For anyone buying a property on the Costa Blanca, or indeed, if you need to buy a gift for someone, a visit to Casa is a must.

There are three shops on the Costa Blanca, one in Benidorm at the La Marina Shopping Centre, another in Calpe, just behind the garage on the coast road at the top of the hill going towards Alicante, and a third one is in Denia on the dual carriageway, driving into Denia from the N332, on the right hand side.

These shops stock a most marvellous display of articles for the home, including glassware, china, kitchen products, bathroom products, a very attractive selection of garden furniture, also chairs and umbrellas for the beach. Their selection of candles is also very extensive. They also sell a large selection of cushions, blinds, lamps and water features.

Posted in: Costa Blanca Property Services, Property services in Javea, and Property services in Moraira
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The Spanish property market has been experiencing difficult times over the past couple of years and many Estate agents have gone out of business and many more are set to follow. The exchange rates for sterling are at an all time low against the euro and predicted to get worse. Some are saying one for one over the next twelve months. At that time the UK will probably join the euro if it's not already been orchestrated!

The doom and gloom of the British economy is having a negative effect on everything, especially the spanish property market that was once booming. There are still people buying property in Spain but the trend seems to be people leaving the UK and selling up to seek a new life. It's understandable, especially with the recent events with the new PM Gordon Brown and his crew.

Some of the property prices here are reflecting a bad situation and those who need to sell are reducing there prices accordingly. There are a few good deals to be had if you know what you are doing. It's certainly the time to buy and have recently seen an influx of private investors swooping up some of the worthwhile deals to be had. Some are not worth having if it's a fast profit you want!

Finding the right property is a very time consuming task and most people simply do not have the time , let alone the expertise , in finding the best deals and a property worth investing in.

There are areas in Spain that should be avoided mainly due to the mass developments that have been allowed along the coast, many of which continue to cause financial problems for the investors and more recently the short sighted developers who built them!

To shop smart, you really need an expert property finder that is well versed in such a task and can fast track you to the best deals worth seeing.

Here is a general property link

Posted in: Javea news, Moraira news, Moraira Property for Sale, Moraira Villas For Sale, and Property services in Moraira
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Moraira is a beautiful town with no high rise hotels. In the centre of the town there is a most attractive avenue leading to the main beach of Ampolla.

This has a water feature along its length with plane trees overhead which give much needed shade during the summer. A natural pond has also been formed near the beach to encourage wild life and there are gardens and paths with plenty of seats.

At the northern end of Moraira is the beach of El Portet studded with exclusive properties! above which is the Cap d·Or watchtower.

The beach is very safe for children and there are two bars/cafes which serve delightful snacks, salads, fish and you can order a Spanish paella, all can be eaten at the very edge of the beach with spectacular views of the Ifach Rock at Calpe. There is also a restaurant.

In the main part of Moraira there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes. The main beach, Ampolla, dominated by the beautifully preserved tower, is also very safe for children and during the summer season the beach has at least one life guard. The tower houses a museum with interesting aspects of the sea and pirates.

There is a market in Moraira on Fridays with many vegetable stalls, clothes and gift stalls. There is also a market in Teulada on Wednesdays-.

Posted in: Javea news, Moraira Food & Drink, Moraira news, Moraira Property for Sale, and Property services in Moraira
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A trip to the Algar Waterfalls is a very enjoyable day . The area is a famous beauty spot and an easy drive from Moraira, taking the N.332 to Altea, turning off to Callosa d·en Sarria and continue to the Waterfalls which are signposted.

Alternatively you can drive on the AP 7, turning off at the signpost to Callosa d·en Sarria.

During the visit, walk to the riverside and see the various pools and waterfalls. You can walk along the paths which commence by the riverside.

There is also an Environment Musuem (aromatherapy, in vitro fertilization of plants, exhibition of aromatic herbs, essences, etc.) Also visit the Avenue of the Aromatic Plants and the Water Musuem.

There is a First Aid Post, W.C., camping site with W.C. and showers. You can use the barbecue and cut firewood is included. Free parking near the camping area. For any further information telephone the Tourist Information office on 96 588 01 53

Posted in: Javea news, Moraira news, Property services in Moraira, and Walking on the Costa Blanca
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To buy, or not to buy? – that is the question.

Especially when some of the UK media are reporting that property in Spain is overpriced by 30%, that thousands of properties are empty, prices are falling, developers are going bust, and Spanish building company stocks are plummeting. Add to this the really scary stories of developers taking homeowners´ land, demolition of illegal buildings, and town hall corruption, and it´s enough to put you off the idea of owning a home in Spain completely!

Of course we all know that there’s “no smoke without fire” and there are obviously issues for concern, but we also know that the media excel at scaremongering – good news doesn´t make headlines. Perhaps some feedback from this Correspondent in Spain may dispel some of the misconceptions and generalizations.

These tales of doom and gloom apply only to very specific areas of Spain and if you do the research, there are still some very worthwhile investments to be made. Hang on tight to your dreams - Spain still offers all the attractions which drew you to it in the first place, not least the wonderful climate and some beautiful places to live.

