Spanish Estate Agents

Nowadays, more and more expat families are looking to buy property in the less touristy parts of Spain – the “real Spain” – places where they can immerse themselves in the local culture and live the Spanish way of life.

They’re looking for somewhere ideally with little or no interest to other overseas buyers – Spain all to themselves.

The problem is everyone now wants these types of locations so instead of moving into ‘real’ Spain, overseas buyers end up creating and living in foreigners’ ghettoes. Take Monda, Coin and Alhaurin el Grande in Malaga, for example. In these traditional Spanish rural villages, English is now almost as widely spoken as Spanish.

When wealthy overseas property buyers come to Spain, the locals are happy to sell their place at an often significant profit and move into a shiny new urbanisation down the road.

So you sell up, move all the way to what has to be the real Spain – inland, rural, surrounded by goats, pigs, bulls and horses – only to find that your next door neighbour is from Birmingham.

But still the dream exists. Settling in Spain, living that dream lifestyle of tapas, siestas, flamenco, sunshine and no stress…turning that dilapidated rustic property into your own version of Iberian “chic”… One day, becoming as Spanish as the Spanish.

Featured Location – Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands, located just 100 kilometers off the coast of North Africa.

It’s one of the last remaining Spanish paradise isles – sparsely populated, untouched, unspoilt, and free of crass commercialism and overdevelopment.

The island is home to 152 of the longest beaches in the archipelago. There are 50 kilometers of fine, white sandy beach and 25 kilometers of black volcanic shingle.

Fuerteventura is widely regarded as having some of the best beaches in the Spain – endless stretches of fine white sand bathed by pristine turquoise waters that stay warm all year long. It’s a paradise for sun, beach and water sports fans.

The large winter swells and summer trade winds create excellent wind and wave conditions, making Fuerteventura a year-round surfers’ paradise. It’s also a very popular location for sailing, scuba diving and big game fishing. Whales, dolphins, marlin and turtles are all common sights in these clear blue waters.

Many believe that Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands. Its strange volcanic form was born out of a series of eruptions thousands and thousands of years ago.

Most of the inland areas on Fuerteventura are made up of lavascapes and volcanic mountains as well as large protected plains. Although the island looks highly volcanic, the last activity took place over 4,000 years ago.

If you’re looking for somewhere with endless sunshine, year round warmth, stunning deserted beaches, a good quality of life and (as of yet) no mass tourism, Fuerteventura is well worth considering.

Investing in Fuerteventura
Residential and commercial properties, on this paradise island, are seeing great returns through strong property appreciation.

Many UK and Irish holidaymakers are now choosing to extend their yearly two-week vacation on a more permanent basis. Making the permanent move to Fuerteventura is becoming an increasingly popular option and with all it has to offer, why not.

The growing numbers of visitors who are investing in many of the off plan new developments, residential and commercial properties will have a knock-on effect of pushing the property prices up, creating a strong return for investors.

Prices are still low but expected to escalate. If your considering Fuerteventura, now is the best time to make a move, before it’s too late. Click here for the latest Fuerteventura Property for Sale

The latest figures from the National Statistics Institute points out the hottest, coldest, brightest, darkest and wettest places in Spain.

As one might imagine, the Canary Islands or “Happy Islands” come out tops when it comes to sunshine and warmth. And of the seven islands, Tenerife enjoyed the hottest average temperatures and the most sunshine.

The Canarian Climate
Located just above the Western Sahara Desert, the Canary Islands enjoy a privileged location and climate. Drenched in year round sunlight, washed by warm Atlantic waters, they have what arguably the world’s best climate.

The Canaries are the only place in Spain and Europe where you get guaranteed winter sunshine and warmth.

Andalucia in southern Spain is certainly a lot sunnier than the UK and most other parts of Europe but can get very cold during the winter months. Any expat living in Spain will tell you that shorts and a t-shirt won’t always do.

Southern Spain is however, a great place to spend the winter months away from the gloomy northern European winter.

The Canary Islands were also the driest places in Spain last year, with the least rainfall. Fuerteventura, famous for its vast desert-like landscape and endless sandy beaches, received just 63.1mm of rain.

Lanzarote and Santa Cruz de Tenerife were the second driest locations. They both got twice as much rain as Fuerteventura, approximately 125 mm – not very much.

Spanish Hotspots
Tenerife topped the charts when it comes to bright and balmy year round climates. Last year the island had an average of 21.8 degrees centigrade – warmer than any of the other Canary Islands. Tenerife also received more sunshine – 3,565 hours a year, which is around ten hours per day.

Lanzarote, with its weird lunar-like volcanic landscape was the second hottest location and Rota on the Costa de La Luz (Coast of Light) was the sunniest part of mainland Spain with 3,010 hours of sunshine.

Cold and Damp Spain
If all that sunshine gets too much for you and you want some “real” weather, head inland. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe and accordingly can get very very chilly at altitudes with strong wind chill factors.

Last year the coldest recorded temperatures were found in Puerto de Navacerrada ski station, north of Madrid. Temperatures averaged at a chilling 7.9 degrees for the whole year. Izaña de Tenerife was the second coldest location and at 2300 metres in altitude, one can imagine why.

Labacoa, near Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, received the most rainfall – well over two metres. Other towns in this lush green part of Northern Spain saw similar deluges.

The darkest part of Spain, which was probably still a lot brighter than the UK, was the Costa Verde or Green Coast. In towns like Asturias, Bilbao and Cantabria, they received less than half the sunshine Tenerife received.

Island Life – Moving to the Sun
Tenerife, home to a large UK expat community, amazing beaches, good value properties, low cost of living, high standard of life and perpetual, sunshine is a fantastic place to live. Every year more and more UK nationals are choosing to escape the doom and gloom of rainy England and set up home on this island paradise.

Buy-to-let investments are also a popular option. With year round sunshine and warmth, you can command peak season prices all throughout the year.

Finding a Home
The Internet is the fastest and most efficient way to find property abroad. There are literally hundreds of real estate agent sites and independent property portals providing everything from property listings (with prices and photos) to legal advice, buyer’s guides, local area information and climate reports – everything you could possibly need. Try the following link – Tenerife Property Search

If you’re genuinely looking to start a new life, away from the pollution, cold, high prices and endless grey skies, Tenerife is certainly well worth considering!

Property for sale in Tenerife
Here’s a few example of what you’ll find on Canarypropert.com, one of The Canary Islands leading property portals…

Playa Paraiso, Tenerife
Casa Dulce
Typical Canarian restaurant in Playa Paraiso. Restaurant has large eating area and bar with terrace with views to the sea.
Sale Price: €37.500

Costa del Silencio, Tenerife
Marino Tenerife
Studios
Opportunity good size studio, 1 bathroom, separate fitted kitchen, terrace overlooking swimming pool, recently renovated on very well kept resort.
Sale Price: €58.000

San Eugenio Alto, Tenerife
Island Village Heights
Studios
Beautiful studio located on the second floor in San Eugenio Alto. There is American kitchen, lounge, one bathroom, terrace. Panoramic sea views.
Sale Price: €88.500