Spanish Property Magazine Issue 26 by SpanishPropertyNetwork

SPANISH PROPERTY MAGAZINE 2015 First Edition Spring

SPANISH PROPERTY MAGAZINE (SPM)

2015 First Edition

SPAIN *

WELCOME TO THE SPM Created, Curated and Edited By Graham Hunt and Lisa Sadleir Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note Welcome to the new look SPM. shorter, quicker to get to the links and contact and redesigned from the ground up to help you more in getting your Spanish Property and your life in Spain started.

If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen the SPM before take a look through our archives in Newsstand in the iPad or in Issuu.

If you have any questions or suggestions or simply want to comment get in touch with us by mail at spanishpropertymagazine@gmail.com.

This year promises to be a big one in Spanish property with sales to foreign buyers bouncing back strongly year on year again and exchange rates looking favourable for many countries outside the Eurozone. When are you coming out to get your part of Spain?

WHAT’S IN THE SPM THIS MONTH FEATURES WHAT IS CAUSING THE DELAYS IN SPAIN? BY THE SPN

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT SPAIN

BY THE SPN

WHY IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BUY IN SPAIN WITH ANOTHER CURRENCY

BY THE SPN

100 TIPS FOR MOVING TO SPAIN

PART 25 BY THE SPN

SOME GREAT PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN THIS YEAR

BY THE SPN

WHY SPAIN IS A GREAT PLACE TO BRING UP KIDS

BY FAMILY LIFE IN SPAIN

DELAYS IN SPAIN? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PROPERTY PURCHASE? (Part 1)

“I want a cushy job like yours.”

! ! ! ! ! How many times have we heard that? !

Our clients, buyers like you, see us swanning around stunning properties, enjoying coffee stops in spectacular locations and sometimes even lunches in the sun. All part of our day to day work as we help clients find the ideal place for their Spanish property purchase.

! Or so they, and maybe you, !

think.

This is what we want you to see. We want you to see the best of what Spain has to offer. Our role, as a property finder, is to ensure you enjoy your property search. It is our responsibility to ensure you do not endure unnecessary stressful situations.

We do our job well. Our clients, you, do not always see what goes on behind the scenes.

Sometimes it does not run smoothly. Particularly in certain parts of Spain, it seems.

Graham, who has many years of experience in the property market, and (am I allowed to say it?) a pretty low tolerance threshold, as a result, would like to share some of his “behind the scenes of the day in the life if a property finder” with you.

So, brace yourself for a wee rant. This is what often goes on behind the scenes …

Here I am sitting in a bank inevitably waiting for the guy who is supposed to be here to turn up from his break. I was told ten minutes and so far I have been here for 25. This is, unfortunately, the norm in Spain. (For purposes of the rest of this post, he came in just after that sentence, so only 26 minutes)

I spend a lot of time waiting around in Spain when dealing with banks, notaries, registries, anything official, wanting to buy a lightbulb in a shop etc… You get the idea. At the moment I am not quite literally incandescent with anger and frustration (I say not quite because I think, barring spontaneous combustion in the style of a Spinal Tap drummer, that to be literally incandescent is nigh on impossible, however if it were possible that would be me, Mr Incandescent Rage.)

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Note from Lisa: Either this is a bigger problem in Valencia than Malaga or Graham has less patience … I’ll leave you to decide ;-)

Note From Graham: Graham has less patience!

DELAYS IN SPAIN? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PROPERTY PURCHASE? (Part 1) So this post is about the “waiting” experienced and sometimes endured, when buying a property in Spain. What can hold up the process and what can you do about it apart from keep banging your forehead against the metaphorical wall of “computer says no”?

There are various factors involved in the purchase of a property but for purposes of brevity let’s assume they can be labelled as follows:

• The Owner of the Property • The Useless Agent • The Laid Back, Almost Comatose, Notary • The Hugely Inefficient Registrar • The Deflective Gestor • The Know It All Lawyer • And You, the Lovely Buyer, Our Client

So, how can your purchase be held up?

The Owner of the Property.

The owner has a very critical role as they need to agree to sell the property at an agreed price, to have vacated the property on the agreed completion date and present, at the agreed time, at the office of the Laid Back Almost Comatose Notary. Normally owners are the least of my worries as a buyer’s agent. I negotiate with them, come to an agreement on price and time period for a purchase and they just have to get out, turn up at the notary to collect money and hand over keys.

Easy right?

DELAYS IN SPAIN? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PROPERTY PURCHASE? (Part 1) Well, when they may ask for money in B (Black money), or a few days to move out after the signing or seven different payments to various family members and more. At these moments, they are not quite as easy as I would like. However, normally the way the owner holds things up is by not delivering paperwork to the “know it all lawyer”, employing a second “know it all lawyer” themselves who then tries to justify his fee (effectively for doing nothing) by putting his oar in where it isn’t wanted or not agreeing in the notary to what they have previously agreed to on the contract.

Owners can hold things up but generally they just want their money and to get out so they aren’t the biggest problem.

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The Useless Agent

Agents come in many shapes, sizes, styles and IQ’s. However most of the IQ’s of the “Me Too” agents (Those new to the market) who are starting to proliferate again after the cull of the “Great Spanish Property Crisis” hover around the “might be just into double figures” mark. Without experience they do what one tried to do to us a couple of weeks ago and say the bank won’t be turning up to cancel the mortgage of the current owner on the day of the signing because the owner doesn’t really want to do that yet.

Obviously we are going to let our client buy a house with a mortgage left on it and pay the full amount of the purchase to the owner aren’t we?

What do you mean I missed a “not” out of that sentence? We used the lesser known “He who cares less wins the negotiation” tactic and got not only that sorted, but also four other little problems created by our friendly local newbie agent.

DELAYS IN SPAIN? WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PROPERTY PURCHASE? (Part 1)

Of course, I am assuming that he is a useless agent here. There is also the possibility that the owner was being immensely stupid not understanding the term “free title” on a purchase, but I am willing to bet that it was all the fault of the newbie.

