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A Place In The Sun

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For those who earn that little extra the idea of a second property abroad is becoming evermore realistic, the options of where to move are endless but Spain is proving a very popular choice. For the last ten years the Spanish property market has been in a bubble, prices for villas and houses have shot up at an extraordinary rate and those with the funds to afford holiday homes seem also to have increased.

Spain has benefited greatly due to its early participation in the tourism trade. The recognition that the small fishing towns of Spain could be transformed into bustling resorts for Northern Europeans was a piece of outstanding entrepreneurship. It turned Spain from a relatively poor country with little exports but olives and wine into a nation with a bustling tourism trade that brought a steady stream of finance into the Spanish economy.

Today the holiday market has changed, more people looking for bespoke vacations to suit their needs but Spain has adapted to the changes. In the early nineties some realised that those who liked to holiday in Spain would also appreciate cheap housing in the country so they could carry on holidaying in Spain for a fraction of the price.

Villas and houses cropped up everywhere and resorts built to totally suit foreign markets were constructed. The ability of marketers to be present these villa complexes as bits of Britain (or Germany), but with better weather was a masterstroke as customers bought the idea wholesale.

This was the start of the Spanish property market, and for a decade and more it has steadily grown. The original idea of creating a home away from home in the sun is still popular for many types of people. As long as weather and climate remain the same in Northern Europe there will always be some who wish to escape and grab some sunshine in the depths of winter.

The idea has changed somewhat, modern villa resorts include leisure complexes, gymnasiums, restaurants and golf courses. Those buying property can now totally isolate themselves within an artificial community whilst still enjoying the 300 hundred days a year of sunshine.

Personally I see this as sad, for me holidaying was always about sampling other cultures. The mass tourism of the eighties and early nineties removed this element and replaced it with a Saturday night on the tiles but abroad. The ramifications of this are vast, now thousands who buy property in Spain will never experience what Spain has to offer. Instead they will stay in their complexes surrounded by their countrymen.

This is all well and good for those who like it but if I were to buy a property in Spain it would be a remote villa in the mountains where I could grow olives and grapes. I would integrate myself with the locals and soak as much of the culture up as possible.

This however is just personal preference, I can understand why many appreciate the security that living in an ex-patriot community can bring, I also understand the need for a prime golf course on your doorstep and see that Spanish villas offer a fine retirement option for the rest of Europe.

Whatever the opinion you have of property in Spain there is no doubt it has bolstered the Spanish economy since the decline of mass tourism. Whether or not the Spanish property market bubble will last much longer remains to be seen but as long as there are Northern Europeans looking for somewhere warm to purchase a second home, Spain will provide villas for the purpose.

A Place In The Sun

Do you fancy a break from the grey cold skies of winter and to get away from the gloom of the papers? Winter sunshine could be the tonic to boost you spirits. Buying a property abroad where you can relax in the warmth each winter is still one of the moist desirable things many us want to do. Surprisingly winter sunshine tonic is easily available and can be achieved without spending a fortune. For Europeans only a few hours away are the Canary Islands, offering 12 months of the year sunshine and now even lower property prices. The good money is heading to one particular island in the Canaries this island is Lanzorote.

Property in Lanzarote has seen good capital growth over the last few years however there is still a wide choice of properties available from studio and one bedroom apartments for less than 100,000 Euros. What is more buying property on the island right now means that you will benefit from the improvements being made on the island.

Puerto Del Carmen - the main engine room of tourism and the epicentre of the Lanzarote property market - is about to undergo a major revamp. As island authorities press ahead with a multi million euro project that is designed to "reinvent" tourism in the resort and maintain its competitiveness versus other holiday destinations around the world. Puerto Del Carmen has long been a hot spot for overseas investors. Thanks to Lanzarote´s year round climate and a buoyant tourist industry. Tourism has transformed a former fishing village called La Tiñosa into the islands most popular destination and generated reliable rental returns for owners of apartments and holiday villas in Puerto Del Carmen.

Over the years the resort has also become the main hub of the islands growing British and Irish expatriate communities. They now officially number around 6,000 citizens - although the real figure is deemed higher by most observers due to the fact that many émigrés don't immediately register for residency on the island. Creating further demand for relocation, rental and commercial property. In many ways though Puerto del Carmen has become a victim of its own success. As thirty odd years of package tourism has impacted upon the resorts infrastructure and facilities and left it looking decidedly tired around the edges. Whilst the kaleidoscope of neon lit bars and restaurants along the main beachfront strip creates a rather outdated image - especially in comparison to newer, purpose built resorts in competitor markets such as Dubai. Island authorities believe that these factors - if left unchecked - will start to erode Puerto del Carmen's popularity as a holiday destination. And in order to avoid this scenario they are now embarking on an ambitious project to transform the resort. One of the main elements of this project is the redevelopment of the Old Town harbour area. Long a focal point for holidaymakers but currently just home to a few excursion vessels and fishing boats. Not for much longer however as the port will soon be remodelled into an upmarket marina with moorings for luxury yachts. A move that is designed to attract a more affluent tourist to Puerto del Carmen and provide competition for the hugely successful marina at Puerto Calero, just a few miles along the coast. Elsewhere, the main beachfront strip will be rejuvenated by the creation of greater pedestrian access and the renovation of shop fronts and fascias. Which will create a more aesthetically pleasing overall image for the main face of Puerto del Carmen. In tandem with the opening of the resort's new golf course next year - only the second on the island - these improvements seem likely to ensure a bright future for both tourism and property in Puerto Del Carmen in the medium term.

So if its winter sunshine you need I would seriously consider Lanzorote Canary island as your winter tonic.

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About Author

Both Shaun Parker & Nicholas Marr are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Shaun Parker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Marketing, Auto Insurance and Wedding Bells. Expert Shaun Parker knows the foreign property market intimately and uses Procoal for all his Spanish property requirements. To find out more please visit. Shaun Parker's top article generates over 246000 views. Bookmark Shaun Parker to your Favourites.

Nicholas Marr has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Property Investment and Home. Buying a place in the sun is one of the most popular things to do in the UK, author Nicholas Marr has been helping buyers and sellers with Spanish property as director of overseas property websites at. Nicholas Marr's top article generates over 74000 views. Bookmark Nicholas Marr to your Favourites.

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