The dream of hundreds of golfers who yearn for a home on one of the Costa del Sol’s fabulous courses is about to be delivered. Known as ‘Golf on Your Doorstep’, this exciting initiative from International Golf & Resort Management enables golfers to buy a share in a luxury home and enjoy playing rights at a prestigious golf resort.

Fractional ownership (shared ownership in perpetuity) is a fast growing sector of the property market. It is considered to be one of the most financially astute ways of purchasing overseas property.

European market leaders, the Fractional Ownership Consultancy and its sales & marketing arm, The Fractional Group, the main agent for the sale of fractional properties with the safety assured legal and structural framework provided by the Fractional Ownership Consultancy (FOC). FOC is the only European fractional specialist with over 9 years experience of fractional marketing, sales and development. Together they have teamed up with International Golf & Resort Management (IGRM) to take fractional ownership to new heights with the delivery of the ultimate golf locations, luxury homes, golf playing rights and impeccable concierge services.

The first project to be released is at Alhaurin Golf – an Andalucían pueblo style resort built around a Seve Ballesteros course in the breathtaking Sierra de Mijas Mountains. Just 30 minutes drive from Marbella and the international airport at Malaga, the cost of ownership of a fractional apartment at Alhaurin Golf starts at just 25,000 euros for a 1/12th share which gives 4 weeks usage a year and includes playing rights at the club and on the nearby courses of Cabopino and Calanova.

Alhaurin Golf boasts fabulous playing and practice amenities. As well as the beautiful 18 hole course, which combines spectacular tee positions with views of the majestic mountains and Mediterranean Sea, there is a 9 hole par 3 course and an academy – renowned as one of the best in Andalucía. Not only for golf enthusiasts, the resort is also ideal as a family holiday retreat with its 4 star hotel, swimming pools, gym, fitness centre and tennis club.

The 2 and 3 bedroom largely frontline apartments are sold ready for occupation. They have fully fitted kitchens and are tastefully decorated and furnished by a leading design company. Led by CEO Michael Longshaw, a former senior executive at Forte Hotels and MD of Brocket Hall, an on site team will provide personal concierge services to take care of owners’ every need, from the booking of restaurants, tee times and excursions to airport pick up, maid service and the delivery of groceries. IGRM will also handle the management and maintenance of the properties and the owners’ calendar and rental programmes – ensuring that the vacation experience is seamless and the pressures of owning a property are removed.

Of the initiative Michael Longshaw, who recently appeared in ‘Raising the Roof’ in the New York Times on line said, “Golf on Your Doorstep should appeal to golfers looking for an affordable second home in the sun that they and their families can enjoy. We have some superb properties to unveil, the next being the jewel in our crown – luxurious front-line apartments with memberships at one of the most renowned championship venues in Europe. And if it’s not enough to have a fairway at the end of your garden, then the investment potential and rental income should appeal to savvy investors. We believe we are truly delivering the dream.”

For further details on Golf on Your Doorstep visit www.igrm.co.uk or call 0044 1494 685560 / 00 34 626836870

News submitted by Melanie Hickey, International Golf & Resort Management

Cortijo del Mar is a new residential complex in the heart of the Costa del Sol on the New Golden Mile just minutes from San Pedro, Puerto Banus and Estepona.

Located in an elevated position, Cortijo del Mar is a few minutes away from the beach and is ideally located around several golf courses, one right on the doorstep offer excellent Golf, Tennis, Pool and Spa facilities. Cortijo del Mar is a secure gated complex with hi-tech video entry and intelligent home systems available as standard in all of the properties.

These systems allow you to control music and video throughout your home, climate control, open and closing of the shutters all from a convenient control panel. Best of all, you can control your home remotely, you can even turn on your air con on the way from the airport meaning you arrive in complete comfort.

• Prices from €282,000
• 10% Launch Discount
• All Properties are Fully Furnished
• 80% Finance Available
• Deal Directly with the developer

The Costa del Sol was Spain’s top tourist destination in April, beating other popular tourist spots such as the Costa Brava and the Costa Blanca when it comes to the number of nights spent in hotels. The figures prove the Costa del Sol’s popularity with both foreigners and Spaniards.

Latest statistics released by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estadística), show that the Costa del Sol had a hotel occupancy rate of 50.63% during April with a rate of over 55% at weekends. Over the first four months of the year, the Costa del Sol achieved some of Spain’s best figures for tourism, fantastic news for investors interested in renting their Spanish property.

Once very much a seasonal holiday centre, the Costa del Sol is now an established year-round honeypot. One of the main reasons behind this is the vast range of activities on offer for the tourist. While the sandy beaches undoubtedly constitute its main draw, the miles of sands are just one of the Costa del Sol’s many attractions.

