Brexit

British set their eye on Spanish property post Brexit

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The number of Britons seeking a second home in Spain soared in the first week of January as more families cast their sights to the European country amid the lockdown property experts said, post Brexit.

The real estate company Taylor Wimpey Espana found that interest in Spanish properties rose by 39 per cent during the first week of 2021 when compared to the first week the year before despite post-Brexit travel restrictions. It also showed that German interest was also rising.

They also reported a surge of buyers using virtual tours across many site including Mallorca. Even post Brexit when restrictions mean holiday home owners will only be able to spend 3 months in Spain without a visa.

Even with all these restrictions in place it isn’t stopping peoples hopes and dreams of travel and warm Spanish sun being available to them again soon. Owning a holiday home on Mallorca is the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of life.

Here there are so many beautiful places to reside and the climate means you can enjoy more of the things you love whether that is golf, cycling, hiking, walking or sailing. Dining alfresco is the norm and the wonderful array of beachside restaurants and bars means you will never tire of choosing a new place to dine.

The capital, Palma is a feast for the senses with excellent shopping facilities, art galleries and museums to tour. Mallorca simply has such a wide selection of wonderful things to do, it really is a slice of heaven in the Mediterranean.

Whether you are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment overlooking a marina or a villa up on a hill, there’s a superb selection available here. Many people love the idea of retiring to Spain but enjoying every aspect of it might mean investing in a holiday home before then. Enjoy the journey and have fun searching for your new home in the sun. Our sister company Lifestyle Properties is on hand to help you if you need advice on some of the best places to buy.

5 things to do at home during isolation

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Wherever you are in the world, no doubt you are feeling some effects from COVID-19. Here in Spain we are on lockdown and stay at home to help lessen the spread of the virus. As we are scheduled to be at home now for a little longer on this beautiful island perhaps creating a routine during isolation wouldn’t be so bad.

Exercise

Whether you have a dog and can get out in the fresh air for a short time or not. There are plenty of online providers now offering daily lessens. Joe Wicks, The Body Coach and indeed Mr Motivator are offering daily classes to benefit both adults and children. Get those endorphins flowing. Meditation is an excellent way to zone out from the negativity and children can even get involved in this too. Yoga and pilates are great ways to stretch and keep yourself in good shape.

Cooking

If you are a fabulous cook then dust off those cookbooks and try new dishes with fresh local ingredients. Use those store cupboard staples and see how creative you can be making dishes that can be portioned and frozen. If you have little ones in the house why not spend a morning baking and an afternoon sampling the delights of your efforts.

Explore the world from home

Lots of museums are setting up their exhibits online, so we can still get our arts and culture fixes from the confines of our homes. Here’s a look inside the Met!

Learn a new skill

Have you always thought about learning Spanish or Mandarin? Perhaps now is the time to devote an hour or two a day to make your brain work. Whether you are still working from home or need to find something to do, it is important to use our brain and develop some new talent whilst doing so. Download a language app like Memrise or Duolingo and start practicing. Or, if you’re not interested in learning a new language, sign up for another kind of online class.

Volunteer Virtually

There are lots of communities to support right now, and though we can’t necessarily provide relief or comfort with our physical presence, we can certainly contribute what we can. That may be registering to be one of the people that talks to someone elderly and alone during this isolation. Online communities have risen dramatically over recent weeks and it is good to think you are doing something positive for someone else.

Of course, you could spend a few hours exploring the fabulous properties here on and choosing your favourites. Letting the mind wander is an excellent way to relax during this isolation period. Or you could plan your home refurbishment.

Stay safe out there.

 

 

Buying & selling property in Mallorca post Brexit

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Brexit has dominated the headlines over the last few years and now that it is finally done, things aren’t drastically different. The Withdrawal Agreement signed by the British allows for a transition period until 31st December 2020.

The legalities

If you live in Spain for three months or more a year you should get your documents in order. That means becoming a resident with an NIE and Spanish drivers licence. This will entitle you to free healthcare here in Spain.
The process of buying and selling property in Spain will not change for the British. It’s already the same process for non-EU nationals like the Swiss, Norwegians and Americans, so there’s no reason to expect it to be any different.

