What's not to like about the beautiful beaches, towns and villages near Begur on the Costa Brava? Contact Adrian (top). You can trust him - even if he supports Arsenal!So much claptrap is written about the Spanish property market via the internet. It has been a difficult few years for those operating as estate agents in the country and many have gone out of business. Frankly, like those writing about Spain, there were too many around in the first place!
For many months I have been reading some laughable accounts of how the Spanish property market is buoyant. Some fantasists even claimed that prices of property in Spain were rising. Utter nonsense! It comes as no surprise that all these articles were written by... estate agents!
Until now that is. I am happy to be a journalist and have no wish to be a member of another despised profession. One is enough, thank you. I am not an estate agent. I do have a handful of friends who are. They weren't friends until I had reason to do business with them. Be that buying my own home in Spain, or through meeting them when writing about Spanish homes for magazines and websites the world over.
I can spot a dodgy agent several kilometres away. I only deal with the good guys and gals. Those who work hard to make sure those selling and buying property in Spain get good, thorough, honest, correct and professional advice and service. Many such people exist from the Costa Brava to the Costa de la Luz. From the Costa Tropical to the beaches of northern Spain.
I heard the other day from one such contact. Adrian McGinley rang me with rare good news. He is hopeful of two sales this month in the area around Begur on the Costa Brava. You are not far from the cities of Girona and Barcelona, but this area has a serene feel all of its own.
Adrian has homes in stunning locations such as Tamariu, Sa Riera, Llafranc, Pals, Palafrugell - all delightful and all close to the marvellous sandy beaches of the northern Costa Brava.
When I first went there I fell in love with the area and wanted to buy there. But then, six years ago, prices were beyond me. This is a smart area. Riff raff such as I would have stood out a mile!
But times have changed and, in order to sell their homes, vendors have reduced the price of their houses to a very competitive level.
Adrian informs me of good news. I could now afford to buy there.
He tells me: "It has been bad. I have never hidden that fact from sellers or buyers. The market up here has been very slow for a long time. But things are moving. I don't claim to know why, for sure. But the good news is that people are coming back to Spain with a view to buying.
"We also have the advantage of being near the border with France, so many from that country have been popping over to purchase homes in Spain. I anticipate having a couple of sales this month.
"True, it is far removed from the days when I was selling two or three a week, but it has to be a genuine sign that things are picking up a little, at least when it comes to the Spanish property market."
Despite the fact he is an Arsenal fan, I am prepared to believe Adrian.
After all, what's not to like about the Costa Brava? I thought Begur and the surrounding villages, beaches and bays to be beautiful.
From my own experience of trying to sell my 5 bed, 3 bath home near Granada; I know that I have received more people viewing my property already this year than in all of 2010.
It's been tough for Adrian and a number of other agents I know working in Spain.
Yes, they had it very good when times were good - but they have been paying the price for the general economic slump throughout Spain. I know it's hard to believe if you are only used to dealing with those sharp suited, wet behind the ears, tell you what you want to hear estate agents that are so common in the UK; but I have to report that estate agents are human too. They also have bills to pay. Children to feed, mortgages to cover.
Some of the nicest i have dealt with are those who have kept their heads above water here in Spain. Only just. But they live to fight another day and I for one hope things continue to improve for them.
As I sit hear listening to reports of how the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships are sure to suffer from rain this June; it is touching 40 degrees on my roof terrace and the beaches of Spain are busy with locals and tourists alike enjoying a weekend in sunny Spain.
Sometimes the best reasons for buying property in Spain are the oldest ones. So think on!
If you are interested in property on the Costa Brava do contact Adrian via (00 34) 692 545 852
or visit his website www.immo-am.com
* Meanwhile, should you be looking for property in southern Spain, on the Costa Tropical in locations such as Almuñécar, Salobreña or La Herradura; I warmly recommend the ever helpful Martin Bright at www.spaincostatropical.com
And if you want to live in inland Spain, halfway between the beaches of the Costa Tropical and the great city of Granada, try the pretty and unspoilt Lecrín Valley. For property there contact Danielle Gouwens via www.athomeinandalusia.com
A good portal to see what is available across Andalucia is www.andaluciadirect.co.uk
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