The not so traditional blue village of Júzcar

When Sony Pictures held the official World Premiere of the Smurf’s 3D movie earlier this year, they didn’t do it with the traditional red carpet. Instead they premiered the film in a Smurf-blue village.

The originally white village of Júzcar in Málaga was painted completely blue for the event and has been a major tourist attraction since then, with over 80,000 visitors taking a day trip to Smurf town.

This weekend the village votes on whether to keep the new blue or revert to the traditional andalusian white. Either way the Town Hall is going to cover the cost of the painting. The village is one of the many white villages found in the mountains behind the glitzy Costa del Sol. Tourism is a major source of income, but the rural property market has also been a significant feature, with many foreigners choosing to buy property in the villages to enjoy a more “spanish” lifestyle – without the golf courses and the luxury beachfront apartments and where the 4×4′s are used to negotiate country lanes and mountain tracks rather than the crowds in Puerto Banús!

Whatever the outcome of this weekend’s vote, the village of Júzcar is well worth a visit with it’s rustic charm and friendly villagers – but don’t be disappointed if you don’t see any real life Smurfs on your visit….

England Manager, Fabio Capello, chooses Marbella for the England Training Camp ahead of Euro 2012

A regular visitor to Marbella, England Football Manager, Fabio Capello has chosen the MPFS soccer complex in Nueva Andalucía for the Euro 2012 training camp ahead of the tournament.

The MPFS complex has three well kept pitches and is popular with northern European teams who visit during the winter break for warm weather training. Bayern Muncih, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton are some of the teams that have trained there in the past.

Clearly the climate is an important factor in selecting the location with Marbella giving the squad an opportunity to train in the kind of conditions they can expect in the Ukraine, but the opportunity to relax and enjoy the area will be another significant consideration.

The Costa del Sol in general and Marbella in particular has always been a popular destination for footballers. The relaxed attitiude and the respect they are shown by the local residents who allow them to stroll through the town or eat in restaurants without being overwhelmed by attention is a welcome relief for many. The luxury property and the wealthy lifestyle is also an attraction with the “jet set” label still often being used in the media. Perhaps after this training camp one or two more might be tempted to invest in property in Marbella and share the lifestyle for more than just a few days. Whatever happens in the Ukraine, there is little doubt that Marbella will leave its mark on the team.

The Biggest Apple Store in Spain opens its doors in Marbella

Just in time for Christmas, Apple computers have opened their biggest Apple Store in Spain in the La Cañada shopping centre in Marbella.

The move is just one in a series that illustrate the attraction of Marbella to international brands, with many having flagship stores in the town. A stroll through La Cañada, the centre of Marbella or Puerto Banús itself is a tour of shopper’s paradise.

The Apple Store is an emblematic brand. Slick design, slicker products and enthusiastic staff serving Apple converts it is another reference point for Marbella; underlying the confidence many big names are showing in the future of the area.

Almost at the same time that the Apple Store opened its doors, the Mayor of Marbella, MariAngeles Muñoz, was signing the approval of the new Al-Thani port in Marbella, the impressive extension to the fishing port which will allow up to three trans-Atlantic cruise ships to dock in Marbella at any one time. The new port will house yet more top quality shopping outlets as well as a spectacular 5 star hotel and will be a significant addition to the town’s international appeal.

The confidence and optimism being shown for the future of the area is welcome in times of economic hardship and is bound to enhance the area’s reputation as a holiday and residential destination for Europe’s elite.

PP Leader, Mariano Rajoy, wins the national elections with the biggest swing in Spanish history

Last weekend’s national election saw the biggest swing in government that Spain has seen since the birth of its democracy some 33 years ago. The PSOE, the previous socialist government paid a heavy price for the economic crisis, losing 59 of the 169 seats they held in the senate.

The economy was by far the biggest talking point in the run up to the vote, with other issues taking a back seat. With 20% unemployment and the austerity measures biting hard, the ruling party was severely punished with change being the only objective of a disillusioned electorate.

And now the hard work begins for Partido Popular leader Mariano Rajoy and his cabinet as they try to steer the country out of the troubled waters into which it has drifted.

Along with the change of government comes the usual wave of optimism and this is bound to give the country a lift – at least in the short term. However, it will be the long term plans which will lead to economic recovery and it will be the construction and tourism sectors which will have to lead the way.

The construction of luxury property on the Spanish Costas has for many years been one of the foundations of the country’s growth. Beachfront villas and apartments around the golf courses attract important investment from overseas, not only creating employment in the construction itself, but also in the ancillary industries which service the new residents and visitors. Having taken the luxury property market for granted for many years, not only in Marbella and the Costa del Sol but all along the Mediterranean coastline, property developers and town planners alike are rallying to attract the next generation of foreign property investors.