Now not all agents are useless, of course. There are many excellent ones. We choose to work with them and try to avoid having to work with the others. However, sometimes it is impossible.

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The Laid Back Almost Comatose Notary.

Notaries had it easy for so long. So many properties were being sold and getting into the notary business in Spain was effectively very hard, a “job for the boys” club with exams and lots of them. First let’s just recap, a notary is a government appointed official to make sure that the sale and purchase of property and many other things are conducted correctly and above the law (So that plan worked out ok then) however the notarial business took a hit in 2007 when the crisis hit.

Generally notaries made so much money that they just carried on as normal, they just weren’t as busy as before. However, they did become much lazier, as a result. Suddenly they were not rushing from office to office in their business, reading property deeds at 3 million miles an hour, now they were twiddling their thumbs and wishing for the good times to return or maybe not because many of them love twiddling.

The job of a notary is to make sure everything is right and proper and usually they organize the registrar and Gestor too. The problem comes when each of these actors starts palming off responsibilities to the others. The current case we have here is rather fun ( he said in an extremely masochistic and painful way) what do you do when a notary wants a response from a registrar about whether they are going to register a perfectly normal operation and the registrar won’t answer? You start shouting at people but, of course, that gets you nowhere at all.

All it takes is for somebody from the notary’s office to visit somebody at the registrar’s office and basically sort the situation out. However many times it is impossible to do this as they are “so busy”. So they do everything by phone or mail and it never works because it gets put to the bottom of the pile.

The problem is that Notaries are so comatose that mostly they don’t care. They have become minor celebrities in their local coffee shop waiting for the call from their underworked employees to come and sign a piece of paper or two and actually they quite like it that way, who wouldn’t?

WATCH OUT FOR PART TWO IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND VIEW IT HERE

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT SPAIN

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN We may not all get to choose where we live in life, some people for whatever reason are trapped into where they were born. Whether that is because of family reasons, economic reasons fear, ties or whatever some people are not able to choose where they live and effectively choose themselves, they choose their own cage. Their own cage may well be a very nice but everyone dreams of an even slightly nicer cage at times.

1) International Living Magazine has voted Spain as the best place in Europe to retire to for their American readers (You can see the article here). They are not only concentrating on cost either although Spain works out comparatively well with other European destinations:

For lovers of wide-open spaces, Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast, photogenic landscapes are a hikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heaven. Owing to its location at the meeting point of Eurasia and Africa, it also boasts some of the best bird-watching on the planet: Each season brings different feathered treasures, as they migrate from one continent to the other.

Spain is quite a nice cage in my opinion (Actually a very nice cage). Having lived here for half of my life, over 24 years, my opinion is fully formed by now but sometimes the things that are happening in politics, the economy and in society can get people down, even I am ! affected by it at times. So just to give a counterpoint I 2) We may get rid of the current government and have thought it was time to look at reasons to be cheerful some of their increasingly stupid and draconian laws about Spain. If you are thinking of coming to live here repealed. Hope has finally returned to Spanish politics this is the current situation. after the staid and corrupt two party system finally ! annoyed enough people to make a difference. Now there is a lot more participation and hopefully Podemos will continue to make enough of a difference to make politics a lot cleaner and progressive.

We give you 16 reasons to be optimistic about living in Spain in 2015

3) Property prices have generally hit the base (As explained in our last post here) This gives even more reasons for people to place their money into the Spanish property market as although prices may not rise for a time, peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment long term should be a good one if they buy at the right price. Contact us to do that.

Why stay in the cage you were born in? If you have the choice Spain is a decent option to live. Here are 16 reasons to be cheerful about living in Spain.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN 4) The pound and dollar, or whatever your currency is, have appreciated massively against the euro meaning that not only is renting or buying a lot cheaper but day to day living is also cheaper if your money from abroad is buying you Euros. (If you are from Russia don’t read this as that is not the case with the rouble of course)

5) Diesel is now at one euro and three cents per litre locally to me and still going down. Much cheaper for day to day car costs as prices had risen to 1.41 Euros a couple of years ago. Great for convertibles too when allied to the excellent climate.

6) Spain continues to be a great place to bring up kids. Take a look at our blog post here about it. An excellent read about why expat kids bring hope for the future in Spain written by Dave Bull of All Abroad Magazine.

7) Coffee is around 1 euro per cup in some of the best greasy spoon cafes therefore no need to get ripped off by a poxy Starbucks. Why would you want to get ripped off by Starbucks, Costa, Nero etc… for what effectively costs them a few cents to produce when you can put your money into something a lot cheaper from a local bar or cafe that actually pays their taxes too.

8) Thousands of highly qualified unemployed people are bursting for a chance to work in any business you try to set up. Spain has 25% unemployment and it would be higher if so many young, highly qualified professionals hadn’t left the country in the last few years looking for an opportunity to better themselves, but guess what… they don’t want to go. They would love to stay in their home country and contribute here. If you are thinking of opening a business you could do a lot worse than coming to Spain to do it, you get a workforce ready to work and get to live a great and healthy lifestyle yourself.

9) Spain comes second in the quality of life index about work life balance. That is why opening a business here may be a good idea because when you are not working you have so many options.

10) Spain continues to have loads of holidays to enjoy and kids still get ten weeks off in the summer to enjoy themselves with the family. If you don’t know what to do in that time why not give Family Life In Spain a follow. Lisa has some great suggestions and will have even more soon as she starts working on the Family Friendly Project for Spain. Ask her about it on twitter.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN 11) The climate continues to be one of the best in the world according to WHO figures and you can see an article about that here.

12) It’s 21 degrees today where I am in Valencia and it’s the middle of January. Last week we ate out, and I literally mean “out”, on a terrace in the centre of Valencia with friends.

