Welcome Magazine

SPAIN welcome to

Take your first steps towards a better way of life. Let us make it happen for you step by step with a personal property consultant to guide you at every stage.

THE WELCOME DIFFERENCE

makes us different?

personal touch.

COSTA BLANCA CLIMATE

300 days of glorious sunshine per year!

A WELCOME SUCCESS STORY

A Q&A with some cherished clients.

AREA GUIDE

Get to know the Costas with this highlight guide.

GOLF COURSE LIVING AND TOP 10

A dive into the world of golf...so popular here in Spain.

RETIREMENT

In-depth look at retirement options on the Costas.

relocating for a better life... start here.

SELF-BUILD

One of a kind, bespoke house design and build.

FAMILY DAYS OUT

Just a few highlights from the area.

TOP BEACHES!

8 of our top, "blue flag clean" beaches.

AREAS OF NATURAL BEAUTY

Spain is not only beaches! Explore nature.

A GUIDE TO BUYING

Our famous "buying guide" covers the details.

SPANISH LIFE

The life that awaits you here in Spain. Come and join us.

HELLO

For most people, buying a property abroad is not just buying a building, it is the beginning of a new life and yes, that comes with challenges. I know, I have done it myself with a husband, 3 children and our family dog Teddy.

After a career as a Haematology Specialist nurse in the UK, I made the move to live in Spain full time. Going through the struggles of moving abroad, I had so many questions and new situations but nobody to help. This is what I am committed to changing for our clients. I loved helping people as a nurse and wanted to bring this part of me to Welcome Estates. The handpicked team at Welcome have all been through the same process. They have moved to a new country, bought a new property, and set up a new life in the sunshine. Together, we have developed a portfolio of properties in some great areas for you to explore.

After getting past the initial hurdles, I can 100% say this was the best decision we made as a family. In your case, you will have the Welcome team there to support you every step of the way.

DIFFERENCEThe Welcome Estates

Ready to meet you in our offices on La Finca Golf Resort Spain.

At Welcome Estates, we don’t just try to sell you the first Spanish property that comes along, we want to help you create your new life on the Costa Blanca with a home and area you’ll love for years to come. That’s why we’ll assign you a personal property consultant to find the perfect new home for you.

Our team are based in Spain, living and working in the Costa Blanca, so we know from personal experience what each town and development is like in real-time as well as all of the cultural differences that make the area unique. We’ve all also been through the same process as you are planning to do and have made the move to Spain ourselves. Being able to put ourselves in your shoes from our own experiences of moving to Spain is an essential tool we use every day to help our clients make the move.

Your property consultant will take the time to learn what exactly you are looking for from your Costa Blanca property. Whether you are looking for a solid new build investment that will hold its value, a family holiday home near the beach or a laid-back town to retire to, we’ll scour the market to find your dream property and guide you through the Spanish property buying process from start to finish. We understand that finding your dream home is a journey that has to start somewhere. Building a continuous, trusted relationship is a key part of finding out what is in your head so we can pull the perfect property from a list of contenders.

For many people looking to buy a property in Spain, they just have a general idea of the areas they would like to look at based on the main holiday resorts. However, our friendly team will help you discover some hidden gems and brilliant communities based on the type of property and community you are looking for. Just like the UK, areas

and prices are dependent on postcodes, so we help you clear through the muddle to find the perfect property and price for you. We have built up an extensive number of contracts with builders and other agents up and down to Costa Blanca to enable us to open doors, rather than shut down the number of properties you have access to.

Due to our base on La Finca Resort, we also have instant access to a range of luxury properties and an inside ear to life in the resort areas so are happy to help with any questions you may have along the way. We take the time to get to know you and your preferences and use our specialist knowledge to find a villa or apartment you’ll still love in several years’ time. Our team has been through the move from the UK to the Costa Blanca before so know exactly how it feels and look forward to finding the perfect property for you. We don’t just want to sell you a property. We want to work with you to create your Spanish dream.

300 days of sunshine per year!

COSTA BLANCA CLIMATE

One of the main attractions for those thinking of buying a home on the Costa Blanca is the climate and it is easy to see why. With over 300 days of sunshine every year and far less rainfall than the UK, Brits have been flocking to the region for years!

The year-round mild climate of the Costa Blanca, particu larly in the Costa Blanca South makes it ideal for those look ing to retire in Spain as well as those looking for the perfect spot to buy a holiday home for the family. The beautiful climate has even led to it being named one of the healthiest in the world according to the World Health Organisation. Those with breathing disorders such as asthma and skin con ditions such as eczema have seen vast improvements here.

Average daily temperatures in the region range from around 12°C in January to around 28°C and up during the summer months with the sea breeze forming a perfect temperature. Sea water tem perature also sits at a nice temperature during the sum mer, particularly during July and August.

The majority of the areas rainfall occurs quite predict ably between September and March however this usually re mains below twelve inches per year. Even in January, there are usually around six hours of sunshine a day with around eleven hours of sun a day across the Alicante area in July making it the perfect destina tion for both holiday makers and those looking to move to beautiful Spain.

Escape from the wet and windy weather of the UK to the sunny Mediterranean climate!

A WELCOME SUCCESS STORY

Why choose us?

A Q&A with some cherished clients that went through the entire experience!

Our main aim has always been to find a dream home for our clients, not just to tick a box. We take the time to under stand exactly what people are looking for to find properties that match their needs and guide our customers through the process from start to fin ish.

We’ve been through the move ourselves so understand the worries, confusion and chal lenges of finding a new home in Spain so when Dan and his wife Emma met our team at A Place in the Sun London, we knew just how to help. Here is a quick Q & A with Dan who found his dream Spanish home with Welcome Estates.

Why did you choose Welcome Estates in particular?

When looking for a new home in Spain 6 months ago we had a list of a few agents we were planning to check out but happened to meet Welcome Estates at A Place in the Sun Live and instantly connected.

With other companies we had talked to, we felt like we were using up a time slot and could

tell they wanted to move on after a few minutes. When talk ing to Lisa and the team, there was no point where we felt she wanted to move on and they took the time to talk to us properly, even coming back with some questions of their own to help. Having experi enced the move themselves, they really seemed to under stand the stresses of buying in a new country and ticked every box for us as agents.

special

What areas did you search in?

With family in the UK, we knew that we wanted to buy some where that was close to the airport with La Finca being the furthest distance we wanted to travel. As we will be moving with two children, one just finishing school and one just starting secondary school, it was important for us to work with someone who understood that process on a personal level.

Who helped you find your new home?

As well as talking to Lisa about our initial ideas, Launa was our dedicated property consultant there on the ground to help show us around the properties we had shortlisted. We viewed hundreds of properties online before narrowing down the list to around 15 before being shown around 11 properties by Launa during a four-day trip to Spain. Welcome Estates couldn’t do enough before, during and after the trip and even sorted accommodation for us, they were incredible.

Did you feel under pressure?

We fell in love with our new home during our visit to view properties without feeling pressured at any point towards or away from any of the homes we viewed. The network of support Lisa and her team have beyond just the property listing is fantastic, they even

helped connect us with a legal team to take care of the official house moving business.

