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Why You Should Visit Tenerife: A Paradise in the Canary Islands

July 5, 2024July 5, 2024 Jose Martin

Nestled in the heart of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a destination that captivates visitors with its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and endless opportunities for adventure. This Spanish island, often referred to as the “Island of Eternal Spring,” offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and modern amenities, making it a must-visit location for travellers of all kinds.

Breathtaking Natural Beauty

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Tenerife is its stunning natural scenery. Dominating the landscape is Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Teide National Park offers a surreal, almost lunar terrain, providing excellent hiking opportunities and breathtaking vistas. A cable car ride to the summit is a must, offering panoramic views that stretch across the island and beyond.

The island’s coastline is equally impressive. From the dramatic cliffs of Los Gigantes to the golden sands of Las Teresitas, Tenerife boasts a variety of beaches to suit every taste. The unique black sand beaches, such as Playa Jardín, formed from volcanic activity, offer a distinctive and picturesque setting. Whether you’re seeking the bustling energy of popular tourist spots or the tranquillity of secluded coves, Tenerife’s beaches do not disappoint.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Tenerife is not just about natural wonders; it also has a rich cultural heritage. The island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is home to the renowned Carnival of Santa Cruz, the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro. This vibrant celebration is a riot of colour, music, and dance, attracting visitors from all over the globe.

For a more historical experience, the town of La Laguna, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into the island’s past. With its well-preserved colonial architecture, charming streets, and vibrant local markets, La Laguna is a perfect place to soak up the island’s history and culture.

Adventure and Activities

Adventure seekers will find no shortage of activities in Tenerife. The island’s diverse terrain lends itself to a wide range of outdoor pursuits. Water sports enthusiasts can indulge in surfing, windsurfing, and diving, particularly in areas like El Médano and Los Cristianos. The clear, warm waters around the island also make it an excellent spot for snorkelling and whale watching.

For those who prefer land-based activities, the Anaga Rural Park offers lush forests and rugged mountains, ideal for hiking and mountain biking. The island also boasts several world-class golf courses, catering to enthusiasts looking to enjoy a round amidst stunning scenery.

Gastronomy and Nightlife

Tenerife’s culinary scene is another highlight. The island’s cuisine is a delightful fusion of Spanish flavours and local ingredients. Fresh seafood, tapas, and traditional Canarian dishes like papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce are must-tries. The island’s vineyards produce excellent wines, particularly the white varieties, which pair perfectly with the local cuisine.

As the sun sets, Tenerife’s nightlife comes alive. From lively bars and clubs in Playa de las Américas to the more laid-back atmosphere of coastal towns like Puerto de la Cruz, there is something for everyone. Live music, dance, and a friendly, welcoming vibe make evenings in Tenerife unforgettable.

The Overall Effect of Coronavirus on the Spanish Property Market

August 14, 2021August 14, 2021 Jose Martin

The Spanish economy was relatively stable with good demand for property before the coronavirus struck but when it did strike, the hardest hit areas were those that relied heavily on tourism.

After speaking with some of the top Tenerife estate agents we’re acquainted with, the general consensus is that the property market is still robust with many bargain hunters waiting in the wings to snatch well priced properties if and when they become available.

Many of the properties in the resorts are bought as investments, retirement second homes, and for rental incomes, so without the influx of tourists, it goes without saying that they would have difficulty generating any rental income.

Although there was reasonable growth in the property market in Spain pre covid, after the lockdown was eased, the demand began to rise again. During the summer months, higher numbers of virtual viewings were noticeable for Spanish properties,

Depending on where you look, property prices may vary and good locations will always command a premium and maintain more stability in pricing as opposed to areas outside main resorts where prices tend to be less resilient.

Brexit And The Spanish Property Market

Brexit has had a large impact on buyers from UK due to all the uncertainty surrounding the agreement and what it means to property owners who are both non-resident and resident.

For UK buyers, the largest concern when purchasing property in Spain was that UK non-residents of Spain would only have 90 days within a 180 day period of time to stay visa free. This lack of freedom of movement, now a thing of the past, meant new regulations were being set up from 2021 onwards, and UK citizens were now limited in regard to the amount of time they could spend in their holiday homes.

In Spain, within the British community, there are said to be up to 1 million people, but not all of these Britons are technically registered as a Spanish resident so the authorities provided a window for those not registered as residents to do so or to leave the country at a specified date. It was out of this fear that British citizens started returning to the United Kingdom, especially because of Brexit in order to avoid being forcefully deported,

It seems that even with COVID-19 and Brexit, there is still appetite for property in Spain.
Taylor Wimpey Espana reported that virtual viewings had increased nearly 40% in the first week of 2021 for Spanish properties, plus the areas of Alicante, Mallorca and Costa Blanca were at the forefront of these stats.

