Costa Almeria Property For Sale

Costa Almeria property for sale is probably the most popular searched term when cosidering buying abroad and with good reason. Why? The Costa Almeria, taking its name from the provincial capital, on its southern coast, is a sun-drenched province to the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, experiencing average annual temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius, over 320 days of sunshine per year, and very little rainfall. The region is renowned for its beaches – long, wide and unspoilt – and opportunities for water sports, but also offers a fascinating, diverse landscape, and is steeped in history, and cultural heritage.

Almeria City, itself, as just one example, features a 10th century Moorish fortress, known as the “Alcazaba”, a 15th century, fortified cathedral, and a renowned cave quarter, known as “La Barrio de la Chanca”. Other attractions include the Tabernas Desert, popular, in the past, with Hollywood directors – scenes from “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, amongst others, were shot here – and the Cabo de Gato National Park.

The proximity of Almeria, and San Javier (Murcia) airports – which receive direct, international flights, operated by low-cost, “budget” carriers – both within an one hour, by road, and an infrastructure that has been improved significantly in recent years, means that Costa Almeria property is easily accessible from the UK, and, indeed, from the whole of northern Europe. As a result, Almeria property for sale is in demand for either investment, as a permanent residence, holiday accommodation or on a “buy-to-let” basis, all options represents a solid, and lucrative, option for Spanish property investors.

Almeria Property for Sale Market

The Spanish property market, in general, has undergone something of a “boom” in recent years, with increases in property prices well into double figures, percentage wise, for consecutive years, and although the rate of increase is slowing – an increase of 8%, or so, is anticipated by the end of 2007 – prices are still rising.

The Almeria property for sale market, in particular, is buoyant and thriving, not least because of investment by the Spanish authorities, and the imposition of strict building regulations, with regard to new developments. Almeria property prices, in the coastal regions, and even more so in the towns and villages further inland, compare very favourably with those in more established Spanish regions, such as the Costa Blanca, or Costa del Sol, and in the UK. Attractive Spanish mortgage rates, available to non-residents, and the prospect of good returns on their investment, have led many people to transfer their property interests to Almeria property.

Almeria Property for sale “Hotspots”

Mojacar, to the north-east of Almeria City, itself, is divided into two distinct halves, Mojacar Puebla, the traditional, whitewashed, old town, with its Moorish fortress, overlooking Mojacar Playa, a thriving beach resort, with over five miles of sandy beaches. Building regulations limit new developments in the area to just two storeys, so there is a noticeable absence of high-rise construction, although this, coupled with the popularity of the town as a tourist destination, especially during the summer months, does mean that demand for, and consequently the cost of, Mojacar property, is higher than other Costa Almeria property.

Slightly further inland, although still only some 30 minutes’ drive from Mojacar, in the fertile Almanzora valley, and flanked by the imposing Sierra de los Filabres and Sierra de las Estancias mountain ranges, lie the traditional Spanish market towns of Albox and Arboleas. Albox property, and Arboleas property, for that matter, is a popular investment for those seeking a somewhat quieter, more authentically Spanish location. It is probably safe to say that Almeria property for sale is at it's lowest in this region and as such attracts a regular stream of people looking to buy in the area.

Inland Almeria property for sale also includes the rural property types, “fincas”, and “cortijos” – basically, farmhouses, plus a plot of land of some description – quite often presented as “to reform”, “requiring renovation”, or, in the worst case, “ruin”. Be aware that these descriptions are not romanticised in any way, and are quite literal – investments of this type, although seemingly inexpensive at the outset, are likely to involve major construction work, and the investment of further time, effort and capital along the way – so this type of Almeria property for sale may not be suitable for first-time Almeria property investors.