Seven reasons to move to Marbella

Guest post by Michelle Rebecca

Spain has always fascinated North Americans. The combination of temperate weather, Old World history and cosmopolitan culture is a heady mix. Marbella, situated on the southern coast of the country, contains everything that makes Spain appealing. There are plenty of reasons to move to Marbella, whether you dream of an old-fashioned Spanish villa or a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the Mediterranean.

Sea and Mountain Vistas

Marbella lies on the shore of the Mediterranean, roughly midway between the Gibraltar Strait and the larger city of Málaga. Marbella stretches along the Mediterranean coastline like a languid cat, with over 27 km (almost 17 miles) of coastline and 24 beaches within the town limits.

Looking inland, the Sierra Blanca foothills border Marbella. Wherever you are in town, you can be assured of either an ocean or mountain view.

Temperate Climate, Sunny Disposition

Marbella boasts an average annual temperature of 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit), with summer temperatures reaching the high twenties (80s in Fahrenheit). In winter, the temperature rarely drops below a balmy 16 Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).

During the winter, you may see snow on the highest peaks of the Sierra Blanca, which usually melts within days. And with over 300 days of sunshine a year, Marbella provides plenty of opportunity for sun worshippers and beachgoers.

Jetsetters and Andalusian Lifestyles

Marbella has long attracted Europe’s wealthy and famous. The town is known for its jet-setting visitors, from aristocrats and royalty to celebrities. During the summer months, the city’s population swells to 500,000 as the cream of European society flocks to Marbella beaches and festivals.

At the same time, the 136,000 permanent residents of Marbella retain their Andulusian heritage with flamenco dancing and a complex seafood-based cuisine.

Local Festivals

Marbella offers some of the best festivals in Europe, with most celebrations taking place between June and October. Music lovers flock to both the Marbella Opera Festival and the city’s Reggae and Jazz festivals. The Marbella also International Film Festival draws a great deal of attention.

History

Marbella may date back as far as the 7th century BC, when Phoenician merchants established a base on what would become the town. Later ruins attest to a time when the region lay within the grip of the Roman Empire.

During the Middle Ages, the region’s culture and architecture was heavily influenced by Spanish Moors, and as a result the city includes a well-preserved Moorish Fort. Museums and architecture from multiple periods dot the city, making Marbella a history-lover’s paradise.

Convenience and Comfort

Marbella is perfect for those who prefer to experience the exotic without giving up on the comforts of home. Unlike some destinations, Marbella offers all the conveniences of modern life, whether you want to see the latest shows, order 1999 Mustang Parts or simply enjoy an evening out at an excellent restaurant.

While Spanish is the primary language of Marbella, the cosmopolitan nature of the town makes it easy to find people who speak English. Many full-time residents of Marbella come from the United Kingdom and the USA, and many local papers and magazines have English editions.

Author bio: Michelle is an aspiring writer with a passion for blogging. She enjoys writing about a vast variety of topics and loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to publicly voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.

Buying Property In Spain: Seven Common Problems To Watch Out For

When contemplating a purchase in Spain, you really should automatically take the same or even more precautions that you would when buying a property in your home country. A common sense approach is necessary every time. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and buyers can get carried away by the dream of owning a place in the sun, especially when prices are as comparatively attractive as they are now.

Below we have highlighted seven common problems identified by our surveyors. Add these to your mental checklist when looking at properties to buy in Spain:

Damp – the most common defect we find

There are two sorts to look out for: firstly, rising damp or patches of dampness coming through walls common in properties which have been built against rock or earth; secondly, damp descending from ceilings or terraces above. Both are principally due to improper or no application of damp proofing at the time of construction. Removal of planted troughs and installing gutters and downpipes, would cure many of these problems.

Climate

Don’t forget that for around eight months the year, most of Spain has a temperate climate with wind, rain and chill, especially in mountainous areas. It’s easy to concentrate on how to deal with the heat of summer and completely forget to cater for the winter season. If you are planning on spending the winter here, you’ll need heating of some kind as you’ll be used to having it at home.

Required Documentation

Insist that your lawyer obtains written proof that planning and/or other permissions and/or title registration for the initial construction or alterations have been obtained. Watch out in particular for properties encroaching on restricted areas affected by the Coastal Law or Ley de Costas. Just because the property pays taxes or has a registered title, doesn’t mean that all the permissions are in place.

Utility Connections

Inadequate, ineffective, illegal and/or absent electricity, water and drainage connections can be a problem, especially with rural or country dwellings. They can also be a good indication that a property does not have its first occupation licence.

Personal Responsibility

When buying a property abroad, it’s important to keep your head and not believe all you are told without making your own simple checks. Insist on being provided with copies of all the documents as that will concentrate your adviser’s mind. ‘Misrepresentation’ and buying ‘in good faith’ are often euphemisms for buyers not accepting personal responsibility for their own imprudence. Buyer beware!

Professional Conduct

It can be argued that there is an absence of ‘professional conscience’ among some Spanish lawyers who shrug their shoulders when asked: “Why didn’t you tell me?” They may reply: “You didn’t ask,” even when it was obvious that the client didn’t know what to ask. There are many good, reliable and responsible lawyers out there so do not use the same lawyer as the seller on any occasion. Suing a lawyer for negligence or even fraud is not easy anywhere.

Mortgages

Some Spanish property buyers fail to realise that a mortgage is a personal loan, which will have to be repaid in its entirety. If the property used as security can only be sold at a price inferior to the value of the loan, the individual will be liable for the balance. Spanish banks can and do chase debts to other countries and arrest assets and even earnings there. When a bank awards a 100% mortgage over a property it is selling, be warned. If you have to sell again you will not be able to offer that to a buyer and you may be competing with the banks selling other neighbouring property. This is probably not the bargain it initially appears, but instead may be an amoral offer for you to acquire a liability for instant negative equity even if just the selling costs are taken into account.

by Campbell D. Ferguson

About the Author

Campbell D. Ferguson, FRICS, has been advising buyers on what’s real and what’s not for more than ten years on the Costa del Sol and for 40 years throughout the UK and Europe. Find out more at Survey Spain Network.