The abundance of first-class golf courses (many championship) have earned the area the title of ‘Costa del Golf’ since the year-round pleasant climate means that golf is also year-round – the winter months are high season for golf. Other world-class sporting events in the area include the recent Andalusian Tennis Experience attended by the world’s top women players and the forthcoming Davis Cup quarter-finals. Both these tennis tournaments are based in Marbella, one of the four European Cities of Sport this year and with a full calendar of events in honour of this.

Culturally, the Costa del Sol is also up there with the best. Malaga’s Picasso Museum is now one of the most visited in Spain and a major attraction within the Costa del Sol’s up-and-coming capital city. Summer festivals draw the crème de la crème when it comes to music. If Lou Reed was the star attraction at last year’s Terral Festival, this year it is the turn of Jerry Lee Lewis.

Those with families also find plenty on the Costa del Sol to keep them busy. Perhaps top of the attractions is the huge Selwo Wildlife Adventure Safari Park, one of the largest wildlife parks in Europe and situated between Estepona and Marbella. Other animal attractions include the award-winning Fuengirola Zoo and Sea Life.

With its wide choice of things to do satisfying a huge range of holidaymakers from golf fanatics to sun worshippers, the Costa del Sol has something for everyone. “This is undoubtedly one of the best short haul holiday destinations from the UK,” says James Gonzalez, Market Analyst at Obelisk Investment Property, “as confirmed by this year’s tourist figures. These also confirm the rental potential for the area.” James points out that the Costa del Sol’s excellent infrastructure, good weather year-round and choice of leisure activities makes it a favourite with relocators and retirees as well as holiday makers. This translates into potential for both holiday lets and long-term rentals, an important consideration for those considering property investment on the Costa del Sol, particularly when the area currently represents excellent potential for cheap property in Spain.

If you want a memorable holiday vacation in Spain with your loved ones and friends, Costa del Sol might be the best place to visit as it offers a number of attractions both for local and international travelers. With the growing number of affordable yet world-class Costa del Sol villas, accommodation during your entire stay will not be a problem. Truly, this holiday spot reflects the merge of rich Spanish culture and modernity.

The Costa del Sol was Spain’s top tourist destination in April, beating other popular tourist spots such as the Costa Brava and the Costa Blanca when it comes to the number of nights spent in hotels. The figures prove the Costa del Sol’s popularity with both foreigners and Spaniards.

News submitted by Alison Kane, Obelisk International

Despite the current global economic slowdown, the Costa del Sol has just experienced record tourist figures for the Easter period, proving that the area remains one of Europe’s preferred holiday spots as well as property investment destinations. According to the Costa del Sol Tourist Board, average hotel occupancy – used by experts to gauge tourism levels –reached 75% along the coast, almost eight points higher than 2008, which also recorded record tourism.
Along with high hotel occupancy, bars and restaurants reported a significant increase (around 15%) in their takings compared to last year. The combination of high occupancy and takings has been widely welcomed by the area’s tourist industry, particularly after a slow start to the year. The excellent figures have taken experts by surprise and were better than those predicted by even the most optimistic.

Figures for Malaga city were even higher with hotels in the capital of the Costa del Sol registering an occupancy of 82%, a record Easter for the city. Malaga also received 11,700 cruise passengers during Easter week, an increase of almost 60% on 2008.

The Costa del Sol’s best Easter ever demonstrates that in spite of the recession, international and domestic tourists still flock to the area’s beaches and attractions. “The latest figures are excellent news,” says James Gonzalez, Market Analyst at Obelisk Investment Property, “and prove that tourism on the Costa del Sol is enjoying excellent health.” James also highlights that Easter is usually a pointer for the summer high season. “Based on these recent figures, I think that the Costa del Sol can expect to see high tourist figures this summer,” he says.

The Costa del Sol’s tourist infrastructure is already comprehensive, but further improvements are underway. Malaga airport (Spain’s fourth busiest) is already connected to over 120 European and Spanish cities by air and now has twice-weekly direct flights to Moscow and a weekly flight to New York. The new terminal at the airport, currently under construction, is costing €300 million and when complete next year will double the airport’s capacity to 9,000 passengers an hour. Additions to hotels include a luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel due to open in Benahavis in 2010 and the luxury 5 star Vincci Selection hotel recently opened in Marbella.

News submitted by Alison Kane, Obelisk Investment Property

Anyone with a generous bank manager can build a house, but very few have the skills and intuition to build a home. A home with exquisite proportions, spaces for lively entertainment and spaces for private repose. With tasteful decoration, discreet home comforts and above all boundary-pushing qualities which ensure that its just-finished feel never fades. Thankfully, the mastermind behind Tranquilo is a home-maker of the highest order.

