy Property in Spain…Including Brexit! – Our Expert Guide

Reasons to Buy Property in Spain...Including Brexit! – Our Expert Guide 3
If you’re thinking about property in Spain it’s a great idea to look at those reasons NOT to buy – just like you would if you were buying your dream property closer to home. In fact: buying property in Spain through the right company gives even more support and practical help than you’d find at home. We asked Dream Spanish Homes’ Gerry Flynn, who has 15 years of experience in the market after moving from Northern Ireland to set up his Murcia-based company, for his expertise….
 

1. Red Tape Untangled

Worried about getting lost in a sea of bureaucracy? There’s no need. A specialist agent – like Dream Spanish Homes – will be based in Spain and will have spent years supporting customers like you through the process of buying your perfect home-from-home in the sun. Don’t forget, an agent who has themselves moved to Spain will have, personally, gone through every step and also guided many buyers through their purchase.

You’ll hear more about how the purchase works during your guided tour AND you’ll get to meet the people who’ll be helping you. In the case of Dream Spanish Homes, we’re an established family business – not a call-centre, not a sales team – so the people you meet will be the people who’ll be there through your journey to picking up your keys!
 

2. Location, Location, Location 

If you’re concerned about picking the right property but getting the location wrong, look for an agent who lives, works (and eats, sleeps and breathes!) the area you are interested in. Dream Spanish Homes specialise in the Murcia area because the company is based in the area and can advise on the communities, the facilities, travel and much more.
 
Recommended areas for your dream home? Find out more…
 
As a company operating out of Los Alcazares we know our way around the areas of Murcia and Alicante. To find out more visit one of our area pages. You will find specific pages for different cities around the Murcia area, golf courses including the award winning Los Colinas course, the La Manga resort and much more.
 

3. International Trends 

Wondering if the area you like could have a drop in popularity? A strong start to 2018, following rises in 2017, means the ever-popular Spain remains attractive to buyers and tourists from across the world. For good reason! The PropertyWire specialist news service describes the market in Spain as being “at the highest level since the market started recovering”, adding: “Land Registry data published by the National Institute of Statistics show that sales increased by 16% in 2017, the fourth and biggest consecutive year of growth. The figures also show that sales were up 8% in December, the highest monthly growth since December 2008.”
 

4. Brexit Reassurance 

Overseas buyers in Spain are too important to the local economy for the Spanish government not to step in with clear reassurance.
 
Buyers from GB and Northern Ireland – a vital part of the economy in Spain – have been told their lives will not be disrupted post-Brexit by no less than Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis. The experience of Dream Spanish Homes, based on many years of helping people to find and move to their dream Spanish home, shows that the valued overseas buyer community will continue to be an essential and protected group. Also: Spain has been and remains a popular investment opportunity for non-EU nationals without issue. This would also apply to GB/ NI buyers.
 

5. What Language Barrier? 

In short? What language barrier! With a good agent by your side as you buy, and settle, into your dream home in Spain, you’ll be guided through your purchase. There’ll be a range of languages in your chosen community, with English widely spoken throughout Murcia. How much Spanish you pick up as you go is up to you! One tip is to know ‘Hola’ and ‘Gracias’. Which is Spanish for hello and thank you.

 

6. Finding Your Feet 

Sometimes we wonder about how the smaller practicalities in life will work as much as the bigger things! The best agent for your move will understand this. In the case of Dream Spanish Homes, the company offers – depending on the property – free furniture, aircon…or maybe even a car…to help you on your way.
 
The Dream Spanish Homes team you’ll have met during your guided tour will be, like you, residents of Spain’s stunning Murcia region and will be there for support. Also, the same team will guide you through things like local tax and will only work with trusted partners – using relationships with the best in the industry built up over 15 years – to make sure the only surprise is the great welcome you’ll receive. Enjoy!
 

PS – We’ll give you more! 

Don’t forget: Thanks to the strong local property market and our local negotiating power, we pride ourselves on being able to provide FREE extras like aircon, furniture…or even a car.
 
