The Spanish authorities deregulated the property market back in 2000. Up until then you had to be a member of the one of the two professional real estate associations – API and GIPE, to sell property.

Since 2000, basically anyone can play the role of intermediary in Spanish property transactions, regardless of professional qualifications. This is how so many “cowboy” operators have been allowed to set up.

Choosing a good agent is the key to a safe and happy investment. In Spain, the levels of competence and range of ethical standards can vary greatly from one agent to the next.

Different types of agents
The Spain, there’s a number of different types of estate agents to choose from – all offering varying levels of service and standards.

Spanish Estate Agents
Most of the Spanish agents belong to the API or GIPE, which indicates a higher level of training and professionalism. Sometimes however, these titles are abused by certain agents making it hard to know if they genuinely are a member or not.

Most Spanish agents focus on the local property market. The larger ones will sometimes have nationwide chains and networks throughout Spain and the Canaries.

Most of them don’t speak English and this is why so many UK buyers choose foreign estate agents. This is changing however. In most of the popular resort area in Spain and the Canary Islands there’s an increasing number of Spanish agents with English-speaking staff.

Foreign Estate Agents in Spain
There’s a huge number of foreign owned-and-run estate agents in Spain and the Canary Islands – English, Irish and German, in particular. They usually focus on buyers and sellers from their home countries. Buyers want to buy from someone who seems familiar, and most importantly, speaks their own language.

Over the years foreign estate agents have come under much criticism. There’s been numerous cases of incompetent and unscrupulous behavior, often involving blatantly excessive commissions and aggressive time-share style sales techniques – anything to close a quick sale.

Typically, these “fly-by-night” operators can be found in Spain’s popular resort areas, like the Costa del Sol, Costa de Almeria, Costa Calida and Costa Blanca.

Estate Agencies Based in the UK
UK-based agencies were drawn into the Spanish market after seeing the massive numbers of English people looking for property in Spain. They were also attracted by the generous commissions. The obvious advantage for the buyer is that they can get all the advice they need (in English) right on their own doorstep.

Multi-listing Networks
This is a convenient method, whereby a number of foreign agents set up a network so they can share clients, properties and commissions. It’s simple – one agent might have a buyer but not the right property – the other agency might have that property but not the right buyer.
So they collaborate, make the deal and share the commissions – it works out for everyone.

This is the ideal situation. What often happens though, is because they’re only getting half the commissions each, they often increase the commissions. So you end up paying more money for a service that’s of little extra value really.

It’s the type of high-class new development you’d expect from the Canary Island’s leading real estate agent and property developer – Montaña Roja real estate.

Not only does it have excellent investment potential, this area is a fantastic place to live where the residents can enjoy a very high quality of life.

Mirador de Lobos Golf
Mirador de Lobos is located in the north of the island in the stunningly beautiful Parque Natural area of Corralejo. The development consists of 150 top quality semi-detached villas and duplexes, all of which are surrounded by a private golf course.

All properties come fully equipped with 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms a guest room, a spacious lounge/dining room and a separate kitchen. They all have a private garden and a massive roof terrace where you can sit out all day long (all year round), enjoying the balmy climate and endless hours of sunshine.

Being of such high quality, it’s no wonder Mirador de Lobos is in such big demand. Anyone interested is advised to move fast as properties are expected to sell extremely fast.

Investing in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is an almost desert-like paradise island with some of the most amazing beaches in Europe – endless stretches of untouched fine golden sand with crystal clear clean blue waters – that are perfect for swimming and surfing all year round.

Located just 100 kms off the west coast of Africa, this surfer’s paradise has become a Mecca for both wind and wave surfing; many international surfing events are held here every year.

Like the other Canary Islands, Fuerteventura has a perfect year round climate. It gets over three thousand hours of sunshine a year.

This is one of the factors that makes the Canary Islands such an attractive investment option, as you can rent out whatever property you own at tourist prices all year round.

Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands. It has, until quite recently, been one of the lesser developed but is quickly catching up, mainly because of its surfing potential, fantastic beaches, stunning desert landscape, excellent (year round) rental potential and good value for money properties.

It’s very popular with both English and Irish investors and also with homebuyers looking for an alternative to the more crowded and “touristy” Canary Islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

That said, the island has undergone significant beneficial growth recently in an attempt to meet the demands of growing numbers of investors, developers and tourists. There are already a number of top quality new development schemes finished. The authorities have also greatly improved the infrastructure on the island.

Being in the relatively early stages of development, Fuerteventura has got excellent potential, both as a place to live and as a place to invest. There are still some great bargains to be had.

Montaña Roja
Montaña Roja are in the advantageous position of working both as a property developer and a real estate agent. This means they can offer their clients some of the most competitive prices on the market. By cutting out the middleman, they can pass on savings to the client.

Being one of the most well established and influential agents on the Canary Islands, they’re directly involved in most of the residential property developments here.

Amongst them, the staff at Montaña Roja speak many languages, so whatever nationality you are, they’re sure to be able to communicate with you and give impartial advice about any aspect of buying, investing, renting or selling on Fuerteventura.