Are you glad you chose Welcome Estates to help?

I would give Welcome Es tates five stars for everything. Unlike with other agents, we never felt like we were on the receiving end of a sales pitch and they have kept in touch the entire time, even after we

decided on a property. We’re even planning a trip out to visit in October and will be visiting the office to see them! They really understood the emo tions we were feeling about the move and never rushed us, always making us feel like they were standing shoulder to shoulder with us to help in any way they could. The level of personal knowledge they had was unbeatable and they really made the experience special.

they really made the experience“

AREA GUIDE - INTRODUCTION

Spain is divided into 50 provinces. Similar to counties in the UK, each province enjoys its own distinct personality and culture.

There is no mystery as to why Spain is an incredibly popular location for Brits looking to move abroad. Particularly in the southern coastal regions, Spain enjoys plenty of sunshine with a Mediterranean climate and over 300 days of sun each year and a climate voted one of the healthiest in the world.

With a thriving expat culture, Brits living in Spain enjoy

the benefits of plenty of international schools, family attractions, amenities and more, all paired with the sunny backdrop of Spain’s beautiful natural vistas. From the bustling centres of Barcelona and Madrid to the sun-soaked beach scene of the Costa Blanca, Spanish life is colourful and welcoming to those wanting to make the move to Spain.

At Welcome Estates, we focus on two of Spain’s 50 provinces in particular, Murcia and Alicante. By living and working in the area ourselves, we are

able to hand-pick the very best properties for our clients and advise on every area of Costa Blanca life as well as help you with the process of moving to Alicante or the North of Murcia. These fantastic provinces offer a perfect combination of fantastic amenities, beautiful beaches and popular developments with something for everyone.

In the following guide, we’ll ‘zoom in’ on the two provinces of Alicante and Murcia and discover some of our favourite towns and cities within them.

THE KEY TO FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE PROPERTY. WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT PROPERTY IN THE RIGHT AREA... SO LET’S EXPLORE BOTH!

THE

AREA GUIDE - PROVINCES

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROVINCES OF ALICANTE AND MURCIA WHERE OUR PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED.

Offering endless days of sunshine every year, and a relaxed way of life, the Costa Blanca is the perfect setting for those wanting to buy a home in Spain. Brits not only flock to the region to take holidays they also come here to experience life in Spain as permanent residents.

The provinces of Murcia and Alicante are both popular among sun-seekers and are home to long stretches of beach and thriving communities. Both are home to thriving developments offering everything from luxury apartments to family villas close to the beaches, of which plenty have been awarded Blue Flag status.

Alicante province is known for its bustling seaside resorts as well as the plentiful; beaches along its coast. The capital city Alicante is home to a medieval castle whilst further north, Benidorm is known for its nightlife. As well as these larger areas within the province, Alicante is also home to a number of smaller resorts and towns offering a taste of the laid-back Spanish lifestyle. As well as being a fantastic area for both families and those looking to retire, Alicante is also renowned for its fantastic golf. The area is paralleled only by the Costa del Sol in the number of its outstnading golf courses and it is home to a number of topclass golfing resorts.

In addition to listing a number of properties in the Alicante province, Welcome Estates also provide help and advice on buying property in north Murcia. Home to olive groves, vineyards, mountains and medieval castles, Murcia is also a popular destination for sun-seekers and those looking to own their own little slice of Spanish life. The capital city, Murcia, is a lively university town whilst the province’s 250km of beaches also house a number of urbanisations including some fantastic traditional Spanish towns.

Now let’s take a look at just some of the areas we cover in more detail...

BENIJOFAR

Made famous by the British TV show, Sun, Sea and Selling houses, Benijofar is a quaint Spanish town with plenty to offer those living there.

The town is centred around the Plaza Constitucion, and is home to a wide variety of bars and restaurants with a colourful street market held each week and concerts held year-round in the Casa de Cultura. The area enjoys a laid-back Spanish feel whilst being close to everything you could need. Just a short

walk brings you to Benimar, which has a more international feel and has many bars and restaurants to cater for any taste whilst neighbouring Ciudad Quesada is around a 20-minute walk if you seek brighter lights.

Benijofar is perfect for those who enjoy walking and exploring natural sights as there are many river trails along the banks of the Segura river. The beautiful Guardamar & El Moncayo beaches are also a 10-15 minute drive and other

nearby towns of Formentera and Rojales also offer their own array of attractions and amenities.

Benijofar is the ideal setting for anyone who wants an ultramodern new villa and their own space within walking distance of all amenities. There are plenty of opportunities to purchase new build villas in the area at fantastic value, as over the last five years the area has bloomed due to its proximity to amenities, airports and coast.

garden

CAMPOAMOR

Campoamor is a brilliant location for those who want to appreciate an element of real Spanish culture. The stunning scenery, green woodland of the natural park of Sierra Escalona and the pine forest of Dehesa de Campoamor make for a popular area with plenty of outdoor pursuits available.

The area is known as the shore of poetry due to its links to the poet Ramon de Campoamor who was inspired

by the beautiful scenery and still attracts plenty of visitors and residents today.

The area boasts a beautiful marina where there are many watersports to choose from as well as plenty of beach bars and restaurants. The beautiful blue flag beach Playa Dehesa is just 5 minutes walk away and is still a relatively undiscovered stretch of sand whilst the area also benefits from other popular "Blue flag" clean beaches.

The closest golf to Campoamor is at Real Club de Campoamor, a fantastic 18-hole championship golf course. Advanced booking is required for visitors, plus proof of handicap is necessary to play.

There is also a popular riding school in Campoamor and the area is very sought after by those seeking an area to permanently reside on the Costa Blanca sitting around one hour from Alicante Airport.

CIUDAD QUESADA

Ciudad Quesada is an unusual town as it didn’t really exist until the early 1970s when a Spanish entrepreneur called Justo Quesada Samper decided to start his own town. The urbanisation grew quickly with its ideal location near the salt lakes promising health benefits just 5 km from the beautiful white sandy beaches of Guardamar del Segura. The area itself provides some amazing views, with the countryside surrounding Ciudad Quesada including orange groves and the salt lakes of La Mata. Further out there's lovely

views out over the mountains. Ciudad Quesada is home to luxury new developments boasting sea views and fantastic modern architecture that offers something for everyone. New property projects are currently available for both villas and apartments making Ciudad Quesada ideal for anyone who wants a modern apartment or villa in a great holiday area.

The area of Ciudad Quesada includes El Recorral Natural Park which is great for walking, enjoying the wildlife and having barbeques. The aqua park is

also great fun, value for money and well worth a visit. Ciudad Quesada has its very own golf course called La Marquesa, which is situated in a valley between mountains making for some great views.

Ciudad Quesada is a popular location with an International feel where many people live all year round. With plenty of shops, bars and restaurants, the area gives plenty of choices for a great night out within walking distance of your property. The area also enjoys good transport links with Alicante Airport just 40 minutes by car.

EXAMPLE CIUDAD QUESADA PROPERTIES

unique bespoke

m2 plots with the very latest in design and quality. The three models of villa can be personalised to the very last detail and come in two sizes. Underbuild garage landscaped garden & pool.

