Things are definitively getting better.

The numbers from the Ministry of Housing on the number of transactions for Marbella and Benahavis confirm the tendency we have been observing recently: things are getting better.

If we look at Benahavis and although the closed transactions for 2013 are slightly lower than the ones closed in 2012 (11% less), a year comparable to the pre-crisis 2006 and 2007 years, it has been a good year only a 18% below the best year in the history of the village, 2006. That situation can be seen on the attached chart.

On the other hand, if we look at the chart showing the information for Marbella, the tendency is more than evident. The levels of the “good” years have not been reached yet but we are on the way. This information matches with the one I published last month on the stock of properties for sale: the stock is going down because the number of transactions is increasing.

The only negative variable are the prices that are still flat with a slight down tendency but if the stock keeps on going down, the prices will start to go up.

In summary, I am quite optimistic for the future and seems that the situation is finally recovering. We do not know yet if that recovery is going to be fast or gradual but it is starting. On the personal side, I have to say that even though 2013 was my best year since I started with RE/MAX, my feeling for the beginning of 2014 is the same I had during 2013: it is still quite complicated to close operations and selling a property requires significant amounts of work. 

Marbella is happy

I think this video well deserves being here. This is all about Marbella. 

Great one!!!

Creo que este video se merece estar aquí. Es acerca de lo que es Marbella.

Muy bueno!!

¿Que es el Seguro Decenal?

El Seguro Decenal garantiza las responsabilidades de los promotores, constructores y arquitectos (en general de los agentes intervinientes en la construcción) por los daños causados al edificio por defectos de construcción o vicios ocultos que afecten directamente la resistencia mecánica o la estabilidad de esa construcción.

Las Jacarandas, La Quinta (Benahavís - Marbella - Costa del Sol)

Spectacular property in Benahavis that combines the pleasures of living on first line golf with the proximity to the sandy beaches, San Pedro de Alcantara and Puerto Banús. It comprises an ample living room with fireplace, kitchen, a spectacular garden on the golf, five beds (the impressive Master enjoys a fireplace and dressing area), four baths, private garage and plenty of storage. The consolidated complex offers not only the combination of golf and Mediterranean living but also a unique blend of peaceful natural surroundings with instant access to everything Marbella and the Costal del Sol has to offer.

What is the Property Damage Insurance Policy (Seguro Decenal)?

The Property Damage Insurance Policy, or in Spanish “Seguro Decenal”, guarantees the liabilities of developers, builders and architects for damages caused to the building by construction defects or hidden vices originating in or directly affecting the mechanical resistance or the stability of that construction.

March 7th, 2014

Dear Alfonso,

Thank you for sending me your newsletter by email. I meant to ask if you could do that and forgot!

It goes without saying that if I hear of anyone wanting to sell I will absolutely refer them to you. Your approach is the most professional I've ever seen especially when it comes to dealing with real estate. Sadly it's an industry that doesn't seem to have a particularly professional approach no matter where you are in the world.

All very best regards and I may see you in April when I'm back again.

Sincerely,

RK

El Stock de viviendas. ¿Cómo está variando?

Cuando se habla de la información del mercado inmobiliario, el dato del número de propiedades en venta siempre se ha ido quedando atrás puesto que no existe una información oficial fiable sobre el stock de viviendas en venta en Marbella y Benahavís. Con el fin de tener una idea de cómo evoluciona dicho inventario y de esa forma ver como puede afectar al mercado inmobiliario, he recopilado información de diferentes páginas web y bases de datos de propiedades que, aunque no me va a permitir saber el número exacto de propiedades en el mercado debido a que no todas las propiedades están contabilizadas y a que hay unidades repetidas, si me va a dar la tendencia y la distribución, que es lo que estoy buscando.

Los gráficos hablan por si solos: el inventario esta más o menos estable con una ligera tendencia a la baja, especialmente en Marbella. Se ve, por tanto, que este índice va en línea con el resto de los indicadores: leves bajadas de precios, leves bajadas en el stock y un aumento en el número de transacciones. En general, se puede intuir que la situación va mejorando pero que todavía queda mucho camino por recorrer. 

Inventory. How is it changing?

It has always been a missing piece of information as there is not official data on the existing inventory of properties for sale for Marbella & Benahavis. In order to get an idea on what the inventory/stock of “for sale” properties is doing, I have taken information from different web pages and databases of properties. Although that will not tell exactly the number of properties on the market because not all properties are accounted for and there are repeated units on those databases, it will give the tendency and the distribution that is what I am looking for.

The charts are easy to read: the inventory is more or less stable with a slight tendency to a reduction specially in Marbella. Therefore, this index goes in line with the rest of the indicators: slight reduction in prices, slight reductions in inventory a increasing number of transactions. In general, it means a slight better situation but still a way to go.