French Spanish
Why does real estate in this huge oasis of high prices continue to attract new and new buyers? "There are no rivals worthy of fighting the Costa Brava," James Worland of Global Property Associates answers this question. "It's a combination of a number of outstanding advantages that other provinces of Spain do not even partially have."
The Costa Brava is located in the north-east of Spain and is 160 km of rugged coastline that stretches from the city of Blanes in the south to the city of Rosas and the border with France in the north. Among the main advantages of the coast is its convenient location. It is easier for tourists from most European countries and Russia to get to the Costa Brava than to other Spanish coasts: autobahns and high-speed railways lead here, and TGV bullet trains from London, Paris, Gerona and Barcelona will soon be launched here. Russians can fly to Barcelona International Airport all year round, and in summer charter flights are operated to the actively developing Gerona Airport. In principle, you can get to the Costa Brava from the nearby French Perpignan airport.
The proximity of France and the example of its luxurious resort coasts have played an important role in the fact that the region has retained its own image. Despite the fact that in the 60s of the twentieth century. this sunny and attractive coast for recreation experienced pressure from the booming tourism industry, in general, the Costa Brava avoided the fate of many other coastal areas of Spain, which are characterized by typical buildings of that time.
Important for the fate of the Costa Brava was the signing by local seaside towns of an agreement on joint actions to protect the environment and develop tourism. Thus, it was decided to reduce the risks associated with excessive development of natural resources.
Lovers of Gerona
The tourist infrastructure is especially well developed in the south of the Costa Brava, where such famous resort towns as Blanes and Lloret de Mar are located. But even here you can easily find refuge from the numerous hotels, fussy tourists and ubiquitous souvenir shops, if you follow the wealthy Spaniards, French and other real estate buyers who know a lot about privacy. They are attracted to these resort places by neat villages, the spirit of history, picturesque rural landscapes and endless sands of beaches.
In terms of climate, the Costa Brava is considered a more comfortable region for recreation and long-term living compared to the southern coasts of Spain, separated from Africa by only a narrow strip of sea. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are more noticeable on the Costa Brava, but mild winters do not last long, and in July and August the thermometer usually does not rise above 30 °C.
James Worland talks about holidays in these places: "Those who have ever visited the Bay of Roses at the foot of the Pyrenees will surely remember the magnificent sunsets – this is a wonderful sight. Two of the best yacht berths in Europe have been built here, and there is a private airport. Hiking, mountain bike tours, swimming and rowing, downhill skiing – all this the Costa Brava has to offer tourists." Lovers of Gerona never tire of talking about the necklace of snow–white fishing villages encircling the medieval town of Begur - such a picturesque canvas cannot be found anywhere else in Spain.
Expensive things don't get cheaper
Due to the numerous advantages, the region's real estate market is more active than could be expected in the current difficult situation in Spain. Regarding the future of investments and the growth in the value of houses on the coast, Tom Maidment makes the following forecasts: "The position of the Costa Brava looks much more convincing than the prospects of the southern coasts. Of course, the growth in real estate prices slowed down for a short time, as a market adjustment should take place. It is difficult to calculate how much prices will change, but a slight downward movement began this summer, primarily in the sector of objects no more expensive than 1.3 million euros."
The expert adds that this trend has not prevented some owners of exclusive properties from selling their property at the original price. Undoubtedly, this is a sign that high-quality facilities with a good location are guaranteed to keep the price. Among the expensive properties currently for sale are a luxury villa with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, 25 m from its own pier, for 1.5 million euros and a unique villa with a living area of 357 sq. m. m with a plot of 1.4 hectares on a hillside with views of Tamariu Bay.
Most real estate experts believe that the period of slowdown in the Costa Brava market will last 12-18 months, after which the next round of its development will begin. In this case, today the purchase of real estate becomes a profitable investment not on the scale of 1-2 years, as in the recent past, but for about ten years. "However, it will probably be easier for a potential buyer to make a decision as soon as prices drop slightly," adds Tom Maidment.