Depending on the value of the property you buy, we’ll make your first visits to your dream home even more special with a bonus luxury with our thanks. With 15 years of experience and perfectly placed to source properties in the stunning areas of Los Alcázares, Mar Menor, Costa Cálida and Alicante. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful family holiday home, a high return investment property, or a golf resort villa to retire to, we can find the perfect property to fit your needs and budget!
 

What Our Customers Say 

“They were so informative in every way throughout the process from viewing properties, offers, agreeing a property and then assisting on post sales inquiries. This meant so much to us as it takes the pressure off you and is so reassuring especially purchasing a property overseas. We will be recommending DSH to our friends and family.”
 
Collette and Dave 
 
“We met with Gerry and having given him our brief within a couple of hours we were standing in local properties, one of which is now our new Spanish home! We are delighted. There was no pressure and we were actually encouraged to think about it for a couple of days (which we did) and then went back and took the plunge.
 
“If you are looking to buy in this area talk to these guys.”
 
Jon and Melanie Shelton 
 

Have you ever visited Spain on holiday or wish to move over today? Get in touch with Dream Spanish Homes or visit our office located in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

Dream Spanish Homes have a range of guides about the different areas in which we sell properties. Some of the most sought after areas include the Costa Calida, Los Alcázares, Alicante and Murcia. Visit our areas page to find out more. We are continuously expanding the areas in which we sell properties throughout the East Coast of Spain.

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Retirement in Spain: Why Pick a Home-From-Home in the Sun?

Retirement in Spain: Why Pick a Home-From-Home in the Sun? 4
In 15 years of helping people find their perfect Dream Spanish Home, and meeting a long of new friends and clients along the way, one of our favourite things has been hearing why Spain has been a dream move for them. We particularly love hearing from our retired customers because, after a lifetime of working and saving, they enjoy a new lease of life among their newfound community in the sun-kissed home they’ve always wanted! Here’s what they tell us are their favourite benefits of their new home-from-home…
 

Pace of Life

Retiring couples and individuals can find the pace of life to suit their perfect vision of a ‘place in the sun’: from activities with neighbours to afternoons on the terrace with a book to exploring towns, cities and coasts.
 

Europe on Your Doorstep

Those city-breaks you always fancied? A weekend in Barcalona? A road trip around France? With a ‘base’ in Spain, Europe is opened up to explore at a time and – again – a pace to suit you. This means being able to travel off-peak with ease or when the bargains can be found!
 

Budget Living

With affordable, quality food and drinks to hand – eating in or going out – the day-to-day budget of living in Spain suits many older couples particularly well. Compare this to the price of a hotel, feeling that you have to eat out every day, being an expensive tourist area and the other costs of traditional travel.
 

Welcome and Support

You’ll find that agents – like Dream Spanish Homes – offer much more expertise and support with finding, buying and settling into a new home that you’d expect ‘back home’. For example: with Dream Spanish Homes guided visits, help with the purchase and even free bonus items like (depending on the property) aircon or furniture or even a car, the professionals who help create your home-from-home will be there to make your move a breeze.
 

A Home Waiting

Many of our customers invested in their Dream Spanish Home ahead of their retirement and even took the option of using rental income to balance the cost. This means a year-round home, already within budget and planned for financially, is waiting.
 

Together With (or Without!) Family

Your perfect home in Spain isn’t just a ‘hub’ for family and friends, but a place you can have to yourself when no one is visiting. This means you’ve not only created an affordable place to spend time – away from the pressures of ‘home home’ – with those who precious too you BUT it can be a place of relaxation and quiet too.
 

No ‘To-Do List’

One problem with trying to relax ‘back home’? There’s always something needing to be done.
 
Setting aside your home in the sun means a home you can always treat as a holiday….with all the benefits of being ‘away’ combined with the comforts of home.
 
 

A Varied Community

Instead of today’s streets, where busy people struggle to take time with each other, you’ll be surrounded by a community of neighbours at a similar stage in their lives or enjoying a break from work in their own Dream Spanish Home too. Either way, everyone is there to leave the normal pace of life behind and relax in stunning surroundings together.
 

Even More Travel?!

It’s easy to forget that Barcelona is a major cruise port. For special occasions – remembering, of course, that you’ll be on hand for the best-priced offers – cruising away is easier than ever. Enjoy!
 

Tip: Expect More!

