In common with the rest of Europe, the property market in Spain has been affected by the economic downturn. However, Spain remains the favourite destination in Europe for British buyers and property in Costa Blanca is still a popular choice and selling if the price is right.

The area will always be attractive to foreign visitors, due to its beautiful beaches, extensive tourist amenities and sunny climate. Its name means the White Coast and was coined by BEA in 1957, the year that flights began between London and Valencia. The region extends from Denia in the north to Torrevieja in the south and includes the major tourist destinations of Benidorm and Alicante. The Costa Blanca plays host to many hundreds of thousands of tourists every year and, of these, a significant proportion own a second property in the area, which they have bought for their own vacation/leisure use, as an investment or as rental income, or as a mixture of all three!

It is certainly a buyer’s market at present, with many bargains available on property for sale in Costa Blanca. Official figures show that house prices have fallen in the region of three per cent but, in reality, reductions are far greater than this, with some developers offering discounts as much as forty per cent off, representing some of the best deals ever seen in the market. Villas in some developments which have been advertised for sale at 350,000 euros are now being snapped up for less than 250,000 euros. A wide choice of properties for sale is available in this part of Spain, ranging from beachside villas and town houses to more economical apartments. For even cheaper property, the less crowded outskirts of the surrounding cities should be considered.

When looking at property for sale in Costa Blanca, it is a good idea to visit the area in winter as well as summer, to see what it is like out of season. Some less populated areas can seem rather isolated in the cooler months. Check out the heating systems too! It is also advisable to “try before you buy”; in other words rent a few different villas and flats in different parts of the region before you commit yourself to buying. The Costa Blanca comprises a huge area of Spain and, as such, there are great differences between the various towns. Cheap flights are available during less popular times, with the most convenient airport based at Alicante. Do not limit yourself solely to estate agents in the immediate area, as national agents will also have plenty of properties for sale on their books. Check out the Web, as many agents as well as private sellers will advertise through this medium. Above all, take your time in finding the right property. There are plenty of good investments to be had on property in the Costa Blanca right now and you should not allow yourself to be pressurised.

The wonderful memories you bring back with you after a visit to the dramatically beautiful region of Andalucia in Spain may well encourage you to consider purchasing an Andalucian property. There is a huge choice of properties in Andalucia, many in stunning locations ranging from rocky coastlines and endless stretches of beach, to remote white villages, blossom filled almond groves and high sierras. Every season offers its attraction, summer for nightlife, winter for skiing, spring for nature, autumn for fewer crowds, lower prices and local festivals. Buying your own Andalucian property means you will be able to profit from the advantages of every season all year round. But how to choose where to buy?

The most popular hotspot for Andalucia property has to be the Costa del Sol, the “Sun Coast”, so aptly named, with some 320 sunny days in a typical year. This area of Andalucia comprises a number of former fishing villages, transformed from poverty in the 1960s into the “Florida of Europe”. The Costa del Sol is host to millions of visitors every year, thanks to its sunny clime, lively nightlife and clean beaches. An estimated 300,000 expatriates have settled here, with many having decided to purchase an Andalucian property in such popular locations as Estepona, Fuengirola, Malaga, Nerja and Marbella — Spain’s most expensive resort.

However, there are many other excellent locations which must be considered if you are looking to purchase an Andalucian property in Spain. The inland and rural areas of Andalucia are becoming increasingly popular for those wanting a more authentically Spanish way of life than is found on the Costas. The choice ranges from white washed cottages set in acres of lemon and olive groves to a white washed town house in a picturesque hilltop village where time seems to have stood still for centuries.

If you are seeking a lively town with plenty of culture, then Granada city would be a good place to buy an Andalucian property. This fascinating city is renowned for the great complex of the Alhambra, the most famous and best-preserved medieval Arabic palace in the world. Properties in the city are rarely advertised on the internet and are soon snapped up. A wider range of Andalucian properties is available in the towns and villages surrounding Granada city, which offer beautiful rural locations within an easy commute of the centre and at cheaper prices.

And finally, Spain may not be as famous for its pistes as France or Switzerland, but it is worth considering purchasing an Andalucian property in the Sierra Nevada. You can use it in the winter for skiing and as a mountain base in the summer, being only an hour from the coast. Property prices here are fairly cheap in comparison with the Costa regions. Andalucian properties here are likely to become attractive as second homes with rental potential, due to the greater accessibility provided by Granada Airport.