FONT

LLOP

Situated just 25 minutes directly west of Alicante City, Font de Llop is a stunning, developing golf resort that benefits from being just 20 minutes away from Alicante Airport by car.

The golf course opened in 2010 and was designed and built into a natural valley. This made a beautiful natural vista for the properties being built alongside the course. Fantastic views are often part of the deal at Font de Llop as the properties are built on either side of the natural valley, giving many spectacular ‘front line’ golf views.

This setting is perfect for the golf lover who doesn’t need to be in the heart of the action and values their own privacy with a taste for the finer things in life. However, the course is also ideal for those whose main interest is not golf as Font de Llop boasts incredible amenities in a picturesque setting.

There are some amazing new build opportunities at present as the course develops into one of the finest in the region. Properties range from stunning golf view apartments to private secluded villas which still offer

tremendous value for money as buying now as the area matures could prove to be a shrewd investment.

On site facilities include a clubhouse and restaurant “Terraza” perfect for the fine dining experience whilst the closest beaches would be either Alicante or Arenales del sol, both within a 25-minute drive.

single story villa

an open plan living area with balcony doors allowing light to flood the property and a view of the private pool. All set within the privileged area of the beautiful golf course.

optional penthouse

golf

garden

over 2 levels this luxury

offers an internal build of 210m2 and sits on a plot of 760m2. The plot comes with completely landscaped gardens, private swimming pool, private garage and fully fitted

GUARDAMAR

Guardamar del Segura is situated on the mouth of the river Segura, north of Torrevieja and south of Alicante on the southern Costa Blanca. The area is ideal for beach lovers who appreciate the more traditional Spanish vibe. In the summer, Guardamar also offers a lovely night market and funfair to keep you and the family entertained during the long warm nights.

Guardamar’s beaches are twelve kilometres of fine, wide golden sand with sand dunes surrounded by pine, palm and eucalyptus trees. Sun beds are

available at all the beaches and are cleaned on a daily basis. At Playa Centro and at Playa Roqueta you’ll find water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, underwater diving, canoeing, and jet skiing. The Marina de las Dunas at the mouth of the river offers these as well as almost 500 moorings.

Whilst Guardamar del Segura attracts holiday makers such as families with children, nature lovers and golfers, it is not yet as heavily commercialised as other tourist resorts on the Costa Blanca and therefore retains much of its typically

Spanish charm. Guardamar frequently hosts local festivals such as Moros i Cristians, L’Encantà, and Fogueres de Sant Joan, which commemorate its Iberian, Arab, and Christian history. Tradition is a big part of the Spanish way of life and the whole town comes together to celebrate these events.

Guardamar currently has an array of new build opportunities for those looking for a new holiday home including apartments, townhouses and villas. With Alicante Airport just 35 minutes by car, Guardamar is also perfectly positioned.

complex that offers 12 apartments with several optional layouts. Located in the heart of Guardamar surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops

just a short walk to the Blue Flag Beaches of Guardamar del Seguro.

a ground,

top floor apartment.

of natural material and

modern

standard

come

Beautiful new villas situated only 800m from the sea.

unique villas offer open plan living with natural light provided by the glass patio doors. Swimming pool, lights package and White goods are included in the price.

AREA

LA FINCA (ALGORFA)

The small town of Algorfa has traditionally been dedicated to agriculture, mainly for the cultivation of artichokes and citrus fruits. It is home to a lovely town square with bars and restaurants with the wonderful beaches of Guardamar and Torrevieja surprisingly close. The area is also home to the amazing 5-star golf resort La Finca golf.

La Finca golf course is an 18-hole 72 par golf course offering an excellent but fair test of golf for players of all abilities. While it boasts fairly generous fairways

lined by olive trees, you’ll also negotiate well-placed bunkers, water and elevation changes. Opened in 2002, the resort has continued growing ever since with a great location in a valley between mountains. The views stretch out over orange and lemon groves and a wellmaintained golf course with the most idyllic surroundings.

There is a commercial centre within walking distance where you can find all your necessities such as bars, restaurants, a hairdresser, a clothes shop and a grocery store. Within a

5-minute drive, you’ll be in the vibrant town centre of Ciudad Quesada and within 20 minutes you’ll find yourself in the centre of Torrevieja with Alicante Airport just 35 minutes by car.

As Welcome Estates are based on La Finca, we have the largest range of resale properties available as well as plenty of new build opportunities. The area is perfect for golf lovers who appreciate a relaxed, laidback pace whilst also offering more to enjoy for those with other interests.

Located on the well known and highly respected La Finca Golf Resort close to Algorfa. These villas are built all on one level and sit on a plot of 310m2. These villas are close to all local amenities and of course the 5 star golf course.

Residential complex in

spectacular

Finca Golf Resort. This gated community is one of the newest in the area and comes equipped with a community swimming pool

by landscaped

Each villa is built over one level and has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathroom, a large open plan living/kitchen area and a spacious rooftop solarium and a private swimming pool. Not to mention the stunning views over La Finca Golf Resort.

ZENIA

One of the most popular areas in Orihuela Costa is La Zenia. This is home to the renowned Zenia Boulevard, an impressive outdoor shopping & commercial centre which is one of the largest in Spain and offers something for everyone including a packed events calendar and an outdoor funfair. La Zenia itself boasts plenty of amenities for families and individuals alike and is close to other larger towns with even more attractions. If you are looking for beach-side activities,

the area has some amazing Blue Flag beaches including the beautiful Cala Bosque & Cala Cerrada. The surrounding countryside is also well known for its orange and lemon groves, and you’ll find two lakes nearby where flamingos nest.

La Zenia is a small but busy beach resort and stays lively year-round. Within easy reach is the Orihuela Costa Resort Complex with its leisure facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis, squash,

a well-equipped gym, bowling and a bar and restaurant. There are also plenty of other bars and restaurants in the area to enjoy and the area has a large, welcoming expat community. Nearby, the golf courses of Villamartin, Campoamor and Las Ramblas are more than equipped to keep golf fans occupied. The area offers plenty of options for both families and those looking to retire in the area with a range of properties available.

PROPERTIES

setting

to three golf courses, surrounded by commercial services and a stones throw from the beaches

La Zenia. With extras

This villa is a one of a kind, totally customizable villa in which you are the designer.

standard this villa

offer 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms but the layout, size, orientation and design

all up to

AREA GUIDE / ALICANTE

LOS ALCAZARES

Los Alcazares is a Murcian spa town, located on the shores of the Mar Menor and boasting seven kilometres of coastline. The area enjoys an array of supermarkets, coastal bars and restaurants and a commercial centre closer to the town centre. A water sport fan's paradise, as there is very little movement and hardly any waves with several diving, sailing and canoe training schools with all local beaches connected by a continuous promenade. The beaches here are fully equipped with showers, fountains, and disabled access

with Playa de los Nerejos, Playa del Espejo and Playa la Hita, all being very popular.

