Spain stepping up tax plans

January 3, 2012 – 10:07 pm

Spain's taxation approach helping property sales in Tenerife?

Spain is stepping up its tax plans to tackle the country’s deficit, but buyers are snapping up property regardless as further price drops are predicted for 2012.

The Spanish government’s predictions initially stated that national debt would amount to 6 per cent of GDP for 2011, but it was revealed last week that these figures were incorrect and that the country deficit is closer to 8 per cent.

Since then, Spain’s government has added that the debt “could be even higher”, according to The Daily Mail, prompting the recently elected Popular Party to go back on its pledge not to raise taxes. Property tax is expected to increase for homes above average value, Spain’s swift economic action has been welcomed by the EU as the country tries to reassure international investors who are snapping up properties at low prices.

Indeed, reports at the end of December from Global Property Guide found that foreign property transactions surged by 24.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.

Alicante, Barcelona, the Balearic, Canary Islands and Malaga were all highlighted as popular areas for buyers, with research from Scotibank Group showing that house prices across Spain have fallen by 25 per cent since 2007. These price drops are now expected to continue in 2012.

Knight Frank’s Prime Global Forecast has predicted that global economic uncertainty will push Madrid’s property values down in the next 12 months. But with investors attracted by Spain’s declining property prices, Madrid’s fall of “less than five per cent” may provide more opportunities for international buyers. As Murcia prepares for the construction of its much-awaited Paramount Theme Park, buyers can benefit from the national downward trend while costs remain low.

Julio Adams said “Demand for key ready homes in this area is already high and we expect an equity boost of around 15 per cent for early buyers when the first spade goes in to start construction of Paramount Park.” With some Spanish regions seeing a gradual recovery and the number of foreign transactions on the up, the government’s reworked deficit plans may take Spain’s housing market in a positive new direction for the New Year.

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Health, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Mainland Spain house prices to continue decline whilst islands prices improve?

May 3, 2011 – 8:59 am

Tenerife, the Canary and Balearics Islands property prices show signs of improvement

House prices in Spain are expected to continue to their decline for the coming three years, a new poll by Reuters has found.

According to the news provider, the fall is a result of an overhang from the burst property bubble and banks dump unwanted housing stock.

In a poll of 13 analysts, who widely believe that the market has been overvalued even after a 17 per cent fall since 2007, prices were forecast to fall by a further five per cent this year.

Next year, prices are expected to fall by a further three per cent, followed by a drop of a little over one per cent in 2013.  Of course areas such as Tenerife in the Canary Isles and the Balearics are bucking this trend and showing signs of  improvement

Source: IB Times

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Plenty of advice for Tenerife property hunters at Property Investor Show

March 30, 2011 – 2:08 pm

Property bargains in Tenerife, Canary Isles and Spain

Lots of advice, plenty of opportunities and optimistic statements, but fewer exhibitors at the Property Investor Show, the UK’s premier event for property investors held last weekend at London Docklands Exel Exhibition centre.

However, there was plenty of essential information on “Where to” and “How to” invest provided from keen exhibitors just about managing to cope with the early rush of visitors with property investment on their minds. More than 30 seminars focused on topics ranging from “How to Spot a boom and a bust” to “How to win in a recession”.

Many small investors, were looking to acquire from the ongoing “Sale of the Decade” in the Spanish market, where banks are disposing of their unwanted toxic assets with huge discounts of up to 56% and generous mortgages between 80-111%.  A spokesman for a Spanish distressed property site  added: “Putting your money in the  Spanish property markets could be the perfect hedge for investors with sunny Spain for family holidays and some equity gain a few years down the line.”

Two properties can be bought for a realistic amount in Spain – one to rent out, the second for family enjoyment, with equity gains to look forward to when prices start to rise again in the world’s top second home destination.

Tenerife and the Canary Islands have some excellent bargains, even in the prime property sector, but prices will be rising again soon judging by the renewed interest of late.

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Health, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Spain and the Canary Isles still the Brits favourite place to buy a home

February 7, 2011 – 12:14 pm

Spain is still tops for Britons buying homes abroad

Spain is the perennial favourite for Britons looking to buy a home abroad, confirms the latest survey by Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun.

The ranking for 2011 goes as follows (2010 in brackets):

1. Spain (1)
2. France (3)                    
3. Portugal (4)
4. Italy (6)
5. Florida (2)
6. Turkey (5)
7. Greece (8)
8. Cyprus (7)
9. Malta (new entry)
10. Egypt (new entry)

Here is what they had to say about Spain, Tenerife and the Canary Islands:

Once again, Spain remains the most popular destination for Brits to buy abroad and therefore tops our chart of the best places to buy abroad in 2011. After all, it has all the right ingredients – excellent access from the UK, sun, sea, culture and infrastructure. With repossessed properties and distressed sales hitting the market, the home of the Costas, Balearic and Canary Islands still has some great deals for the diligent buyer. Huge discounts on holiday homes mean there’s a multitude of destinations and property options on offer.

As we have been saying for a while now, this really is a great time to buy in Tenerife. In fact it is a great time to buy throughout Spain and its islands.  Check out the latest deals with your estate agent, particularly the discounts available  on prime property in Tenerife.

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Health, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Interest in buying property in Spain and Canary Isles is increasing

June 19, 2010 – 12:03 pm

Interest in buying property in Spain and the Canary Isles is increasing with more people searching for Spanish real estate in May, according to the latest index from Rightmove. Overall 58% of locations saw an increase in property searches, 42% saw a decrease and 0.2% experienced no change.

Half of the top time climbers in May were in Spain and its Islands There was also interest in South Africa but this is put down to curiosity generated by the World Cup football tournament rather than an increase in serious buyers. June is expected to see even more interest as football fever continues.

Interest in property in Tenerife and Spain increasing once more

Interest in property in Tenerife and Spain increasing once more

‘May was a great result for Spain, fed by returning confidence among buyers as the bad memories and headlines of last year fade. It’s always hard to let go of what your property was worth at the peak of  the market and accept times have changed, but vendors also seem more open and have much improved realism about prices necessary to make transactions happen,’ said Robin Wilson, Head of Overseas at Rightmove.

‘The improving Euro exchange rate is definitely playing a part, up 10% on January this year and 20% on January last year, meaning buyer’s budgets can go further,’ he added.

Moneycorp, one of the UK’s leading foreign exchange specialists, has also seen a rise in enquiries for Spanish properties, which amounted to an increase of 11.8% between March and May.

‘Throughout May, sterling gained good ground against a weak Euro. Having started the month at €1.14, the rate eventually reached €1.18 towards the end of the month. The pound has benefitted from economic data which continues to support the view that the UK recovery is gaining traction,’ said David Kerns, Head of Private Clients at Moneycorp.

‘In contrast, the Euro has continued to weaken, following news that Spain’s AAA credit rating had been downgraded. It was sent even lower when the European Central Bank warned that Euro zone banks faced writing off another €195 billion of bad loans. The increase in the Sterling/Euro exchange rate would have made properties within the Euro zone an increasingly more attractive prospect for Euro buyers, and explains the surge in interest.

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Health, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Uncategorized, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)