Paul Rossiter of exclusive sales agents, Carrington Estates, comments, “If you’re constructing to sell, you must remove the heart from the process and lead with the head, but inexperienced self-builders often fall into bad habits. Common faux pas include adding more bedrooms to add more zeros to the sales price, yet few families need seven bedrooms so all you’re doing is shutting off a chunk of your target market. Others cut corners on everything from flooring to interior carpentry in order to maximize the profit margin, another mistake as a discerning purchaser will have an eye for the detail and catch you out.”

Paul continues, “A big self-build offence is to try and play it too safe and be bland and unadventurous in décor and furnishings. Each room needs a certain ‘wow’ factor in order to stand out from the crowd and a sea of magnolia just won’t cut it. Lastly, never underestimate the worth of home automation. This is the 21st century, so allocate a sizeable budget to wiring the property for sound, cinema, security – the lot. During the build process the cabling can be concealed, afterwards it becomes a headache, one which the future owner won’t want to take on.”

Finished in August 2008, Tranquilo is relaxed by name and relaxed by nature as the English constructor has clearly swallowed the manual of successful self-build. McCloud would be proud. Set on a 4,406m² south-west facing plot at the heart of the stunning rural retreat of La Reserva del Madroñal, this all en-suite four bedroom home encompasses 600m² arranged over three storeys, and sets the benchmark for new-build villas in the Marbella area.

La Reserva del Madroñal is a stunning retreat in the midst of unspoilt nature with amazing views over the Mediterranean and the famous landmark mountain, La Concha, yet within easy reach of sport, leisure and entertainment facilities. Marbella is just twenty minutes away and the cosmopolitan port of Banús even closer. A minimum plot size of 2,600m² has been implemented to ensure utter privacy and harmonious integration of homes into the environment. Set amidst poplars and fragrant pines, it is a location that will be fully appreciated by the nature loving connoisseur.

At entry level a bright double-height entrance hall with guest WC gives way to an oversized living space, also double-height, with feature stainless steel open fireplace with full-height chrome flue and doors to the terrace, garden and swimming pool. An ample dining room leads to a modern two-tone grey kitchen with central island which is fully equipped with Siemens, Miele and Bosch appliances from the American-style fridge freezer down to the coffee machine and wine fridge. Also at this level, but at a secluded arm’s length from the living areas, are two guest bedrooms, each with their own private terrace. Upstairs, via a stainless steel balustraded staircase complete with spot-illuminated risers, there are two generous bedroom suites linked by a glass and stainless steel galleried landing, each with walk-in dressing areas, private terraces and, for the master bedroom – a decadent in-room bathtub to view either the flat-screen TV or the mesmerizing country views.

The lower ground floor, surprisingly bright thanks to plenty of natural light, accommodates a games room with fully-equipped bar, pool table and cinema screen with surround-sound. There’s also an additional guest toilet, office, laundry room and garaging for two cars. Outside the garden has mature planting with exterior lighting whilst the infinity pool flanked by floating decking is the ideal spot for soaking up the sunshine and the sea views, gin and tonic in hand.

Tranquilo boasts the latest generation intelligent domotics system controlling lighting, security, home entertainment and audio, extending right through to the terraces and swimming pool area whilst all principal rooms have independently controlled hot and cold air-conditioning devices.

Delivered fully furnished with a contemporary interior design by Richard Lewis Interiors plus chic Kettal outdoor furniture, Tranquilo is priced at 2.75 million euros and available exclusively through Carrington Estates. A ten year build guarantee is in place, compulsory under Spanish law.

News submitted by Sarah Drane, Carrington Estates

The purchase of a plot for self-build within golfing communities such as La Zagaleta and Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club is an excellent way of taking advantage of relatively low land prices and keeping Spanish construction workers off the streets.

As the lower ranks of the Spanish property market take a tumble the prime resorts attracting financially stable buyers remain steadfast. The acquisition of a plot for self-build within low-density gated golfing communities such as La Zagaleta and Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club is an excellent way of taking advantage of relatively low land prices and also keeping those Spanish construction workers off the streets.

