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1: THE MARKET REACHES THE BOTTOM

 

 

There is no secret that the property market here in Spain has undergone a dramatic price correction, mainly in response to the global financial situation and, to some extent, the pound to euro exchange rate.

 

With a glut of available properties compared to the number of potential buyers, this is a purely a ‘supply and demand’ situation. However, many analysts are now predicting that the market is very near to, or has even reached, the bottom and what may now follow is a period of price stability.

 

What no one knows is how long this period of opportunity will last.

 

At the moment, there are still some excellent bargains to be had, and the time is right, for those with funding, to make a purchase now before the market starts to rise again.

 

Vendors will inevitably start to push the prices up and therefore analysts predict, in the first instance, small gradual increases over the next few months. As the ratio of properties available to buyers slowly narrows, supply and demand will push property prices upward.

 

Statistics indicate that 25% of Brits still want to retire abroad and that Spain remains the number one choice for most of them. It should be remembered, that Spain is also very popular as a destination for many other Northern Europeans.

 

It should also be noted that, as other more Eastern European nationalities broaden their horizons, and the EU expands to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, together with additional candidate countries of Croatia, Macedonia and Turkey, Spain has seen an increase of new money, and this new activity will prevent property prices from dropping much further.

 

 There have always been peaks and troughs, with property always being a good long- term investment.

 

2: TEN REASONS TO MOVE TO SPAIN

 

These ten reasons are the result of a small survey of 25 clients.   However, there are many other good reasons to move to Spain not included here.

 

1 - Pensions: It is easy to get your pension paid directly into your Spanish bank account and, due to EU agreement, the banks cannot not make a charge for this service.

 

 

2 – Television: It is possible to watch, legally, the main UK television channels, and many others if required, so that a link with your home country can be maintained, all be it one hour later.

 

 

3 – Property: Even with the all the recent ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ on property prices, the quality of home available to the average person is far better in Spain than the UK, such as a private swimming pool, air conditioning, sea or stunning mountain views, lovely outside living areas and some will say most importantly, guest apartments for family and friends to visit.

 

 

4 – Location: It is not far to go back to visit family or friends, or even for them to come to you. The UK is only a 2-3 hour easy flight away.

 

 

5 – Health & the Health care system: The World Health Organisation has reported that the Costa Blanca has the best climate in Europe, with mild dry winters, and that it is a great destination for people suffering from asthma, arthritis and rheumatism. Living in Spain will also increase the longevity of life. (See the newsletter for May 2009). Spaniards live the longest, when compared to other countries and enjoy a healthy Mediterranean diet which cuts the risk of various cancers and heart disease. Pensioners from other EU countries can register for state health care in Spain, which is recognised as being one of the best in the World. Hospitals are clean and well equipped, with shorter waiting lists then many other countries. There is also a well established private health care system with private hospitals that resemble like 5 star hotels.

 

 

6 – Shopping:   Many of the items that expats are used to are readily available in Spain. All main language newspapers are published daily in Spain.  Many English food goods are available in many Spanish supermarkets as well as expat shops. Recently two Iceland supermarkets have opened in this area, in Benissa and Javea, and the choice available is taking the Spanish by storm.

 

 

7 – Living outdoors: Due to the all year round sunshine (yes it does rain…. well we need water too) most villas have summer kitchens for enjoying al fresco dining and barbeques. In the evenings, particularly in the summer, the outside temperature stays in the 20ºs, so many stay on the terrace or in the naya to enjoy the evenings, some into the early hours. There are many golf courses on which to enjoy the game on most days of the year. In addition there is also sailing, swimming, horse-riding, scuba diving, water skiing canoeing, mountaineering, hiking and, in the winter, skiing within a 4 hour drive.

 

 

8 – Transport: Public transport is cheap and efficient. The main roads, particularly the toll roads, are generally in good condition and are empty when compared to motorways in the UK and other countries. There are a number of fast rail links and a new line is being built from Alicante to Madrid. The national N332, which passes through our area, is being upgraded with many towns now having bypasses, the latest is around Benissa.

 

 

9 – The Culture: Families are the main stay of the Spanish and it is not uncommon for three or even four generations to be living in the same house. It is possible for expats to submerge themselves in the culture and to take part in the many local fiestas. Spain is a wonderful country for those who love archaeology, museums, art and learning about cultures and traditions.

 

 

10 – Respect: Unlike town centres in the UK which become no-go areas at night, except for the drunken louts that cause so much trouble, the Spanish live in the towns, in apartments above the bars, shops and restaurants and it is not uncommon to see Mum & Dad, the children and the Grandparents, out together at night. Many Spanish, particularly in the summer, in small inland towns, take chairs out into the street at night to talk with their neighbours and this respect for their neighbours is why the pavement culture works here and not in the UK.

 

 

3:PETS IN SPAIN – LEISHMANIASIS

 

 

Continuing our articles on Pets in Spain, this month we cover Leishmaniasis.

 

 

Leishmaniasis is one of the worse diseases, caused by a parasite (Leishmania) that affects only dogs and is found throughout Europe. The parasite invades different organs of the dog, causing many different types of lesions and can even cause death.

 

 

The parasite is passed by the sand fly, which requires high humidity but unlike mosquitoes, which produce in stagnant water, it does so in burrows and areas of rubbish. Much smaller than a mosquito, the sand fly is more active in the evenings, so try to avoid walking the dog at this time, particularly between spring and autumn. The females lay from 40 – 50 eggs twice a year in dark humid places. The Larvae feed on organic waste and the pupae are practically immobile.

 

 

The disease, which was named in 1901 after the Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman , is found in parts of about 88 countries, including most of Europe. Diagnosis requires a clinical exam by a veterinary and for the dog that has contracted leishmaniasis, there is no cure. The animal will have to live with it for the rest of its life. However, good regular veterinary control and treatment ensure a good quality of life for the animal.

 

The disease cannot be transmitted directly from dog to humans. However humans can catch the disease indirectly, in the following manner. The sand fly bites a dog with Leishmaniasis. It takes approximately one week for the sand fly to become infective. The same sand fly bites a person and transmits the disease. Therefore a person with a dog with Leishmaniasis does not need to take any special precautions, when handling the dog.   

 At the present time, there are no vaccines available against the disease, therefore the only prevention are products to repel sand flies, reducing the number of bites and therefore the risk of transmission, and making use of appropriate fly screens to windows and doors.

 

This newsletter is intended as a guide and to be informative and helpful in the process of searching for and purchasing a property in Spain. Total accuracy cannot be guaranteed and in all legal, fiscal and other matters a fully qualified professional should be consulted. Reproduction of any part of this newsletter is not permitted without written permission.