13) Life’s what you make it and more people are starting to appreciate that and looking for alternatives. As stated in the introduction, more people are now making lifestyle decisions about where to live as we are less tied down to our birthplaces. Spain comes very high in a lot of people’s considerations when looking to relocate because of the climate as mentioned above, the cost of living, the lifestyle, the healthcare and more.

14) More and more people are location independent with their work and Spain has the fibreoptic infrastructure to make that work. I live in a small town of 18,000 people for example and my fibreoptic speeds are faster than most major cities in the World and much more reliable having never been down in the four years since it was installed.

15) There are new banking options so that SabadellCam may disappear. SabadellCam has to be the most inept, useless, corrupt, inefficient and unreliable bank in the World. If not I would hate to see which bank is. However as more new banks open and foreign banks move into the disaster which was the Spanish banking sector hopefully the new players will prove themselves to be a hell of a lot more reliable and a lot, lot, lot less corrupt.

16) The constant soap opera that is Spanish football continues on its merry way. Messi or Ronaldo? Bale or Suarez? Neymar or James? Don’t forget Benzema… Oh and there are 18 other teams in La Liga too although you wouldn’t realise it if you read the papers, including the Champions Atletico Madrid of course! The prodigal son El Niño Torres returns. If you want drama, ridiculously bad refereeing decisions, awful dives, boardroom shenanigans and huge lashings of corruption then Spanish football is the place to be. To keep an eye on it on a weekly basis in a hilarious way follow @sidlowe, @bumpergraham, and @laligaloca on Twitter.

So what would you add in the reasons to be cheerful about Spain? Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to in 2015 in Spain?

Tell us more by mail here if you are thinking of making 2015 the year you come to Spain.

WHY IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BUY IN SPAIN WITH ANOTHER CURRENCY

WHY IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BUY IN SPAIN WITH ANOTHER CURRENCY If you are looking to buy a property in Spain it will not have escaped your attention that the Pound, Dollar, Krona and many other currencies, are getting considerably stronger against the Euro. This was underlined over the last month with the victory of Syriza in the Greek elections, pushing the Euro down even further (although, at the time of writing it had recovered somewhat). This of course means it is a great time to buy in Spain.

In this article we are going to demonstrate what great value Spain now is for people from various countries. We are going to use the UK as an example.

For most of the 2000’s, the pound hovered around the 1.45 mark against the Euro. In 2007 this was the case, and a property costing 290000 euros would have effectively cost you 200,000 pounds sterling to buy. By 2008 the pound had dropped to the 1.30-1.35 rate but what was to come was hard hitting.

“The depreciation of the Euro gives great opportunities to those outside the Eurozone”

In November 2008, after the collapse of the markets and various huge financial institutions, the UK government effectively devalued the pound allowing it to fall to 1.02.29 against the euro, almost parity.

This meant that the property you had invested 200,000 pounds in would now only get you 204,580 euros, if you sold it for the same amount of pounds but of course you wouldn’t have done…

As you would have been selling in Euros, if you sold it for the 290,000 euros you had spent then you made a huge profit on transfer. Even though you had no capital gain in Spain, your 290,000 euros would get you 283.420 pounds! (not bad work if you could get it.)

However, the market had peaked and prices started to fall… and fall… and fall. Now, official statistics state that, in Valencia, prices have dropped around 47% since peak (peak was 2007). Therefore, that 290,000 euros purchase would now only be worth 153,700 euros supposing an average fall across the board. If the pound had stayed low then you would still recoup 150,215 pounds and mitigate the loss. However the pound has risen since then on the back of QE (Printing cheap money) in the UK and the continuing of the Why stay inproblems the cage you Eurozone. were born in? If you have

choice Spain iswould a decent At current rates that the 153,700 euro property only option to live. are 16 cost you 114,700 pounds. That means thatHere for a British buyer, at average prices of Spanish in theabout reasons to beproperty cheerful Valencia region, there has been an effective drop in living58% in Spain. prices since 2008 when the world financial system stepped off the edge of the cliff.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN

NOW SOLD But there is even better news (for buyers). There are some bargains out there like this one (See picture above), originally priced at 360000 euros, where the owner has brought the price down to a ridiculously low level in order to sell. This property is now priced at 125,000 euros, effectively 93,283 pounds sterling! In 2008 at the lowest point for the pound this property would have cost 351,837 pounds sterling.

That is an effective fall of 73.5% in asking price for a buyer who has pounds to spend.

That is all good news for buyers as more price drops are unlikely on most properties that are well situated with a reasonable asking price. Also, it is possible to fix your rate at the current high rates just in case the Euro recovers ground. Contact our currency partner here to see how.

The only question really is, when are you going to join us here where now your money goes a lot further?

• diesel now under 1 euro per litre, • food costs up to half of the price of most other European nations, • tourism going off the scale in popularity so buying investment properties is a serious proposition etc…)

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN 11) The climate continues to be one of the best in the world according to WHO figures and you can see an article about that here.

12) It’s 21 degrees today where I am in Valencia and it’s the middle of January. Last week we ate out, and I literally mean “out”, on a terrace in the centre of Valencia with friends.

So what would you add in the reasons to be cheerful about Spain? Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to in 2015 in Spain?

Tell us more by mail here if you are thinking of making 2015 the year you come to Spain.

SOME FANTASTIC PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN THIS YEAR

I have been in Spain for a long time, over half my life, and I consider myself well travelled within Spain having lived in the North of the country and also in Valencia now for the last 16 years. However there are places in Spain that I still haven’t visited, so this year I thought I would try to get to some of them. These are the places that have always attracted me to visit but for one reason or another I have never got round to going to.

