Golf Property Or Golf Course?

Alicante residents regard golf courses as ‘an excuse for property development’. Golf courses in Spain, especially in new, rapidly developing areas, come hand-in-hand with property. While along the older courses on the Costa del Sol property has been built, it’s usually been over a number of years and by different developers. In the popular southern Costa Blanca and new boom region of Murcia, golf courses have developed differently, usually with one company overseeing the development of a whole site.

Now Professor Maria Ascencion Molina of Elche’s Miguel Hernandez University has produced a doctoral thesis concluding that most people in Alicante province see golf courses being built as an excuse for property development rather than golf courses benefiting the sport. Her poll was split among three groups of people: the general public, golfers and golf course managers. Over half of the golf course managers and about half of the golfers polled, in fact, believed the link between golf courses and property development is actually damaging to the sport.

As the new courses planned for Alicante will bring the regional total to 38, Professor Molina also quizzed people on whether they thought that was enough. In the opinion of golf course managers, 38 was considered ‘few’, while Alicante’s general population thought it was ‘too many’! On the tricky subject of water there was also a split between course managers and the local population, with golf course managers regarding water used on golf courses as being used for agricultural purposes and golfers and residents regarding the use of water there as recreational.

On one subject, though, everyone agreed: a golf course makes an urbanisation look more pleasant and attracts tourists.

Story from homesworldwide.co.uk

Pensioners Claim Winter Fuel Cash

Millions of pounds in winter fuel payments are being handed out to thousands of British pensioners living in the Mediterranean.

Now ministers have been called upon to review the benefit which sees nearly £8m paid out in the past year, with more than 30,000 payments going to residents in countries such as Spain.

In a written parliamentary answer, James Purnell, former work and pensions minister, revealed an exponential rise in the number of recipients living abroad over the past five years, boosted by the fact that 10 countries such as Cyprus and Malta joined the EU in 2004. In Spain, there have been nearly 78,000 payments in the past five years.

The tax-free winter fuel payment is payable from November to most Britons over the age of 60. It was introduced in the winter of 1997-98, at £20 for a single householder. Today, however, it is £200, or £300 if a person is over 80.

British pensioners living abroad are entitled to the payment if they reside in a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) " which covers the 27 EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein " together with Switzerland, and were eligible for the benefit when they lived in the UK.

The benefit is meant to help pensioners "keep warm in winter". The average winter temperature in Spain and Cyprus is around 11C, compared with 3C in Scotland and 4C in England.

The qualifying period for the payment for this coming winter is in September but, if past experience is anything to go by, there will be even more overseas recipients than last year. Given Bulgaria and Romania are now EU members, former eligible UK residents living there will qualify.

The figures show that by far the largest number of overseas recipients live in Spain. In 2002-03, some 5165 payments were made. But, by last year, this had jumped to 24,695. The total amount for 2006-07 was £3.9m.

A similarly large rise has been recorded in Portugal, where over the same period the number of payments has risen from 105 to 910. Last year’s total was £149,000.

There have also been rises in countries such as Ireland and France. In the former, some 660 payments were made in 2002-03, but by last year there were 4375, when the total payout was £737,000.

Over the same period in the latter, the numbers were 1780 and 11,505, with a total for 2006-07 of £1.8m. The accession of 10 new countries to the EU in 2004 meant that pensioners who live in these member states are now eligible.

So, for example, in 2004-05 there were 1395 payments for Cyprus but by last year there were 3005 with a total payout of £471,000. On Malta, the equivalent numbers were 265 and 570 with a total for last year of £93,000.

Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, called on the new Prime Minister to review the payment to overseas residents living in warm climes.

Commenting on the rises in overseas payouts, he told The Herald: "This is by anyone's standards a substantial amount of money, which seems to defeat the purpose of the benefit being made available."

"The Treasury should be looking in some way at how this issue can be addressed."

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "European Community law means that some benefits acquired in one member state must be paid to people when they move to another country within the EEA. The winter fuel payment is only paid to former UK residents living in the EEA if they qualified for it before leaving the UK."

"We must treat all those states equally and may not, therefore, make payments based on winter temperatures."

Story from theherald.co.uk

Luxury at a price you can afford

Ever fancied owning your own room in a palace for little over £150,000? Or perhaps a nine-bedroom town house for under a million pounds is more your thing? This may be a pipe dream in Britain, but take a three-hour flight to Jerez in Andalucian Spain and lovers of period properties are spoilt for choice. Wandering around the town house currently owned by the manager of the local Barclays bank it is hard to believe all this could be yours for £822,000 (price negotiable). It's a lot of money, but how many houses of that price offer you nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, a wine cellar, gun room, separate chambermaid's quarters, two patios and a private roof terrace in a beautiful location?