Today’s poor exchange rates are obviously concerning prospective buyers relative to what they can buy for their £sterling. When we bought our home in Spain, the exchange rate was in the mid 1.80´s. The pound has gradually weakened over the past 5 years, to around the 1.30´s now. City analysts predict a further decline over the next few months, with the pound settling between 1.20 – 1.30 for some time and unlikely to rise above 1.30 again. Then, who knows, maybe the UK could join the euro?

We have no option other than to get used to it, but the weaker pound has clearly not discouraged us Brits from traveling, shopping and holidaying in the euro zone. Nor has it put us off moving abroad - according to UK government figures, a record 250,000 British nationals emigrated last year, with Spain and France in the top 4 destinations. It simply means you don’t get as much for your money as you might have a few years ago, unless you work hard to find it.

Right now may not really be the best time to sell, but it could certainly be the best time to buy, provided you do your research carefully.

We have been living and working in Spain for many years now and have seen the property boom and then the inevitable tail-off – not dissimilar to what seems to happen in the UK every few years. Being in the resale Spanish property business ourselves, we have to make sense of what is happening now in the Spanish property market to enable us to plan ahead and secure our future. We keep abreast of what´s being reported in the UK, but we have the benefit of first-hand experience and local knowledge to help us keep things in proportion.

When we first began researching where to live in Spain, we made numerous trips to all the Costa’s over a 4-year period, and almost gave up! We witnessed, nearly 10 years ago, the mass of new developments and housing estates being constructed in the sun. It was cheap, and awful. We knew then, and it wasn’t rocket science, that the bubble would one day burst as far as those areas were concerned.

The lack of infrastructure, poor locations and the whole mass housing estate boom was certainly not our Spanish dream and not surprisingly, it has become a terrible nightmare for some of the unsuspecting property purchasers of that time.

I can remember some of the property exhibitions and Reps on stands trying to reel us in with inspection tours and subsidised trips, geared for selling a vast number of properties. It was like lambs to the slaughter and we are glad that we never succumbed to it. That massive scale of new development and over-supply is responsible for much of today´s bad press and falling share prices of the larger construction companies.

We were fortunate that we had the time to thoroughly research our ideas and not get caught up in the whirlwind created by ravernous property conglomerates. Seeing so much development really put us off, and after nearly giving up on our Spanish dream, we found Moraira and Javea on the northern part of the Costa Blanca.

Moraira and Javea were already well established and had many beautiful, individually designed villas, but no high-rise and no housing estates. Developed areas were interspersed with lots of unspoilt pinewoods, vineyards and olive and almond groves. Looking inland, there were beautiful rolling landscapes and mountains, and coming from the Peak District National Park, it felt more like home!

We soon realized, though, that these exclusive and desirable locations had a much higher price tag than what was on offer elsewhere. This did not deter us, we decided to invest in location and compromise a little on the property. We are so glad we did!

The quest we embarked upon for our own “place in the sun” eventually became our business, offering property finding services to others looking for suitable property. We realised that most people don’t really have the time, contacts or expertise to seek out property in the best location and at the best price. They would rather work with us than alone, and we are here with our fingers on the pulse! See some of the testimonials.

We have seen a significant increase in a new breed of client over the past couple of years. People are shopping smarter these days, and 98% of clients are very active on the internet. But they soon realise that all is not as it seems, especially with varying prices for the same property at numerous different agents. It’s no wonder they are cautious and rightly so, it gives a really unprofessional impression of the property market here. This, coupled with the bad press tarnishing Spanish property generally with the same horror stories, it’s no surprise that many people conclude that they can pick up a villa for next to nothing!

Although we have seen a steady decline in property sales in general terms, thankfully Moraira and Javea still continue to retain desirability and consequently, higher property prices.

Most people have holiday homes here to enjoy, whilst knowing they have made a good investment. The expats, who live here permanently, are more than settled. So it would be a mistake to think that people in established and desirable areas like these are going to give their homes or second property away; Most seem far from being desperate.

Yes, it is a buyers´ market, and people wishing to sell their property realise the trends and are prepared to negotiate harder on price subject to the condition, location and more importantly - on their personal circumstances.

We are seeing many properties being withdrawn from sale and people holding back because they know now is not really the best time to sell. Consequently, quality property stock is becoming rare and well-priced quality property still sells first - if you can find it!

A good investor knows the time to buy and a good deal! But beware of waiting for the impossible deal and missing the boat completely. Prices will inevitably rise, whilst you hang on for that fantastic deal in the rain and the cold, whilst taxes are getting higher, crime is on the increase, the cost of living is sky high and getting worse, and immigration continues to escalate at an alarming rate. You could be enjoying the sunshine and laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle today.

It’s a real challenge to find your dream villa, whose owner happens to be desperate to sell, especially when Moraira and Javea are very popular choices for the villa rental market offering significant income for those that seek it.