Kyero, the online property site, reported a nearly 450% increase in those between the ages of 18 and 24 that were viewing Spanish properties that were Britons. Freedom of movement, now completely gone, motivated young Britons to become Spanish residents.

Property Market Optimism In Spain

Although there is still uncertainty with the current situation, property remains an asset that many investors prefer to park their money due to the zero or low interest rates offered by banks either for savings, or for the low interest offered for mortgages.

Foreign buyers account for a big slice of he Spanish property market. Britons are the largest group when it comes to foreign buyers but there seems to be a continued decline in market share as compared to other nationalities but they still hold the top spot.

Alicante and Barcelona represented larger cities where increases in prices were considerable, yet buying declines continued in January 2020. The INE reported that in certain regions, such as in Murcia and the Canary Islands, strong sales growth was reported during the same time.

Expat Property Buyers And Sellers In Spain

Of all of the European countries that were studied, Spain was the worst hit by the coronavirus. In January 2021, there were over 2.7 million positive cases with nearly 60,000 people representing the death toll.

The spread of the virus needed to be reduced, prompting the Spanish government to focus on a lockdown that was nationwide, preventing people from leaving their homes except for going to the pharmacy, supermarket, or to take care of elderly family members. Restaurants and businesses were forced to shut, travel restrictions resumed, and the police were able to issue fines to those that were found outside without a sufficient reason.

The tourism and travel sectors were affected greatly during both 2020 and 2021 before easing took place, and ex-pats who needed to generate rental income from their property, or were looking to relocate or sell their properties, were also suffering due to the pandemic and lockdowns.

Typically in Spain, the property rental market would have been flourishing at this time, but many ex-pats found themselves letting longer term renters stay in their homes due to the lack of short term options. Travel restrictions, along with border closures, had a damaging effect on their ability to generate rental income, plus visitors from abroad were not able to come in.

The Spanish Property Market And The Future

The pandemic was disastrous for the Spanish housing market, yet it is becoming a passing crisis.

For example, the Bank of Spain is thought to be on the verge of presenting good news for the domestic housing market, yet it will remain fragile unless the stability can be maintained and foreign investments encouraged.

Anyone that is an overseas buyer may look at Spain as an excellent place for property investments, primarily because of tourism. For Britons, if there is a noticeable change in the economy, such as currency exchange rates improving, this may have an impact on the volume of investors looking for good value properties.

The Spanish property market is a work in progress and more needs to be done to assure foreign investors of where they stand and perhaps provide more incentives to encourage people to invest not only in property, but in other areas of the economy.

Once the restrictions are lifted fully and the virus is brought under better control, the property market will probably bounce back to a better level of demand and more stability.

Your Essential Guide To Los Cristianos

August 13, 2018February 6, 2019 Jose Martin

The Los Cristianos resort was once just a residential and very small fishing village within the Arona municipal district, situated on the south-west coast of Tenerife.

Over the last four decades of all year round tourism, this village has expanded immensely along with Playa de las Americas, a nearby resort which is now the biggest tourist development on this island.

Despite the rapid growth in this area in order to keep up with an insatiable demand associated with touristic accommodation within the town, Los Cristianos has still managed to maintain its strong traditional Canarian heritage, where many locals still proudly choose to call their home.

When you fly into Reina Sofia International Airport, which is about 15km to the east, in most cases, the harbour of Los Cristianos is usually the first resort you recognise on the last approach before you land.

The short trip to the resort is easy after you’ve cleared customs and collected all your belongings at the arrival terminal. The TF-1, the main Tenerife motorway, will take you to just about walking distance to the middle of this sought after resort. The entire journey will usually take on average around 20 to 30 minutes.

However, if you have chosen to pay an added cost for one of the tour operator coach transfers, you will arrive in Los Cristianos within 30 minutes, yet your final transfer will probably be within an hour, sometimes more before arriving at your choice of accommodation.

For most people visiting Los Cristianos for the very first time, the unscheduled tours of this town are usually not an issue because it offers visitors an opportunity to get a feel of the town along with what this diverse area has to offer.

For those who have visited Los Cristianos before, after already spending at least seven hours on a cramped flight along with the different airport departure lounges, most prefer a more direct route to their accommodation.
This is possible through many of the taxis that can be found outside the arrival hall.

Even though the taxis operate on fixed prices, these “fixed prices” may vary slightly depending on the how many suitcases you are carrying; taxi fares may also vary on whether it is night or day, and the amount of passengers. However, the general guide for this journey is about 20 – 30 Euros.

The first impression of Los Cristianos depends on the route your driver takes for the last few kilometres into the resort. If your route passes the Oasis del Sur area, then this is the more recent area of the resort which includes both holiday and modern residential homes.

