http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/how-to-buy-property-in-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/how-to-buy-property-in-spain.html Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600 Miles of white sandy beaches, lively resorts, and a thriving expatriate community - Costa Blanca is a fantastic proposition for foreigners buying properties in Spain.

The Costa Blanca, or the White Coast, takes its name from the magnificent beaches that edge its 200km Mediterranean coastline. The region is part of the province of Alicante and this, along with Benidorm, is its principal town. The area is well-loved by holidaymakers and home to many of the expats who come to Spain every year seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle and year-round sun. If you’re looking to buy property in Spain, the Costa Blanca is a fantastic choice and expert Spanish Estate Agents can help you find the right one for you.

There’s something for everyone here. Costa Blanca is not only a heaven for holidaymakers seeking sun, sea and quality beaches, it’s a haven for wildlife too. The region has an impressive eleven natural parks, ranging from spectacular mountainous terrain to unspoilt coastal wetlands to marine reserves. In short, the Costa Blanca is a nature lover’s paradise.

For shopping, nightlife and amenities the coastal towns of Alicante and Benidorm offer everything you could need, while Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is just an hour and a half’s drive north of Alicante. Elsewhere in the region, between the beautiful beaches, jutting headlands and intimate rocky coves, you’ll find lively smaller towns and sleepy fishing villages.

The thriving Costa Blanca real estate market means your property choices are excellent too - from new resort developments to luxury villas, townhouses to traditional fincas. Here are just a few popular and lesser-known locations for Costa Blanca property buyers to consider.

Costa Blanca Locations

Alicante
Cosmopolitan Alicante is one of the leading Mediterranean cities and offers an enviable choice of lifestyles to its residents. You’ll find designer boutiques, stylish restaurants and great bars, as well as a young and trendy vibe, thanks to the town’s university. Water sports are popular and well-served, while the old town offers numerous cultural delights.

Benidorm
Costa Blanca’s other main town was originally a fishing village and retains much of its traditional charm. Today, it enjoys year-round popularity as a leading holiday resort, with a thriving expat community drawn by its famously crescent-shaped beaches and excellent shopping and nightlife.

Benissa
Benissa has much to offer the Spanish property buyer, not least its established expat community. The area is surrounded by fabulous beaches, dramatic mountains and verdant countryside, while the town has many notable historic sites, including handsome 17th and 18th century townhouses and pretty narrow streets.

Finestrat
A town with a unique character, Finestrat is said to represent both sea and mountain and has dual economies too. Agriculture and tourism work side-by-side here, which helps to retain the town’s the traditional Mediterranean feel, while offering excellent facilities for visitors and expats alike.

Denia
If you’re looking for a modern, coastal town, with sandy beaches and a wealth of things to do, Denia is ideal. Enclosed by ancient city walls, the historic centre boasts a castle and a 17th century shipyard, while the thriving port area, with its yacht club and brightly painted restaurants, is a great place to hang out - or catch a ferry to the neighbouring Balearics.

Moraira
Michelin-starred restaurants, a superb marina, and excellent Blue Flag beaches may explain why Moraira has come to be known as a millionaires’ playground. The harbourside bars ooze Mediterranean charm, while a unique micro-climate ensures cool breezes in summer and average winter temperatures of a balmy 64ºF.

Pego
With its pretty church square and houses that have been built into the original town walls, Pego has retained much of its medieval heritage. Nightlife is centred around the square, with restaurants and bars serving excellent seafood and tapas, including paellas made with rice picked from local paddy fields.

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VIVA Estates is the number one property agent in southern Spain. Not only do they list more properties and see more customers every day than any other agent, but their sales commissions are the lowest in Spain. VIVA agents pride themselves on experience, professionalism and a friendly approach and have helped thousands of people to find their perfect property since opening their doors in 1998. Today, they have offices in 17 locations throughout the region and one in the UK.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/where-to-buy-property-in-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/where-to-buy-property-in-spain.html Thu, 28 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600 The Costa del Sol has everything that appeals about buying property in Spain in abundance, from its truly stunning coastline to its trusty climate.