So here in no particular order are some great places to visit in Spain in the next year or two. Many of these places may surprise you but remember if you suggest “No Barcelona, No Madrid etc…” in a horrified tone, I have already been there :-)

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Mérida

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Córdoba

Why staycaninsee the cage you Mérida is little known outside of Spain (Go on tell me you have heard of it.) However as you in this post it is definitely somewhere you should be looking to visit. Some of the most stunningwere collections Roman remains bornofin? If you have viewable in the whole of Europe are here and nobody has heard of the place. the choice Spain is a decent option to live. Here are 16 reasons to be cheerful about This is a bit of a cheat as I have been there. Well, when I say I have been there I have got off a train thereinand got living Spain. onto another one on the same platform after gleefully and rather deliberately bumping into a PP politician and making him drop all of his papers on the floor. (A pyrrhic but important victory I think) So unless they have moved the Mezquita to the station platform then I haven’t really visited the place in any real sense.

SOME FANTASTIC PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN THIS YEAR

San Sebastian

The most expensive place to live in Spain (See our post here) is another place that I have sort of been to in the past but didn’t quite manage. I was once travelling to Asturias and arrived in San Sebastian late in the evening to stay the night. Unfortunately I couldn’t get in as it was closed, ETA had blown up a postman that evening and all roads in and out were shut down. So as yet I haven’t visited the wonderful Playa de La Concha beach and seen why it is so darned expensive.

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The Smurf Village (Júzcar)

Self explanatory really. A really terrible film was made a couple of years ago and this village was used in the filming. In order to do it the whole village was painted blue. After the filming ended the village took a vote and decided to leave it that way so it became a tourist attraction (Villages in the area are traditionally all whitewashed) Oh let us visit and view the horrors of Smurf related tourist tat.

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Cadiz

A friend of mine went to Cadiz a couple of years back on my recommendation and commented that he didn’t like it at all. It turns out he didn’t actually manage to find the centre of the town and the harbour areas so in effect he didn’t see it. I am determined to visit just to see what is so bad about it. Lisa has been there of course and the province is well worth a visit too. Take a look at her thoughts on Family Life In Spain here.

SOME FANTASTIC PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN THIS YEAR

Finisterre

“The End of the Earth” is the westernmost part of Spain in Galicia. No other reason to go than to see what it is like as it will probably be raining, windy and cool. I have been to Land’s End in England though for similar reasons and it was raining, windy and positively cool in August.

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Morella

A day trip from Valencia and in 16 years I have never been, so this year will be different I am sure especially if I manage to get an AirBnB sorted. Morella is a walled city in inland Castellón. It is very cold in the winter and therefore the food tends to be hearty stews and broths which should make it a compulsory visit just on its own.

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Andorra

Not Spain exactly but still Spain if you know what I mean. The banking paradise of the Catalan business and political class, Andorra is also a skiing paradise but in the summer it is absolutely lovely too. Awesome mountain scenery and private banks make it a mini-me Switzerland. However it is duty free and doesn’t cost the Earth, unlike Switzerland which last month made itself even more exclusive by consciously decoupling from the Euro (“It’s complicated” said Switzerland on its Facebook status)

SOME FANTASTIC PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN THIS YEAR !

Santiago de Compostela

If only to laugh at all of the people who have done a bit of the Camino de Santiago and therefore think they are rather morally superior to the rest of us I would drive or fly to Santiago and not crawl across the square for the last leg of my pilgrimage. My atheistic moral superiority would win out as I managed to go through the rest of the week without blisters.

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Tarifa

It’s windy. I want to feel the wind in my hair. And maybe, just maybe, try kite surfing, proper surfing or just sitting around watching everybody else fall off a surfboard into the raging swell. Yep that sounds much better. A glass of Tinto by my side would help too. Much more relaxing.

So that’s my ten. Lisa will be along in time to give you ten more places that maybe are even more less well known as she has never been there.

SIX GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN VALENCIA

Having a coffee at some stage of the day is an essential part of Spanish life, even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink coffee. Cafe Society is not just a stall that everyone in the North West of England used to frequent in Affleckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palace in Manchester just to be seen, it is also a great part of the Spanish everyday experience.

However there are coffees and there are coffees. Today we will look at six special places to have a coffee in Valencia. Where would you include? Tell me more on Twitter. But first here are our recommendations in the city of Valencia. Something for everyone in different parts of the city.

A HABITUAL COFFEE DRINKER, GRAHAM GIVES HIS OPINION OF SIX OF THE BEST PLACES FOR THAT COFFEE THAT EVERYBODY SO NEEDS AT SOME STAGE IN THE DAY IN VALENCIA.

1) La Mas Bonita. There are currently two versions of La Mas Bonita due to the huge success of the first. There is the beachside one which is helping to transform the Malvarrosa and Patacona areas of Valencia and the recently opened Ruzafa one. Here we are recommending the beach one just because. We are also recommending that you reserve a table if you want to be in the garden or inside or that you get there early for the outside tables especially at the weekends or in the summer.

However, La Mas Bonita is not cheap. Coffee is about the cheapest thing (Pro tip: Get a litre of water and some glasses if you want a cheap refresher) but if you want to pay the same for a Frappucino that you would for a menu of the day a few hundred meters away then get that. However the experience is great as the views of the Malvarrosa beach are beautiful, it is just in front of a flat expanse of land perfect for the kids to skate, bike ride or play around with games while you keep an eye on them (you may even get to see the guy with the pot bellied pig taking it for a walk) and on winter mornings you have a sun trap that is out of the wind and will generally mean you strip down to a T shirt even in December or January. Why not the Ruzafa branch? No Mediterranean view of course.

Take a look at our properties near to the beach in Valencia here

SIX GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN VALENCIA

2) Cafe de las Horas – if you like your coffee surrounded by operatic arias in a burlesque style setting of opulence, then Cafe de las Horas is the place for you. Set just off the Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia, Cafe de las Horas is an intimate and quiet setting for a coffee, just far enough away from the madding crowd and off the tourist routes to make sure it is quiet and welcoming. Also a good place for people who like their teas rather than coffee, this Cafe reeks of class at a decent price.