Don’t forget: thanks to the strong local property market and our local negotiating power, we pride ourselves on being able to provide FREE extras like aircon, furniture…or even a car!
 
Depending on the value of the property you buy, we’ll make your first visits to your dream home even more special with a bonus luxury with our thanks. With 15 years of experience and perfectly placed to source properties in the stunning areas of Los Alcázares, Mar Menor, Costa Cálida and Alicante. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful family holiday home, a high return investment property, or a golf resort villa to retire to, we can find the perfect property to fit your needs and budget!
 
 

Have you ever visited Spain on holiday or wish to move over today? Get in touch with Dream Spanish Homes or visit our office located in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

Dream Spanish Homes have a range of guides about the different areas in which we sell properties. Some of the most sought after areas include the Costa Calida, Los Alcázares, Alicante and Murcia. Visit our areas page to find out more. We are continuously expanding the areas in which we sell properties throughout the East Coast of Spain.

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Spanish Sports Series (SSS): Golf in Spain

Spanish Sports Series (SSS): Golf in Spain 5

Golf has become a very important and popular sport in Spain in recent years. Since the turn of the century, the golf scene has exploded, with the country having over 400 golf courses. The country boasts 18 of the top 100 courses in Europe. The most popular area for golf courses is Madrid, Costa del Sol and the Southern Provinces of Alicante and Murcia. The Costa del Sol even gets nicknamed Costa del Golf as it has the highest concentration of golf courses in the whole of Europe.There are also many other courses in other places in Spain including the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and the North/West provinces of Spain.

 

Golf courses in Spain

Around the entire country, there are many different golf courses. A mix of the climate, scenery and world-class course designers really make Spain a force to be reckoned with. In the future, Spain will be one of the best-golfing locations in the world competing with the likes of the US, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Many of the courses in Spain have not only been designed by world-class designers but also world-famous golfers. This helps with the course design as they can implement challenges they faced in their own career, which makes the courses more competitive.

Courses such as the Las Colinas course, which has been named one of the best courses in Spain have been designed by world-famous designers. Cabell B Robinson designed this course. He has also designed courses in Portugal, France and the US.

 

 

 

Have you ever visited Spain on holiday or wish to move over today? Get in touch with Dream Spanish Homes or visit our office located in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

Dream Spanish Homes have a range of guides about the different areas in which we sell properties. Some of the most sought after areas include the Costa Calida, Los Alcázares, Alicante and Murcia. Visit our areas page to find out more. We are continuously expanding the areas in which we sell properties throughout the East Coast of Spain.

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Spanish Sports Series (SSS): Sport in Spain

Spanish Sports Series (SSS): Sport in Spain 6

Popular Sports in Spain

We all know that Spain is a Country who loves it sports. In recent times they have won the Football World Cup in 2010, the European football championship 3 times in 1964, 2008 and 2012. The country also has one of the most successful football leagues in the world which involves 3 of the most successful teams in Europe in Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Spain also has a very popular basketball league with many of its population following the sport massively. The sport is very popular and has made many great players who now play in the American NBA, which is the biggest basketball league in the world. Spain has also produced some of the world’s finest athletes in many other sports including Rafael Nadal in tennis, Fernando Alonso in Formula 1 and Sergio Garcia a world-famous golfer, who was in the top 10 golfers in the world for the best part of his career.

Youth in Sport

In Spain many of its sporting success around the world is due to the schemes and policy’s they have in youth sport. The President of the football league La Liga has attributed the success of the league around the entire world to its home-grown players. The government invests heavily in the sport of the country and is rewarded with sporting success. It’s quite a surprise that not many other countries have followed this same scheme.

Throughout the entirety of Spain there are many Sports schools for the likes of Golf, Basketball and football. One of the most famous sporting schools is the soccer school MV8 located in Seville.

Women in Sport

Throughout the years before the dictatorship in Spain came to an end, it was difficult for women to be recognised in sport. Many females were made to wear clothing that showed less of their skin, which would be uncomfortable to wear and hinder their performances. In some cases, even performing to the highest standard was not allowed and contact sport was forbidden for women.