Thermal baths, which have existed since Roman times still exist in Los Alcazares today. Visitors with rheumatic, arthritic and skin problems often benefit as there is an area of the beach where you find a natural mud bath, which supposedly gives therapeutic results. Also in the area is the Mar Menor, a gigantic salt-water lagoon of over 120km sq. As a lagoon, the sea temperature is 5 degrees above the Mediterranean making it

a great spot. The mineral-rich water is also well known for its health-giving properties and is listed by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest places on earth.

Whilst Los Alcazares is not considered as developed as its neighbour, Orihuela Costa, the new build properties situated here are considered extremely good value for money. The area is perfect for anyone who wants to be on the beach and has a keen eye for a bargain or property to invest in.

This

a luxury complex of

of living with

more

just a beautiful view they

private

come with

community pool, landscaped gardens

townhouses with private pools, a terrace with a summer kitchen, covered garage and a solarium. The property has been designed on two levels with a contemporary style and open plan concept.

PRICES

PILAR DE LA HORADADA

Pilar de la Horadada is one of the most southerly towns of the Orihuela Coast on the Costa Blanca and is ideal for anyone who wants to be within walking distance of the beach. Pilar de la Horadada and its neighbours Torre de la Horadada and Pinar de Campoverde are home to a bustling international community. With a rich history, the town has been the site of many battles because of its location at the historical frontier between two kingdoms: the Kingdom of Murcia (Castilla) and the Kingdom of Valencia. Pilar de la Horadada was a

town with dry farms and few houses known as Campo de la Horadada but experienced a tourism breakthrough with its independence from the Orihuela municipal district in 1986.

Pilar de Horadada enjoys a wonderful stretch of blue flag beach with fine sand and clear waters covering four kilometres. The beach of Mil Palmeras Playa is popular with sailing and water sport enthusiasts, this beach links the Rincon and Puerto inlets and has a fantastic promenade with shops, boutiques, restaurants

and bars. During the summer months, the promenade comes alive with tourists. Las Villas Playa is the longest beach with a smaller beach at La Mojon. This whole area is also a golfers’ paradise with three top-notch courses just a short ten-minute drive away. The area of Pilar de la Horadada is currently seeing a huge amount of investment with many opportunities to purchase new properties currently available. Its close proximity to the airport, approximately 50 minutes by car, makes it ideal as a holiday home location.

modern Townhouses with spacious terraces and private solariums. The complex has large common areas with landscaped garden and a swimming pool. Situated only 950m from the beach. An

location.

This villa offers open plan living with floods of natural light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. Sitting on a huge plot of land of 300m2 which has beautifully landscaped gardens, a private swimming and a solarium.

Homes with large private terraces, parking space for each and communal swimming pool. Designed around Thai aesthetics this complex offers a relaxing combination of natural materials and extensive decoration throughout.

AREA GUIDE / ALICANTE

PUNTA PRIMA

The most northerly resort of the Orihuela Costa, Punto Prima is a large, mixed beach-side urbanisation of apartments, townhouses and villas. Positioned just 5 kilometres to the south of Torrevieja the resort is home to fantastic amenities including a go-kart track and commercial centre whilst being perfectly placed to enjoy the wider Costa Blanca area.

This peaceful, residential area is within 30 minutes of Murcia

and Alicante airports and close to a wide range of familyfriendly activities including the water parks and shopping of Torrevieja and some of the area’s top golf courses.

Those looking for fantastic beaches to enjoy will find the local beaches have earned an impressive sixty-seven European Blue Flags and vary from secluded sandy dunes with magnificent pine wood picnic areas to long flat sandy beaches extending many kilometres.

The popular Cala Ferris is the perfect rocky cove fringed with palm trees for those looking for a quiet spot to relax. There are also numerous restaurants catering for all tastes in this popular resort and you can find a bustling market near Punta Prima every day of the week along the coast and inland.

There are plenty of property options in this popular area, whatever property type you are looking for and the area is perfect for beach-lovers.

The sea views

Bedrooms

3

size of 150m2, Plots from 176 up to 259m2. Modern kitchen, pre-installed ducted air-conditioned and a private pool

all included in

dreams with these incredible apartments situated frontline.

open plan living with glass fronted terraces allow for uninterrupted sea views. A community swimming pool and gardens

included.

SANTA POLA

The area of Santa Pola offers many options for holiday makers and shrewd property investors encompassing the resorts of Gran Alacant and Arenales del Sol. This area has a number of new property projects to choose from at present making Santa Pola perfect for beach lovers with an eye on investment and a popular area for rentals due to its proximity to the airport.

You’ll find Santa Pola, a beautiful traditional Spanish seaside town just 6 kilometres to the south of Gran Alacant. The area is home to Blue Flag beaches with a lovely promenade and

day trips to Tabarca Island which is a diverse aquamarine island. Santa Pola is also a great fishing port and boasts a number of fish and seafood restaurants.

In the Santa Pola area, Carabassi Beach is a popular wide, golden, Blue Flag beach. Near the lighthouse, there is paragliding with scuba just offshore at Tabarca and windsurfing and kite surfing on Carabassi and Santa Pola beaches. There is also biking and hiking along the Sierra de Santa Pola and Clot de Galvany with sailing, fishing and rowing in the marina.

Just 10 minutes away from Alicante Airport, Gran Alacant is a popular resort where many Spanish people have bought second homes and many come to the resort on the weekends to enjoy a break at the seaside. It is also a popular expat resort owing to its superb location and beaches making it ideal for those who love being outside and active. Los Arenales del Sol has a lovely seaside promenade lined with bars and cafes within walking distance of Gran Alacant. In the summer, a number of chiringuitos or beach bars pop up on the beach creating a summer atmosphere.

EXAMPLE SANTA POLA PROPERTIES

Newly released development of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments only a few minutes from the blue flag beaches of El Carabassi. Internally these apartments are built to the highest standard and finished with modern design.

PRICES FROM

These stunning, modern apartments feature amazing sea views. There are ground floor apartments with a garden or a top floor apartment with a solarium available. Located only a few minutes to the local bars and restaurants.

PRICES

This beautiful development in Santa Pola has stunning views of the mountains and Carabassi Beach. Entering the villa into a modern open plan living space with patio doors leading to the ground floor terrace.

PRICES FROM

/ ALICANTE

TORREVIEJA

The coastline of Torrevieja is extensive, with a total of 14 km of beautiful seafront where you can find a multitude of urban beaches, coves and secluded spots. Any visitor to Torrevieja is bound to visit the harbour area with its numerous restaurants, tapas bars and shops whilst the fish restaurants are a must as the fish is fresh in from local fishing boats.

Torrevieja is surrounded by the salt lakes of the Salinas de la Mata and the Salinas de Torrevieja. Connected with each other, the salt mines form

a Nature Reserve and reach the sea through La Mata. Salt mining in this region goes back to the beginning of Christianity, though it reached its peak during the 19th century. Nowadays, Torrevieja's salt is exported across the world and the annual production exceeds a million tons. The salt lakes are protected and form a natural habitat for numerous protected species of birds such as the Flamingo and Montagu’s harrier.

Torrevieja is a big, bustling city full of life and entertainment, with the bowling alley, cinema,

two water parks, shopping centres and lots of parades and processions going on throughout the year there is always something to do.

