Buyers guide to buying a bargain property in Duquesa

Buyers guide to buying a bargain property in Duquesa

In todays market it may appear that all Spanish properties are for sale and all have incredible discounts and huge savings. This is in part true but the as a newcomer to the area or even a seasoned property investor it is difficult to know which way to turn.

When buying a property in Duquesa it is easy to become distracted by those properties with the lowest price or those that are advertised with massive discounts. However these examples don’t necessarily represent the best Duquesa property investments or genuine bargains.

There are no new secrets to buying a property in Duquesa but it is important to remind yourself of what is important to you the buyer i.e. why are you buying a property in Duquesa? Is it for holiday rentals? Is it to relocate to the area? Or are you simply looking to buy a discounted Duquesa property in the hope you will profit from future capital growth?

The 3 key elements to identifying a true bargain are LOCATION, QUALITY and PRICE. If a property scores high marks on all three of these criteria, then it starts to represent value for money, and therefore could be truly considered a Duquesa property bargain.

Great Duquesa property Locations:

If you are looking to buy a property for your own use for holidays or are looking to relocate to the Duquesa area the location question is not as easily answered in general terms as each individual will have different requirements e.g. quiet location or walking distance to amenities. What is important here is to visit the property on several occasions and at different times of the day so you have a clear picture of what it may be like to live there.

Should you want to buy a property for holiday rentals or investment the question of location is vital. Many agents many tell you what a great holiday rental properties all properties are and how much money you can make per year. All this information will sound very appealing and a ‘no brainer’ to buy the property. Unfortunately in my experience some of these agents have no experience in the rental property field and are not giving you accurate rental figures nor correct guidance. By choosing an experienced and knowledgeable Duquesa Estate agent such as Barrington Homes you can benefit from their years of property rental experience and be shown select properties that we know will generate a good rental income for you and as such be a sound property investment. There are only very few developments in the area that will generate a good rental income and it is vital to seek professional advise from Barrington Homes when making your decision.

Quality Duquesa Properties

Fortunately the majority of properties in Duquesa are generally of a good standard. It is also relatively easy and cost effective to make any minor cosmetic property changes should you wish to do so. An important point which is often overlooked is the quality of the urbanization to which the property may belong. A well run, well maintained, attractive urbanization is often a key contributing factor to resale prices and property resale values. It is important to find out how much the community fees are for the property and also the urbanizations future plans, maintenance schedules etc.

Duquesa Property Prices

Don’t be misled by attractive discounts by Duquesa property developers or estate agents advertising. Although these are genuine discounts from previous prices you are advised to do your homework to find out other property prices in the development or how much the properties sold for in previous years to get an idea of what the potential price of the property will be in future years. This will give you a clear guide of the value for money you are being offered.

The first step in buying a property in Duquesa

After reviewing the above points you can inform your Estate Agent of your requirements. At Barrington Homes we like to have as much information as possible about our clients buying requirements so we can ensure we are finding them the perfect match at the best price and in their ideal location. If you are considering purchasing a property in Duquesa contact Barrington Homes. By informing us of your criteria (Budget, property requirements, and reason for buying the property) we can then proceed to find you a great property using our extensive property database and also years of knowledge we have by living and working in Duquesa.

We look forward to hearing from you. For further advice and guidance contact us on(0034) 952 936 216 or email info@barringtonhomes.eu

Duquesa Property - Alternative Investment opportunities !

Duquesa latest property deals and best buys. Why is now a great time to invest ?


It is common knowledge that the interest rates previously offered by banks are no longer available. People who have saved for years to generate a good income from their savings are now finding they have to live on a pittance compared previous years. So, whats the solution ? With share prices also on the decline the only plausable answer is to invest in property. Many people will be incredibly reluctant to do so given media reports and general 'horror stories' published for media hype rather than reviewing the laws and the actual facts. So why invest now......


Now in 2009 as Duquesa property prices are tumbling it is the perfect opportunity to purchase a property bargain in Duquesa. Property prices are lower than the previous highs of recent years meaning there is generous scope for capital growth and rental property is in demand due to the lack of financing options from banks meaning not many people can afford to buy a property.

Can you think outside the box ? - Buying Property in Duquesa

Purchasing property in Duquesa now may be considered as a bold move to many people. However as Duquesa Estate Agents we see an influx of investors return to the market looking to buy a discounted property in Duquesa and make the most of the superb rental yields achievable in todays market. It is these bold investors who realise their property dreams of making thousands on capital increase in their property and also enjoying healthy rental returns. So, if they can do it why cant you ? Most people listen to the media hype without actually analysing the facts about property investments. Below you will see some facts that speak for themselves !

