Marbella is different

Although Malaga is known to be the capital of the Costa del Sol, Marbella has always been recognized as the mecca for the richest personalities that come to the area. It has a world wide name and only that brand by itself is capable of attracting tourists and businesses from all around the globe. Everything is more expensive in Marbella therefore the average level of tourists and potential buyers is higher.

That same situation can be translated to the real estate market of the Costa del Sol. Marbella is the most expensive municipality of the Costa del Sol per square meter and, probably, as a consequence of that and its brand awareness, one of the less affected by the crisis. That is not only a perception but what we can see on the following charts produced from official information published by the Notaries’ Agency and the Ministry of Housing.

It is easy to see. The average price per property in Marbella is more than double the one in Malaga city and more than double than the other municipalities combined.



Furthermore, and I was writing a couple of months ago about the prices in Marbella, the stabilization of the prices can only be seen in Marbella. The prices at the rest of the municipalities of Malaga province are still going down and in some cases quite deeply. Still most of the people, if they can afford it, they prefer to be in Marbella. Therefore, the higher level buyers are coming mainly to buy in Marbella and they are also the least affected by the crisis so more operations and more demand, means that the prices are also less affected. It will be interesting to see how evolves.


¿Cómo ha sido el primer trimestre?

No ha sido especialmente bueno pero en línea con la sensación general sobre el mercado: volátil. Lo que si se puede ver es que las ventajas fiscales que se pusieron en práctica hasta finales de 2012 tuvieron un efecto positivo en las transacciones y, después de eso, el mercado sigue sufriendo.
Hablando con otros agentes inmobiliarios, la impresión general es la misma: hay compradores interesados ​​en comprar en la Costa del Sol pero es difícil cerrar operaciones. Todavía se palpa mucha incertidumbre en las noticias sobre la economía española y el mercado inmobiliario que están haciendo que el retraso en la toma de decisión de compra sea cada vez mas habitual.




Aunque es difícil ver los detalles del gráfico por el tamaño, el siguiente cuadro también muestra lo que es obvio: menos transacciones y reducción de precios hacen que el volumen de ventas ha sido en este trimestre una cuarta parte de lo que fue en el primer trimestre de 2007. Es obvio, pero duele. También nos dice que aún no estamos en la senda de la recuperación, que tenemos todavía un camino por recorrer y que la única salida es un esfuerzo extra. Los datos son para la provincia de Málaga.











How has been the first quarter?

It has not been really the best but in line with the general feeling about the market: volatile. What it proves is that the tax advantages active up to the end of 2012 had a positive effect on the transactions and, after that, the market is still suffering.

When talking to other real estate colleagues, the general impression is about the same: there are buyers interested in purchasing at the Costa del Sol but it is difficult to close operations. There are a lot of uncertainties on the news about the Spanish economy and on the real estate market that cause that giving a second thought to purchase decisions is becoming more than usual.





Although it is difficult to see the details because of chart’s size, the following also shows what it is obvious: less transactions and reduced prices cause that the volume of sales has been in this quarter a forth of what it was in the first quarter of 2007. It is obvious but hurts. It also tells us that we are still not going up, we have a way to go and the only way out is by means of an extra effort. Data is for Malaga province. 



Step by step to improve. I have obtained the prestigious CRS (Council of Residential Specialist) designation

In a really interesting meeting with some of the best real estate agents of Spain, Inmocionate, I received the official CRS (Council of Residencial Specialist) designation. To obtain that designation you have to pass some courses, have a number of years of real estate experience and prove that you are producing on a consistent basis. It is an american professional designation that I am proud of being able to obtain.

The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, with its headquarters in Chicago. It is composed of nearly 40,000 Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designees and Candidates/General Members across the United States and the world. According to the Council's website: "the association was created to attract and retain those Realtors seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities needed to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate."

I see it as another step to keep on learning and progressing to be able to offer a better service to my clients. Step by step to improve.





A Tree for a Sale Program by Alfonso Lacruz -- This time in Las Terrazas

Keeping on with the Program "A Tree for a Sale". The tree is not only a help to our damaged environment but also a connection point for those who left the place after a number of years and those who are starting a new life in Benahavis.

