5 Tips on Building Your Own Modern Villa in Marbella

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Marbella Property

Build Your Own Dream Villa

One of the major issues for those buyers looking at luxury Spanish property for sale in Marbella is that not enough modern houses and villas exist in the modern design that a lot of buyers crave leaving the only real solution to build your own Luxury Villa with some of the pitfalls that entails.

Having built my own house when I came here to Spain in 2002 I am probably better placed than most to give advice. My first piece advice is very simple do what I say and not what I did. That’s the great thing about somebody else’s experiences in that you can choose to learn from them or make the same ones yourself. Whilst the tips I give her are pretty obvious if you can adhere to them, then I think they will stand you in good stead when you come to build your own home.

Tip 1, Get Proof that your Builder and Architect know what they are doing

Make sure that you see proof of previous delivery from the Developer or Builder and Architect. By this have a look at projects they have done in the past and if these were delivered on time. No point getting a builder who hasn’t built something similar to what you want previously because basically he will be learning from your money and project.

Tip 2, The Cheapest Building Quotation can Be The Most Expensive

Once your building project has been approved by the Architects College in Malaga you will then start the process of putting your villa project out to tender and deciding which builder to use based on the plans and costs built into the project by your architect. You need to bear in mind that the so called cheapest quote may not be that at all. You should base your choice of builder on reputation and a proven track record of delivering on time and on budget.

Tip 3, Make Sure Your Tender Has Everything You Want Included

This is very important because the so called upgrade or extras you put onto a house in the middle of building will cost you more as extras than they would have had you budgeted for them at the start of the budget. Put very simply if your tender allows 20 Euros per square meter for tiles and you change your mind on the tiles to ones that are 40 Euros a square meter you will have to pay the difference and some additional charges. So it’s best to have those eventualities covered upfront by making sure your tender is realistic to your needs.

Tip 4, The Most Expensive Quote Might Be The Most Economic.

The reverse of tip 2 but the safest way to build your dream villa in Spain is a bespoke turnkey villa where you have a guaranteed price set at the outset. This way you know your outlay before you start and what you budget for is what you get. Now on the face of it you may do your math’s and say if I find the plot and build the property myself it will be cheaper than going to builder with a guaranteed price. However my house was way over budget and I don’t know of anyone who has gone it alone who has built their house on budget and in reality it ends up being more expensive than if you had built it yourself.

Tip 5, Choose Your Plot Carefully

Just remember your villa will cost the same to build whether it’s inland in a beautiful rural area or whether its frontline beach in Puerto Banus. However the end value is going to differ considerably depending where you build. So it’s very important to make sure you buy a plot in a desirable area. I should have built my villa in Marbella and not Alhaurin El Grande. If I had spent more money on the plot it would have been worth much more. It goes without saying that property for sale in Puerto Banus is going to sell for much more than inland Spain

I hope you have found these tips useful but if you want help and advice with regard to building your own villa for sale rather than buying existing luxury property for sale in Spain then please call me on 664 268 809

property for sale in Spain

Spanish property for sale

Samara Resort Marbella Luxury Marbella Property at it’s Best

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Marbella Property

Samara resort Marbella in Los Monteros Alto certainly has to be up there with the best value in the Marbella property market right now. Fantastic luxury property at fantastic prices

Some of the reasons it represents such great value are:

PRICES

Apartments from – 2 Beds €295.000 , 3 Beds €384,000

Penthouses from – 2 Beds €420.000 – 3 Beds €550.000

Samara Resort Marbella – Costa del Sol – Spain – Location

Samara is a residential resort with a difference, an excellent combination of quality right down to the last detail, a relaxed and healthy lifestyle which is connected to nature and the good life and its location, which offer magnificent views of the sea and Marbella. All these elements make this project special and make it stand out from the rest. It is situated in a peaceful setting and well communicated with the AP7 motorway a few minutes away which allows easy and safe access. It is only 40 minutes from the international airport of Málaga and 60 minutes from Gibraltar airport. In the vicinity there is the La Cañada shopping center, the Costa del Sol main hospital, more than 20 golf courses and the best beach and water sports clubs in Andalucía.

