The house hunt is on

It has been a very testing time for me over the last 3 months, with the loss of my father in early March and then last month my landlord told me he has decided to sell. Not a great thing to hear when the summer season is starting in the Costa del Sol and rentals are at an all-time high.

So, this has prompted me to get off my rather large behind and make the decision to buy again instead of renting. Not only will it give me something for the future, but mortgage repayments will actually be less than paying rent right at this time (more money for cruises).

I am very fortunate that I already do own a property here in Southern Spain, which I purchased 14 years ago with my parents. The townhouse is in a beautiful traditional village called Tolox and is approx 45 minutes from Malaga airport and from Fuengirola (where I am currently based). I do love my house there and it is a very big house, but working from home would restrict me as all my friends live on the coast and I cannot be bothered doing the drive after work. This is why I decided to rent closer to friends and they are no more than 10 minutes away by car.

I remember back in my early twenties how hard I found it trying to get on the property ladder in London and always just missing out on the property I wanted because of the market. Well, now I find myself again in a similar position. Spain really suffered in the economic crisis 10 years ago and are slowly getting back on their feet and this is showing in house prices and how quick they are selling.

It’s always the way, I now want to buy and keep missing out as it is now a seller’s market in Spain. In some cases, I cannot even get to view the property before it’s gone off the market already. It probably doesn’t help that I am also very fussy and have a specific requirement for what I want and I have been spoilt with the apartment I currently rent.

So fingers crossed in a few months when it is time to leave my views of the Mediterranean, I will be moving into my new home with even better views and not back to my mums!

Dawn

x