In this case, a new almond tree will show us the beginning of  the spring in Las Terrazas.

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Siguiendo con el Programa "Un Árbol por una Venta", un nuevo almendro nos avisará de la llegada de la primavera en Las Terrazas. El árbol no es solo una ayuda a nuestro deteriorado medio ambiente sino también un punto de encuentro entre aquellos que dejan atrás parte de su vida y aquellos que empiezan un nuevo camino.



Los precios en Marbella pueden haber alcanzado el fondo

Si se recuerda lo que dije hace algunos meses: “Cuando cada tres meses recibimos la información del Ministerio de Fomento, todos esperamos que la caída de los precios en la zona haya parado y se llegue al punto de inflexión, a la estabilización y, quizás, a ligeras subidas. Sin embargo, y de nuevo en este trimestre, no ha sido el caso.” Si miramos a los datos, puede ser que hayamos alcanzado el punto más bajo, al menos en Marbella.

Aunque me imagino que la situación no va a mejorar significativamente durante una época, parece que no va a peor y eso, ya de por si, es mucho. Los compradores pueden empezar a ver que los precios no van a caer más y podrían, finalmente, tomar la decisión de comprar y, por tanto, normalizar el mercado.

No se puede decir lo mismo de Estepona donde los precios siguen cayendo. Se ha visto el mismo efecto en los trimestres anteriores. Los propietarios de viviendas en Estepona tienen que reducir sus precios mucho más para poder competir con los precios de Marbella. La diferencia va siendo cada mes mayor.

El Ministerio no da información sobre Benahavís pero lo podemos considerar entre las dos pero más cercano a la tendencia de Marbella. Los precios no estarían todavía estables pero solo caerían ligeramente.

Prices in Marbella may be at the bottom

If you remember me commenting some months ago: “Every three months we get the information from the Ministry of Housing expecting that the fall of the housing prices in the area will end and that we will get to the inflexion point and stabilization, and, maybe, increases. However, and again, it has not been this quarter“. If we take a look to the figures, we may have reached that lowest point. At least in Marbella.

Those are really good news. Although I imagine that the situation will not improve for a while, seems that it is not going for worse and that is for itself a lot. Buyers may start to see that prices will not drop anymore and may, finally, take the decision to buy and, therefore, normalize the market.

I can not say the same about Estepona where the prices are still falling. We have seen the same effect in previous quarters. The owners of properties in Estepona have to reduce their prices much more in order to compete with the every day more competitive prices of Marbella. The gap is still every month wider.

The Ministry does not provide information for Benahavis but it is in the middle but closer to Marbella. The prices won’t be stable but with a soft downward tendency.




RE/MAX Eralia team prepares a full Report on the Real Estate Market of the Costa del Sol

This is an interesting study prepared by all the members of the team of RE/MAX Eralia to know how the real estate market of the Costa del Sol is evolving. Lots of interesting figures can be found on it. It covers the whole 2012.

To take a look to it, the link on the right of this blog.

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Es un estudio muy interesante preparado por todo el equipo de RE/MAX Eralia para saber como esta evolucionando el mercado de la Costa del Sol. El informe cubre todo el año 2012 e incluye información que creo que va a resultar muy interesante para todo aquel que lo lea.

Para verlo solo hay que seguir el enlace en la parte derecha de esta página.







Great Success of today's Open House at Villa Anna

It has been a long day but it was worth the time dedicated to the event. It has been a complete success with a number of real estate agents, clients and friends coming to visit the house.

However, it has been not only that. With the help of my friend and colleague Rainer Kraft, we have managed to get the German NTV channel, a national news channel, to take the property for a report they are preparing on the real estate market of the Costa del Sol. They loved the house and said they will use it for their report. Therefore, we will have the house on the German TV with what it means on marketing exposure. Great effort again by my team that prepared a great event.
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A sido un día muy largo pero al final ha valido la pena. El Open House ha sido un éxito y hemos contado con la visita de un gran número de agentes inmobiliarios, clientes y amigos.

