2012 May

Completely renovated townhouse for sale in Torrox for just 67,750 Euros!

May 31, 2012
Costa del Sol East, Property News, Torrox News
No Comments
for sale, property, propiedades, se vende, torrox

Recently fully refurbished village house in Torrox Pueblo. Lovely views to surrounding countryside from the rooftop terrace.

Ground floor: reception room/ lounge or bedroom, modern kitchen with downlighting, shower room. 1st floor: Double bedroom with a built-in wardrobe. Access to the roof terrace with nice views over the village, the mountains, the countryside and the sea. Beautifully done with wooden carpentry in typical rustic style.

All amenities immediately available close by. Torrox and Nerja beaches just 5 minutes drive.

See photographs and location.

Spanish Government reduces capital gains tax on second homes by 50pc.

May 28, 2012
Property News
1 Comment
capital gains tax, housing, plusvalía, Spain, vivienda

The Spanish government has introduced more measures to try to stimulate sales of second homes.

Buying a second home or investment property in Spain between now and the end of the year will allow you to benefit from a 50% reduction in capital gains taxes when you come to sell, thanks to a new measure announced on the 12th of May 2012 by Ana Pastor, head of the Ministry of Public Works, which also includes the Housing Department.

This reform in the law allows all those buying a property from the 12th of May 2012 till the 31st of December 2012 to pay taxes only on the 50% of the capital gains when subsequently selling the property, whether you sell in 1, 5 or 10 years, while the remaining 50% is free of charges.

The tax break applies to individuals and companies, but does not apply to sales between parents and their children. Also it does not affect primary residences, which already benefit from a reduction of 100% in the capital gains tax (which obviously only benefits residents).

This tax saving is not definitive in order to reach a decision whether to buy a property or not in Spain, as it is not possible to know whether prices may go down even more nor the gains resulting from the eventual property sale. However, this fact may be a helpful factor to take a decision for those considering buying a property, especially for those non-speculative potential buyers whose main purpose is to enjoy this property for many years; so the longer they own the property, the greater the capital gains may be when selling it.

The measure is clearly aimed also at investors and holiday home buyers, who will benefit from paying 50% less in capital gains when they come to sell, but only upon property purchased this year (2012).

As the Spanish government is continually introducing new measures to kick-start the property market, especially in the banking sector, this and other new reforms are always welcome.

Home Staging improves your chance of selling or renting your property

May 28, 2012
General News, LPG News, Property News
No Comments
costa del sol, costa tropical, Home Staging, Interior design, photography

The way to sell or rent your house FASTER and for a BETTER price

A good presentation of a property is essential for a quick sale or rental.

Statistics show that potential buyers make up their mind within the first 60 seconds of entering a property. They need to imagine themselves living in the house that they visit.

The following points will assist you to prepare your property for sale or rental in a way that allows potential buyers to have an immediate reaction and to “fall in love with the house”. It should also help you to attract more potential visitors / buyers.

Preparing your property for sale or for rent:

- Thorough cleaning – a dirty kitchen or bathroom gives a very bad impression. It is also important to remember to clean the windows (letting in more light).

- Lighting – Open curtains and turn on lights in darker areas.

- Depersonalize to create a neutral environment – by packing away personal items, toys, photos etc. It is important that the potential buyer can imagine themselves living in the property.

- Uncluttering – take away clothes and personal items to create the impression of space.

- Create a positive first impression from the entrance of the house.

- Use neutral colours – there are many different tastes out there, but it is best to have the property as neutral as possible so that the majority of visitors feel comfortable in the environment.

- A nice smell helps to give a good impression – Put scented flowers, candles or fresh air fragrances in rooms.

- Minor improvements or repairs - such as ‘touch up’ painting, repairs to flooring etc.

- The outside – it’s not just the inside of the property that is important but also the terrace, patio and garden areas.

These points can make your home look bigger, brighter, more inviting and create a better first impression. Remember, you are trying to sell or rent a property and not your home!

- Photography – Perhaps the most important consideration is that of good photographs. And it’s not just about the camera, it’s the photographer! Many estate agents fail in this department. Some use professional photographers. Others actually get it right. Whoever you use, ensure that the property is projected in the best possible manner.