We don’t yet know whether Brexit will affect British demand for buying property in Mallorca, but it shouldn’t. The British were buying here long before they were in the EU and if anything, buying a home here is now more straightforward due to legislation passed in 2019.

Why buy here?

The Spanish government encourages other nationalities to invest here and The Golden Visa is a prime example of that. Over the last decade the Spanish property market has seen a steady increase in prices, standards and quality. Last year the price of property in Spain generally was up 3.6% in the 12 months to December 2019 according to valuation firm Tinsa. These statistics are a national average and the price of property in Spain does vary from region to region.

The real thing to watch is the value of the GBP. Choosing the right time to buy when you will get the most for your money is wise. Speak to one of our property specialists who can introduce you to currency specialists who can lock in an excellent rate for you on the exchange.

If you are thinking of buying or selling your property in Mallorca, talk to us today. Our team have many years’ experience in dealing with EU and non EU property transactions so they can guide you through a stress free process.

The benefits of buying off-plan

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Whether you are looking for a villa, holiday home or place to retire to here in Spain, buying off-plan has many benefits. Here in Mallorca, we work with tried and trusted developers that know how to choose fabulous locations and top-notch fixtures and fittings.

Firstly, you’ll be buying a brand-new property that benefits from modern design and the latest in energy efficiency. Modern open plan Mediterranean style living is the norm and many properties here are built focusing on the outside space and vista. Open plan interiors are an intrinsic part of the Mediterranean lifestyle and many are built offering outstanding views.

When you buy off-plan you often get the opportunity to personalise aspects of your new property. Those could range from kitchen worktops, tiles and flooring through to adding a gym, chill out area or cinema room on the higher value villas.

Buying off-plan often means staged payments too, so you keep your money earning interest for longer. Quite often, buying off-plan means below market prices at this stage so you are getting real value for money.

What is there to think about when buying off-plan? Well, first and foremost create a list of your must haves then opt for the location that suits your lifestyle best and you can be assured of high quality design and in many cases, the additional benefit of excellent on-site facilities.

We have multilingual property specialists ready to help you through the purchasing process. You could be owning your brand-new home in Mallorca in no time at all.

Are you not interested in buying an off-plan property? Our services can be commissioned to build a new home to your specifications, or indeed to reform one you have already purchased.

 

Spring in Mallorca

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Spring is just around the corner and what better time to enjoy a break on the island to find your perfect holiday home.

For a relatively small island, Mallorca offers a seemingly infinite variety of landscapes and rich and diverse cultural experiences. Whilst you are here get out in the fresh Spring air with a hike or cycle ride in the Sierra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World heritage site. If walking and cycling aren’t your thing then golf, tennis and horse-riding are all here to be enjoyed.

If you are looking for a home in the sun exploring resorts during the Spring is a deeply pleasurable experience as temperatures are just right. Getting a feel for the resorts you love in different seasons is especially important if you are looking to move here permanently and just as important for a holiday home.

The island is quieter in Spring but does come alive for the Semana Santa celebrations (Easter). Everyone should be a part of these celebrations at least once as it will be moments you treasure forever.

City Life

Palma is a really stunning city, however, exploring its streets in the intense July and August heat can be tough. Spring is a great time to visit as you won’t feel you are walking inside a sauna and its streets are not crowded with tourists. Take your time and enjoy the shopping and dining experience that Palma presents, and we are sure you will make it a regular occurrence.

History & Culture

Whether it’s an historic castle, a tranquil monastery, an ancient Talayotic site, a fascinating museum or a sumptuous estate with a Moorish legacy – Mallorca has history and culture in bucket loads. Superb places to take your visitors when they come to stay.

Relax

The beaches at this time of year are quieter and though there can be the odd cool day, there are likely to be many more where you can relax on the beach and take long lazy lunches in beachside restaurants. This will definitely cement the idea that living here in Mallorca can be the ideal lifestyle choice.

Contact us if you are looking for a resort that suits your lifestyle as we have a superb selection of properties in Mallorca to view.

Putting the luxe in luxury Mallorcan property

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Do you want the very best that money can buy? Not got time to search? Then look no further. We sell homes that are luxury as standard, so for a home that is guaranteed to surpass even your wildest dreams talk to us today.