In most cases, the coach drivers still prefer the traditional “old road”, that takes you to the centre of this resort. Regardless of the route you take, you will probably not realise that the mountain that overlooks this town is actually an extinct volcano.

After arriving at your accommodation where you have the time to unpack and unwind from the journey, most guests waste no time in exploring the resort and what is on offer past the hotel or complex grounds. It quickly becomes apparent that the main point of Los Cristianos is the pedestrianised area that surrounds the harbour.

From the harbour, traditional Canarian fishing boats can be seen weaving in and out of the large jet foils and ferries that make their regular trips to La Gomera, a nearby island, which is about an hour away, combined with a number of other boats that cater for the tourist market that provide trips to see dolphin and whale colonies that reside in deep waters that run between these two islands.

Most of these island excursions offer good value for money in comparison to the trips on offer from the large tour operators. Some of the reasons why these trips are better than the ones on offer from other tour operators is the opportunity to obtain a free ticket if you are travelling with a child or even a free trip on the following day if you failed to see anything on your initial trip.

The wide promenade which is traffic free and spans across the resort, starts on the east side of the harbour which is adjacent to Hotel Arona Gran. It continues on for miles until it reaches the centre of Playa de las Americas.
From there it runs through Costa Adeje. For the outdoor enthusiasts or for those who love long walks out in surrounding nature, a walk onwards to La Caleta is a great experience.

Finally, if you’re considering a Los Cristianos property, we recommend you find a very well established agency who can offer you good guidance in all things property and to give you a good idea.

5 Common Mistakes Made by Home Buyers

February 1, 2018August 13, 2018 Jose Martin

Looking for property online without any clear plan

There are many great properties in Tenerife and there are many options to choose from. Most of the apartments and houses for sale on the estate agent’s website look so fabulous that you can forget what you are really looking for. This may make you regret later. So before you start your online search, know the following:

-Maximum price that you are required to pay for the property
-Size of area you want to live and specific requirements of the location
-Number of rooms that you need
-Whether or not you really need a communal pool, balcony/terrace or a garage

There are some items that you can compromise on but having a clear list of specific items you really need will help you avoid being swayed by attractive pictures or clever descriptions. Having a list of requirements when looking for a house or apartment to buy will help you save money, time and visits to houses that don’t meet your needs.

Not considering added purchasing fees

Just like buying property in any other place, buying a property in Tenerife entails some costs over and above its listed price. Considering things such as the mortgage and additional expenses will help you know the total cost in advance so that you may have money set aside to pay the notary, pay taxes and meet the expense of the added value tax ( in case it is a part of the purchase agreement). Added value tax is believed to be borne by the seller by law but in reality, it is borne by the buyer of a property.

Not considering the state of the property before buying it

Some of the properties are offered at bargain prices because they are in a state of disrepair and require the buyer to do some renovation before moving in. Those people who have never renovated a house or apartment may underestimate how much time and money is required to get a house or apartment back to a habitable state.

Despite the fact that there are bargains to be had, it’s good to ensure that you seek professional estimates of the building work needed and look for appropriate discounts accordingly.

Buying in haste

The current economy has made many sellers want to make a buyer purchase a house as soon as possible. Real estate agents are experienced in sales and some of them know how to subtly or not so subtly convince a potential buyer to buy a certain house.

However, it is a good idea to always remember that buying a house is not an impulse buy and it is a good idea to take your time before deciding whether or not to buy it. Take a breath and see whether the house you want to buy meets your needs. For instance, it may be good to consider the location of the property, financing and so on.

Buying in the wrong area

Many expats believe that the coastal areas of Tenerife are good places to live in. Major tourists’ resorts of Las Americas and Los Cristianos glitter after the dull urban sprawls of grey UK cities.

However, is purchasing an apartment or house in the tourist district ideal for your family? Once this glitter wears off a little bit, most of the buyers end up reconsidering their buying decisions and relocate to places such as Arico or Adeje town where you can get larger properties at affordable prices.

In conclusion, it is good to decide what your needs are, take your time and avoid being pressured to make a quick buying decision. Also, consider the Spanish property portals when looking for property in Tenerife as it may help you find the best property in Tenerife.

A Beginner’s Guide To Buying Property In Tenerife

January 25, 2018October 20, 2021 Jose Martin

There are various advantages for people from the UK and elsewhere to purchase property in Tenerife. Not only does the climate offer a summer-like temperature all year round, but Tenerife also offers a low cost of living, beautiful mountainous background and a low-key lifestyle for foreigners and locals. It is no wonder that they name the area the Fortunate Islands.

