Summer 2008 Reviewed by Martin Bright September 2008

Summer 2008 reviewed… by Martin Bright of Tropicana Properties, Almunecar

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.

With the property market slow down then a few canny vendors are prepared to drop to staggering levels simply to sell their holiday homes in the present climate and move on. Consequently there are some great opportunities for cash investors at the moment looking for realistic bargains – with a choice of 2 bedroom apartments in La Herradura reduced from 175,000 Euros to 134,000; or a brand new 3 bedroom penthouse duplex being offered at 10% below the listed price, even a prestigious 5 bedroom villa with pool and gardens in Salobrena has been reduced to less than half price to just 425,000 Euros. So if you are seriously looking for a chollo (bargain) then just contact me This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange that viewing now on +34 958 630 320.

In the first few days of September, we have seen rain for the first time in months, the streets return to their normal tranquil pace, no more traffic queues and the children return to school! After the crazy pace of July and August, the towns and villages of the Costa Tropical go back to that place we all admire and enjoy – tranquil, slow, and picturesque in that dreamy Don Quixote kind of way.

September is the month without fiestas in Almunecar and is the time used to reflect on the summers accomplishments and disappointments – in less than 6 weeks of opening the Almunecar Aquarium celebrated its 25,000th visitor but Almunecar hotels only recorded 82.57% occupancy in August 2008 compared with 98% in 2007. The property rental market was also affected by falling pre-bookings and the strong Euro leaving many apartments empty or discounted for the first time in years. But being a mainly Spanish tourism we nevertheless experienced huge weekend traffic delays along the N-340 and N-323 as thousands of tourists from Jaen, Madrid, Granada and beyond escaped to the coast. These traffic problems will be greatly curbed next summer when the expected motorway links and connections are completed for the A-7 and A-44.
Summer 2008 also goes down as the year that records fewer days when the beaches were affected by stinging medusa’s (jelly fish),  when only 3 forest hill fires were recorded in the area, and the August 15 firework display, while once more outstanding, still managed to light the dry ground below Peñón del Santo adding to a dramatic finale.

Martin Bright moved to this area in 1995 and has more than 30 years experience in the service and tourism sector.  He joined the team at Tropicana Properties in Almunecar in January 2000. For more information on property sales contact Martin on 0034 958 630 320 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  His website is www.tropicanaproperties.com   and  http://www.spaincostatropical.com

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