Exploring New Vistas

It may seem as though Spain’s property market is completely saturated, but there are sill plenty of unspoilt regions ripe for investment. Many areas have been ignored by investors simply because poor transport links made them inaccessible, but with the near-completion of the EU-funded motorway system, and the growth in budget airlines flying to previously underused airports, whole new markets are opening up to the canny Brit looking for a bargain buy.

The Costa de la Luz has long been popular with Spanish holidaymakers, but the difficulty of getting there and the less reliable weather of the Atlantic coast deterred the British buyer. Strict planning controls mean that there is little modern development.

“Small whitewashed villages are dotted amongst the verdant countryside, there are stunning beaches, but now there are also 21st century infrastructure and amenities,” says Chris Mercer of British-based property company Mercers, “the choice of three airports at Gibraltar, Seville and Jerez has now made the region very accessible, along with new road networks, which are really opening up the region. It offers genuinely strong and stable investment opportunities. We are confident that prices will increase once people realize that you can buy a property for between 50 and 100% below the equivalent on the Costa del Sol.”

Mercers are marketing a range of properties on the Costa de la Luz, including traditional whitewashed village houses in Lebrija, a pretty town with narrow, cobbled streets, just 20 minutes from Jerez airport and around 40 minutes drive from Seville.   The three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouses with front and rear patios, rooftop solariums and communal pools, cost from €165,500. (£112,000). At Vejer de la Frontera, a 40 minute drive from Gibraltar airport, one of the most famous pueblo blancos in Spain, Mercers are marketing three-bedroom, two-bathroom mews townhouses with front and rear gardens, rooftop solariums and communal swimming pools from €285,000.

The Andalucian province of Granada is attracting investors keen to acquire a classic rural home that can be easily accessed by air. Flights from the UK are now available with Monarch from Gatwick and Ryanair from Stanstead, Liverpool and East Midlands.

Richard Gordon continues, “the sheer size of the region offers buyers a huge choice of property types from small village houses for around 80,000Euros, to larger farmhouses standing on their own plot of land, surrounded by olive or almond groves from around 150,000Euros. My company has offices in London and in Spain and employs experienced British and Spanish staff. We recently sold a two-bedroom village house for €85,000 (£58,000)and have for sale a four bedroom cortijo with a large plot of land asking €206,000 (£142,000).

Costa de Almeria, still an agricultural area, is attracting more international buyers now that many low cost airlines fly there from various British airports. The area is particularly popular with the retired and semi-retired as it remains tranquil and unspoilt. It offers quaint fishing ports, pretty untouched beaches and has a backdrop of mountains. With white washed inland villages and homes clinging to the mountainsides there are plenty of outdoor activities including walking, riding and cycling. The local council has only allowed one change to this unspoilt area: the creation of golf courses.

Eden Villas are selling a selection of two- and three-bedroom apartments, set within walking distance of the beach and an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player at Brisas de Almerimar. The apartments cost from €288,500. Almeria airport is a 20 minutes drive. For those looking for a more rural lifestyle, Eden Villas have a selection of spacious, detached houses costing from £115,000 situated in the Almanzora valley.

Mallorca still has plenty of good investment opportunities, and UK housebuilder Taylor Woodrow specializes in seeking out unspoilt rural retreats that are still within easy reach of the bustle of the seaside resorts. Lisa Griffiths, European sales and marketing manager for Taylor Woodrow de España, said: “Because of its popularity it is becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable new properties for sale in Mallorca’s more desirable areas, and the recent reduction in capital gains tax from 35% to 18%, will result in the demand for new homes becoming even greater.  The selection of homes we have just released are suitable for various budgets and situated in quiet, stunning locations across the island.”

Taylor Woodrow have new properties in Port Verd, a collection of 33 spacious two and three bedroom apartments, priced from €239,900, situated on the east coast 3km from the modern resort of Cala Millor. At Pollenca, on the north coast, a selection of 41 two- and three-bedroom apartments, priced from €282,900, have been released off-plan. The development is a short stroll from the beach with views over the sea and mountains. 

Forty minutes inland, due west of the Mar Menor, lie gently rolling hills and acres of former farmland. Lack of rain and an abundance of cheap fruit and vegetables from other countries around the world has caused a drop in farming in this area. Now this former agricultural region is slowly being developed into leisure estates, and at prices around half of those on the busy coastline. The scenery is not stunningly beautiful but remains unspoilt and very quiet and once the EU funded motorway system linking the area to the capital, Murcia, and the planned new airport are completed, prices will surely rise.

Saladillo Golf on the popular Camposol Golf development is already an established leisure estate, complete with shops, bars and consists of 87 two- and three-bedroom linked bungalows grouped around a communal pool with landscaped gardens.  Frontline homes overlook the golf course and prices start at around €115,000 through Mercers.