They’ll also make every possible effort to find a property fits both you needs and budget.
For more information contact them directly…

Contact details
Montaña Roja
Gestión Inmobiliaria Montaña Roja. S.L.
C/. Nuestra Sra del Carmen, 40
35660 Corralejo
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
Sales Office New Developments
Phone: 00 34 928 537 301
Phone: 00 34 928 866 337
Fax: 00 34 928 867 614
Email: info@Montañaroja.com

With many new developments for sale at very good prices, buying property in Fuerteventura provides almost guaranteed returns on investment.

Montaña Roja Estate Agents have a wide range of re-sale, new development and off plan property for sale all over the island. They sell apartments, penthouses, villas, bungalows, townhouses, country houses and fincas.

Fuerteventura Island
Fuerteventura boasts over 285 kms of stunning unspoilt coastline and some of the world’s most amazing beaches.

It’s a paradise for water sports lover’s, windsurfers in particular, as there are constant coastal winds. The island has some of the best surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing facilities available in Europe. It’s also a diver’s paradise, with some unbelievable diving conditions in crystal clear warm blue waters.

Fuerteventura has a perfect year round warm climate similar to that found in Mexico and Florida. Temperatures range from 17°C in January to 25°C in August; it’s rarely too hot and never too cold.

Inland on Fuerteventura, you’ll find some excellent climbing and hiking routes. This surreal desert-like landscape boasts some spectacular mountain scenery with a wide range of outdoor sports opportunities.

Being the least developed of the Canary Islands, property in Fuerteventura is considerably cheaper than on the other islands. You can still find some fantastic bargains from the many properties available.

Investment areas on Fuerteventura
Two of the most popular places to live and invest on the island are Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste.

Corralejo
Corralejo is Fuerteventura’s main tourist resort. Apartments here start at as little as €53.000!

Once a small traditional Canarian fishing harbour, the town of Corralejo has expanded to become one of the island’s most popular resorts with a good infrastructure and full amenities for both holidaymakers and residents.

Although now a bustling tourist resort, Correlejo has managed to retain its authentic Canarian charm. The pretty town square is full of shops, restaurants and bars with original architecture and indigenous Canarian features.

Cuisine here tends to be quite international. You can choose from a wide range of restaurants, including traditional Spanish & Canarian, Mexican, Italian, Chinese Indian and more…

Corralejo’s nightlife is fairly low-key, especially when compared with say Playa de Los Americas, on Tenerife. There is however, free entertainment most evenings in the main square – normally live music, Canarian dancing and flamenco.

Caleta de Fuste
Caleta de Fuste is one of Fuerteventura’s most up and coming resorts. Located on the east coast of the island, it’s a modern resort with shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

This is a popular area for families with kids. The gently sloping beaches are safe and the waters are calm and shallow. Sports enthusiasts can also practice scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing in this protected bay.

Every year more and more visitors are coming to Caleta de Fuste to invest and to live – The area has an amazing quality of life. Property prices are still low compared to the other islands and it has great rental potential – if you own a property here you can rent it out at “tourist prices” almost all year round.

Fuerteventura Property
The tourism industry in Fuerteventura is expanding rapidly, creating a huge demand for new properties.

The market now offers a wide variety of properties and a multitude of profit-making possibilities, including resale investments, new developments and buy to let purchases.

With an increasing number of English speaking agents on the island, buying property in Fuerteventura has never been easier.

Property Investment in Spain (options)
Off plan and buy to let investments can be incredibly lucrative (if properly researched), off plan in particular.

With off plan investing buyers purchase property in a new development at a low price and normally sell it at a profit when the development is finished or sometimes prior to completion.

It’s suitable for anyone who wants to make the most out of their investment and doesn’t need to live in it immediately. With off plan investments you can make big profits and you’ll only need a small mortgage.

Buying to let is where buyers purchase a property solely to rent it out. Ideally, the rent should cover the cost of your mortgage leaving you free of any financial commitment to the property. It’s very important to study the rental potential of the property and surrounding area before going ahead.

Why choose property for sale in Spain?
Spain is an incredibly diverse country. It’s a land of fantastic contrasts – with snow capped mountain peaks, endless sandy beaches, warm sunny climate and a very very relaxed way of life. Quite simply, living here is easy.

Apart from having one of the lowest mortgage rates in Europe, Spain has a spectacular landscape; good infrastructure; delicious cuisine; excellent nightlife; and fascinating architecture. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and a Mecca for all types of land and water sports fans.

Low-cost airlines are bringing Spain to your doorstop – at ridiculous prices! A return ticket can cost less than the fuel it takes to drive from London to Birmingham and back! It’s now cheaper than ever to get here. These low-cost airlines offering flights to Spain from just about any part of Europe are a major benefit for people who own investment property in Spain. It’s also a major benefit for Spanish tourism.

With all this on offer, a property investment in Spain is generally regarded as a very safe option.

Buying a property in Spain
Nowadays, buying a property here couldn’t be easier. There’s plenty of English speaking agents and the whole process can be completed within a matter of weeks.

The process itself is very straightforward. First you need to establish your budget – a realistic budget; there’s no point at looking at properties you can’t afford.

If you’re getting a mortgage in Spain you’ll be offered 70% of the purchase price of the property. It’s highly advisable to get a “Residencia” (Residence Card) as soon as possible. With this you’ll be offered a loan of 80%.

Some of the banks in Spain base their mortgage offers on the valuation of the property as opposed to the purchase price. So, if the valuation price is a lot higher than the purchase price you might be able to secure a mortgage for up to 100%.