Due to its proximity to the coast, the majority of properties built are apartments for city and beach living making it ideal for beachgoers who want all the trappings of a vibrant town. The rental market here is also strong for investors with Alicante Airport just 50 minutes by car.

Modern Detached

a prime slot, just a short walk from the beach of Torrevieja with separate terraces, rooftop solarium and a private pool

Located

a few minutes’

the stunning Playa de los Locos beach! This complex has a shared rooftop solarium with a large community swimming pool which offers stunning views over Torrevieja

the beach.

This complex is being built in a quiet area on the outskirts of Torrevieja. These apartments offer an open plan living area, 2 bedrooms with built in wardrobes and a large balcony with views over the community pool and garden.

AREA GUIDE / ALICANTE

VILLAMARTIN

Villamartin is a fast-growing tourist destination and a very popular location for British expats with many of the people living in Villamartin being foreign residents. Built around three championship golf courses, Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Villamartin benefits from easy access to a range of local amenities. In the summer months, visitors enjoy the bars, restaurants, close by Blue Flag beaches, golf courses and of course the sunny climate of the region. Sitting just 45 minutes away from Alicante airport, Villamartin is perfectly placed for investors and golf-lovers.

Because there are so many beaches along this coast you’ll easily find uncrowded white sandy beaches to stretch out on. Just a stone’s throw from Villamartin are la Zenia, Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca and Campoamor, all holding the European Blue Flag award.

The Villamartin plaza is a chessboard-patterned square surrounded by shops, bars, cafes, banks and restaurants. During the day, it is a great place to enjoy a refreshing drink in the Spanish sunshine. In the evening, you can eat out under a starry sky and enjoy the

entertainment and live music. La Fuente commercial centre to the south of Villamartin is also worth a mention with a big assortment of lovely bars and restaurants and all amenities handy.

Zenia Boulevard, Alicante province's biggest outdoor shopping centre with more than 150 shops also sits just 3 km from Villamartin plaza. With plenty of housing options available in the area.

Villamartin is an ideal place to invest in a holiday home or second property.

EXAMPLE VILLAMARTIN PROPERTIES

quiet

underground parking space, air conditioning

white goods

the

beautiful gold courses, shopping areas and several beaches.

shared green

a sunny central pool. Each home offers

spacious terrace designed

enjoy the Mediterranean

year long. The

open plan

At 106m2 this villa offers ample space to create a perfect family home. This villa offers a sleek and modern design with a huge number of extras such as: private pool, solarium and electric blinds and white goods.

AREA

VISTABELLA

Vistabella Golf is Resort an increasingly popular residential area set in a prime position next to Vistabella Golf Course just 15 minutes by car to the coastline of neighbouring Orihuela Costa.

The modern resort area houses its own commercial complex boasting an array of bars, restaurants and shops making it an ideal home away from home for golf fans and non-golfers alike. Designed by Manuel Pinero, the popular golf course incorporates many of the

challenges Pinero faced when he was a professional making it an ideal course for all abilities. In addition to the amenities of the resort, the nearby towns of Los Montesinos and San Miguel de Salinas are just a 5-minute drive away with plenty of local amenities available.

The residential area itself has a very modern feel and there are a number of new build opportunities on Vistabella ranging from luxury apartments to fantastic detached villas

with private pools, gardens and more available. Large communal areas including a pool, garden and leisure areas such as paddle tennis courts and an English bowling alley make life in Vistabella Golf Resort a pleasure.

Properties on Vistabella Golf Resort are in high demand among those seeking high value for money in their housing purchase with a superior finish to every build.

villa boasts open plan living, large landscaped garden creating a huge entertainment space that flows from the inside out. There

also an option to include a private pool for an

Apartments located close to the Vistabella Golf Course. These modern apartments have a large communal swimming pool surrounded by landscaped gardens. Ground floor homes with a garden or a top floor with a solarium.

GOLF COURSE LIVING

Suitable for non golfers?

Luxurious golf courses in Costa Blanca South like the 5-star La Finca Golf and Spa Resort or Vistabella Golf are made for the perfect golfing experience, but what is it like owning a property and living on a golf course if you don’t play golf?

Golf courses are often set in areas of phenomenal natural beauty and Costa Blanca South has some of the most attractive locations for golf course properties. The small town of Algorfa is home to La Finca Golf Resort and lies on the banks of the River Segura amidst breathtaking mountain scenery and panoramic views of the coast. A short drive away from La Finca is the sister courses of Villamartin and Las Ramblas. Villamartin is conveniently located near two exciting water parks and a variety of other water-based activities in Torrevieja while properties in Las Ramblas benefit from spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and proximity to small shopping areas and diverse eateries.

Owning a property on a golf course means you’ll have an array of high-end non-golfrelated amenities on your doorstep and in the surrounding areas. With golf being a year round sport, having a property on a golf course means the excellent amenities are always available. Unlike other holiday resorts, golf resorts don’t close down during the winter. So living on a golf course doesn’t feel deserted outside of the summer months. Golf resorts like La Finca offer 5-star facilities including restaurants, a beauty spa, a gym and a swimming pool while properties on the Vistabella Golf Course have

supermarkets, schools and medical services nearby. The prominent local areas around golf course properties are usually brimming with premium facilities and a range of activities to suit a variety of tastes. In addition to the stunning beaches in the local vicinity, varied outdoor activities are plentiful.

From watersports and wine tasting in Torrevieja to relaxed shopping trips in La Zenia, golf course properties on the Costa Blanca place you in prestigious areas with a superb choice of activities. An interesting selection of scenic mountain bike routes makes cycling around the local areas unforgettable. If you prefer leisurely walks, strolling around the vicinity of your golf property will always be a pleasure but if you’re feeling more adventurous, you won't be short of options for organised mountain treks.

When you live on a golf course, you can still experience the many local festivals that fill the social calendar around Costa Blanca South. The local fiestas in areas like Algorfa are an example of the rich culture that is abundant in Spain. The amazing climate along with the annual calendar of festive events around Costa Blanca South make living on a golf course an exciting option all year round.

Golf course properties are in high demand and make amazing investments since they provide great rental revenue. Their increasing desirability is mostly due to their prime location which increases the property's value. To find out more about our golf course properties, contact our property agents.

COSTA BLANCA GOLF GUIDE Your own pro course!

JUST A SELECTION!

An area known for its lush beaches and incredible resorts, Costa Blanca is also known as one of the best places to go for a good round of golf. From the incredible course at La Finca to the fantastic Vistabella Golf of Torrevieja, there is something for every golf fan. If your dream is to live close to the region’s unparalleled courses, we have a number of properties, including at the renowned La Finca Resort and Las Colinas resort ready and waiting. We’ve listed some top golf courses in the area, all easily accessible from the main tourist and expat areas and pairing a brilliant golfing experience with plenty of other amenities to enjoy.

Considered by many to be the best golf course in Spain, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is in a league of its own when it comes to high-class living and golfing. Its sprawl ing landscape offers an unbeatable game designed by American landscape architect Cabell B. Robinson which has won countless awards and features in the top 100 golf courses in the world. The club provides brilliant dining, a paddle and tennis academy, scenic trail, infinity pool and more with discerning golfers and expats making their home in the stylish properties there.

