The Ultimate Homes Blog

The presents have been opened, the waistlines expanded, the bells jingled. But there’s a long weekend yet before 2024 begins, and then we have the Three Kings celebration in Spain on January 6th which does mean we basically have a two week festive season… TINSA  The Spanish valuation company confirm today that prices are still ticking up across Spain with the average value being 1,767 €/m2, up 4.1% on the last quarter of 2022 and up by 1% on the third quarter of 2023. They also confirm the there is a general "slow down" across Spain. Hardly surprising when the number of mortgage being issued by banks is down and the number of transactions also down when compared with previous months. However on the Spanish coast, the slow down is still to be seen, suggesting there still exists a lot of demand for first and second residences despite the higher interst rates and inflation levels which are showing signs of coming back down again, Plan your trip ? If 2024 will be the year for you...

It's as if a piece of the Alicante coastal desert had broken off and, in its escape, had become stranded in the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Flat, parched, centuries-old, and bathed in dazzling light, Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community. A rarity frozen in time that becomes much more appealing and captivating in winter, without the thousands of daily visitors who saturate it in the summer. Despite its flat and open profile—the Romans called it Planaria—it was a refuge for Barbary pirates until the 18th century. Despite being just over 8 kms in a straight line from Santa Pola, it belongs to the City of Alicante (which is 22 kms away). It is the most atypical, distant, and unreal neighborhood in the capital of Alicante, a coveted destination for thousands of tourists every summer due to its proximity and easy access. The first thing that catches your attention upon arrival is the transparent blue-green waters surrounding the large island and its satel...

Altea 13 December 2023 - time for a swim Idealista, which is probably the largest of the real estate portals in Spain, have published its real estate market analysis for 2023 and forecasts for 2024. Some of the most significant data: 📌 The cost of buying a home in Spain has increased by 7% in the last year. 📌 The impact of interest rate increases has been less than expected. And as much as 50% of all property transactions are closed without a mortgage. 📌 In the best scenario, we could see a relaxation in the rise of the euribor during the second part of 2024. 📌 It is possible that in 2024 part of the pent-up demand will be activated, which could push prices upward with greater energy. If you'd like to study the report, here it is in its original format

Are you considering buying a home soon? Even though we have seen interest rate rises here in #Spain,  this is still  a good time to apply for a mortgage  !  Banks  have granted fewer mortgage loans than last year and  are lowering their interest rates  to disguise their figures.  That is, if you search well and negotiate, you can get really attractive offers, whether at a fixed, mixed or variable rate. But  which banks offer the best mortgages  ?  Here I have selected the three cheapest commercial offers (those that entities openly advertise): one at a fixed rate, one at a mixed rate and one with a variable interest rate available to resident clients in Spain.  Banco Santander offers the best fixed mortgage Let's start with the cheapest offer at a fixed rate.  If you want to pay a stable instalment and live with peace of mind, the  Banco Santander Fixed Mortgage  is the best option.  Its interest is the lowe...