Property Investment facts:

In 2009 a selection of properties have been discounted by up to 40% on prices in early 2008 meaning there is a incredible potential capital growth in future years !

Rental yields in 2007/8 (when buyer confidence was high!) were lower than yields of investing in shares or high interest bank accounts. Now rental yields are up to 7% which certainly can not be matched by any other form of investing at the moment!

Latest Duquesa Property Bargains


2 bedroom Apartment, Marina del Castillo, Duquesa. Reduced to 250,000€. Fully Furnished. Yearly rental income of 12,000€. Rental yield of 4.8%. Marina del Castillo is the most exclusive and recently completed development in Duquesa. This luxury development has numerous desirable facilities including a 24hr security, communal pool, sauna and expansive terraced gardens. Every apartment is also fitted with a state of the art home automation system, a hydro bath, hydro massage shower, hot and cold air conditioning. Marina del Castillo properties have also been finished to the highest specification including marble walls, floors and bathroom suites. This Marina del Castillo 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment has a spacious covered terrace that overlooks the pool area. The property is furnished to a high standard and is a very desirable and comfortable property. Marina del Castillo is within a very short, flat walking distance to all amenities including Puerto Duquesa marina, Castillo village, Sabinillas town and of course Duquesa Beach is directly infront of Marina del Castillo.

2 bedroom apartment, Marina de la Duquesa. Reduced to 219,000€. Fully Furnished. 15,000€ yearly rental returns. Rental yield of 6.8% This fantastic 2 bedroom ground floor apartment is located in the sought after development of Marina de la Duquesa located next to Puerto Duquesa Marina. Numerous facilities can be enjoyed including a gym, Sauna, paddle tennis and 4 large communal pools all within the secure and spacious gardens. This property has been custom designed to a high specification and boasts a superb unique layout. The property benefits from hot and cold air conditioning, heated towel rails and sky television. The property is well presented and perhaps the best feature is the south facing terrace which overlooks the pool area and has direct access to the gardens. This property is a perfect holiday home and ideal rental investment. Viewing is very highly recommended to appreciate the location, views, internal quality and space in this apartment.

2 bed Penthouse, Pueblo Camelot. Reduced to 125,000€. Yearly rental return of 6000€. Rental yield of 6.7%
Pueblo Camelot is a gated community and has communal pool and parking. The communal gardens in this urbanisation are very striking and possibly the best in the area for foliage and palm trees. The development enjoys an elevated position and as such the views from the property are of Duquesa Golf, the Mediterranean Sea and internally to the communal gardens. Internally this 2 bedroom Pueblo Camelot Penthouse is a of a good size, is well distributed and has two good size bedrooms. The master bedroom also has a small balcony which is accessed by double patio doors. The property is light and a sense of additional space is created by the open aspect from the kitchen to the lounge area. This penthouse apartment is located in a corner position within the development and has beautiful views from the private terrace.

If you are interested in these or any other properties for sale in Duquesa contact Barrington Homes on info@barringtonhomes.eu

Duquesa Property Reposessions

Duquesa Property Repossessions

Property Repossession Myths

Numerous clients have approached Barrington Homes to enquire about repossession properties hoping to acquire an incredible property and an incredible price. Understandably clients believe that the opportunities to buy these properties exist here in Spain using the same system as in their own country. In Spain the process of purchasing these properties is lengthy and often unpredictable due to the complicated legal and auction systems that are intertwined with buying a repossession property in Spain.

The current situation

The global credit crises has of course had the same brutal effects to the Spanish property market as in other countries leading to numerous property repossessions by Spanish banks. Some banks are now offering lists of available properties to selected agents. Barrington Homes have received numerous lists of Duquesa property repossessions but as yet have not seen any property bargains in Duquesa. The banks are of course looking to recoup the debt they have on the property i.e. resell it for the same amount as the mortgage value. This is theory sounds like you could buy great property bargain in Duquesa. However due to previous loan to value mortgages being offered at up to 100% of the property value during the property boom banks now have a debt on the property which is way in excess of current resale prices. For example Barrington Homes have property repossessions in Casares del Sol for 195,000€ whereas already listed for resale are identical properties in Casares del Sol for 135,000€ a staggering 60,000€ cheaper !

Duquesa Property Repossessions - The future

Banks in Duquesa are now considering the idea of reducing the asking prices of repossession properties to make them more attractive to buyers. This will come into affect when the banks repossession stocks mount and the bank needs to remove the debt from their balance sheet. When this happens Barrington Homes clients will have the option to purchase Duquesa repossession property at much cheaper prices than we are currently seeing. If you are interested in having access to Duquesa repossession email info@barringtonhomes.eu with your property criteria.