Part of the spectacular La Finca Resort. Designed by the inimitable Spanish designer Pepe Gancedo and has been home to a number of prestigious tournaments since opening. With incred ible views, one-of-a-kind greens and more, This is one of the best golf courses in Spain. The course has recent ly received the GEO Certi fied® certificate for good environmental practices and offers a wealth of premium pastimes for holidaymak ers and those living on the resort. Fine dining, a paddle and tennis academy, scenic trail, infinity pool and more.

Within the La Finca family and close to La Finca Golf Resort is the popular Vil lamartin, a former European Tour venue with a fantastic clubhouse and challenging course that will keep you on your toes. Nearby, you’ll also find Las Ramblas Golf. This is a course that demands accuracy with tight fairways and an array of obstacles that ensure an eventful game that is renowned in the area. Dining, a paddle and tennis academy, scenic trail, infinity pool and more with discern ing golfers and expats mak ing their home in the stylish villas and apartments there.

LA

LAS

VILLAMARTIN

VISTABELLA

Positioned in the lovely Torrevieja, Vistabella Golf boasts one of the area’s top golf courses, designed by Manuel Piñero. The course offers a brilliant golfing experience for both ama teurs and pro golfers with a fantastic 18-hole course along with a selection of luxury apartments and villas that are ideal for golfers and non-golfers alike. Dining, a paddle and tennis academy, scenic trail, infinity pool and more with discern ing golfers and expats mak ing their home in the stylish villas and apartments there.

FONT DE LLOP ALICANTE

Along Alicante’s Mediterra nean coastline you’ll also find Font del Llop Golf Resort, renowned for its 18-hole golf course that blends seamless ly with the surrounding land scape and provides a fan tastic game for all abilities. Designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martin, the resort is also home to 25km of free terrain perfect for hiking and mountain biking, dining, a paddle and tennis academy, scenic trail, infinity pool and more with discerning golf ers and expats making their home in the stylish villas and apartments there.

Finally, featuring thousands of replanted trees, Alicante Golf provides an environ mentally conscious golf ex perience designed by Sever iano Ballesteros. This par 72 course ensures no two holes are the same with five large lakes and plenty of greenery alongside everything you need for a game of golf in Alicante.

BONUS

Other popular golf courses include Melia Villaitana Golf Club, home to two 18-hole golf courses and the popular Alenda golf course which covers 49 hectares of land!

RETIRING IN SPAIN

Buying property and retiring in Spain is still as popular as it's always been for countless reasons. One thing that invites most retirees to settle down there is the flawless weather. Southern Costa Blanca has warm dry summers and very mild winters with average temperatures ranging between a comfortable 14 and 20 degrees Celcius. The unique microclimate of the region averages 300 days of sunshine and offers numerous health and well-being benefits. The amazing weather is particularly beneficial for those suffering from respiratory problems,

arthritis and rheumatism and could provide some respite from symptoms aggravated by cold, damp weather.

Aside from the weather, the pace of life in Spain makes retiring on the Costa Blanca South even more desirable. The laid-back, relaxed Mediterranean way of living is easy to slip into when you are surrounded by breathtaking scenery and locals with an easy-going attitude to life. Whether your idea of retirement is geared towards relaxation or keeping active, this region has the best of both worlds.

Buying a retirement property in Spain has never been easier. Our team of dedicated property consultants make it their objective to find you the ideal property, saving you the stress of searching. Our in-depth knowledge of the best areas of Southern Costa Blanca for retirement has helped us to help countless retirees find a home in Spain. Properties in the area are also on average more affordable than houses in the UK and with easy access to UK pensions in Spain, you can enjoy a stress-free retirement.

Here are some of our top recommended places to retire on the Costa Blanca South.

Campoamor

Located in the Orihuela Costa district of Orihuela, this traditional village is a popular retirement area for locals and expats with around 20% of the community being British.

Guardamar del Segura

With its pine forests, orchards and national parks, this beautiful area is ideal for active retirees. Guardamar del Segura is also home to 8 stunning beaches and 11km of coastline.

Pilar de la Horadada

Even though this area has a thriving international expatriate community, it still manages to escape a commercialised feel. With 4km of blue flag beaches and proximity to 3 golf courses, Pilar de la Horadada is ideal for a relaxing retirement.

Torrevieja

This retirement location is favoured by both locals and international expats and this is probably down to the wide variety of activities in the area which offer opportunities for either an active retirement or a relaxing lifestyle.

Aside from the weather, the pace of life in Spain makes retiring on the Costa Blanca South even more desirable

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SCHOOLING A world class education

The Southern Costa Blanca is a fantastic region to move to as a family. The region is home to a number of expat com munities and plenty of ways to help your family settle in. Part of moving to the Costa Blanca as a family is finding a good school for your children. Spain’s state school system is free for all and well-regarded in the international commu nity. If you are planning on having your children attend a state Spanish school, there are plenty in every locality in the region and doing this is a good way to immerse your children in Spanish life from the start, particularly if they know a bit of Spanish or are of a pre-school age.

However, many families mov ing to Costa Blanca choose to enroll their children in one of the area’s international schools. Luckily the area is home to a number of interna tional schools with exceptional teaching standards that avoid any gap in knowledge when transferring from schools in the UK. These schools will usually encourage a bilingual mind-set so although they will teach in English there will be plenty of opportunities for your child to develop their Spanish language skills. In ad dition to this, Alicante in gen eral enjoys much lower school fees than larger Spanish cities which adds to the appeal of the area.

King’s College of Alicante

Known across the region, the King’s College of Alicante is a British school for those aged between two and eighteen years old. It is located on the outskirts of Alicante with good public transport links and British qualified teaching staff and is a modern, pur pose-built building offering English National Curriculum.

El Limonar International

Is also a celebrated British school with bases in Villa martin and Murcia for chil dren aged between three and eighteen. The school provides dual curriculums paired with a focus on multilingualism with around 80% of the school day taught in English.

Lope de Vega International

Another great choice in Beni dorm. This school also pro vides a fun and educational summer school and several international programmes.

The international school in Altea (AIS)

Another British school with a holistic and creative educa tion model. Very popular.

Elian’s British school in La Nucía

This sought after internation al school caters to early years, primary, secondary and sixth form students.

Others

Other international schools in the region include schools such as the Norwegian school in Alfaz del Pí and the Liceo Francés in El Campello with plenty of options to fit every nationality moving to Spain.

SELF BUILD Have your own ideas?

The demand for new build villas in Spain has never been greater. For anyone still look ing to buy, this has raised some challenges. However, if you are looking for a dream villa in Costa Blanca, a be spoke new build could be your ideal fit without having to wait longer than an average on-plan new build.

Welcome Estates work with a number of boutique develop ers to help clients achieve the dream of their new build villa at an affordable price. If you like the idea of approaching your home purchase in a more bespoke manner and stan dard just isn’t good enough, Design and Build could be for the perfect thing for you.