3) El Ateneo – in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento the best views of Valencia are to be found on the top of the Ateneo building opposite the town hall at the Ático Ateneo. The Ateneo is an artdeco treasure overlooked by most. A few things you should know though, you pay for the view so make the most of it. You have to be a member so it puts the riffraff like me off. (However you can become a member for free and go straight up). The entrance is round the back of the town hall square on a side street so it is not immediately obvious. Sign up and take the lift to enjoy the most delicious views in Valencia city centre and if you can go during Fallas.

4) Ricardo Camarena’s Central Bar in the Central Market of Valencia. Ricardo Camarena is a Valencian Michelin starred chef who has a couple of restaurants in Valencia which are well worth a visit if you are feeling opulent (37 euros for his tryout menu) however he has a cafe in the Centeal Market in Valencia. If you can manage to get a stool you can get to have a coffee and watch the life of the market go by and maybe even try out some of his tapas experiments that may eventually make the menu at one of his restaurants. It’s busy and bustling but it’s worth a visit.

SIX GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN VALENCIA 5) Tango Y Truco Argentinian bar near Abastos – Hidden away somewhat from the normal areas people explore in Valencia, there is something of the greasy spoon cafe about this small Argentinian bar near to the Abastos market on Calixto iii in Valencia. Tango y Truco has no great views, the terrace isn’t up to much, the service can be iffy but you walk in to a homage to the great Diego Armando Maradona and Argentinian football in general. Grab a traditional Argentinian empanada too if you are feeling peckish but feast your eyes on the decorations on the walls with newspaper cuttings, images and football shirts from the Master Dieguito and other Argentinian greats.

6) The Bioparc Cafe – First tip get yourself a yearly ticket for the Bioparc for the cost of two visits (At the time of writing a yearly ticket is just 30 Euros) Once you have it then go as often as you can even if you just want a coffee (Although the lemurs are always fun) Sit on the terrace overlooking the African Savannah as giraffes, gazelle and more parade in front of you with an annoyed looking lion in the background (He can’t get at the other animals you see) With your annual ticket you also get 10% discount at the bar and restaurant so another great reason for having it.

Those are my six, let me know on Twitter which you would recommend and why.

BY THE WAY A CHEEKY NUMBER SEVEN RECENTLY OPENED.

The Inca Cafe by the Torres Quart on the corner of Guillem De Castro and En Plom. The only place in Valencia doing Aeropress coffee at the moment I think. (Cover Image of this article)

WHY ISN’T THIS PRIME REAL ESTATE?

WHY ISN’T THIS PRIME REAL ESTATE? I was in the Cabanyal last week. It was rather lovely. Can you believe that this area and the Malvarrosa next to it offer some of the cheapest properties on the Mediterranean coast? It's as if it were Albania in the 80's.

However the Cabañal is rather different to the image that most Valencians have of it (Valencians tend to ignore the Med on their doorstep as the city is the central part). It is getting better and better and bit by bit it is even getting to be "The" cool place to live in the City.

It's not all pretty of course. Because of the gross incompetence of Rita Barbera and her local government there is a part of it where the planned extension of Blasco Ibañez has still not happened after 20 years and they have literally blighted that area allowing drugs, falling buildings and Okupas (Squatters). This may eventually get sorted and when it does then it shall get better of course. But that could take a long time.

Meanwhile the Cabanyal and especially the Canyamelar area near the Marina continues to improve, the Malvarrosa continues to improve and the Patacona beach area is looking good.

“Some of the cheapest real estate on the Mediterranean can be found in the city of Valencia”

WHY SPAIN IS A GREAT PLACE TO BRING UP KIDS

WHY SPAIN IS A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS TO LIVE AND GROW As a regular reader of our blog, you will know that we are always sharing our stories and reasons why Spain is great for kids to live and to grow up. If you read any of the interviews we have given (links on our About Us page) you will see many of the reasons why.

In this article we will share, not only our reasons, but also many other people's opinions on this matter.

We are not comparing Spain in contrast to any other country. We are merely sharing opinions on Spain.

Here are our main reasons why Spain is great for kids to live and to grow up :

A Longer Childhood:

I really cannot say exactly why, but it is widely agreed that children are children for longer in Spain. There appears to be less social pressure on them to grow up and act like adults. Age is not a barrier. It is not frowned upon for a teenager to cuddle and coo over a baby or to play with a toddler. You may be interested to read this article: Give Britain's kids their childhood back

Safety:

Spain has a relatively low crime rate. Parents do not live in fear for the safety of their children. It is wonderful to have strangers in the street come up to your children, to talk to them, embrace them, even to take your baby out of your arms. (I can imagine some parents cringing at this very thought).

Healthcare:

Both our children were born in Spanish state hospitals. We have always contributed to the Spanish healthcare system and we have no complaints whatsoever. Spain has excellent healthcare for children. Waiting times are non-existent

Language-Learning:

Expat children living in Spain grow up learning at least two languages. Their mother tongue, Spanish and other local languages, depending on where you live. There are believed to be many advantages to learning more languages and we believe it to me an amazing gift to give to a child of any age.

Lisa lifts the lid on the reasons why Spain is a great place to bring up kids. Hear her story of why here and if you have any thing to add then contact us and let us know.

WHY SPAIN IS A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS TO LIVE AND GROW Outdoor Lifestyle:

Thanks to the weather, in most parts of Spain and particularly in the South, more time is spent outdoors than indoors. Sports facilities are in abundance in all villages and towns. Playing on the beach, or in the open countryside, in clean fresh air, is a normal occurrence rather than a rare holiday treat.

Woe betide the ni単o who does not instantly give up his seat for an abuelita

Family First:

The family unit in Spain is generally very tight. Children grow up with great respect for family members and appreciating the family unit. They develop a special pride in their family. Respect for elders is inherent. Woe betide the ni単o who does not instantly give up his seat for an abuelita! Even though children may not see some relatives as often as if they lived in the same country, when they do meet up they enjoy quality time together.

Great Food:

Living in a different place is a great opportunity to encourage children to try new foods. You can see some of our children's favourite Spanish dishes in this post (click here). "Children's meals" are not typical in most Spanish restaurants. It is more typical for families in Spain to share plates of food. Meal times are often family times. Fast food is yet to impact Spanish eating habits. How often have you seen people walking down the street eating their lunch in Spain?

