The Ultimate Homes Blog

Spain's largest bank, Banco Santander, has arrived at the higher reaches of the European banking league while working under a strict regulatory regime which could offer some lessons for Britain's beleaguered banking sector. For many years Santander has been a conservative, stolid operator suffocated by Spain's central bank. But the imposition of those rules has helped the bank avoid the worst of the credit crunch and left it as the fourth biggest mortgage lender in Britain. Based in the Cantabria region in the north of Spain, it grew from humble regional beginnings largely through trade routes and historic ties to Latin America, where it has built up a substantial business. By some estimates it has 10% of the Latin American market and many of the region's richest people as customers. In the early 1990s it avoided a banking crisis that forced Spain's central bank to rescue mortgage lender Banesto. Santander bought Banesto at a knock-down price and became a major inst...

In theory, slowing sales and the prospect of further weakness after the banking meltdown on Wall Street should mean it’s a buyer’s market at the moment. The reality though is a bit different. Mortgages are proving difficult to get so that enterprising bargain hunters are finding that although the time should be right for them, it is sometimes impossible to leap into action. Banks are rejecting those who do not have near-perfect credit or long credit histories. Buyers are finding that no matter how much they have for the down payment, they seem to need more. There are definitely buyers today that are being forced to either downsize the property that they want to buy or simply wait until they have the credit and cash to qualify for a mortgage today. And even when the perfect buyer comes along, with good credit, a sizable deposit to put down and a pre-approved mortgage (yes they are out there), we have had a vendor that has pulled out of a deal even after an increased offer (by more than ...

If you have been in Alicante recently, you may have noticed just a little bit of "sprucing-up" down by the port area. Over the past few months, the city has been living the countdown to the start of the 10th Edition of the Volvo Ocean Race with great enthusiasm and is now ready to offer the most spectacular start in the race’s history. Amongst other novelties, the route for this edition is the longest and most extreme to date. For Alicante, a maritime city par excellence, the sea and all things nautical are a way of life and the city intends to enjoy this experience to the full. Today sees the official opening of the "Village" in the harbour of Alicante. So until the 11th of October, the start day of the Volvo Ocean Race, there will be 23 consecutive days to enjoy the entertainment, sport and excitement allowing visitors to live the Volvo Ocean Race experience first-hand. The Route There are 11 stopovers: This edition includes new countries such as China, India or R...