Martin Brights Archive Articles
Archived Articles by Martin Bright of Tropicana Properties, Almunecar


January 2009 - Predictions or (Contra)dictions
This month sees much more talk of doom and gloom, with the US based Business Week analysts cautioning that if… "2008 was the year that subprime borrowers and speculators got hurt by the real estate crisis. 2009 could be when everyone else gets hit." Added to which, the International Herald Tribune’s bloggers – "Raising the Roof" take a wry look at the world property market. Aware that investors are looking and buying....

December 2008 - Countdown 2009
"Faltan 89 Dias" announces Almuñecar town's electronic display boards; so what is this? Next month we will reveal more on the referendum plans. But first be sure that your town hall taxes (ibi & basura [the later may be scrapped at the end of 2008]) are paid up to date before the end of the year, and while your at it make certain that future payments are paid by direct debit because as of the year end the contribution office in Avenida Andalucia will close.

November 2008 - Autumn Cool Down
November sees earlier darker nights, and fresher mornings – but when the sun shines the sky blues offer fantastic seascape opportunities attracting budding artists of all abilities. After the heat of summer the hills and mountains turn from a mellow yellow to a rich green; and after the last weekends rains even the Sierra’s are now topped by the brilliant white of snow

October 2008 - Preparing for Change
Almuñecar town hall is in the process of moving the office of local tax payments from its present location in Avenida de Andalucia to directly within the town hall itself. This move, with the consent of the Granada provincial authorities, will not only mean that the office closes at the end of the year but also that the staffing levels will be reduced by more than 50%; consequently adding further to the present growth in the towns unemployment.

September 2008 - Is the Costa Tropical Feeling the Credit Crunch?
"Traditionally September has always been the month when we see a steady stream of serious International buyers looking for their dream homes, bolt holes or investments. I need not say too much about the current "Second Great Depression" – but given the amount of requests for viewings we are receiving then there continues to be at least some interest in Spain’s Costa Tropical......."

15th August 2008 - Municipal Tax Collections 2008
"Strapped for cash; Almunecar town hall – like many local authorities in Spain – has begun to adapt it’s accounting methods and look at ways of recovering lost income.  In the first instance, this year we were charged additional council contributions for rubbish collection ......"

1st August 2008 - Krisis - What Crisis
"Looking around Almunecar and La Herradura in August one might think that there was really no signs of the credit crunch… beaches are full, hotels are busy......."

June 2008  - "We heard that Spain is scrapping capital gains tax..."

"First we need to recognise the distinction between wealth tax (0.2% – 2.5%)* and capital gains tax. Thirty years ago, wealth tax was introduced by the government as a temporary measure, then four years ago the Socialist party made an election promise"