The Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organizations has announced that it expects the Spanish economy to grow by 2% in 2015, with job creation increasing as the country gets back on its feet. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy shares this optimism, citing 2015 as the year that his country’s economy will “take off.” Even the IMF is joining in the positivity, with Spain one of only two countries to have its forecast revised upward in the latest report, with another prediction that the economy will expand by 2% this year.
The Spanish property market is also looking up, with BBVA Bank reporting,
“2015 may mark the beginning of a moderate recovery in residential developments. The improvement in housing sales continues. The latest housing sales figures demonstrate the improvement throughout 2014: sales leapt at a rate of 20.7 per cent.”
So who was buying in Spain in 2014 and who will do so as 2015 unfolds?
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, shares his insights based on the company’s annual performance figures,
“A total of 32 nationalities bought properties from us during 2014, demonstrating Spain’s global appeal. Our average selling price was up and we noticed a rise in the number of buyers from the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Luxemburg, France and Spain itself.
“Looking forward, I believe that Belgian and Dutch, and also Swiss buyers, will be particularly influential in the Spanish property market during 2015. In fact, the Taylor Wimpey España website has just been launched in French and plans are in place to launch a Dutch language version later this year.”
Official statistics from Spain support the company’s findings, recording French purchasers making up 10.48% of the market. During the same period, German buyers accounted for 6.45% of sales and Belgians 6.19%, while Brits led the pack at 18.06%.
Spanish property’s excellent value for money and the strongest £ to € exchange rate in 7 years are the key drivers behind this mixture of nationalities looking to pick up homes here, as Marc Pritchard explains,
“There are some incredible bargains on the market at the moment, particularly in popular areas like the Costa Blanca. In Alicante, for example, the delightful La Recoleta III development has two bedroom apartments available from just €142,000, which is excellent value, particularly given the site is just a few metres from the beach.”
The properties at La Recoleta III are due for completion in November 2015, but for those who want their Spanish home sooner, the Costa Blanca’s Brisas de Alenda Golf at Elche offers key-ready, three bedroom townhouses for the fantastic price of €145,000. The development comes complete with private gardens and communal swimming pool, as well as enjoying access to the stunning golf course. The properties themselves have been designed with light and space in mind and enjoy terraces that make the most of the views of the spectacular Sierra de las Aguilas mountains and the serene golf course.
With such bargain prices available, it is clear that Spain deserved its 2014 entry into the number ten spot of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s study of the countries where property is cheapest. Its appeal to overseas buyers is expected to continue during 2015 and well beyond, as the Iberian country’s charms continue to work their magic on buyers from across the globe.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.