Samara Resort Marbella – Costa del Sol – Spain – The Project

Samara Marbella is simply stunning and stands out for its contemporary design, fantastic facilities and fine detail. Set into the hills of Southern Spain it offers spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the magnificent mountains of Africa and Gibraltar. Venture just 5 minutes from Samara and you’ll be rewarded with long stretches of sun-kissed beach or perfect your golf swing at one of the many courses in the valley below.

All Samara properties are spacious, light and exquisitely finished, providing everything you need for a truly comfortable and luxurious stay. Each property benefits from an open-plan living room which has been carefully designed to maximise the spectacular views while still delivering complete privacy.

The attention to detail in Samara’s properties is clearly evident in the fittings and finishing touches. Kitchen furniture is by leading Italian specialists Snaidero, electrical appliances are all Bosch, and each property has a pre-installed Bang & Olufsen audio system. Bathrooms all have under-floor heating and every room benefits from cold/warm air conditioning. In addition, every apartment comes complete with it’s own secure parking space and storage area.

Truly desirable, all properties further benefit from terraces and/or balconies, from where you can soak up the sun and take-in the views.

Samara Resort Marbella – Costa del Sol – Spain – The Facilities

Samara Resort is a residential promotion of the multinational company Hines, one of

the most internationally renowned real estate groups with presence in 16 countries

and more than 100 offices throughout the world.

• Buildings – 25 blocks, 169 apartments, 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments, duplex and

penthouses of 2 and 3 bedrooms. Only 2 & 3 bedroom apartments are

available and penthouses of 2 and 3 bedrooms.

• Each apartment includes a parking space and storeroom, with direct access

by lift to the floors in the building.

• Security – 24 hours vigilance, closed circuit televisión cameras, video entry

system into the properties, installation of alarm system.

• 3 levels of apartments, lower floor, 1st floor and penthouse, each block has

it’s own underground parking in the same block, with general access.

• High quality common areas: 2 exterior swimming pools, an interior heated

pool, 2 exterior jacuzzis, 2 saunas and 80 m2 gymnasium totally equipped

with the latest technology.

• The garden areas include lawns, flowers, mediterranean bushes and trees all

in keeping with the landscaping which has been created exclusively for

Samara.

• Additional services: golf or tennis membership, sunbeds at the disposal of the

owners of Samara in a Beach club next to the urbanization, membership for

medical assistance, daily shuttle bus service and access to the service office

(please find attached more detailed information).

• The quality – high quality fully fitted kitchens made by Snaidero. The

spotlights are included in the kitchen and bathrooms. Pre-installation of Bang

& Olufsen, hot and cold air conditioning.

Samara Resort Marbella – Costa del Sol – Spain – The Surrounding area

Golf
Restaurants & Bars
Beach
Marbella Lifestyle

So if you are looking for high quality Los Monteros property for sale you should check out Samara resort Marbella

A Brand Called MARBELLA

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Marbella Property

In 1954, Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe converted his family farmhouse into the Marbella Club Hotel. And so, a brand was born.

Prince Alfonso was a visionary who was enchanted by this particular spot of Southern Spain. The Marbella Club grew from just 19 bedrooms, one suite, a dining room and a bar to today’s total of 84 rooms, 34 suites, a spa, Beach Club Buffet, Grill, the MC Café and a golf course. In addition, the area around it received such great demand that it became known as the “Golden Mile” (a part of this having been named Bulevar Principe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe) and Marbella has evolved into a magnet for the exclusive. www.marbellaclub.com

Prince Alfonso’s vision of “Marbella” has withstood time. But it has also withstood the highs and lows of the tabloid coverage. As with any of the world’s top brands, barely a month goes by when the UK press does not report a controversy of some kind – the incidences of boom receive nearly as much attention as those occurrences of bust. Yet the truth is that through it all, an influx of luxury tourism continues to secure Marbella’s position as one of the world’s most desired locations.