BEFORE AND AFTER:

Example of a property professionally photographed:

Penthouse for rent in Nerja

The LGP Spain also collaborates with professional photographers and interior designers. With a small investment you could raise the profile of your home and also attract more potential visitors and buyers. Contact us for further information.

Annual Air Display to be held in Motril 17th June 2012

May 24, 2012
Costa Tropical News, Motril News
No Comments
air show, Cartouche Dore, costa tropical, motril, What's On

The VII annual air display in Motril will be held on Sunday 17th June 2012 on the Playa Granada, organised by the Spanish Asociacion Aeronautica Andaluza Orion .

Many types of aircraft will be present, including fixed wing and rotary, and a display from the French air force with their Cartouche Dore acrobatics display team.

Crowds of up to 10,000 people are expected, if previous years are to go by. Access is via the Motril port road, easily found on the junctions of the N-340 and the motorway coming south from Granada.

Sounds like a great day out on the beach, looking skywards. Don’t forget your sun glasses!

New Audio iPhone App for Nerja

May 18, 2012
Nerja News
No Comments
App, audio, iPhone, nerja

Although launched in December of last year, a report just out shows who’s using it.

According to the councilor for tourism in Nerja, Bernardo Pozuelo, the most downloads have been made by the Spanish (51%), the Brits (10.4%), the Americans follow with 8.9% with the Swedish, German, Irish, Belgian, Italian and French in toe.

It’s available from iTunes for 0.99€.

“Sir” David Beckham lights the Olympic flame on British soil

May 18, 2012
General News, Sports News
No Comments
juegos Olympicos, London Olympics 2012, sport, UK

The gold painted British Airways flight from Greece landed at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall at 19.31 (BST) carrying the Olympic flame with Princess Anne, Seb Coe, David Beckham, Olympics minister Hugh Robertson, London Mayor Boris Johnson and five young people from the UK.

After a welcoming ceremony at the foot of the aircraft David Beckham lit the Olympic torch from the lantern that had been carried on board the flight from Greece.

Tomorrow, the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start from Land’s End and will employ 8.000 bearers who will carry the torch within 10 miles of 95% of the population of the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey including an excursion to Northern Ireland.

Whilst David Beckham was in Greece, Greek Olympic officials accidently “knighted” him before the Queen has been able to grant him the distinction. On arrival at the Royal Navy airbase, the BBC presenter greeted him jokingly as “Sir” David Beckham, bringing a roar from the crowd present.

Olympic Torch Relay route

May 18, 2012
General News, Sports News
No Comments
deportes, juegos olímpicos, London Olympics 2012, sport, UK

Follow the Olympic Torch Relay route starting tomorrow 19th May from Land’s End and see in detail every town and village that is passes through until it reaches the Olympic Stadium on the 27th July.

More than 8.000 bearers will carry the torch within 10 miles of 95% of the population of the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey including an excursion to Northern Ireland.

There will be many special events and celebrations along the way, all details of which are available on the Route Map to be found below:

Olympic Torch Relay route

The High Speed AVE now links Málaga and Valencia bypassing Madrid

May 17, 2012
Costa del Sol News, General News, Málaga News
No Comments
AVE, málaga, Valencia

The AVE, the Spanish high speed train now runs non-stop from Málaga to Valencia without having to change in Madrid.

A new 7 kilometer link around the capital has just been opened and ensures a direct route that saves an hour on the previous journey via Madrid, and which now takes just 4 hours and 35 minutes. This is good for travellers between the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

Apart from the AVE travelling to both Cordoba and Sevilla, on route to Madrid, there also exists a direct connection already in service to Barcelona.

Málaga in Champions

May 15, 2012
Costa del Sol News, Sports News
No Comments
Champions League, costa del sol, football, fútbol., málaga

Malaga’s inclusion in the Champions League is great news for the Costa del Sol.

It brings immediate recognition of Malaga and its coast line as a prime tourist destination. It’s a great boost for the local economy as it attracts massive and free world wide press coverage, as well as attracting possible new investors to the area.

It puts Málaga in the European football elite, a project started by its owner, Abdullah Al-Thani, who as a result of its success, can now attract world class players to the club.

The team is still celebrating as they were presented on the balcony of the Málaga town hall this morning together with the Mayor of Málaga, other dignitaries and the club’s owner.