A lot has changed for women in Spain and in sport since then a women Spanish national football team was established in 1980 and 7 years later they played their first official non-friendly match in the qualification of the European Championships.

They also have a strong basketball history, winning the EuroBasket three times in their history. Other sports in Spain women love to play include athletics, gymnastics, swimming, diving and many winter sports.

Attracting tourism through Sport

With such a beautiful environment perfect for sports, Spain has become a hotbed for tourists taking part in sports in the country and visiting to watch different sports. Football is of course the top sport in which many people come to the country to watch. Football clubs such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona have a worldwide following and it is many people’s dream to watch their favourite team play at home.

Golf has been an increasingly popular sport in the country and that also attracts more people to visit and live there. Around the entire country there are many golf courses being made by world-wide known course designers. In the Southern regions of Spain there are many golf clubs being established.

Destinations such as La Manga in the Southeast of Spain have also started to gain agreement with many world-wide sports clubs for summer camps and facilities within their ground. These clubs then send players and training staff to these camps. Of course, this is a great attraction.

The attendance at Spanish marathons has became partly foreign with many people travelling to the country to bask in the great weather while doing something they love.

Famous tournaments home and away

Every year in Spain they host several sporting events. Big on the calendar is motorsport. Every year since 1991 they have hosted a formula 1 race at the. Spain has also hosted the moto GP ever year since 1986. So, motorsports are another sport that is big in Spain. They also stage a rally, which has started in the most recent years. Every year major cities in Spain also host their own marathons, half marathons, and kilometre runs.

In the past Spain have also hosted the Fifa World Cup, the Olympic Games and the World Swimming Championships multiple times. Every year major cities in Spain also host their own marathons, half marathons, and kilometre runs.

Spain has also had great success at the summer and winter Olympics with a medal overhaul of 17 medals at Rio in 2016 and 2 medals at the winter Olympics in Pyongyang in 2018. Other success includes world cup winners in 2010, the European championship winners 3 times, Davis Cup (Tennis) winners 5 times, also 5 times winners at the Fed cup (Tennis), Hockey champions in 2004, World basketball championships in 2006 and the Eurocup (basketball) winners in 2009.

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Buying a home in Spain: A small Guide

Buying a home in Spain: A small Guide 7

Buying a home in Spain is a very confusing and daunting task, even if you have experience in the field. Buying home abroad in a separate country is 10x more confusing and daunting, that is why us at Dream Spanish Homes will help you every step of the way. Some of the main difficulties when buying a home abroad are laws and language barriers. These reasons plus many more can make buying abroad very scary. Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world for many Europeans, North and South Americans and has become increasingly popular with people from Asia. It is also increasingly popular with people from all walks of life and from around the world looking to move abroad and to a warm country.

A Starting point

Everyone here at Dream Spanish Homes believes before moving abroad, that you should be fully committed to moving. Many people move abroad and then realise it is not for them and move back home, we do not want you to be one of them. With the developments in the internet and technology, you can always feel at home from almost anywhere in the world. We also suggest inviting friends and family over to your home as well as visiting them back home.

You should also have a small plan or overview of what you will/could do during your time in Spain. We suggest this as many people may move abroad and don’t have a small plan of why they wanted to move and get bored with their surroundings quickly.

Legal Problems

When moving to Spain, there is, of course, the legal stuff. No matter what, there sadly must be legal stuff. With all the legalities, us at Dream Spanish Homes will help you, but we do suggest that you do get a lawyer. Ideally, one who specialises in property and Spanish Property.

Visa’s and Residency

In the near future, we can expect visas to get that little bit more awkward due to Britain’s upcoming exit from the EU. For the meantime though, all EU nationals including British can travel freely into Spain. Other people who are from countries who are apart of the Schengen countries can also travel freely into Spain.

When Britain finally leaves the EU through Brexit, UK nationals will more than likely need to apply to get into Europe through a program called ETIAS. This project is being set up by the EU, which allows people from countries around the world to travel into Europe if they make the EU aware. If you are travelling from other countries to Spain, you will need a Visa.

Property Deposits

When an agreement between a homeowner and a potential buyer is met, a contract is drawn up for both parties to sign. This contract will involve deposits. So, what is a deposit?