Y, no solo eso, gracias a la ayuda de mi colega y amigo Rainer Kraft, hemos conseguido que el canal de noticias alemán NTV, un canal de noticias a nivel nacional en Alemania, viniera a ver la propiedad para incluirla en un reportaje que están haciendo sobre la situación del mercado inmobiliario en la Costa del Sol. Les ha encantado la casa y han dicho que seguro que la utilizaban para el reportaje. La casa saldrá en una televisión nacional alemana con ello que supone de publicidad y exposición al mercado de la misma. Mi equipo ha hecho un gran esfuerzo para preparar un magnífico evento que se ha visto recompensado con la aparición el la televisión alemana.


Cameraman taking the entrance to the property


Villa Anna for the Open House -- A beautiful property

OPEN HOUSE IN PUERTO DEL ALMENDRO -- Villa Anna

I am pleased to invite everybody to an Open House to be celebrated on Thursday May 30 between 11:00 and 17:00 at Villa Anna (plot 21A), Puerto del Almendro (Ronda road), Benahavis, Marbella -- Costa del Sol.

Spaciousness is the feeling when entering this fantastic villa notable for the ample spaces and the brightness of all rooms. Specially lightly is the living and dinning room with large windows that give access to a generous plot offering fantastic views. The ample main bedroom incorporates an ensuite bathroom and dressing area. Three more bedrooms complete the lay out of the main house. But, not only that but also an enclosed independent apartment with living room, kitchenette, one bedroom and a bath make this house a real opportunity.

You can have a look to this outstanding property while enjoying a snack consisting of Exotic delicatessen with the company of friends and professionals of the real estate field.




FREE SEMINAR -- The Energy Efficiency Certificate -- Thursday, May 23


The Energy Efficiency Certificate

Do you know what it is?
Are you aware of the new law that makes it compulsory for all properties on the market?
Do you know how to get it?

Everybody interested is invited to this FREE SEMINAR that will be held in Elviria at the main offices of RE/MAX Eralia (Los Patios de Santa Maria Golf, local 13-14).





How to get to our office: 


SEMINARIO GRATIS -- El Certificado de Eficiencia Energética -- Jueves 23 de Mayo



El Certificado de Eficiencia Energética


¿Sabe que es?
¿Conoce el nuevo Real Decreto que entra en vigor el 1 de Junio sobre la obligatoriedad de dicho Certificado para todas las viviendas en venta?
¿Como se obtiene?

Todo el mundo esta invitado a asistir a este SEMINARIO GRATIS que se celebrará el Jueves 23 de Mayo las 17:00 hrs en nuestras oficinas de Elviria (Los Patios de Santa Maria Golf, local 13-14)




Como llegar:

2012 fue un buen año

Resulta increíble escuchar los comentarios de todo el mundo sobre el mercado inmobiliario de la Costa del Sol, pero son ciertos. 2012 ha sido el tercer mejor año en transacciones cerradas en Benahavis justo después de los años previos a la crisis de 2006 y 2007. Una conclusión sencilla: si usted tiene un precio competitivo y una exposición de un buen marketing, las propiedades se venden.

La situación no es tan buena para Marbella, a pesar de que está mejorando. Los números no son los mismos que los de los años de expansión, pero hay un aumento del 12,8% en comparación con 2011. Mi experiencia en el año 2012 y el comienzo de este 2013 me dice que todavía es muy difícil mantener operaciones de cierre pero un buen conocimiento del mercado y un enfoque de marketing extenso lo hacen posible.






2012 was a good year

Incredible if you hear the comments of everybody about the real estate market of the Costa del Sol, but true. 2012 has been the third best year in closed transactions for Benahavis just after the pre-crisis years 2006 and 2007. An easy conclusion: if you have a competitive price and a good marketing exposure, the properties sell.

The situation is not that good for Marbella although it is improving. The numbers are not the same as those of the boom years but there is a 12,8 % increase when compared to 2011. My experience in 2012 and the beginning of this 2013 tells me that it is still quite hard to keep on closing transactions but a good knowledge of the market and an extensive marketing approach makes it possible.






Your new home awaits.