The repossession buying process

Buying Duquesa repossession property is not an easy process and may possibly take many months if not years to finalise depending on the legal stage the repossession is at. When buying a repossession property you are effectively buying the debt from the bank with the 1st option to purchase the property which is granted at the end of the legal process when all other avenues are exhausted to recover the debt. The bank also do not offer a financing options for this purchase and as such buyers are required to have 100% of the purchase costs to buy the debt. So, if you have the patience, cash and are able to act quickly a Duquesa property repossession could be yours ! To be added to our mailing list log onto www.BarringtonHomes.eu and sign up to our newsletters.

Duquesa Estate Agents Closing !

Many Duquesa Estate Agents have closed !

Of the 80,000 real estate agents in Spain in the summer of 2006 just 25,000 are still in business. That means that 70% of estate agents have closed in the property crash. Industry experts also forecast that another 5,000, or 20%, will close in 2009, leaving just 20,000 Estate agents in business in Spain. Many of the Duquesa estate agents that have closed were perhaps less professional or less serious agents, of course this does not apply to all agencies that have closed but the end result is a more reputable and professional Real Estate industry in the Duquesa Area. To many reputable Duquesa Estate agents these closures have resulted in the remaining agents are pleased to see those less reputable agents closing which in turn will provide a better quality of service and professionalism to those now looking to buy in the area.

What does this mean for prospective buyers ?

Many people are now returning to the area looking to invest in property in Duquesa. The economic recession has resulted in a dramatic decrease in property prices in Duquesa making now a very attractive time to invest in property in the area. Barrington Homes first opened their doors in 2003. By growing the business slowly and with good ethics we are surviving this downturn where many other agents have failed. Our high street location allows us to offer our clients a professional environment, great high street presence for advertising and we are available to attend to clients. Buyers and vendors alike can expect a great service, efficiency and clarity with all aspects of the sales process.

Those interested in buying property in Duquesa can select Barrington Homes as their Estate agents in confidence as they will have access to not only our portfolio of properties but also those of many other agents in this area. This means we can match their buying criteria with as much precision as possible at the best possible prices.

As a buyer this is vital as you are investing in what may be an area you are unfamiliar with and even if buyers carry out extensive research it is often a good agent that will lead you to the best properties at the best prices. In essence by choosing a reputable and established Duquesa Estate Agent such as Barrington Homes you will ensure you are making the best possible purchase in the current market.

Anyone interested in property in Duquesa can contact Barrington Homes on (0034) 952 936 216 or email info@barringtonhomes.eu

Latest Duquesa Property Prices & Falling Euribor !

Latest Housing Price Reports

The Spanish Network of Property Experts (Red de Expertos Inmobiliarios) new report indicates that Spanish property prices could fall up to 40% on certain types of property this year. The fall in buyer demand has reached historic lows which creates pressure on vendors to reduce their pricing. The report also highlights that the severe restrictions on mortgages will mean that the market will not begin to recover until next year. Then it will only return with slow growth.Credit Suisse also argues that Spanish housing prices are not sustainable as they are currently 7.2 times household earnings with many families spending between 60 – 70% of their income on mortgage repayments.

Mortgage Rates Reach a Record Low

Euribor, the interest rate normally used to calculate mortgage payments in Spain, fell from 2.1% in February to 1.909% in March 2009, a change of -10.6%. Euribor has never been this low, and is almost 60% below a year ago. This means anyone looking to buy a new property should enjoy lower interest rates and for buy to let investors this means more potential profits. Anyone with a mortgage or looking to get one should be aware that not all mortgages track Euribor with monthly changes. Some policies rate changes are reflected every 6 months or even yearly which means the benefits of a falling Euribor may not be felt for some time.

Property Prices in Duquesa, Manilva

Barrington Homes, Duquesa Estate Agents, have witnessed a dramatic fall in property prices of between 30 – 40% depending on the location and type of property over the last 9 months. The dramatic drop in the property prices are generally due to the economic downturn with vendors unable to pay mortgages on second properties and also vendors looking to return to the UK due to the fall in the pound.

For example 2 bedroom apartments are now available from 125,000€ compared with a price of 220,000€ 12 months ago. Barrington Homes have 3 bedroom townhouses priced from 143,500€ compared with an asking price of 235,000€ 12 months ago. Villa prices are also seeing dramatic falls with private villas with pools available from 375,000€.With bank and government combined efforts to boost the economy the property downturn is predicted to last for only another 12 months. After this investors should see a slow yet steady climb to near previous highs within 5 to 7 years making buying property in Duquesa a very attractive proposition indeed.