We understand that searching for property, especially abroad, can be a time-consuming task. That’s why we provide a dedicated area on our site, pulling together the crème de la crème of Mallorca homes into one easy-to-search place.

What’s so special about luxury collection property?

We like to think that all of our properties exceed expectations, but the luxury collection goes that little bit further. Typical features include:

  • Vast amounts of space and privacy
  • Prime location
  • Stunning views
  • Indoor/outdoor pool
  • Jacuzzi/spa
  • Home automation systems
  • Internal lift
  • Cinema room
  • Wine cellar
  • Fully fitted kitchens with all mod cons and appliances
  • Gym
  • Helipad
  • State of the art security system

Why Lifestyle Properties?

If you’re looking for something extra special, you need an extra special real estate agency. At Lifestyle Properties we believe all our clients deserve a service that goes above and beyond – as standard.

Working with us, you can expect detailed knowledge of all the locations of our luxury homes. Boasting a multilingual team, ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation and your property criteria are always fully understood.

Contact us and we can guide you through the process of buying property in Mallorca, every step of the way, until you’re holding the keys. And even then, we don’t stop – offering an unrivalled service to assist you with everything you need to fully enjoy your new home.

House prices increase in November

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Whatever is happening in the political and economical world right now, the good news for sellers is that house prices are increasing. If you are a buyer, now is definitely the time to commit to buy.

Average prices for both new build and second-hand homes in the Balearic and Canary Islands grew by 11.3% in November compared with the same month last year, according to Tinsa, one of the leading real estate valuation services.

House prices increased by an average of 3.7% across Spain as a whole last month, in line with the year-to-date increase of 3.8%. Only the island territories have seen an annual average increase of over 5% in 2019 confirming what we know, the Balearics are the perfect place to set up home or own a holiday home.

Average house prices in regional capitals and bigger cities in Spain have gone up by 4.6% and 2.5% respectively over the past year. The Mediterranean coast on the other hand has seen a year-on-year rise of only 0.3%, lower than that seen in smaller towns or “remaining municipalities” where prices have risen by 1.3% over the past 12 months.

Compared with figures published at the end of 2018, house prices across Spain have gone up by an average of 2.4%. Only the islands, regional capitals and big cities have shown above average increases, with rises of 6.2% and 3.6% respectively.

Since the house-price lows registered at the end of the recession, house prices in Spain have gone up by an average of 16.8%, with bigger leaps in the case of the Balearic and Canary Islands (+29.1%), regional capitals and big cities (+26.8%), Mediterranean coast (+15.8%) and metropolitan areas (+13.6%). In all other areas, the rise was much smaller (5.5%).

This shows that buying property here in Mallorca is an excellent investment opportunity. The draw of the island brings in international tourists and stars every year, all you have to do is choose your budget, area and type of property and we can help you find your dream home here in Mallorca.

www.lifestyle-propertriesmallorca.com

Making your £ work for you

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With the unsettling political situation in the UK making the £/euro exchange rate unsteady, this is the time to think about buying your property in Mallorca. With refreshed hopes on the horizon for a Brexit deal the exchange rate has risen to almost 1:14 today and though it certainly isn’t the lowest the exchange rate has been over recent months, it could tumble over coming weeks depending on the outcome of Brexit.
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The property market here in Mallorca is buoyant and there continues to be some really great deals on off-plan property, so if you are looking at a way to pay for your property in set stages, this is probably the best option for you. This way you can pay a smaller deposit whilst the £/Euro rate is lower and hope then that the unsettling times stabilise.

If you are in a position to either get a mortgage or are a cash buyer looking to buy outright, then picking up a key ready property in a stunning location could be done fairly quickly ensuring you get good value. If you are an investment buyer looking to let out property and earn an income then your investment could start paying for itself in no time at all as visitors to the island remain high.

This is no wonder with a fabulous climate and superb range of outdoor pursuits to fill the time of a holidaymaker. Championship golf courses, great beaches, fine dining and amazing shopping facilities make Mallorca a lovely destination. Couple that with beautiful countryside and chic Palma that begs to be explored and you have an instant recipe for holiday success.