Prince Alfonso’s utter enthusiasm for Marbella also aided many successful property deals for his elite associates. And over the years many other entrepreneurs have emulated his real estate prowess with a market of high profile clients. Nick Stuart founded Spanish Hot Properties 4 years ago and his passion for the area abounds. He says “Over recent years, people have started to come to Marbella looking for a country in crisis. Of course, in these economic times there are deals to be made, but as a comparison, you do not go to Mayfair seeking bargain basement properties. Marbella has a history that stems from the days of the Marbella Club. And there are still plenty of people who have an emotional link with the area, born from their own family backgrounds. Marbella has always attracted the rich and famous and so, this creates a self-fulfilling phenomenon. Of course, the climate (a full 4º warmer in winter than any other area of Spain) and the locals help – you could not wish for friendlier neighbours than the Andalucians”.
(Marbella Property)

The Marbella Arch was constructed 18 years ago, though is now the subject of controversy as it has been dismantled due to new road infrastructure.

Marbella’s popularity increased from the 60’s thanks to improvements in the infrastructure with motorways stretching as far as Alicante. In fact, as head of the Costa del Sol Promoters’ co-operative, Prince Alfonso himself lobbied the installation of improvements for the road systems, airports and water supply (also the conference and exhibition centre which spurred the growth of Torremolinos as a mass market holiday destination). Whilst local life did slow in the mid seventies due to the first large-scale recession, it gained rapid pace once again in the 80’s as property demand from Northern Europe outstripped supply. Requirement was further fuelled by an increase in the native Spanish market as the country began its evolution into one of Europe’s most modern. Málaga airport is still undergoing major renovations today and connects to over 60 destinations worldwide with approx 13 million passengers per annum.

Again Marbella demonstrated a brand strength that many top companies attempt to imitate in today’s business. Get the core appeal right, create a buzz and then make sure that the infrastructure works to maintain the demand.

Ian Waudby has worked in Marbella since 1989 and has run the highly successful real estate development company, Crest Homes, for many years. In 2010 he joined forces with Spanish Hot Properties to make the most out of the evolving demands of the area. Throughout his experience Ian has witnessed the cyclical nature of the area first-hand. His company also boasts an impressive list of exclusive properties and a clientele including “A” list celebrities. He says, “The target market is always moving, but it is always there. When I started out in business here you had a strong retirement market, nowadays the younger “bling” market is much stronger.” Ian also adds that he believes that “the end of 2011 to end of 2013 will be the best “harvest” years for the opportunistic investor in Marbella”.

Whilst the savviest marketeers do indeed understand that the most successful products appeal to the heart, not the mind (source: businessweek.com) it is always a mistake to overlook the core science of what the product aims to achieve. Luckily this isn’t something that Marbella has ever had to worry about. The sunny weather is generally constant, the hotels, restaurants and beach clubs are glamorous and the celebrities just keep coming…

Kyra Dawson in her article Brands of Emotion agrees … “If a name can evoke the security sensation of that phrase “satisfaction guaranteed”, then you’ve got a winner.” We think that sums Marbella up quite nicely.

If you would like to learn more about how to create a brand that can withstand the test of time, contact Pudding Creative.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE SOURCE

Why is Costa del Sol still the Number One Spanish Property Destination?

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Marbella Property

Luxury real estate in Marbella

Author:

Nicholas J Stuart

As most of you who know me and read my articles know that we sell property in 4 major areas of Spain but Costa del Sol is our heartbeat but why? This was bought home to me by a fellow agent who was trying to tell me that property for sale in Costa Calida and Murica was a much better long term investment and he did make some compelling arguments.

The thrust of his argument was based around two main factors, the first being the proposed Paramount Pictures Theme Park due to open in 2015 and the second being that Murcia would be the one coastal area that would have less properties than demand thus making holiday rentals and yields much better than any other Costas of Spain. Quite a compelling argument.

However Costa del Sol is the chosen destination by some distance for all International property buyers with more European buyers buying in Costa del Sol than the rest of Spain. The population is expected to continue to grow in the next decade with some experts predicting as much as 50.

There are two major reasons Costa del Sol is the chosen destination for so many the obvious one is that Costa del Sol and Andalucía is without doubt one of the best places in the world to live with stunning scenery, mountains, world championship golf courses which currently has two of the top three golf courses in Europe and of course over 100 miles of stunningly different coastline. Most importantly Costa del Sol is studded with International resorts such as Marbella, Ronda, Mijas, Puerto Banus, and Sotogrande and not to forget the Sierra Nevada skiing resort in Granada.

