Brexit

British set their eye on Spanish property post Brexit

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.

property in mallorca

How to get a bigger property in Mallorca without moving

You can be very clever when you are trying to make your property in Mallorca bigger without moving. Here are a few tips but one of our favourite is to reconfigure your space with a little building work. It may seem like a big thing but with our expertise it really will make a difference to the way you live.

Whether it is to create a new home office which after this year many of us need. Or opening up a tired and outdated property by combining a kitchen, living and dining area into a stunning modern open plan space. Your property in Mallorca can be turned into the home of your dreams without moving.

Bring the outside inside

If you have a large window or a beautiful view from your living area bring the colours of the outside landscape into your room, matching them in furnishings and décor. This will create a unified look to your room and expand the look of the space.

Make the lighting right

Natural light is the ultimate way of making a space look bigger. It opens up the room, adding character, creating different drop shadows and bringing a sense of freshness.

It’s not always possible to use the power of natural light, but ‘layered’ artificial lighting is an ideal way to create a feeling of space. Choosing wall lights saves floor footage. Opening up a space by removing walls is another great idea and one we have experience of.

Open plan living

Removing as many doors as possible within your house will give you an open plan living space that increases the sense of space and creates a free-flowing living environment. Just doors may not be enough. Adding a wall of light with bifold doors would be a great way of doing this.

Furniture choices

Adding something like a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf not only saves space but creates a focal point and tricks the eye into expanding the room by pushing the walls and ceiling out. Multi-functional furniture pieces like settles, ottomans and storage seats are perfect ways to hide away clutter. Any space-saving furniture is great. Things like stacking chairs or wheeled tables that can be pushed to where they are needed help de-clutter and provide more space.

An oversized mirror or sets of mirrors allude to space and add extra light into a room. Always avoid unnecessary frills! Ruffles on furniture and window treatments make a room seem busy. Stick to simple panels and lines to create a spacious effect.

Colour creates space

Using cool colours like a sky blue makes the walls visually recede. Even one focal wall of a cool colour can make a room seem bigger. Light, fresh colours and neutral tones make a space expand. They also create a blank background for artwork and patterned furniture so the overall effect is not busy or over-complicated.

Link adjacent rooms together using colour. This helps gives a linear flow to the decor of the house giving the impression of a bigger space. Whether you live in an apartment, bungalow, or house, use these clever tricks and make your home feel more like a mansion.

If you are looking for more space in your property in Mallorca then contact us and we will come and talk through what your wish list is. Our experience may be able to offer suggestions you have not considered.

property in mallorca

Does your property in Mallorca need a facelift?

This year we have all been spending more time at home and this means all those niggling little things around the home you want to change become more obvious. So does your property in Mallorca need a facelift?

Now we understand that some of you have donned your overalls and got on with those jobs and indeed become more green fingered over this long year, but who hasn’t? Has life not slowed down at all for you in lockdown? Or more importantly have you not been able to get over to enjoy your second home here in Mallorca?

This is actually the case for a lot of people. Looking around your property in Mallorca right now what needs the most attention? Is a simple decorating job enough to give your property a facelift?

Problems sometimes go deeper than that. Have you been putting up with that tired old kitchen for too long or are those drab bathroom tiles ruining your relaxing bath times. If you don’t have the time or skills to fix these kinds of property related jobs yourself then it can be a real cause of stress.

Have no fear dear clients as the team here at Lifestyle are available to make that real difference to your home right now. We can manage full scale property renovations from a kitchen refurb to property extensions. Because our team is multi skilled we can take care of every aspect of the job from planning to clearing away rubbish and cleaning too. Because we are experts in Mallorca we can also manage projects whilst you are not here.

As we approach the New Year, one we are all ready for, what are your plans?

What would you change?

If you are thinking of moving why not put together a list of pros and cons. Think about the changes that could be made within your property to turn it into your dream home.

Do you need more space? Is your home working for your family right now? Does your home need modernisation? Drill down further and list the jobs that need doing. It may not be as costly as you think to create a home that really works for you and your family.

Contact us today for a quote.

5 things to look for in a holiday home

When clients are looking for a holiday home in Mallorca, often the list of considerations vary, but the common ones are below. They can be a real investment opportunity if you choose wisely.

Location

Naturally location is top of the list, and it’s not difficult to work out why. Holiday makers truly value a properties proximity to the area they are visiting, even if just for convenience more than anything else. Another bonus of fabulous location is the potential property views, especially if sea views are involved.

Interior Style

Interiors are an extremely personal thing, but the styling of a property can make or break a selection. Every individual is looking for something different in terms of style, but the aesthetics of the home are more important than you may think. Considering it’s going to be the focal point of the holiday, guests want to feel at home as soon as they enter a property, so it’s important that the decor invites a welcoming atmosphere. Neutral is always best. Should the ideal property be found and it needs a small reform to bring it up to standard, we can help.

Privacy

Half of the reason a holiday is selected is to be able to unwind from the busyness of everyday life, and part of relaxation is privacy. More and more holiday makers are looking for holiday lets that have private terraces and outdoor areas to enjoy outdoor living in peace.

Space

Space, space and more space. One of the biggest and more important aspects of any holiday home selection is ensuring that there is plentiful space for the whole party, after all, being on top of one other certainly isn’t relaxing. Create an illusion of larger spaces by ensuring minimal clutter and well-lit rooms. Also consider if you let out the property having twin beds in one bedroom and a sofa bed in another so it increases the party size to 6. With blended families and grandparents taking grandchildren away nowadays, space is key.

Wow factor

If the home has that little something extra, it’s more than likely going to be extremely popular with holiday renters. Hot tubs and private pools are a draw and would be extremely popular with holiday makers, as they are generally looking for something that they don’t have at home, to make the trip extra special. Onsite facilities such as children’s pools, tennis courts and restaurants and bars also draw in renters.

Of course, everyone is different and you may want completely different things out of your holiday home, but if you are looking to rent it out considerations need to be location near amenities; space and number of beds; plus points (to help market it), ie on site facilities. Talk to one of our team if you are thinking of buying a holiday home. Their experience will help point you in the right direction. Property in Mallorca is always popular as a rental and is a wise investment.

Buying & selling property in Mallorca post Brexit

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

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.