Holidays:

Spain is famous for its ferias and festivos. There is often any excuse for a holiday in Spain. Although it may be more challenging for some parents, based on their work schedule, for those of us who work for ourselves and have flexible working conditions, regular holidays are part of the routine. What child doesn't enjoy a holiday? Whether it's a week at home with more trips to the beach or fun family days out, the children enjoy more family time.

Children are Welcome Everywhere:

Ok. There may be some exceptions. But, in general, you will not need to worry if your children will be welcomed in most establishments in Spain. No matter what the time or location, your children will be not only welcomed but welcomed with open, loving arms.

You Can See What Others Think About Spain and Kids at Our Blog Post Here

INTRODUCING THE SPANISH PROPERTY NETWORK GRAHAM HUNT

NICK SNELLING

LISA SADLEIR

DAVID LEIGH

SIMON HARRIS

CONTENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

INTRODUCING THE SPANISH PROPERTY NETWORK SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET OVERVIEW 2013 LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT GANDIA THE OLD AND NEW SPANISH VISA PROCESS EXPLAINED 10 GREAT THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST PROPERTY IN SPAIN SPAIN - GET USED TO IT FOREIGN BUYERS OF SPANISH PROPERTY THE NEW PODCAST ON SOUNDCLOUD BARCELONA - SANT MARTI 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING EVERY DAY IN SPAIN GOING IT ALONE, ESTATE AGENTS OR USING A PROPERTY FINDER RENTAL WITH AN OPTION TO BUY ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS BACK FOR SPANISH PROPERTY BUYERS? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SPANISH PROPERTY BARGAINS DRY UP? 10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHEN BUYING YOUR SPANISH PROPERTY THE 17 WORST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN SPAIN WORKING WITH THE TV COMPANIES - MOVING TO MALAGA FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED NEW PROPERTY TAXES CAN I BUY THAT WRECK? AN UNCOMMON GUIDE TO PROPERTIES NEEDING WORK WHAT CAN A BARCELONA PROPERTY FINDER DO FOR YOU? 10 MAD REASONS FOR NOT BUYING A PROPERTY IN SPAIN

CLICK ON THE TITLES TO GO TO THAT PAGE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Remember this Last month we released HOW EXCHANGE RATES2014 AFFECT the definitive YOUR SPANISH PROPERTY compilation of the PURCHASE SPM. Go to Newsstand WHAT’S IT LIKE TO LIVE IN SPAIN to download it now

BY THOSE WHO ALREADY DO TOP TEN FAMILY TRAVEL GAMES MOVING TO SPAIN WITH CHILDREN VALENCIA’S BEACH AREA - THE CABANYAL, MALVARROSA AND PATACONA SPANISH PROPERTY BUYERS MOVING INTO THE CITY THE TOP TEN MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES TO LIVE IN SPAIN CONVEYANCING AND MORE IN SPAIN, WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING WHAT IS SPANISH FAST FOOD? WHERE DO YOU GO ON HOLIDAY IN SPAIN WHEN YOU LIVE HERE? THE ENDURING ATTRACTION OF SPANISH BEACHES THE TOP TEN BEST CITIES TO LIVE IN SPAIN WHICH NATIONALITIES ARE BUYING SPANISH PROPERTY? HOW IS THE SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET DOING? WHAT SOUNDS REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE IN SPAIN? HOW TO FIND YOUR IDEAL SPANISH PROPERTY - THE RESOURCES YOU NEED WHY WOULD YOU BUY A PROPERTY IN SPAIN? THE LATEST SPANISH PROPERTY TAX NEWS AND REPORTS A CLOSER LOOK AT MIJAS IN MALAGA WORK LIFE BALANCE IN SPAIN DEVELOPING PROPERTY IN SPAIN A SHORT GUIDE

Coming in April 2015

A great friend of the SPM, Caroline Angus Baker has set a trilogy of books against the background of Valencia. Take a look at all three and get hold of them at Amazon. Oftentimes there are excellent offers on them as part of Caroline’s continuing promotion ! Check out Caroline’s Author Page on Amazon where you can find all of her books so far and will be able to get the final part of the Valencian trilogy “Death in the Valencian Dust” in April 2015

Of Course You Know You Need A NIE Number Right? If you are thinking of moving to Spain or are already living in Spain, we will save you time, money and headaches by helping you with Spanish paperwork issues . We will keep you updated with changes in rules and regulations. You will avoid unnecessary fines and penalties that many people incur due to misinformation or ignorance. This Introduction to NIE & Residency in Spain is designed to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

answer the most frequently asked questions on this matter. save you time and money! inform you whether you should apply for NIE or Residency. guide you through the NIE & Residency procedure. provide links to download the official paperwork. give step by step instructions to complete the application forms. it is 12 pages of information, enough to ensure you get it right first time!

IMPORTANT: These documents are pdf downloadable files that you can read online and you can print off the relevant pages. We will not be publishing printed booklets as the rules and regulations change on a regular basis. This way you can be confident that you are receiving the most accurate and up to date information from us. This is the first of many documents we will be publishing about Spanish Paperwork and procedures. SPECIAL OFFER: ONLY €9.99 for a limited time period!

CLICK THE BOOK COVER TO GET IT

OUR LATEST PROPERTIES

VALENCIA: PALACE. 700,000 EUROS Ask For More Photos On info@spanish-property.net This is just an amazing bargain to buy in the historical centre of Valencia near to the Torres Serranos. The whole building is for sale with over 700m2 available in four floors. There is even an extra part that is partially finished to the rear which offers a brilliant opportunity to have amazing glassed in terraces with views of the old Arabic wall that used to surround Valencia.

