With its history, beauty and fantastic climate, the countries lapped by the Mediterranean Sea are excellent investments. Johnny Turner looks into what’s available near the mighty Med
The Mediterranean has drawn sun-seekers for centuries, and smart investors long ago realised the desirability of owning property near its shores. These days, buyers are making a beeline for the beautiful shores of the Med – and the market has plenty to offer.
In Mallorca, demand from all over Europe has resulted in a limit to the amount of new land available to buyers, which has pushed prices up. Prices on the Balearic Islands have risen by a staggering 15.26 per cent in the last 12 months.
For those who want to buy on the island before the cost rises even further, Taylor Woodrow de España has a selection of developments to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles. For sun worshippers, the east coast of Mallorca is famous for its beaches, offering more than 50 beautiful, secluded coves. Cala Millor is an ideal base for explorers. Just 3km from the resort is
Port Verd, a collection of 33 spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, priced from €239,000. This stunning development is just 200 metres from the beach and also has a swimming pool, making it the ideal place to relax in the sun.
Another fantastic development on the east coast is
El Puerto II at Cala D’or, a stunning collection of just 31 two-bedroom apartments, priced from €238,000. Many apartments have views over the marina and the development is surrounded by generous gardens and three communal swimming pools. The Vall D’or golf course is just ten minutes away for those wishing to perfect their game in a beautiful climate.
Nick Freeston, head of UK operations for Taylor Woodrow de España, says, ‘With regular low-cost flights, over 300 days of sunshine a year, stunning beaches and numerous historical sites of interest, it’s no wonder that purchasers are snapping up homes in their droves.’ However, the island’s popularity has meant it can be difficult to find property that doesn’t carry a hefty price tag – all the more reason to explore Taylor Woodrow de España’s options, he says.
Purchasers looking for a home in a more established development should visit
Cala Magrana 2 at Porto Cristo where Taylor Woodrow de España has a selection of two-bedroom apartments, priced from €250,000 and three bedroom townhouses priced from €285,000. This beautiful development is just two minutes from the sea and very near golf courses and the marina of Porto Cristo.
For further information telephone the sales office on 0800 012 1020 or go to taylorwoodrow.es.
On mainland Spain, Huelva, the capital city of the south-westerly Spanish province of the same name, is to get its own international airport. Good news for would-be investors who are ready to buy before the resulting price hikes.
Huelva, located near the Costa de la Luz, Spain’s sunniest coastline bordering the Portuguese Algarve, will now be ultra-accessible, and therefore more desirable. It currently has the lowest percentage of foreign visitors compared to the rest of the coastal provinces of Andalusia, but is set to flourish when the airport opens.
Titan Properties offers a number of properties within the Huelva region, priced from as little as €54,505 for an inland apartment at Jardines del Guzman, or €187,000 euros for a two-bedroom apartment within 100 metres of the beach at Hoyo 19, Nuevo Portil. Contact 00 34 959 399 982 or visit titan-properties.com.
Morocco is a very up-and-coming Mediterranean location, and a brand new development in Marrakech is set to make this location even more desirable. Emerging Real Estate has launched
Apple Gardens, which offers a range of three-bedroom villas at prices starting at €240,000.
Apple Gardens is a fully managed development of 51 detached and semi-detached properties located 15 minutes from the centre of Marrakech. The homes are built in a traditional courtyard style yet have the added benefit of open-plan living. Each villa has the latest modern conveniences, plus its own swimming pool and stunning terraces surrounded by secluded gardens.
The views from Apple Gardens will be a major selling point. The spectacular vistas across to the Atlas Mountains are awe-inspiring, and the development is also close to the famous Djamaa El Fna Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visitors will have access to a host of on-site recreational facilities and activities including; a bar, restaurant, a well equipped gymnasium, a hammam (traditional steam room), a communal pool and tennis courts. Rental management, housekeeping and laundry services are also available.
For golfers – and those who want to let to golfers – preferential green rates have been negotiated with three world-famous golf courses nearby: Marrakech Royal Golf Club, Marrakech La Palmeraie Golf Club and Marrakech Amelkis Golf Club.
The resort is accessed by a fully surfaced private road. The journey time into the centre of Marrakech is approximately 15 minutes and Menara International Airport is approximately 25 minutes away. A shuttle bus service to the airport is also available.
For further information on Apple Gardens contact Emerging Real Estate on 0845 601 7293 or see emergingrealestate.com.
Also in Morocco, the popularity of the marina at Mediterrania
Saïdia means it needs extending even before it has been fully built. Oversubscribed from the outset in 2004, the existing 840 berths will now be expanded to over 1,000, taking the bill to more than €21 million.
Each of the additional berths at Mediterrania Saïdia will be more than 12 metres (40ft) long and also create space for more commercial areas, a sports club and extra parking spaces. The marina is the hub of the 7 million square metre resort, which occupies six kilometres of sandy beachfront and is zoned into distinct sporting and leisure areas. The development is to include restaurants with sunny pavement terraces, bars, a traditional souk, designer boutiques, high street fashion stores, a medical centre and discotheque.
GEM Estates offers a range of property within Mediterrania Saïdia, from beachfront apart-hotel suites to grand frontline golf villas. Prices start from just £75,500 for a unit within Sahara Beach Resort & Spa.
Contact GEM Estates now on Freephone 0800 731 8494 or visit gem-estates.com to find out more.
Italy is a firm favourite with British holidaymakers and buyers alike, and in sunny Calabria, you can buy into a wonderful lifestyle that is defined by its culture, community and breathtaking beauty.
Pizzo, one of the most beautiful and famous towns in the Vibo Valentia district of Calabria, is an ancient cliff-top village blessed with stunning ancient architecture, fascinating history, a fabulous healthy climate and a fine-white sandy beach lapped by turquoise waters.
This famous fishing town has fabulous restaurants and cafés, water sports, mountain climbing, sailing and many other outdoor activities – which all adds up to an amazing lifestyle that is both restful and packed with possibilities. And the property prices here make la dolce vita even sweeter – you can buy here for € 74,500.
Pizzo Beach Club is a five-star resort situated on the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea and within a short 15-minute drive of Lamezia International airport, which offers inexpensive direct flights to the UK. The resort has studios, apartments, penthouses and villas, each elegantly designed over two levels. The development also offers a football pitch, tennis courts, a clubhouse with restaurant and bar facilities as well as swimming pools and botanic gardens, perfect for relaxing, lazy or active holidays.
An ancient forest of pine and eucalyptus trees separates the resort from the beach, which is only a five-minute stroll from the resort. The enchanting forest will also offer additional activities such as an archery range and a relaxation area where hours can be whiled away relaxing on hammocks whilst listening to nothing but the soothing sound of wind and waves. The stunning beach will offer an additional beach club as well as a sailing centre for those looking for more adventure or action.
Pizzo Beach Club is bordered by a popular and always busy Club Med resort. In peak season the Club Med site has to turn down holidaymakers, which gives scope for strong rental income for Pizzo Beach Club owners. Expected rental yield is ten to 15 per cent and the resort is scheduled for completion December 2009.
Prices start at €74,500 for apartments and €261,500 for villas. Call UK Freephone 0800 036 0068 or visit gem-estates.com.