The name 'Costa del Sol' stands for Coast of the Sun maybe because the weather is always sunny and because having a Costa del Sol property makes you close to sandy beaches, deep blue skies, and makes you feel that every day is a holiday. Costa del Sol is found within the Malaga in Andalucia and has been the number one choice for the British people and other Europeans either for spending their holidays or searching for the perfect property.
When looking for a Costa del Sol property with peace and quiet in mind, you have to choose the area carefully because there are a number of areas that have been over developed which would mean that the busy and noisy way of life might not suit your need for serenity. Most Costa del Sol areas however have fascinating resorts, temperate climate that is to die for as well as various places that are interesting to check out. No matter what the season, visiting Costa del Sol would be a splendid idea because of the continuously good weather.
Before, Costa del Sol was just a tiny fishing village but during the 1960's tourists became attracted to the place most especially because of good resorts just like Fuengirola and Torremolinos which were just fishing villages in the past. Due to many tourists visiting and going back to Costa del Sol, many areas in the city were exaggeratingly developed making those areas what we call 'concrete jungles'.
The center of Costa del Sol is the city of Malaga home to Costa del Sol's international airport. Malaga in the olden times was not only an important port but was also a place where fish salting was the main activity.
Buying your own Costa del Sol property would also bring you closer not only to resorts such as Torremolinos and Fuengirola but also to famous seaside resorts like Nerja, Benalmadena, and Estepona.
Costa del Sol is also proud of a number of historical cities and towns and a few natural parks that have their share of tourists whether off peak or peak season. Tourists would also enjoy a visit to the city of Granada as well as excursions to the following areas: Seville, Casares, Ronda, Cordoba, Antequera, and many more.
If you are a golf aficionado, your Costa del Sol property would also be close to a lot of golf courses that gave the nickname 'Costa del Golf' to the place. You will be glad to know that there are more than 50 golf courses in Costa del Sol, with the best ones located in Marbella.
If you are in need of a golfing property, you may search for a Costa del Sol property that may be developed for playing golf. The said sport has been a factor in increasing tourism as well as developing Costa del Sol further.
The Costa Del Sol has been at the forefront of Spanish property development for many years, and demand is still as high today as it ever was. Prices for property in the region are high, and luxury town houses in particular continue to be built to satisfy demand for Costa Del Sol property. Exceptional properties sell very quickly particularly as the demand for them is international and not just from the Spanish home market. So to give you a better chance at finding the perfect Costa Del Sol property, here we give you five tips to buying real estate in this stunning part of Spain.
Don't underestimate the risk
Not a negative, but a positive. Costa Del Sol property is not cheap, so going in to the market armed with as much information as possible will give you a better chance at finding a deal. A major transaction such as property purchase can't be done over the phone and Internet, so make as many visits to the region as you can to really get to know the place, the people and to find yourself an agent whom you both like and trust. They will be your representative and guide throughout the process, so that initial contact is vital to ensure that they have your best interests at heart and that you're happy with the service they offer.
What do you want your property to do for you?
Consider if your property is an investment (perhaps something you buy to let), a holiday home or even a permanent residence if you are planning to relocate to Spain. If your home is for financial investment then you will want the maximum return for your initial outlay, so a property that will be desirable to those looking for a holiday location is important. However, if you are permanently relocating you will need a property that ticks your own, personal ?boxes? and is close to your source of work or to major transport links for easy access to central locations. Use will determine both location and the type of property you are looking for, which in turn will determine your price range.
Spanish Law
Spanish property law is very different from UK law, so knowing how to deal with all the paperwork and negotiating your way through the system is going to take expert knowledge. It is essential that you use an independent Spanish solicitor to undertake all searches and conveyancing for you, so look for one who is local to the area and will know of any particular regulations covering property purchasing that may affect you. Personal recommendations are always the best, but if not a search of the Internet will give you a list of names to start with.
Talk to others
The Costa Del Sol has a very large ex-patriot community, so talking to others who have already made the move can be a particularly good way of getting information and advice direct from those who have experienced the process first hand. It also gives you the chance to find out additional information, for example school and medical facilities if you are moving permanently to the region, what unexpected problems people have encountered and how they have overcome them and how to deal with the Spanish authorities when it comes to purchasing property.
Hot Spots
The most popular resorts in the Costa Del Sol are Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Marbella, Mijas and Nerja. These are also very busy tourist resorts, so if you are looking to live within a large, ex-pat community then these areas may be the best spots to consider. However, property prices in these resorts are at a premium as they are highly desirable to buyers from all over the world. If you're prepared to look at areas that are perhaps not as developed as these, you may find Costa Del Sol property prices that are a little more affordable outside these hot spots. Obviously, properties with ocean views command the highest prices, so villas and houses that are a little further inland will also be much more affordable than ocean-front properties in major resorts.
Move quickly
In recent years, many more Spanish customers have started buying property on the Costa Del Sol, so competition for property has become fierce, especially in new developments and property hot spots. If you do find the perfect property you will need to make sure that everything proceeds as quickly as possible to secure the deal, so ensure that deposits are paid on time, paperwork is signed and all deadlines are strictly adhered to. The old ?manyana? or ?do it tomorrow? attitude is a thing of the past in Spain so once again, the services of an expert agent who is fluent in both the language and the system will ensure that the process goes smoothly.
Both Neil Ebsworth & Serge Cowan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.