The palatial town house has belonged to the Peman family since 1827 and could be renovated to give the owner separate flats for rental investment or, perhaps more sympathetically, converted into a quirky boutique hotel, something which Jerez is short of. The current owner's grandfather, the famous Spanish poet Jose Maria Peman, was one of the few intellectuals to support Franco. Not only is the property enormous, but it is bursting with original features, such as the beautiful antique engraved panels on the wardrobes in the bedrooms, each based around a different theme. In what was one of the children's bedrooms, for example, the 100 or so panels tell the story of the Bible from start to finish.

Jerez, 40 minutes from Seville and half an hour from the nearest beach, has all the ingredients you need for the full-on Spanish experience. The town is perhaps best known for its sherry production and visitors can spend hours in the bodegas. Oak barrels representing the city's history are stacked on every street corner, while the streets themselves are lined with sweet-scented orange trees.

Both a centre of equestrianism and flamenco, Jerez has all the tourist and shopping appeal of a big Spanish city without losing the charm of a smaller, traditional town. Neighbours still meet in the squares at night to enjoy a bowl of patatas bravas washed down with a cold glass of fino at their local tapas bar.

Transport links are good. The airport is going through an expansion programme, including a second runway which has recently opened, and you can fly with Ryanair from Stansted for as little as £30 one way.

You don't need to be sitting on a fortune to invest there either. If £800,000 is a bit of a stretch, you can easily invest for a fraction of this price.

Property prices are about £1,350 to £1,700 per square metre, compared with Seville, where they are £2,000 to £4,000,’ says Chris Mercer, managing director of Mercers property agents . "With as little as £100,000 you could purchase a two-bedroom flat in the heart of old Jerez, where property is more likely to increase in value and rental demand is good."

Alternatively, you could invest in a three-bedroom apartment in a former 16th-century palacio for £156,712. The interior is none too exciting and a buyer would probably want to update it and convert the unused loft space into an extra room. However, the building is nothing short of stunning.

It originally belonged to the Carrizosas, a very old and famous family of the Jerez aristocracy, after whom the square outside is named. The property was fully restored 15 years ago when it was split into 18 apartments based around various shared courtyards and garden areas. Despite its size, the palace is virtually hidden from the street, with the only shared entrance being a tiny metal door.

Meanwhile, tucked away down a side street running off Plaza Arenal, Jerez's main square, Mercers is overseeing a project to convert a grand old town house into eight luxury flats while retaining the original features. The best buys have to be the one-bedroom attic apartments, which give you your own eight square metres of private roof terrace overlooking the church next door. The work is due to be finished in August 2008, and prices start at 144,000€ (around £100,000) for a one-bedroom flat on the first floor with street views.

If you are looking for somewhere ready to move into, perhaps as a second home for family holidays, you can buy a six-bedroom house with a rooftop terrace and all its original features fully restored. The wrought-iron front door of Calle Doctrina 6 opens on to a traditional Andalucian courtyard with a marble floored patio, original columns, stonework and fountain. There is a newly fitted kitchen and a library complete with original wooden beams downstairs. Upstairs, the bricked-in stone arches in the bedrooms are evidence of the convent the property was once part of. It will cost you £400,000 plus tax.

Prices are so much lower in Jerez because there is no marketing hype for this area, nor are there fast-buck developers looking to rip off foreign buyers the main market is the local one, says Mercer. This may change, but for now property prices are great value and although this part of Spain does not have the glitz and glamour of the Costas, it is not associated with the same problems.

Story from observer.guardian.co.uk

Eco-friendly Homeowners Head For Spain

Environment officials in Spain have announced that in an effort to diminish the effect of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, two regional governments and the capital city plan to plant millions of trees.

In 2006, Spain's emissions were 48 per cent higher than in 1990. However, the government is determined to lower its emissions, and improve the future environment of its residents. The country is tackling energy consumption with increased use of solar and wind power, enforced by building regulations that make these measures a routine feature of property construction in Spain.

As part of the move to transform Spain into one of the greenest countries in Europe, the Castilla-La Mancha region has already increased its forested area to 5m hectares, according to Environment Councillor Jose Luis Martinez, and plans to plant 20 million trees in the next four years.

The Basque Country is funding the planting of 250,000 trees in Kenya between 2006 and 2009, and will plant 10,000 new trees in the Basque Country itself.

Madrid already has extensive areas of parks and gardens, and plans to create new green spaces. Ana Botella, head of the city hall's environmental department, says that the city is also planting 1.5 million trees that will absorb 9,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year.

The result will be a more pleasant and healthier environment with far reaching ecological affects, making Spain the perfect place to invest in property, and your future.

