Staff Reporter
THE sun is still shining on the bright pueblo blancos of the Guadalhorce valley.
From expansive fincas in the hills to pastel-coloured townhouses in the villages, the property market is reaping the rewards for offering a sought-after quality; a life in the real Spain.
“It is incredibly busy right now,” says David Laver, owner of Ideal Country, who has been selling ‘lifestyles’ in the valley for the past 10 years.
“People are buying a new life,” he says, “They want a serious change and are attracted by the fact that all the great bars and restaurants stay open after the summer season.
“It is an all year-round community with great schools and healthcare, so it is always going to be attractive.”
And the prices help too.
“Your money goes a lot further up here than down on the coast,” says Jo Wood, co-director of Grapevine Properties.
“You can probably get a detached property with a private pool for the same amount as an apartment on the coast, which is only a 20 minute drive away.”
Demand is so high in the valley that Jo admits she is scrambling to find more properties for her clients.
“We have made a lot of sales this summer so we are looking for both big houses in the hills and the smaller town houses in the villages, but we never fail to find a house for our clients.”
And it’s not a strictly British affair, with many of the companies’ clients coming from elsewhere in Europe.
“We have a strong English base but right now we are seeing an increase in Dutch clients,” says Jo, who has been selling in the valley for ten years
“But we have so many different nationalities, Italian, German, Scandinavian, everyone in Europe appreciates what is on offer here, beautiful greenery, outstanding views, its very own Lake District and a priceless traditional Spanish neighbourhood.”
Even Brexit was unable to put a chink in the armour of this property magnet.
“It has not made a single difference in the market,” claims David.
“Most people want to move to the valley long-term and so to them it is not about making money or having a holiday home for two weeks in the year, and that’s how you are guaranteed a friendly and inclusive community.”
And property veteran Richard Woodland agrees.
“It has definitely bounced back from Brexit,” says Richard, 50, who has owned Coin-based Property Overseas for the past eight years.
“Things have recovered niceley and have picked up from a more uncertain summer, but you will always have the interest here because of the value for money and accessibility to the coast.”