That said, there are always a number of people going back to their native country, either through ill health, divorce, bereavement etc. But is their property in the location you want and are they prepared to accept your offer? Most of the properties that are not selling usually have good reasons why they don’t.

As far as that suggestion that all Spanish properties are 30% overpriced is concerned, in our experience prices are always negotiable to some degree, especially so on properties requiring a lot of work. But if it’s in the wrong location you’ll be lucky to get your money back. It’s surprising just how many make this mistake, so be careful you don’t end up buying one of them, old or refurbished! I wouldn’t buy some of the properties I see at half the price, let alone a 30% reduction.

And some I would not touch at all, so it is really important you do the research and don’t believe everything you read. You will know a good deal when you see one.

We help all our clients make the right choice and a property truly needs to represent good value in the whole scheme of things. To establish this, we work very closely with all our clients, seeking out really worthwhile properties on their behalf. We utilise all of our skills, contacts, building experience and years of living here, whilst we build up a true picture of what you want, and what is available. All this can be in place ready for your arrival. For further information take a closer look at this link or you can contact us using this link

Posted in: Javea news, Javea property for sale, Moraira news, Moraira Property for Sale, and Property services in Moraira
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A word of advice regarding property inspection trips - Don't do it!

I'm afraid we have been there and worn the T-shirt. We get to hear of some horrible stories as well!

Avoid estate agents, companies or developers offering to subsidize your cost, that's if you don't want to feel under any obligation and remain totally free and independent to do what you please as and when you wish!

It may sound like a good idea, especially when they grab your attention at the various exhibitions, offering free flights etc.

The truth is, there's no such thing as a free lunch and the price you pay is your limitation of what properties you will view. You will also feel obliged to them if they have subsidized your trip.

It is also common to be subjected to sophisticated sales techniques at best or high pressure sales at worst!

You may be offered free flights, free airport pick ups, free accomodation etc, usually out of town and away from the other estate agents you may decide to pop in and see!

Then it's usual to be picked up first thing to view everything you don't want and realising you've missed out on everything you do, only to find you need to come back again.

The best thing to do, is to come out under your own steam and be under no obligation to anyone!

If you don't have much time and need someone to help you put together a worth while property viewing schedule, you really ought to consider a professional independent property finder and advisor.

Posted in: Moraira news, Moraira Property for Sale, and Property services in Moraira
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Moraira Luxury Air Conditioned Town Centre Apartment Sleeps 6

• 50m walk to bars and restaurants

• 500m walk to beach

• Secure underground parking, however car not essential

• Access via lift or stairs; disabled access

• Large swimming pool and sun terrace

• 3 double bedrooms

• 2 bathrooms

• Spacious lounge /diner

• Fully equipped kitchen including dishwasher and washer dryer

Prices

Low season: £300 per week Mid season: £550 per week Peak season: £700 per week

Please Enquire mail@spanish-property-sales.net

Telephone: 0034 96 649 2515

Mid week bookings welcome. Saturday changeover during peak season.

Deals for property hunters!

Posted in: Property services in Moraira
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Successful property letting

• What makes a property easy to let?

• Who will take care of everything for me?

• How many weeks can I be sure to let, and how much profit will I make?

• What are all the costs and local taxes going to be?

Location is the single most important thing holiday-makers look for when booking a holiday. Everybody has different requirements (some want to party all night, some want peace and quiet), so it is important to promote accurately what the location has to offer in terms of amenities, entertainment and natural beauty.

The second most important consideration is the type of accommodation. Private villas with own pool are a popular choice, but so are apartments in the middle of town, especially if they have a pool as well, like this large 3 bed apartment in Moraira does!

Some properties provide excellent earning potential and attract many repeat bookings; yet some properties are simply not commercially viable and these need to be avoided - whether you are letting or not - as this will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on the future saleability and the eventual return on your investment.

As property finding experts, we will be able to find the ideal property investment for you. So, "what makes a good property investment"?

Once you have bought, turning it into a lucrative property letting business is another hurdle and needs to be carefully thought through. It’s easy to get it wrong and ideally, you need advice from people with experience. You need to think about the running costs in addition to your Mortgage re-payments or, if you are a cash buyer, the amount of interest you could get on your capital elsewhere.

If you require further advice contact us on this website.

Posted in: Property services in Moraira
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The purchase of a new villa or apartment in Moraira or Javea will require ongoing services. We provide a comprehensive range of after-sales services appropriate to your particular needs.

We have a wealth of established reputable contacts for property sevices in Moraira, covering every aspect of property management and maintenance.

Here are just some of the essential services we provide on a regular basis:

Villa letting, changeovers, pool maintenance, key holding, gardening, landscaping, irrigation, plumbing, electrical work, architects, building projects, bathrooms, kitchens, air conditioning, feature fireplaces, log burning stoves, cheap log suppliers, painting and decorating, double glazing, interior design, furniture suppliers, security gates, window grills and alarm systems.

There are many offering such services but knowing whom are reliable is another hurdle! We can help steer towards the ones that have earnt a good reputation.

Posted in: Property services in Moraira
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