With Design & Build, you’ll have the control to design your new Spanish property exactly the way you want it with the help of an experi enced architect. You’ll be able to choose everything from the number of bedrooms you would like to whether you would like the standard 7m x 3.5m swimming pool or would like to upgrade your space. Building your new home this way gives you greater flex ibility with a secure payment method and A-rated energy efficiency as standard.

OWN PERFECT DESIGN

Designing your own new build property could even be most cost-effective than a standard new build purchase. You’ll be able to choose your own plot which you will then own with all available plots being over 400sqm to ensure you have the space you need, all within an average current build time of just 15 months.

DAYS OUT

What to do on the Costas

FAMILY DAYS OUT

South Costa Blanca is bursting with great family activities. From small children to teens and adults, we’ve pulled together a list of attractions that are perfect for kids big and small.

Family Sports: For golfing fun just outside of Los Montesi nos, Greenlands Golf Club 18hole adventure golf attraction is the place to go. Go Karts Cuidad Quesada meanwhile is a massive go-karting cen tre featuring three different courses for toddlers, juniors and adults with a choice of double or single karts. There are even trampolines and a bouncy castle park that are great for younger children. Combining a modern bowling alley with a huge arcade, bar and restaurant, Ozone Bowl ing offers plenty to enjoy in doors with rides and a bouncy castle to enjoy outside.

Adventure & Water Parks: The Nickelodeon adventure in Murcia is packed with ev erything from a Bikini Bottom boating school to a 4D cin ema with fun-filled zones for all your favourite Nickelode on characters. Alternatively,

let your kids go wild for the day in an adventure park designed just for them. Hakkuna Matata features a sprawling play area including a climb ing jungle, football court, trampolines and a café. They even hold creative workshops including painting, plasti cine and music. For waterbased fun, Aqualandia offers a wide variety of adventures on the outskirts of Benidorm with three tiers of attractions range from children’s rides to extreme rides to suit every one in the family.

Theme Parks: The sprawling Terramatica Park sits on the outskirts of Benidorm and is home to some fantastic, hairraising rides and roller coast ers. Whether your teens want to ride a spinning disk flying through the air or you are looking for gentler rides for younger children, you’ll find something for everyone. For a slightly smaller family theme park, Polapark offers plenty

The Costa Blanca offers plenty of fun activities for all ages

of rides to keep younger chil dren occupied and a range of rides suitable for all age groups.

Cultural Family Trips: Com bining a zoo and water park, Terra Natura Murcia is a pop ular day out where you can spend half of the day explor ing the zoo with its animal feedings and thrilling sea lion shows before cooling off in the water park with rides suitable for both adults and children of all ages. For an im mersive cultural experience, explore the sights and sounds of Plaza de Santa Maria, an open pedestrian street hous ing Art museums, the capti vating Santa Maria basilica, restaurants and remains of the largest Islamic mosque in the whole of Alicante.

Many varied family-friendly Natural Sights: The large park of Parque Reina Sofia in Guar damar has plenty to explore from tortoises and peacocks to the small resident fun-fair. Alternatively, discover the se rene nature of Parque De Las Naciones located in the heart of Torrevieja. The swing park is great for families whilst you can also take a boat ride on the lake, watch the animals and wander the lovely walk ing trail.

WHITE SANDS blue flag certified

Spanish Dream

TOP COSTA BEACHES!

A home near the beach is the Spanish dream for many ex pats, so here are some of the most spectacular beaches near our property locations in Costa Blanca South.

Los Alcazares

With 7km of fine sandy beaches linked together by a paved promenade, Los Al cazares is a favourite among walkers, joggers and cyclists. The shaded seating areas on the seafront along with easy access facilities are perfect for all the family while shal low shorelines and safe bath ing areas provide accessibil ity for disabled bathers.

Playa Flamenca

Just 4 kilometres south of Torrevieja, you’ll find the small beach resort of Playa Flamenca. Here you’ll find La Estaca beach which achieved blue flag status in 1992 and is known for its watersports ac tivities, restaurants and tapas serving bars on the beach called “Chiringuitos”.

La Mata

Playa de la Mata is vast with its golden sands stretching 30 metres wide and 2,500 metres long. This immaculate blue flag beach promises fun in the sun all day long with its volleyball courts, football pitch, kids' play area and 14 beach bars.

La Zenia

The small but busy beach resort of La Zenia is a mix of international and Spanish cultures. You’ll find lots of bars, shops, and restaurants including cafes serving tradi tional all-day English break fasts. Facilities are good here due to the vast amount of people who live here throughout the year.

Guardamar Beach

This extremely popular destination is known for its endless golden sand beaches and a choice of local ameni ties. Guardamar Beach is a favourite spot with expats thanks to the abundance of quality property in the area.

La Marina

This attractive 11km long beach is blessed with golden dunes and has Blue Flag status. Playa de la Marina has a good range of ameni ties and because it's a largesized beach, it maintains an uncrowded feel, even in the height of peak season.

Torrevieja

With 20km of coastline, Tor revieja is home to many white sandy beaches that are easily accessible and offer a vari ety of amenities. One of the most popular beaches in the area is Playa del Cura. Palm trees surround the newly renovated seafront of this beautiful beach and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and plen tiful souvenir shops.

Campoamor

Situated on the beautiful Orihuela Costa, Campoamor is home to three Blue Flag standard beaches, Cala de Campoamor, Playa Diez Picos and Playa de la Glea. Cala de Campoamor is ideally located near some of the finest res taurants and bars in the area. Playa Diez Picos is great for families with small children with its playgrounds and sloping beaches and Playa de la Glea is Orihuela Costa’s largest beach and is internationally recognised as one of the best beaches around.

AREAS OF NATURAL BEAUTY Enjoying Spain's

Costa Blanca South is a haven for those who love exploring the great outdoors. With a dramatic backdrop of moun tains and fronted by the ocean, there are plenty of natural sights to explore, whatever your hobby.

Those looking at the Torrevieja area will find a number of cy cling routes to enjoy. These in clude routes that circle around intriguing salt lakes, captivat ing nature parks and mountain views. Families with children will also find plenty of bikes for hire to ride along the coast and plenty of ice cream stops on the way. No trip to Torrevie ja should be complete without a visit to Laguna Rosa, the pink lagoon. This salt lake holds its unique colour as a result of its ecosystem of micro-algae and halobacterium that release a red pigment and is also home to flamingos. The wider park of La Mata Natural Park includes a number of paths and hiking trails with a range of diverse wildlife to discover.

Those looking for a particu larly unusual trip into nature should head to Elche palm tree forest which is world famous for its sheer volume of palm trees numbering over 11,00 in one area. Rumour has it that around 300 years ago there would have been up to 200,000 trees in this spot with the area listed as a World Heritage Site. If kayaking is more your thing, why not take a paddle out to Grandella beach in Javea home to two

marine caves and crystal-clear waters. The diver’s paradise of Tabarca Island sits as the first marine reserve in Spain with dolphins and sea turtles regu larly being spotted in the area. The Fuentes del Algar is also a hidden gem full of waterfalls and springs.