Before making a decision, take a look at this list of Tenerife estate agents who have been voted for by the public so it’s that much closer to a high quality recommendation because the votes are made by real clients with real experiences.

The majority of people are currently exchanging dowdy UK lifestyles for a beautiful sub-tropical climate. Feeling a renewed sense of confidence and wealth, the aspirations of many European forty-somethings, fifty-somethings and sixty-somethings is growing with demand for property in Tenerife, particularly around the south of the island. However, there are specific subtle differences in the property transaction procedures of Spain and its islands; therefore, it is essential that you do research in advance and have a team of experienced professionals to guide you through the purchase.

How is property sold in Tenerife?

The majority of the property is sold via estate agents, just as is the case in the UK and elsewhere.
We recommend you find an established Tenerife estate agent due to their vast knowledge and experience in the property sector of the island.
When you see an advertisement or locate a property you would like to view on a property website; you can contact the agent and make an appointment to view the property. If you are interested in buying the property, you will need to make an offer to the relevant real estate agent in Tenerife.

Property owners in Tenerife are aware of the property market value, but negotiation of the purchase price is typically done via the estate agent. It is common for properties to be sold with furniture and it is unlikely that any formal surveying of the property will take place. This is why you must be careful and use common sense when considering the condition of the property.

What Is The Property Purchasing Procedure In Tenerife?

If the offer made is accepted by the seller, you will be required to pay a deposit of 10% on average. It is recommended that you appoint an independent solicitor at this point to care for your interests. The cost of a solicitor will vary regarding the value of the property being purchased and the amount of work involved in the transaction; however, a standard apartment purchase would generally include solicitor fees of €1,500 to €2,500.

After you have paid the 10% deposit, the solicitor appointed and the estate agent will meet to apply for a “nota simple” from the local Land Registry. A nota simple is a type of document that informs the lawyer of any charges, embargos or mortgages currently existing on the property. Assuming all is well, either the estate agent or solicitor will draft a private contract of purchase and sale that must be signed by the seller and you as soon as possible.

While it is common for the contracts to be drafted in Spanish, it is possible to obtain a side-by-side translation in your preferred language. If you have concerns about what you are signing, do not sign! After signing the agreement, you will be legally bound to complete the transaction in the set timeframe and may lose all of your deposit if you do not adhere to the regulations.

Once the contract has been signed, the transfer of the property will be completed in approximately four to six weeks. The transaction will be finalised at a local notary’s office where the notary will check and confirm the terms and conditions of the contract. It is required by law that the seller and buyer or their assigned representatives are present. If you cannot attend the meeting, you must grant a power of attorney to another individual who will act as a representative on your behalf.

During this meeting at the notary’s office, you will be required to present some banker’s drafts or guaranteed cheques totalling the agreed upon purchase price. If the seller has a property mortgage, you should provide a draft that will be made payable to the seller’s bank as a repayment of the mortgage loan.

If the seller of the property is a non-resident, 3% of the purchase price will be paid directly to the tax authorities as sellers not living in the area must pay the amount to satisfy the Spanish tax authorities before having it refunded. All other payments are sent to the vendor from the banker’s draft. You need to be careful when transferring money in Spain as the banks tend to charge large amounts when receiving transfers. It is common for these charges to amount to thousands of euro.

What Additional Costs Need To Be Paid?

A solicitor will also require sufficient funds from you to cover any costs or taxes arising from the property transaction. Below are some of the additional costs that may occur.

Transmission tax can be approximately 6.5% of the overall transaction value, particularly for resale properties.

The notary and registration fees are approximately €2,000.

A property solicitor’s fees are approximately €2,000 including the changing of utilities.

On a property with the value of €200,000, there would be a typical representation cost of 8%; however, solicitors often ask for 10% so you should ask for a list of the expenses with the transaction several months afterwards.

It is important to note that new properties purchased, where you are the first owner, will present a 1% property tax and you will not need to pay more than 7% vat. This means that there will be a total of 8%; thereby, an increase in property costs of 1.5%.

After all this, you should now be the owner of a dream home in a sunny climate where the council tax amount should be approximately €100 per annum. If you reside in a community, however, you will be required to pay a community maintenance fee to maintain the gardens, the pool, the lifts and any other communal resources.

Any Other Information?

The final piece of information offered when purchasing a property in Tenerife is to draft a will. As you will be making several visits to solicitors and at least one visit to a notary, it is recommended that you draft a will while in Spain. It does not cost a great deal and can spare loved one’s problems if any problems occur.

It is also recommended that you apply for an NIE number. This number assists with registration and needs to be done before a property purchase is conducted.

Last but not least, there are scams out there that you have to avoid like the one at Lupain Properties that involved a network of people ripping people off so always do the research before committing to anything.