The advantages of self-build over buying ‘off the peg’ are numerous. You can choose your views, choose your layout and design, choose your qualities and finish and save money in the process. In fact a resale or turnkey villa can cost up to 50% more than the self-build equivalent. Plus you have the luxury of 24-hour security and added value in the shape of golf courses, Spas, gymnasiums and concierge services. Here’s self-build specialists, Carrington Estates’, five “top of the plots” for 2008…

Plot D1-10 La Zagaleta
Frontline to the 15th hole of La Zagaleta’s first Bradford-Benz designed 18-hole golf course, plot D1-10 encompasses a substantial 6,600m² and is very amenable to a trouble-free build. East facing, this plot is very flat and with a permissible build volume of 15% (a generous 990m² property excluding basement and open terraces), whilst the rest of the plot would accommodate a large landscaped garden with sunny swimming pool area overlooking manicured golf and wild Andalucian countryside. Excellent value for the prestigious gated country of estate of La Zagaleta. Price 2,350,000 euros

Plot A-12 Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club
When the golf course at Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club gets reconfigured back to its intended layout to coincide with the opening of the brand new Clubhouse, this 3,300m² plot will be frontline to the first and second golf holes. East facing, the views are quite spectacular and epitomize the Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club ethos – a golf course which has been adapted to fit the rugged terrain retaining all natural features and species of flora and fauna. With a build volume of 12.2% permitted at Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club this plot would accommodate a modest property of over 400m² excluding basement and open terraces. Price 595,000 euros

Plot D5 Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club
This is a prime plot in arguably one of the best locations within Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club. Frontline to what will be the 16th hole of the José Gancedo designed course, when reconfigured to coincide with the opening of the Clubhouse, the views journey in a southerly direction across the manicured fairways and down to the Mediterranean Sea beyond. The all-new Clubhouse is within walking distance of plot D5 home to a restaurant, cosy English Colonial-style lounge bar, Member’s Room, small business centre with secretarial services and of course changing rooms and a well-stocked pro-shop for golfers. Covering 2,600m² the build volume of 12.2% will permit a sizeable property of over 300m² excluding basement and open terraces. This plot will not remain on the market for long. Price 695,000 euros

Plot H8 Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club
Set towards the top of Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club, plot H8 commands panoramic south facing sea, golf and mountain views with North Africa and Gibraltar clearly visible on a bright day, of which the Costa del Sol has many. Perhaps the best views on the project, this part of the resort is very tranquil, set back from the activity surrounding the golf course and Clubhouse and feels very much like the wild untouched Andalucian countryside of yesteryear. H8 is a particularly flat 2,545m² plot allowing for an uncomplicated build of up to 310m² excluding basement and open terraces. Price 825,000 euros

Plot G3 La Zagaleta

In an elevated position towards the north of the exclusive estate of La Zagaleta, plot G3 commands outstanding views across the newly inaugurated 18-hole Los Barrancos golf course, the second set of 18-holes for La Zagaleta, as well as absorbing the unspoilt mountainous countryside, the Mediterranean and Gibraltar and North Africa in the background. With a sunny southerly orientation this 3,972m² plot has a natural build platform and with a permissible build volume of 15% a substantial 595m² property could be constructed excluding basement and open terraces. Price 1,695,000 euros

News submitted by Sarah Drane, Carrington Estates

The Costa del Sol and Malaga in Southern Spain has been hitting the headlines the past two months; for all the right reasons, with a plethora of much-needed positive and enthusiastic stories.

Most recently we have seen reports state that property prices in the fabulously exclusive resort of Marbella have escaped the fall in house prices with an increase of 2.15 per cent. House prices in Marbella are now the highest in the province, at 3,125 euros per square metre.

Adam Godwin, Marketing Director of Dream Homes Worldwide, comments, “This is great news for the Costa del Sol with many of the developers really understanding how to attract clients in this tough property market. Although Marbella is regarded as a luxurious resort, there are some fantastic property bargains to be found around this area and it just goes to show why Southern Spain is the number one destination again and again for Brits looking to purchase overseas property.

Spain attracts thousands of property buyers every year due to a number of factors that include its fine climes, fantastic lifestyle, cheap cost of living and just two hours flight time from the UK. The Post Office recently stated that fuel prices in Spain are among the lowest in the Eurozone, at 30% lower.

With the majority looking for a holiday home or intentions to retire, it’s clear to see why Spain lures so many to its sunny shores. The province of Malaga has recently just been awarded the most “Banderas Azules” (Blue Flags) in Andalucia for its beaches, in recognition of cleanliness, safety and environmental awareness. Along with the recent report that thirteen of the top secondary schools in Spain are located in the Malaga province, seven of which are on the Costa del Sol, Spain truly is an all round fantastic destination in which to live.

With the current expansion of Malaga International Airport which will handle over 15 million passengers when complete, along with the welcome of direct flights to New York and Dubai, Spain is setting its sights high as a worldwide number one destination.

Adam Godwin continues, “Southern Spain is at present a true buyers market; with top-quality properties from just £92,799, no-where else in Europe quite literally compares to here.

News submitted by Louise Shipway, Dream Homes Worldwide