Story from homesworldwide.co.uk

Property in and around Valencia

Valencia may not currently be regarded as the most glamorous city on the Iberian peninsula, but this is all set to change. Playing host to one of the most bafflingly won sporting trophies of all "The America's Cup" – put Valencia firmly at the centre of the yachting community this year, and when the first Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place there in 2008 the remainder of the well-heeled are guaranteed to prick up their ears. And it is likely that they will like what they see when they arrive: an open, relaxed, airy and vibrant city, Valencia provides the perfect anecdote from the crush of Barcelona or the baking heat of Madrid. Situated right on the coast, this ancient city has been vital to the economic development of Spain not least because it boasts one of the largest and busiest ports in Europe.

Valencia is now a city growing internationally in both stature and recognition. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, or City of Arts and Sciences, is an ensemble of five areas in the dry river bed of the now diverted River Turia begun in 1996 and built to commemorate the millennium. They are composed of an opera house, a cinema, gardens, a science museum and an aquarium, and the complex is a striking landmark integrated into the heart of the city. Sunk into the riverbed, it contrasts beautifully with the mixture of Baroque and Gothic styles of architecture predominant in the city.

The wonderful architecture also contributes towards the atmosphere: although Valencia hustles and bustles like any modern European city, there is unquestionably a sense that there is space and time enough for everything there. Whether touring the city by car, or exploring on foot, you find none of the crowded sense of urgency which characterises Barcelona. It is a pleasure to get to know, both as a tourist, taking in the view from the spectacular medieval towers in the heart of the old city, or as a resident, enjoying the many festivals which take place on a regular basis (just watch out for the decibel levels when they wheel out the fireworks).

Property prices in Valencia have traditionally been relatively calm, compared with the ups and downs which the other parts of Spain have been subject to. This did, however, begin to change as plans for the America's Cup and now next year's Grand Prix came to light a few years ago. House prices leapt by 30% after the announcement, and some flats doubled in price within twelve months.

Prices are still rising now, but exponential increases are no longer taking place; 2005 year saw a 15% increase, rising around the same amount last year, and as a long term investment it looks pretty good: the weather is fantastic for the majority of the year (during which the beach down by the marina is the place to be), and the rental market is almost guaranteed due to demand from Valencians themselves, let alone the appeal it has for both holiday makers and sports enthusiasts.

At the moment you can buy a seven bedroom villa in the city, in the popular Montecañada, for around £860,000, or a luxury villa eight kilometres outside the city with six bedrooms for £487,000, and there are many more apartments within the city, and down by the new marina which are still a relative bargain.

Outside of the city, falling in love with the surrounding area is easy, and one of the reasons is its feeling of complete seclusion compared to the regions to the south, and the Costas. And if the idea of city life doesn't appeal, you could do worse than taking a look at where the wealthy people of Madrid choose to holiday. The town of Benecassim, an hour's drive to the north, has long been popular with the Spanish looking to escape the dusty heat inland in the summer. It is an utterly Spanish holiday town, charming without being brash, right on the coast, with a beach which stretches into the distance for miles.

Full story from countrylife.co.uk

Overbuilding threatens Spain's coasts

Rampant construction along the Spanish coastline is damaging Spain's shores and endangering the vital tourism industry, environmental organization Greenpeace warned last week.

The numbers demonstrate the failure on the part of local administrations to find a solution to the problems of the coastline and the need to adopt important reforms regarding the management of the coast to put the brakes on the coast's destruction, the report said.

In a report, the Greenpeace said that Spanish developers plan to build more than 200,000 hotel rooms, 316 golf courses and 112 marinas.

These significant projects in environmentally sensitive areas threaten to damage Spain's coastlines that annually attract millions of tourists, they said.

Tourism accounts for about 12 percent of Spain's gross domestic product. Greenpeace also said Spanish police are currently investigating nearly 200 cases of corruption in the southern coast region of Andalucia that it says have led to illegal building along protected coastal areas.

The Spanish Environment Ministry had no immediate reaction to the report, although a spokesman said the government is also trying to protect the coast.

Last week, the European Parliament firmly condemned Spain for the environmental damage that overdevelopment had caused in Madrid and along the Mediterranean coast.

In a motion, it said the mix of lax building laws, greedy developers and corrupt politicians had had a disastrous effect on the country's environment.

Story from greenpeace.org

Before you leave - A guide for property owners in Spain

For many Spanish home owners the following tips may seem obvious but for those who visit their Spanish holiday home as and when the obvious can often be the last thing you think about as you board your flight.

1. Electrical systems in Spain often "trip out" either if there is a surge of power to your home or a glitch in the local supply. I therefore recommend that for sensitive equipment i.e. TVs, Digi-box receivers, computers, etc. you protect your equipment with a circuit breaker between the socket and the equipment. This is available from your local electrical supply shop.