If you are looking to retire here then finding that fabulous villa overlooking the sea or a great little apartment on a golf course won’t be too difficult. Talk to us today about some of the fabulous property deals we have on the market and how to lock in an exchange rate.

Are you thinking of retiring in Mallorca?

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If like many people you have fallen in love with Mallorca over years of visiting here and have decided to retire here then it’s all in the planning. Most of us aren’t that old when we start our retirement planning, let’s face it – 60 is the new 50, we’re still in the prime of our lives and living a more active life in Spain will definitely keep you younger.

Healthcare

With everything going on in the world right now it is best to take out private medical cover if possible. If you’re going to be beyond retirement age when you end up living in Spain you will be covered by a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Spain for your basic healthcare needs, although no one knows the exact impact Brexit will have yet.

Location

You may love the idea of being in an isolated villa, but in real terms access to amenities becomes more important as you get older and potentially don’t or can’t drive. Popping to the shops, going out to dinner or to hospital can become tiresome if you always have to drive, get a lift or a taxi.

Your social circle

Being near people is important as increasing your social circle will help you ground yourself in an area. Learning a little Spanish goes a long way too. Join clubs and groups to integrate and you’ll soon find you are as busy as you want to be. Get outside and enjoy the climate as with over 300 days of sunshine each year golf days and long lazy lunches by the beach will soon be your norm. Of course, you will be inundated with visiting family and grandchildren but making new friends is just as important.

Your Will

Sorting out your will is one of the most important things you need to do when retiring to Mallorca. Make sure you have a local will in Spain that covers all of your assets in the country. You will also need one in the UK if you still have British assets and you will need legal advice to make sure your affairs are properly dealt with. The laws of succession in Spain differ to those in the UK. If you don’t have a will stating your intentions, your estate may not be dealt with as you would have wished.

Your taxes

It may be prudent to get a good accountant too as the tax system in Spain can be very complicated especially when you bring property taxes and foreign earned income into the mix.  A good accountant will help you make head and tail of the taxation system and protect you from paying too much.

Have fun

Looking for your perfect property in Mallorca can be fun. Make a wish list of things you want and things you could compromise on and understand that requirements for finding a property to live in are different to choosing a holiday home. When you are living here year-round it is not ideal to have your property right by the communal pool as it will be busy and potentially noisy during the summer months. Walking distance to the beach is lovely, but imagine the views you can enjoy from a property that is on a hillside overlooking the sea. Our team of property experts know the Mallorca very well and can help you consider areas that would suit your lifestyle. Contact us today if you would like help finding your dream retirement property as there are some great deals to be had

Mallorca in the Autumn

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We all know what a delightful island Mallorca is during the popular summer months, but what does the lovely offer during the quieter cooler months? For one thing Palma. The capital is the perfect place to explore on foot with leafy promenades flanked by clothing stores, cafes and charcuterie shops.

For a taste of history and culture the Museu Fundación Juan March, is a museum celebrating Spanish artists like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, and Salvador Dalí. The museum is free to visit, and housed in a grand 17th-century building worth seeing for its own beauty, not to mention the precious artwork it holds. Other Palma sightseeing highlights include stopping by its many churches, like the Santa María Cathedral and Sant Francesco Church.

You can enjoy some of the best restaurants in town without queuing for a table and head down to the Bay of Palma to enjoy the sights.

Of course, one of the nicest reasons to visit Palma in these cooler months are the designer shops. It is the perfect time to top up your Christmas gift list keeping cool whilst you do it.

Take a day trip to Deià, only 45-minutes away from Palma by car. It is a beautiful village that attracts stars of all magnitudes from its enchanting position surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains. Stars that have enjoyed relaxing breaks here include Beyonce, Harry Styles, Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hanks and Gwyneth Paltrow. There is an arty culture here but it’s not a place for tourism, really a hidden gem. There are some charming eateries and even if it’s chilly, walking the glistening coastline will bring on some amazing photo opportunities.

Of course, this time of year is ideal for getting out into the fresh air so you could be hiking in the mountains, cycle around some stunning villages or improve your swing on one of the golf courses.

Autumn heading into Winter is a great time to enjoy the delights of our lovely island. It is also the ideal time to look for property. Whether you are thinking of moving here permanently or buying a holiday home, our team at Lifestyle Properties are here to help.