Asked to imagine Spain, most of us will conjure images of sun-drenched sandy beaches and bustling resorts that give way inland to rugged mountains scattered with charming, traditional villages. This is the Spain thousands of foreign buyers seek every year. And you’ll find it all in the Costa del Sol. ‘The sunshine coast’ is one of the country’s most enduring property hotspots, and with a little help from experienced Spanish estate agents, you could have your own treasured piece of it.

The Costa del Sol, which stretches 300km along the Mediterranean coast, from Malaga in the east to Sotogrande in the west, remains hugely popular with holidaymakers and emigrants alike. And its extremely reliable climate is one of the main appeals. True to its name, the region enjoys year-round sunshine, cooled by gentle ocean breezes, and only the rarest spot of rain. But it’s the area’s physical diversity that makes it truly special. From imposing mountains to orchard-filled valleys to idyllic white sandy beaches, this is Spain at its glorious best.

Buy a home in Costa del Sol and you’ll find all the amenities you need and desire too. There’s something for all tastes and budgets, from exclusive yacht harbours and golf courses to excellent shopping facilities, along with the kind of lively, sociable nightlife the Spanish are famous for. You don't have to go far to discover traditional Spain either; throughout the region are tranquil towns and villages that have hardly changed for centuries.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury apartment in a smart new development or a cosy family villa in the countryside, the choice of Costa del Sol real estate is pretty extensive - as is the range of locations and lifestyles on offer. Towns and resorts in the Málaga province range from ancient Moorish capitals to buzzing holiday hotspots. Here are just a few popular and lesser-known locations for Costa del Sol property buyers to consider.

Costa del Sol locations

Alhaurin el Grande
Just 22km from Malaga airport, on the north side of Mijas Sierra, you’ll find this friendly, unspoilt mountain town. Steep streets are lined with traditional Spanish homes, while the lower part of the town is more modern. Highlights include pretty squares, excellent value shoe shops and the impressive blue and white church of San Sebastian, framed by stunning views of the peaks and Guadalhorce Valley.

Cordoba
Once capital of the Moorish empire Al-Andalus, Cordoba is one of the most atmospheric towns in Andalusia. The old quarter still thrives, with its ancient palaces, mansions and tranquil squares, while the undoubted highlight is the magnificent Mezquita mosque, at one time the largest in Islam.

Granada
Another Moorish masterpiece and home to the famous Alhambra Palace, Granada is a truly romantic city. The North African cuisine is outstanding here, with many excellent restaurants and Moroccan tea rooms, while nearby you’ll find the Sierra Nevada ski resort and the coast just 130km away.

Marbella
Now unrivaled as the glamour capital of the Spanish coast, Marbella was once a humble fishing village. Celebrities come from all over the world to holiday here and enjoy the miles of clean, golden beaches and fantastic bars and clubs. The old town is charming, with its traditional Andalusian narrow streets and pretty promenade, all overlooked by the stunning La Concha mountain.

Nerja
Famed for both its international arts festival and impressive caves, Nerja is a picturesque, traditional Andalusian town at the foot of the Axarquía mountains. Its highlights include a lovely old town centre and numerous sandy coves that offer excellent, secluded bathing. The picture postcard village of Frigiliana is close by too.

Sevilla
Andalusia’s capital is alive with culture and nightlife and boasts some of the most impressive monuments in Spain. A maze of alleys, cobbled streets and pretty squares are the legacy of this great city’s Moorish past. It’s the place to witness passionate flamenco dancing, as well as the spectacular festival of Semana Santa.

Torremolinos
It’s no surprise that Torremolinos remains one of Spain’s top holiday destinations. The resort offers some of the best nightlife and entertainment on the coast, as well as palm-lined boulevards, attractive pedestrianised areas and an elegant sea-front promenade. While La Carihuela district still retains much of its fishing village character.

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VIVA Estates is the number one property agent in southern Spain. Not only do they list more properties and see more customers every day than any other agent, but their sales commissions are the lowest in Spain. VIVA agents pride themselves on experience, professionalism and a friendly approach and have helped thousands of people to find their perfect property since opening their doors in 1998. Today, they have offices in 17 locations throughout the region and one in the UK.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>