The next few months will determine how effective these plans will be.

This 7 bedroom villa in Benahavis has recently been reduced in price.

Spanish property developers have taken the government’s intended boost to their sector as welcome encouragement to the market. Many are heavily promoting the reduction in VAT – from 8% to just 4% on new properties – which is in place until the end of the year. On a property of 1m euros, this represents a saving of 40,ooo euros – certainly an incentive for what has proven to be a slow year in the new property market.

However, whilst many people dream of owning their new apartment on the Costa del Sol or a frontline golf property on one of Spain’s internationally acclaimed golf courses, it is not always the new properties which can represent the best value, and whilst the reduction in VAT must be considered, there are some very competitively priced resale properties which are being sold below their true value. International financial pressures have led to some owners  – and developers for that matter – to take along hard look at their pricing, and anyone looking to purchase property in Spain would be well advised to seize the moment.

At Livingstone Estates we currently have a number of exceptional properties being offered at prices which are considered to be be well below their true market value. Property investment is still one of the more stable and profitable investments available, especially over the longer term. and with the uncertainty across the world’s stock markets, bricks and mortar once again come to the fore.

Two of these originate in Algeciras, as major port some 20 kilometres West of Gibraltar and Sotogrande, one heading northeast towards Madrid and beyond into France, the other to follow the Mediteranean coastline around the Costa eel Sol, the Costa de Almeria and up through the Costa Blanca before crossing Barcelona on its way into France via the eastern coast of the Pyrenees.

The third will connect Galicia and the northern cities to the rest of Europe.

All three will make a major contribution to the future of the Spanish economy, being important transport infrastructural improvements for the transport of both passengers and freight.

The Costa del Sol is expected to be one of  the principal benefactors; stations are planned for the major cruise as well as cargo ports, with Marbella likely to be on the timetable. The high-speed rail network already connects Málaga with Madrid – the 500km journey taking a mere 2 hours 40 minutes, but the new proposed network will bring passengers from well beyond the current rail catchment areas.

Without doubt, one of the contributing factors to this decision has been the substantial growth of the Spanish costas, and the Costa del Sol in particular as a residential tourism destination over the past two or three decades. The number of holiday visitors and European property owners in Spain has enjoyed constant growth, and there has been a steady increase in the number of expatriate residents – all of whom tend to travel more regularly around Europe than ever before.

These improvements are another important effect of the coming of age of the Spanish Coastal areas as significant economic markets within which the EU are expecting future growth. They are a great indicator of the bright future the area can expect to enjoy as such substantial investment helps to build further confidence in Spain and the Mediterranean coasts.

Luxury Property in La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club has held its value well

Where the middle and lower end of the property market has suffered, those properties at the top end of the range have managed to maintain their value during the global recession better than most.

The key factors to this are the following – firstly, the more expensive properties enjoy excellent locations. There are certain addresses which, whilst not completely recession proof, are far more resistant than others. La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club is one such address. An exclusive, gated community of luxurious individually designed homes, it is perhaps the most sought after address in Southern Spain. It houses its own golf course with Club House as well as riding stables, heliport, hunting and fishing and yet is a mere 10 minutes from the beaches of San Pedro and Puerto Banús. Properties here start in the 3-4 million euro range and some are significantly more expensive. Opulence and elegance go hand in hand – with every comfort being pampered as one would expect.

From the privileged vantage point just above Marbella’s Golden Mile – with the Marbella Club and Puente Romano 5 Star Hotels as neighbours -  Marbella Sierra Blanca overlooks the Coast. Beautifully crafted and finished properties enjoy pride of place on the foothills of the Concha mountain and a level of privacy and security which is the envy of many. Again, it is often hard to appreciate just how close to the centre of the town these properties are, and yet, at the same time, so completely independent of the daily bustle. When real estate agents talk about Location, Location, Location – it is these properties to which they refer.

Secondly, in addition to the address is the quality of the construction and finishing of these properties. Exquisite fixtures and the very best in appliances make these homes a delight for the resident. In most, every conceivable comfort is standard. And, as in most cases, quality is timeless which is why these properties hold their value well. When builders are using the best materials the end result far surpasses the description – there are, after all, marble floors and marble floors – one does not have to be a connoisseur to tell the difference.

Thirdly, the future of the area is a significant factor. One prime example of this is the Marbella Club Golf development in Benahavís where luxury villas are being constructed around the spectacular new golf course. An obvious benefit to this is that the new owner can be sure that, if they overlook part of the golf course, there is no danger of that view being spoiled in the future – not something so easily said about other new construction.