2. Electrical systems (part 2). Never leave your property "live" when you are leaving for long periods of time – just imagine the smell when you next arrive if the fully filled freezer you left last month had been affected by a "trip out". Switch off the supply at the fuse box. Remember that while good food in Spain is fresh and inexpensive – the same produce will be at the market when you next visit your holiday home.

3. Bottled gas supplies – always, always turn the tap off from the bottle. Better still, disconnect the head too. Store all your gas bottles away from strong light and heat. And remember that the orange rubber tubing should be dated and renewed at least every 5 years by a qualified person from your supplier.

4. Water – it is very rare, if ever, you will have a frost in Southern Spain but a cracked joint can still happen. Therefore you should still try to control as best you can accidental leakage; locate and isolate the supply to bathrooms and kitchens or better still turn the supply off to your property at the meter "contador de aqua".

5. With the heat and the humidity in this part of Spain (whether inland or on the coast), it is wise to ventilate your property as often as you can. Don't leave rooms closed up. Keep wardrobes open. Invest in a de-humidifier for sensitive areas.

6. The wind – from the east (el levante) and from the west (el poniente). For those of us who live here all year round we know what damage can be done to stray patio furniture and sun blinds when gusts occur. Need I say more!

7. Many home owners today use a lawyer to complete the sale and purchase of their property. But after that you should remember that you are responsible for paying your annual charges thereafter. For example; you should check when your IBI (local authority municipal tax) payment is due, and if it is paid by standing order or in cash to the local office.

8. Key-holders are very useful in Spain, more so when you arrive at your holiday home only to find that you have the wrong house keys with you! Secrete a second complete set of keys in your home in Spain, and then when you need them you have them.

9. House mortgages come with limited liability insurance policies, so check that the policy you have suits all your needs. If not then get more cover.

10. Peace of mind comes from knowing that you have with you an up-to-date health insurance card; and that you know where the nearest medical centre or hospital is located and its opening times. Have a handy Spanish phrase book too – just in case.

Story from expatfocus.com

Beaches Boost Spain’s Property Market

Spain’s blue flag awarded beaches and marinas are keeping the country’s property market buoyant.

Spain’s beaches and marinas have received over 500 blue flag awards this year.

The Blue Flag is an eco-label awarded to over 3200 beaches and marinas in 37 countries across the world.

In order to achieve a Blue Flag, beaches and marinas must comply with a number of stringent criteria. Marinas must consider recyclable waste facilities, provide a map indicating all amenities and have lifesaving facilities. Beach candidates were subject to ongoing evaluation from control visits in 2006 and were evaluated to ensure the presence of a map indicating all facilities, presence of recyclable waste facilities at the beach and compliance with the water quality criterion.

A total of 499 Spanish beaches were judged by the Blue Flag International Jury to have met the criteria, along with 77 marinas. The majority of the awards went to Valencia, Catalonia and Galicia, with the less well known Galicia receiving 119 flags for its pristine beaches – more than any other region. Valencia has 95 blue flag beaches, and Catalonia, which comprises the Costa Brava ad Costa Dorada, has 89 exceptional beaches and 22 marinas. The 576 Blue Flag awards is keeping the Spanish property market buoyant despite recent stock market concerns, confirming the country's popularity with holiday homeowners and buy-to-let investors alike.

Story from homesworldwide.co.uk

New Law to Clean up Spanish Property Industry

A new Spanish law brought into force on the 1st July has been designed to bring greater transparency to the planning system and increase confidence in the Spanish property industry.

This new Spanish law, which covers the Land Legal System, Property Valuation, and Citizens Rights and Duties, will address the issue of how to sustain and manage growth in cities and urban sprawl and the protection of the environment. The new law also expressly rules on ownership rights, landowners' obligations and the right of citizens to participate in urban planning proceedings.

In an attempt to prevent abuse of the planning system, it will now be against the law not to make public who will benefit from land that has been reclassified as available for building. This means that public officials who have ties to the property industry or a property developer will be obliged to disclose this publicly as part of the planning process.

Based in the Marbella office of law firm Irwin Mitchell Abogados, Isabel Perez Blanco said: If the law is adhered to then the levels of corruption which have gained the Spanish property market a bad reputation should be significantly reduced. She added that: It appears that, in the most part, the new law will alleviate many concerns that people have surrounding buying a property in Spain.

The law firm points out that, while Spanish nationals have the right to appeal against any parts of the law, no appeals have currently been lodged. At the time of writing, there are no appeals in the pipeline and with days to go until the law goes live it looks like this law will be the first land law to come into force without any objections, said a spokesperson.

Story from OPP (registration required)