The building is on a quiet square which has no traffic at all. The entrance leads us to an open plan lobby with potential to be a great common area for a hotel as there is a hotel quality kitchen on the first floor. Each floor is totally open plan with around 200m2 per floor and there whole building has been fully modernised recently. To the rear the extra unfinished part of the building stands ready to make this property extremely special.

The building has plenty of possibilities and also boasts a large roof terrace and even an observatory. The potential for development is huge and the potential for eventual capital gain must also be considered if developed in the right way. Would also suit a group of friends wanting to have a flat each as each floor has a door leading from the stairwell and the are independent. There is also space to put in a lift if required.

The best value building currently for sale in central Valencia in my opinion. Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Amazing Property Here

VALENCIA: HUGE APARTMENT. 500,000 EUROS

The building that we find this property (Or rather "properties") in is a lovely old modernised Palace near to the central market and La Lonja in Valencia. The same cannot be said of the apartments in themselves as they have not been touched since the 1960's really and we can even find wallpaper in them, a hugely unusual feature of Valencia apartments which was popular for a few years at the end of the 60's and start of the 70's.

What we have here are two very large apartments covering the whole of the third floor of this building, however as they have been in the same family for years there can also effectively be just one apartment. We also have two smaller units above which could be incorporated into the main but do need more extensive renovation work than the simple decoration of the apartments themselves.

We will let the pictures do most of the talking here but the potential for making these properties into beautiful huge apartments cannot be overestimated. Remember though they are third floor without a lift. There is ample room to install a lift if you could get the agreement of the other owners. Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Character Property Here

LLIRIA: 165,000 EUROS ! LOVELY AND QUIET RENOVATED PROPERTY

Some people put a lot of love and care into their properties and make them look good for showing to buyers. These sellers are usually much more successful than the person who presents a cluttered mess where you cannot imagine yourself moving into ever.

In this case we have a lovely four bedroomed house on a quiet road between Lliria and Dome単o to the north west of Valencia. There is a large 38m2 living room, recently renovated kitchen and bathroom and a great covered terrace to the front overlooking the 720m2 plot. On the plot there is the traditional paellero, storeroom, car port and extra car parking and swimming pool to the rear. It also has an extra first floor terrace that looks towards the Sierra Calderona mountains. A well put together place at a tempting price.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Modernised Property Here

VALENCIA: CENTRAL APARTMENT. 135,000 EUROS

A spectacular modernisation of this fourth floor apartment in the very centre of Valencia between Plaza de la Reina and Plaza del Ayuntamiento. One downside, it doesn't have a lift. Plenty of upsides, in the centre of the city, totally modernised, pedestrianised street, beautifully presented, exposed beams and brickwork, parquet floors, shared terrace above and three bedrooms. Air conditioned and three balconies. It even has a storeroom on the terrace.

If you are looking for a bolthole in the centre of Valencia and you don't mind the lack of a lift then this could suit you brilliantly. Excellent price and a great location.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Beautiful Modernization Here

TORRENTE: IMPOSING FAMILY HOME 310,000 EUROS

If you are looking for a family home that is quiet, well built, stylish and priced well then you could do a lot worse than this excellent property in Torrent. As this is a rather excellent and attractive property on the Monte Real estate it offers great value for money and a lot of property for the price.It is a large property of 400m2 on a plot of 900m which is extremely well tended and looked after with automatic watering system from a collector of rain water of 50000 litres apart from the mains water supply which of course it also has.

The house itself has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a very large living room and another living room in the eaves of the property which could also be used as an excellent bedroom. High quality materials throughout and an excellent property to live in style near to the city of Valencia and with great communications to get to the airport or the nearby large town of Torrente.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Character Property Here

BENAHAVIS: SUPERB PENTHOUSE APARTMENT 395,000 EUROS

Nestled in one of the most exclusive locations, between several golf courses, within minutes of the beach, a wide choice of restaurants and cafes as well as other amenities, this magnificent southwest facing Benahavis duplex penthouse apartment offers uninterrupted stunning views to the Mediterranean Sea, the rock of Gibraltar and the adjacent golf courses.

Part of a luxury, gated and secure community of high standards apartments, this fabulous Benahavis penthouse is located a two minute drive from one of the major supermarket chains in Spain and 10 minutes away from either glamorous Puerto Banús or the prime gastronomical resort of Benahávis.

Providing spacious living accommodation, the Benahavis duplex penthouse comprises of a fully equipped top of the range kitchen, a combined dining area and comfortable lounge, a master bedroom complete with ensuite bathroom which occupies the top floor of this fabulous sea view penthouse, and two bedrooms complimented both by ensuite or adjacent bathrooms. All of the bedrooms of the Benahavis penthouse apartment are fitted with wardrobes and plenty of storage space.

Accessed from either the master bedroom or the top floor, a solarium has been converted into a superb outdoor living area boasting the most incredible 360º views and featuring a Jacuzzi, comfortable seating accommodation and an al fresco dining area, whilst the lounge opens onto a small but well-appointed exterior lounge overlooking one of the two communal swimming pools.

The stunning Benahavis penthouse apartment comes with two underground private garage spaces and two storage rooms. Amidst beautifully manicured gardens, the development offers two large swimming pools and plenty of extra parking space for guests.

Just arrived on our books at an extremely competitive price, this outstanding quality southwest facing Benahavis duplex penthouse is an incredible luxury bargain. Don’t delay a viewing.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Character Property Here

MARBELLA: STUNNING NEW BUILDS 810,000 EUROS

A fantastic project of contemporary 3 and 4 bedroom Marbella villas with panoramic sea views, set in a privileged location close to Marbella centre with the Costa del Solâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best golf courses right on their doorstep.

These stunning Marbella villas will be located just a 5 minute drive from Marbella centre and Elviria, in a peaceful residential area dominated by gentle olive and pine-clad slopes, beautiful beaches, dunes and sea views. This location has the distinction of being highly central and peaceful, thus endowing the private community of villas with the best of both worlds.