Luxury Beachfront Property at Torre Bermeja

The same can be said about frontline beach property – the frontline is the frontline. So direct access to the beach from your luxury villa or apartment is guaranteed. An excellent example of this is Torre Bermeja, the fabulous apartment complex close top the Livingstone Estates offices. Here the 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses are close to the beach and the position they enjoy cannot be affected by any future construction.

These are just some of the factors that one should evaluate when considering investment in property at the top end of the market. The price often does truly represent the value of the property, rather than the market’s fancy. Property investment should be seen as  long term rather than as a short to medium term speculative move. Whilst there is little doubt that some investors have lost money over the past couple of years, those investing at the top end of the market and with a longer term plan will still be looking to achieve a good return on their investment.

Bars and restaurants are decked out with bunting, many bring temporary bars into the streets, and the townsfolk, dressed in their traditional flamenco clothes  – colourful layered dresses for her, tight riding trousers for him – make merry throigh the day, until it is time to move on from the Feria de Día in the town centre, to the Feria de Noche with the fairground attractions.

For many visitors and residents, the feria is a wonderful time to share the cultural heritage of Spain, and in particular Andalusia – and the San Pedreños (as the residents of San Pedro are known) are extremely welcoming. There is a general acceptance and indeed pride in the feria which the locals are quick to share with foreign visitors. A pride in the notion of “mi pueblo” – my village – is one which it is often difficult for northern Europeans to understand, but anyone spending time in Southern Spain, and feeling the excitement and tradition of the feria quickly becomes hooked.

Many of the things which are seen perhaps as cultural icons find their roots in the feria: bulls, horses, flamenco, sevillanas, sherry and more are all part of the celebratory tradition and it is these things which harbour so much of the attraction of people moving to the Costa del Sol, being part of the lifestyle heritage.

And, perhaps the main reason why San Pedro is so popular is that it is the last feria of the year. No more dancing in the streets until Spring!

The Best Ofice in the World! The new European Commuter is here to stay.

As deadline’s approach, the Marbella Town Hall is keen to gain access to the 90,000 square metres of land which forms the surface of the A7 tunnel running through San Pedro Alcántara.

The authorities have a 6 million euro fund reserved for the improvements and finishing to the area, which is due to see children’s play areas as well as gardens and walkways.

During the construction the town has been effectively split, with pedestrian access in particular affected by the disruption. But the improvements to the infrastructure will see incalculable benefits for the town once completed, with traffic moving freely along the route of the old CN340. San Pedro has had to wait for a solution to the traffic problem, but the imminent completion of the new tunnel will bring the town up to the level of other towns and cities that attract quality tourism and residential property investment.

Between the new A7 and the AP7 toll road, access to the luxury property developments is better than ever, with quick and easy access to both Malaga and Gibraltar international airports. Some of the best addresses on the coast have traditionally had accessibility issues – La Zagaleta and the Marbella Golf Golf Resort in Benahavís for example, or Monte Mayor which for some time could only be reached from a poorly kept road are now only a few minutes from motorway connections. Sotogrande and San Roque can be reached in just over an hour from Malaga Airport.

This change, coupled with the low cost of air travel between Spain and the major cities of Europe has seen the birth of the European commuter. More and more people are moving to their property on the Costa del Sol, and commuting to London, Paris or Berlin. In practical terms the commute can be less traveling from Spain to London than from Manchester. Families enjoy the climate and the lifestyle and the attraction of living in a frontline beach apartment in Marbella whilst working on the City is overwhelming. And, as improvements to the infrastructure continue, this is a trend destined to continue.

Picnic on the beach? The Nikki Beach way, Marbella

Exuberant luxury through the summer peppered with some of the most stylish and stunning parties one can imagine, they offer the visitor a day (and night) to remember. From Nikki Beach close to the Don Carlos Hotel a few kilometres east of Marbella to Puro Beach in Estepona, they are the destination of choice for the beautiful people who summer on the coast as well as the visitors who fly down to celebrate some of the more popular parties. The monthly Champagne Spray Party at Ocean Club in Puerto Banús is an extravagance which has to be seen to be believed – scores of bottles of Moet being sprayed over bikini clad beauties relaxing on the large white chill out beds around the magnificent pool…Crisis? What crisis?

Regular visitors to the area will doubtless be familiar with these retreats, but the newcomer would be well advised to check them out. Not for the faint-hearted, be prepared to party through the day – of course, a day accompanied by glorious international cuisine, bottles of only the best, and as much sunshine as you can stand.

The beach clubs are just one of the more obvious ways in which the Costa del Sol is raising the stakes when it comes to the more discerning and demanding tourist. Quaint is out, chic is in. Tapas are now as likely to be sushi as sardines. And those who benefit are the visitors who are returning to Spain with a new set of expectations. and the Coast seems to be more than ready and willing to satisfy!