A deposit guarantee’s property is yours. The usual amount for a deposit is either 10 or 20 per cent of the final price of the property. A deposit is used to assure the homeowner of the sale, as a sale has been agreed, so they do not offer the property as to let any more. This is also to stop other offers and bids being received by the homeowner as they have agreed upon a sale.

Mortgages

Mortgages are the fun part of buying a house in Spain. They are what we use to help us purchase a new home for ourselves if we do not have all the money for a property. A mortgage can either make or break your move to Spain as without one you may not be able to move.

There are different types of mortgages, so there is always the right one for you. But how do they work? A mortgage works by borrowing a large sum of money from either a lender or a bank and you will pay it back over several years with added interest on top of that. Until the whole mortgage is paid back, you are not the sole owner of that property as your lender also owns it.

Over the years you will start to pay more and more of the interest and the loan off, eventually paying it off after say 15, 20 years and the property is fully yours. In order to receive a mortgage, you need to have a good credit rating.

Taxes

In Spain, there are a lot of added costs and taxes to take into consideration when buying a home. Probably very similar to when buying a home in your home country. This is on top of the price of your property.

The biggest tax when purchasing a home in Spain is the ITP tax, otherwise known as the transfer tax on resale properties. This tax is up to 8 percent of the resale value of the property. You also need to be aware of the IVA tax which is like the ITP, only on new build properties. This tax is 10 percent and goes to the National Government instead of the Regional Government.

You should also note that there is a mortgage tax and a land registry tax. All of which can increase your costs for a new home substantially.

Who can help?

It is good to note that us here at Dream Spanish Homes (DSH) can help. We can give you great advice on different situations as we have a lot of experience in dealing with clients.

We also advise you that lawyers are a great help and can assist you that little bit more than us through the whole purchasing process. (As we are not lawyers ourselves). They will not only keep you on the right side of the law, but they will advise you throughout the whole of the purchasing process.

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Discover More About Costa Cálida, Mar Menor and Los Alcázares

Discover More About Costa Cálida, Mar Menor and Los Alcázares 8

Since Gerry first moved to Spain from Ireland, and even before then – when he used to holiday here – he notices the same people coming back time and again. Most could travel all over the world – and some do – but what is it about this area of Spain that keeps people coming back?

We thought we’d uncover some of the hidden gems – and over the next few weeks and months – show you some of the sites, sounds and attractions of Murcia, Mar Menor and Los Alcázares. You will soon see why Murcia is described as one of “20 amazing places in Spain” you need to visit in The Telegraph.

Known as the Costa Cálida, the “warm coast”, a 250km stretch of Mediterranean coastline, the warm sunny weather is surely one reason people keep coming back. It might start with one holiday or one game of golf, but with average temperatures around 20º for most – 320 days – of the year, you can see why this is an ideal holiday or retirement destination.

Shopping, Golf or Sunny Beaches?

Not to mention golf, with such a great range of courses – including several award-winning courses, six designed by golf legend, Jack Nicklaus, and several others used for championship tours, this really is a golfers paradise. Some pretty fantastic restaurants, bars and clubhouses – inside luxury hotels, often overlooking the 18th hole – complete the experience. Nothing like a game of golf, with a meal and drinks to finish the day.

If you would rather be shopping, then Murcia has everything from well-known high street brands to countless local boutiques and smaller shops. The City of Murcia is home to Zara, H&M, Toys R Us, Ikea and many more, plus two large indoor shopping centres, Thader and Nueva Condomina.  El Corte Inglés is also worth a visit, where you will find most of the world’s leading names in fashion, beauty, homeware and accessories. All under one roof.

At every resort – which are usually near golf courses – such as the La Zenia Boulevard – you will find every kind of restaurant, bar and shops.

Mar Menor and Los Alcázares

Mar Menor Golf Resort is another popular resort in the area, with an award-winning golf course and a five-star hotel. Mar Menor is also only a short drive from the beautiful and thriving coastal town of Los Alcázares and numerous beaches. Located on the shores of the Mar Menor, Los Alcázares offers tourists and seasonal residents of the village seven kilometres of coastline from Los Narejos to Punta Brava. It isn’t far from other attractions and places of interest, including Cartagena, a historic town and La Manga, all-around a 20 minutes drive away.