Those looking for mountain views can head to one of the trails of Sierra de Callosa de Segura mountain for jaw-drop ping sights across the area. If

heights aren’t your thing, head to the caves of Canelobre for caves that look like a Gothic cathedral and concerts are held. Palmeral de Orihuela and Santa Pola Natural Park also offer plenty of natural sights with a range of bird species to spot from the bird towers. With a number of areas des ignated Areas of Outstand ing Natural Beauty, the Costa Blanca offers plenty of ways to explore the great outdoorsand in perfect weather!

A GUIDE TO BUYING Welcome Estates - with you all the way

Welcome Estates brings more than 25 years of experience in the Spanish property market with a team of experts offering an unparalleled level of knowledge of the Costa Blanca re gion and the current market. Our multilingual team are at your disposal for any translation needs and are always on hand to support you in the buying or selling process.

Welcome Estates is built on a simple ethos, helping you to build a better life. We recog nise that all clients have their own unique list of wants and we take the time to sit down with you and help establish how to make them a reality together. From our office at the beautiful La Finca Golf and Spa Resort, we offer a range of new and resale proper ties on the best golf resorts, coastal areas, town and village properties. Whatever your goals, we are able to help you achieve them.

What you can expect from us

Throughout the property buying process, we promise transparency and honesty and our extensive after-sales service ensures that you can always call on us to help guide you in the right direction long after you find your new home with Welcome Estates. We under stand that buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions you ever have to make during your lifetime, and we are here to make sure that it is as stress-free as possible. One aspect our clients frequently compliment us on is our level of communication throughout the process of buying their dream home.

There’s nothing worse than being passed from pillar to post, that’s why when you en quire with Welcome Estates, you’ll be allo cated your own property advice expert to assist with your property search. We find this helps with the consistency and continu ity of searches and constantly produces better outcomes for our clients. Your dedicated property advisor will help you find the right home for you and be your point of contact throughout the buying process until we hand you your new keys.

What you might want to consider in your property search

At Welcome Estates, we try and take the guesswork out of your property search and will be there every step of your buying jour ney. Before you get started, there are some main things to consider such as whether you would like a new or traditional style home, whether you would like an apartment, townhouse or villa and who will be using the property such as other family members. In terms of the property, you may need to de cide things such as how many bedrooms and bathrooms you require, whether you want a private or communal pool and whether you want a view of the mountains or sea. If you have any mobility issues, your dedicat ed property consultant will be able to help narrow down your property searches to the most suitable properties.

In terms of areas, do you know which area you would like to live in? Is distance to the air port important to you? What about distance to the coast? Would you like to live near to the beach or is walking distance to the clos est amenities more important for you?

You may also need to decide on a rough time line of when you would like to purchase and move into your new property. This is because a longer time line may mean homes you are looking at now are likely to not be available when you are ready to buy. In this instance we would work with you and provide exam ples of what is achievable within your criteria and keep you updated, we’ll then undertake a more property specific search nearer the time you are ready to buy.

Budgeting for your new home

One of the most important things to con sider when buying a home is of course bud get. There are many things that may affect how the buying process runs such as whether you are a cash buyer or some financing is re quired to buy your home. With any property transaction there are various costs that have to be factored in to the total price, such as the Valencia region’s state tax of 10% of the purchase price and new build stamp duty of 1.5% of the purchase price. Costs such as lawyer & notary fees, NIE application fees, land registry fees, the switching of utilities into your name and associated mortgage costs will also be applicable.

A good rule of thumb when taking into ac count all of the above would be to assume additional costs of around 13-14% of the pur chase price for a resale property and 15-16% for a new build property. For example, a new build purchased for €200,000 will have addi tional costs in the region of €30,000.

What next?

So you’ve made an offer and it's been ac cepted, Congratulations! What now?

In the case of a new build, you will now pay a reservation deposit to either the listing agent or builder. This figure will vary de pending on the purchase price but typically will vary anywhere from €6,000 to €15,000. Once this deposit is paid, the property is of ficially taken off the market and importantly no one else can buy that property.

Once you’ve put down your reservation de posit, you will then need to hire a lawyer to represent you in the property purchase. You may also consider appointing your lawyer as your “Power of “Attorney” this enables them to act on your behalf in the signing of docu ments in your absence. They will arrange for things such as your NIE number (Foreigner's Identity number), Spanish bank account and all property searches to absolutely verify the properties “legality”.

Once all of these searches are completed you will be ready to complete the sale and arrange for your keys to be finally ready to collect. Your dedicated property advisor will still be there to help with anything else you may need.

JOIN SPANISH LIFE together

Life in Spain is vibrant, colourful and rich in cul tural heritage as seen in the many fiestas held across Costa Blanca South. Year-round celebra tions with music, dancing and costumes make living in the towns and villages of the region a hive of exciting festivals. Religious street pro cessions during Holy Week and commemorative festivals like Moros y Cristianos mark important events in Spanish history while Feria de Mayo (May Fiesta) in Torrevieja unusually celebrates all things Andalucian with flamenco music and stunning traditional costumes. The prominent events and traditions throughout the year mean life in Spain is never dull.

While Spanish festivities demonstrate the strong sense of cultural pride shared by Spanish people across the country, the local cuisine is another manifestation of authentic Spanish living. The healthy Mediterranean diet is embraced effort lessly and most local food is traditional and var ied depending on the location. Tasty rice dishes and tapas is popular throughout this locality with many other dishes taking advantage of the fresh fish and seafood caught locally and sold in the local markets. Foodies will truly relish the gas tronomical adventures awaiting their palettes.

When you relocate to Spain, you’ll find your self effortlessly slip ping into the laid back way of life. Siestas are still a part of daily life in many parts of Spain with some businesses and banks closing to the public between the hours of 1 pm and 5 pm. You’ll learn to appreciate the slow, easy-going Mediter ranean pace of life as you become familiar with the customs and traditions that make the Spanish lifestyle so unique.

Families moving to this part of Spain will find the area welcom ing as locals love to go out of their way for children. The lo cal beaches, parks and playgrounds ca ter for little ones with places like Flamingo Aquapark in Torrevieja promising fun for the young and the young at heart.

Healthy food, fine wine, long lunches and cool evening din ners. Spanish life is here waiting for you.

With a large selection of museums to visit in cluding the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, you’ll learn a lot about the diverse history of the region. This includes the Moorish influence on the architecture as seen in the many castles and fortresses deemed Sites of Cultural Interest on the Costa Blanca. Another Site of Cultural In terest includes the Palmeral de Orihuela, a beautiful palm tree forest worth visiting in Orihuela. Authentic old towns with their whitewashed houses have a unique Mediterranean appeal while world heritage sites like the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin are truly a sight to behold.

When you move to the region, you’ll join a growing community of British expatriates as well as those who have settled in Spain from other parts of Europe and further afield.

Depending on your preference, your new life in Spain can be as authentically Spanish or as cosmopolitan as you wish thanks to the diversity of the region.

Whether you choose to live in an expat com munity or a traditional Spanish town, our dedicated property consultants are com mitted to helping you create your ideal life on the Costas.

Take the plunge. Your new life is here waiting for you in Spain. Take one step after another - with us here to help you - and join us here in the sun.