As the dust settles on the UK’s last minute Brexit deal with the EU, it seems that Brits who have been keeping one eye on the potential of owning property in Spain are already swinging into action. Leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España has begun the new year with a flurry of enquiries from Britons interested in buying homes in Spain. The firm has reported a 30% increase in leads in the first week of January 2021 when compared with the same period in 2020. In addition, website traffic from the UK is up 57% over the same timeframe. And Brits aren’t only looking; just one working day into January, Taylor Wimpey España had already sold its first property of the year – to a British buyer. |
While COVID remains at the forefront of many minds, the beginning of vaccination programmes across the globe means that there is room for cautious optimism for the travel industry as a whole over the course of 2021. As the world’s second most popular international tourism destination (based on World Bank data) this is particularly important for Spain. Yet even without the added complication of COVID-19 thrown in, the UK’s departure from the EU was always going to impact the way that second homeowners use their holiday properties. “We’ve seen buyers changing their expectations about how and when they plan to use their second homes. The events of 2020 have accelerated the pace of those changes – and 2021 will likely do so further – but those shifts in usage had already begun. One key trend, for example, is that buyers are now looking to use their second homes to work from, as well as for leisure purposes.” Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España |
The traditional two-week holiday is a thing of the past. The rise of freelancing and remote working had already opened many people’s eyes to the possibility of extended stays overseas, even before the pandemic. With more people now working remotely than ever, doing so for a couple of months somewhere sunny is much more realistic. Second home owners who may previously have used their home for a week or two here and there can now seriously consider alternating three months in the UK with two or three months in Spain. Second home owner Philippe Codeville, for example, plans to spend four to five months of each year in his apartment at Grand View, at the Costa del Sol’s La Cala Golf Resort. With panoramic views of the golf course and the mountains of Mijas, plus an on-site communal pool and gardens, the sunny homes have proven popular with those looking to reconnect with nature and spend more time in the fresh air. For Philippe, the beauty of the location and the ability to be so close to the sea while still living somewhere calm were key factors behind his decision to buy at Grand View. Along with the chance to hone his golf skills, of course. |
“Immersing yourself into an area for months at a time rather than weeks provides a wholly different experience of it. This is what many second home owners in Spain are now seeking – a greater connection with the country and its culture. Fewer trips mean fewer flights, as well, which is an increasingly important consideration for families seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. All of this is contributing to longer stays.” Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España For longer stays, the amenities available in the local area become more important. Grand View is an easy win in this respect. La Cala Resort delivers three 18-hole golf courses with Club House, Golf Academy and practice range, plus a hydrotherapy centre and spa, tennis courts, a running track, a gym with qualified trainers and a professional football pitch. The charming town of Mijas is just a few minutes’ drive away, while Marbella and Fuengirola meet the needs of even the most demanding of shoppers. Just one key-ready property remains for sale at Grand View, priced at €314,000 plus VAT. For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972. |