Barrington Homes have discounted apartment in selected developments with yearly rental returns of between 4 – 6% with compared to current bank interest rates is very attractive. Apply for an Investor Pack by emailing info@barringtonhomes.eu

Clearly for the shrewd investor there are potential profits of thousands to be made. However with bank lending criteria becoming increasingly tighter these opportunities are only available to those who can afford a high percentage capital outlay or who have a high income to borrowing ratio. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria then contact a sales advisor on 0034 952 936 216 or email info@barringtonhomes.eu

Devastating property crash or unique investment opportunity ?

As international property prices fall, buyer confidence at a low and banks tightening up on mortgage lending is it still possible to ‘bag a property bargain’ in Spain ?

Lets look at the facts:

3% fall in property prices in the 4th quarter of 2008: The mix of figures released by the Spanish Government and various official bodies can easily lead to confusion. The Spanish housing ministry have reported that year on year figures show only a 3% fall in property prices in the 4th quarter of 2008. However, I think it is very clear that the real figure is considerably greater than this. Many Estate Agents believe that the actual figure may be up to 35% from the highs of 2006/7.

Property transactions have fallen by 30%: This government statistic does not take into account property completions of new properties due to the long lead time of most new developments. However it is a clear indicator or buyer confidence in the Spanish property market which is obviously compounded by the international economic recession.

Mortgage lending has also fallen by 45%: Spanish banks have heavily reduced mortgage lending in 2008/9 due to international banking crisis spreading extreme prudence throughout the major Spanish banks. Some banks have even recently reported a complete halt in mortgage lending for any new clients!

Good News for Investors ?

Considering the aforementioned facts some savvy investors are already returning to purchase property in the Duquesa area. The significant fall in property prices now mean that property affordability (based on income to mortgage repayment ratios) is comparable to those at the start of the boom in the mid-nineties.
The weak pound has also meant that Spanish property owners who wish to return to the UK are greatly reducing their asking price meaning superb opportunities to buy heavily reduced property are now available.
For those in a strong financial position banks are willing to give mortgages and with the recent fall in the Euribor to 2.1% mortgage repayments will now be on average 200 Euros less per month. The drop in the Euribor make the rate return to its lowest since June 2005.

For those fortunate enough to be cash rich and looking for an opportunity for a profitable long term investment Duquesa now presents itself as a wonderful option. With savings interest rates being at a pitiful amount and uncertainty and record lows in the stock market people are returning to property as a viable long term investment as well as seeing an immediate return through good rental returns. At Barrington Homes we have 2 bedroom apartments from as little as 135,000€, 3 bedroom townhouses from 143,500€, 4 bedroom properties from 225,000€ and private villas from 400,000€. To keep up to date with the latest property news and bargains sign up to our News Letter or email Barrington Homes at info@barringtonhomes.eu

Barrington Homes are reporting an increase in property purchase enquiries as well as investor confidence quietly returning for those looking to take advantage of the low property prices and general feeling that savvy buyers can make very shrewd investments previously unheard of in recent years.

Good News for Property Owners in Duquesa !

Following on from our previous Blog, latest statistics have confirmed that the future for property prices in Duquesa looks promising. Manilva prices surpassed the Malaga Province average by 10% and with supply of property set to fall dramatically, the future of bright !

Manilva property prices increased by 14.3% between the 4th Quarter of 2006 and 4th Quarter of 2007. This was the 2nd highest increase in property prices on the Costa del Sol surpassed only by Benalmadena at a whopping 27.2% !

The price per square meter built has risen from 1926€/m2 to 2203€/m2 meaning that Manilva is still the most affordable place to buy property on the Costa del Sol ! Perhaps more significantly, Manilvas property value is 22.92% lower than the average for the Costa del Sol meaning that the scope for significant price increases in excess of 20% are required simply to come in line with the rest of the Costa del Sol !

The above statistics speak for themselves. Buyer confidence is at a low due to the American credit crunch and the knock on effect it had on the UK property market. However, you only have to open the Sunday Times to see that the business pages are filled with property tycoons investing in property throughout the world to take advantage of the current uncertainty. In 2008 'cash is king' and those prepared to set themselves aside from the crowd are sure to snap up the bargains and develop a very enviable property portfolio !

To view a great selection of property in Manilva log on to http://www.barringtonhomes.eu/

Keep up with the latest property news and be the first to receive alerts on discounted property in Duquesa sign up to Barrington Homes newsletters on http://www.barringtonhomes.eu/Newsletter-Subscription-Page.htm