Secondly is the huge infrastructure that exists in Costa del Sol, especially Marbella for a truly international lifestyle. You have some of the world\’s best international schools. You also have access to some of the world\’s best restaurants and night life and for those who wish a more sedate lifestyle you have all the best sporting facilities in one place that the world has to offer. Where else in the world can you go skiing in the morning and have lunch on the beach in the afternoon, something property for sale in Costa Calida cannot compete with.

But maybe other factors such as 50 years of history and the people of Andalucía may have a much bigger say in all of this. I remember having clients in the height of the market back in 2007 wanting to buy in Costa del Sol but couldn\’t afford to do so but would prefer not to buy at all than be in Costa Calida.

There is one factor that may help the property for sale in Murcia market is price because Costa del Sol will soon be out of the reach of a lot of international property buyers and then those buyers will have a distinct choice to make just like the clients I took out back in 2007. So whilst I admire my friend\’s promotion of Murcia and Costa Calida he has a huge task in converting Costa del Sol lovers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-is-costa-del-sol-still-the-number-one-spanish-property-destination-5123947.html

About the Author

Spanish Hot Properties is the leading luxury real estate company for Spanish property in Murcia and specializes in property for sale in Murcia and property for sale in Costa Calida

Distressed Sales in Spain – Do They Still Exist in July 2011?

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Marbella property

Elviria

Author:

Nicholas J Stuart

Most considered professional opinion is that the best time to buy distressed Sales in Spain was back in 2009 especially in prime location areas. This was when you could buy a 20 million Euro Spanish villa for sale on the beach for 12 million but not today. So do distressed sale still exist as we enter the second half of 2011

Well like any property market the obvious answer is yes but you have to look harder for them and they are much harder to find in prime locations areas but if you can work with agents in the right locations and are in a position to move distressed sales in Spain can still be found.

Like any property recession those people most distressed tend to be at the beginning of the recession and as time goes by some people manage to work their way through the recession some don’t and some have managed to hold on but are very close to the edge. This is the seller you should be aiming at but not surprisingly there aren’t as many of these type of sellers that there used to be.

What I have noticed is that the best deals out there actually are coming from distressed developers rather than individual property owners. This is because the bank is about to foreclose if he doesn’t work with bank to sell the properties at the outstanding debt and the bank is looking to turn bad debt into good debt and lend up to 100of the purchase price. The other attraction to the property buyer is these key ready properties are nearly new and have never been lived in and the overall package of price, quality and mortgage is hard to beat. These distressed sales in Spain are also much easier to find from a buyers perspective as it’s impossible to know which private vendor is distressed and which ones are not. However it’s my view that the best value will be gone by the end of the year.

Another area where good distressed deals can be found are villas in secondary locations where owners are desperate to sell and in these cases it is possible to buy these homes at below replacement value. With these particular transactions its pays to be with an agent who is part of a multi listing system so you don’t miss a trick.

So in conclusion there are still great deals to be had but the very best deals will probably only be around for another six months or so.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/distressed-sales-in-spain-do-they-still-exist-in-july-2011-5029249.html

About the Author

Spanish Hot Properties is the leading Spanish internet real estate agency but is also a leading agent on the ground connecting the virtual world with real world. They specialize distressed sales in Spain,property in Costa del Sol and Marbella but more recently have started to specialize in Costa de la luz Villas, Spain as it used to be

The Marbella Feria – The Worst in Spain?

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Marbella property

Friday was a holiday in Marbella for the Feria week and so getting into the spirit of the occasion I took a trip to the Feria on Friday evening and the reality is I was shocked how scummy and awful it was and certainly the worst Feria I have been to in Spain and not a patch on Sevilla, Malaga and even Fuengirola was a huge improvement.

The thing that surprised me about the Feria is that Marbella is probably the most classiest place in Costa del Sol where you can live a poor or rich lifestyle and everyone has class and style but the Feria itself did not convey that to me at all just a load of people getting drunk listening to loud music and not very many attractions for the kids unlike even Fuengirola Feria.

So if you think the Marbella Feria is really cool and I have missed a trick please let me know by posting your comments on this blog.

1988 Coast Laws

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Marbella property

The Coasts Authority will next look at more recent properties that could be contravening the 1988 coast laws. If they all go to plan they could be returning over 63,000 square meters of coastal land to the public, who truly own it.