Unlike other holiday resorts, Los Alcázares retains the authentic Spanish charm and culture that you can’t find elsewhere in Spanish towns popular with overseas tourists. Dream Spanish Homes owner, Gerry, put down roots – and grew his other businesses – in Los Alcázares for that reason. He loves the place, and now, with Dream Spanish Homes can help others who want to move or invest in the area to find their perfect villa or apartment in Spain.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever visited Spain on holiday or wish to move over today? Get in touch with Dream Spanish Homes or visit our office located in Los Alcázares, Murcia.

Dream Spanish Homes have a range of guides about the different areas in which we sell properties. Some of the most sought after areas include the Costa Calida, Los Alcázares, Alicante and Murcia. Visit our areas page to find out more. We are continuously expanding the areas in which we sell properties throughout the East Coast of Spain.

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Why Dream Spanish Homes Are The Only Agent That Gives You More

Why Dream Spanish Homes Are The Only Agent That Gives You More 9

I’m Gerry Flynn, the man behind Dream Spanish Homes. I moved to the Murcia Region of Spain in 2012, after a career as a property developer, investor and entrepreneur in Ireland.

After numerous holidays to the Mar Menor, I had fallen in love with the area and resolved to move to Los Alcázares, a growing coastal town on the Costa Cálida.

When I first got here, I bought a villa and a minibus. With that one minibus, I started making pickup runs to and from the nearby airports – San Javier and Alicante International – for holidaymakers and golf enthusiasts. I had a feeling the area was going to get more popular, but at the same time, I hoped Murcia, Mar Menor and the Costa Cálida didn’t become too overcrowded with holidaymakers.

Part of the charm of the coast, resorts and golf courses, is the area is relatively unknown. Cálida is not overrun with Brits on lads weekends and hen parties, which means those visiting or staying longer can enjoy a more authentic Spanish experience.

A Warm, Pleasant Spanish Paradise

Murcia is unique, as a tourist region, it attracts as many from Spain – both on holiday, retiring to the warm coast and playing golf – as it does from Northern Europe and further afield. With 320 days of sunshine, average temperatures around 20º, rolling fields – the region is known as Europe’s orchard – beautiful beaches, stunning golf courses, luxurious resorts, traditional villages, towns and fishing communities, Murcia is a paradise on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

I wanted to put down roots with my wife, Debbie. Pretty soon, I had the opportunity to buy an Irish bar, The Celt, in a former fishing village turned resort, Los Alcázares. The Celt proved popular. Next, on the outskirts of the town, we opened The Shamrock, which we expanded and is thriving. We still do car rentals, with Mar Menor Car Hire providing cars for holidaymakers across the area.

All three businesses are established and thriving. Alongside these businesses, I decided to focus on the property market. I was receiving feedback from clients regarding poor customer service, giving me the impression that estate agents are only focused on making a sale and they rarely offer any customer aftercare.

Dream Spanish Homes: On A Mission To Give Customers More

Dream Spanish Homes has always been different. I believe that customers should get great service and only rent or buy a property that is right for them, is located where they want to live, and what they want is in their budget. I want to ensure that everyone who buys, sells or rents from Dream Spanish Homes gets a first-class service. Our mission is to “Delight every customer with a first class service, giving buyers, sellers and renters more.”

Also located in Los Alcázares, Dream Spanish Homes list properties across the Murcia Region to buy or rent. Comprehensive property management can also be provided for those who buy a property here but want to rent it out most or all of the year. We love knowing our customers are happy. That look, on a customer’s face, when they know they’ve found the perfect place for them. We live for making sure our customers walk out of a viewing knowing that when they say yes, they are confident we can take care of everything.

Our local knowledge and 15 years of property experience in Spain, Ireland & the UK is your advantage. We give you more; which can include, free inspection trips, exclusive free golf club memberships, fully furnished properties, air conditioning, and even a free car.*

Dream Spanish Homes: The Only Agent That Gives You More

* Exclusive offers depend on the needs of the buyer and availability of the offer at the time of the purchase. Offers can not be redeemed for the cash equivalent. For more information, please see our website terms of service.