Murcia Property

In January, Murcia-based estate agent Mercers boldly announced a forecasted 25% increase in house sales for 2013 over 2012. With quarter 1 demonstrating just that, up 25% for the first three months of 2013 in comparison with 2012, the prediction is on track to turning into reality.

Chris Mercer, Director of Mercers, says, "I can't determine exactly why our sales are up so much, but impetus is undoubtedly beginning to build. It can't be related to an end-of-year rush before VAT on new builds increased from 4% to 10% on 1 January, as all of our transactions have been resales. Furthermore, enquiries have not grown at the same level but those we have are usually more serious, have the money ready and are intelligent enough to realize that this window of opportunity on a serious Spanish property bargain won't be open forever. Lastly, compare Q1 2013 with Q1 2011, and Mercers' business is up close to 65%, quite some margin. Needless to say we're revelling in the positivity."

The Mercers trend is reflecting the Murcia market. Information from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show sales of Murcian property were up 24.1% in February 2013 across the same month the year before, with 1,169 deals concluded. This is above the national figure of 17.3%. Foreigners are definitely partly responsible for keeping the Spanish property market functioning. Chris goes on, "Prices are currently really low and, in our area, we are looking at discounts of 40% to 55% from the peak. This is turning the heads of foreign buyers. According to the Banco de Espa?a, 2012 showed the greatest degree of investment in Spanish property by international consumers in eight years, up 17% on 2011.

This is great news as demand is still weak on the domestic front as Spain tackles high joblessness and an ongoing reluctance to lend by lenders. For Mercers, Belgian, French, Norwegian, Swedish and more lately Uk purchasers have dominated over the past year - with some restored interest from Germans and Dutch. Without them, Spain's property market would have been in a far sadder condition." The overall impression from Spain might be a lot more cheery than it has been for quite a while. The bad bank (SAREB) indicates it intends to sell almost 42,500 housing units, about half its collection, over the subsequent five years in order to help make a "floor" and restart a wide recovery in the Spanish housing industry. Meanwhile the Economy Minister, Luis de Guindos, was just recently quoted as proclaiming that growth could very well return to the country as early as the end of 2013.

Available for purchase Ref NED99 - Neptuno Villa, Camposol Golf, Mazarron, Murcia One of the best 3 bedroom 3 bathroom Neptuno style villas on Camposol Golf - immaculately taken care of, on a large 647m? plot and with a whole host of extras. At ground floor you will find a lounge with fireplace, dining room, kitchen fully fitted with white goods, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second bedroom with additional shower room. Accessed by way of internal stairs, the 3rd bedroom is on the first floor and also has an en-suite bathroom and French doors to a rooftop solarium with beautiful mountain vistas. Outside the plot is divided into a pool area and a garden area. The former is entirely tiled, has loads of sunlounger space and the 9m by 4m pool has an outdoor shower alongside.

The garden is low upkeep with fully developed trees set in gravel on an automatic irrigation system. A conservatory in front of the property is perfect for taking in ample winter sun whilst a substantial underbuild can be used for storage. There is a barbecue area outside, plus front and rear access and a tiled driveway. The villa comes fully furnished, has air-con, a solar-powered hot water heating system, security grills at all windows, internet access and satellite TV.

Camposol Golf has an 18-hole course, four star Spa hotel and lots of shops, bars and restaurants on site including an opticians, veterinarians, medical centre, hairstylists and a weekly market. The blue flag beaches and marina of Mazarron are inside a 15 minute drive. Three Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms Price - 185,000 euros (approx 159,400 GBP) Contact Mercers Costa Calida on 00 34 968 199 188, UK Local Rate 0845 017 7805, email sales@spanishproperty.co.uk or visit www.spanishproperty.co.uk