The choice of modern contemporary styling may follow the latest market trends, but it is also an integral part of the vision behind the project. These Marbella villas are designed to combine a sleek architectural language with a tranquil natural setting surrounded by olive groves. In blending nature and modernity these impressive Marbella villas aim to offer a perfect combination of both, as in the case of a location that is peaceful and secure yet also central and convenient.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Fantastic Modern Villa Here

ALHAURIN: STUNNING FINCA 975,000 EUROS

See More About This Amazing Finca Here Beautiful Finca with OCA LICENSE FOR HORSES and with high-potential for a BED AND BREAKFAST or Holiday Rental! The property comprises 14 stables, tack & feed rooms, 3 menages, main house, 2 apartments, 1 studio and possibility of a second studio or games room. Set in mature forest with an ample supply of spring water.

The Main house is distributed over two floors: Comprising; living room with fireplace, separate dining room, fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 en suite). First floor consists of a living room, office, master bedroom with access to the terrace and bathroom. There is a large laundry room accessed from the courtyard.

Outside: Recreation area with large BBQ house, playground and swimming pool surrounded by terraces. The swimming pool has a non-slip and non-abrasive surface to the surrounds.

Additional accommodation: Duplex apartment (Granary) with living room and kitchen, and upstairs bedroom with wardrobe and bathroom.

Apartment # 2 with living room, equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Studio apartment with living room, bathroom and both with access to a large sunny terrace. Games room or second studio apartment

! A delightful central courtyard distributes the 6 properties and the large laundry room. ! Horse Yard with 14 stables and 3 menages, shelter and fields for turning out. Parking for several vehicles. The horse yard has a separate access and is suitable for boxes or transporters.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

MARBELLA: EXCELLENT GATED ESTATE APARTMENT 205,000 EUROS

Set in the exclusive golf valley of Nueva Andalucia, in Marbella, part of a popular Andalusian design gated development, within walking distance of an onsite restaurant, bar, supermarket and paddle tennis court, this luminous and unusually large ground floor corner Nueva Andalucia apartment affords pleasant views to the gardens and water features and direct access to the communal swimming pool.

A 2 minute drive from the beach, Puerto Banus and schools. The property comes with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 en suite bathroom and the community has a garden, swimming pools (Communal), paddle tennis courts and a garage (Communal). This property, with orientation S, has the following facilities: Fully fitted kitchen, Close to shops, town, port and schools, The property also has a utility room, Fireplace, Marble floors, and Satellite TV

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Modern Property Here

BENALMADENA: RENOVATED VILLA ON ONE FLOOR 445,000 EUROS Beautiful fully renovated Villa on one floor and flat access all around (ideal for disabled) with lots of privacy located in a residential, quiet, safe area but within walking distance to amenities such as supermarkets, bars, bus stops, hospitals and schools.

The distribution is as follows: Entrance porch, entrance hall and spacious, bright and fully equipped kitchen with large separate laundry with access to backyard. Lounge dining room with fireplace and access to the terrace and pool area. 3 large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and 2 bathrooms. Master bedroom with en suite. Garage.

Outside area: Ample parking for several vehicles with automatic gate and shed, low maintenance garden, lovely pool area with toilet and shower. Ample storage.

Property in very good condition with double glazing, air conditioning and heating and electric radiators. Solar panels for hot water. Plot 853m2. Built 153m2. IBI 1.472,58â&#x201A;Ź per year. Community 176,51â&#x201A;Ź per quarter. Year of construction 1982. Reformed completely.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Delicious Property Here

MONDA: STUNNING FINCA AT A REDUCED PRICE 595,000 EUROS

Sometimes a price reduction comes just at the right time for certain people and the spring buying period for properties is the right time for many. This Finca in Monda has been reduced to 595,000 Euros to tempt people into a quicker purchase. What do you get for the money? A lot actually.

The main house has a large entrance porch, library, beautiful fully equipped kitchen, pantry, large living room with fireplace and double height ceilings, large dining room with accesses to the pool area. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Master bedroom with en suite. On the first floor there is a very large bedroom with en suite, large dressing room and a small bedroom. The house also has a guest house with a bedroom, living room with kitchenette and bathroom with shower.

There is a garage for 2 cars, with a storage room and parking for several cars. The plot is fully fenced with automatic gate, low maintenance garden with automatic irrigation system, swimming pool surrounded by terraces, town water and private well with tank of 30,000 litres.

Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Delicious Property Here

ASTURIAS: COUNTRY HOTEL FOR SALE 450,000 EUROS

Beautifully renovated with a stylish eye for detail, this fully operational country house hotel has a total of 8 en-suite bedrooms spread over 3 floors and a build size of 500m2. Nestled in grounds of 3,800m2 the property has stunning views to the Picos de Europa mountains. The accommodation comprises: Ground floor: a spacious kitchen, separate dining room, bathroom, cloakroom and study. First floor: 3 en-suite bedrooms and a large salon with picture windows. Second Floor: 3 en-suite bedrooms and a suite. There is ample storage with cleaning cupboards to each floor. Centrally heated. Fully soundproofed rooms. Climalit windows. Ask for more information on info@spanish-property.net

See More About This Delicious Property Here

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What Do You Want In The Spanish Property Magazine? Send the following link to your friends and get them to share it too. www.SpanishPropertyMagazine.co/SPM ! Any suggestions for what you want in the magazine will be gratefully received.!

Thanks for reading the latest issue of the Spanish Property Magazine. We hope you continue to enjoy what is a great amount of work each month as much as we enjoy producing it. !

The Spanish Property Magazine is the reference point for the Spanish Property Network and the Spanish Residency projects. We will continue to provide you with excellent quality property and stories from Spain in the SPM every month of two.!

Our network of collaborating agents and area coordinators is large and growing and we want to make it simply the best in Spain for wherever you want to buy here. !

The presentation of properties in a new and innovative way in the SPM convinces many agents, area coordinators, clients and us that this is the way to go. We hope it does you too. !

For any comments feel free to contact us.

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