Spain magazine speaks to developers and agents for their advice on buying brand new homes by the beach.

"Beachfront property will always retain its value as there is constant demand for this coveted location whereas supply will always be finite. Says Andrew Benitz, director of Titan Properties. “In my area of the Costa de la Luz huge swathes of land are backed by protected sand dunes and pine forests and therefore prohibited to build on, further reducing supply and consequently property located closer to the beach will always sell at a premium.”

Chris Garwood of estate agents Costa Select agrees. “Because of the great demand, property by the beach is always underwritten in investment terms. There are only a limited number of beachside developments available in the Denia area and it is increasingly difficult to pick up any prime plots in coastal Marina Alta.”

“Frontline beach is, without doubt, the prime location” says Marbella estate agent Kristina Szeckley “The Golden Mile, which runs from Puerto Banus to Marbella, is the best address in town and the most expensive. If you can’t buy on the beach, look for a development with panoramic sea views as this also adds considerable value to a property.”

“When buying off-plan look at the surroundings,” says Eugenio Sanchez-Ramade Garcia-Conde, Managing Director of Noriega UK. “Make sure that your views are not going to be blocked in the future by further construction. Don’t be afraid to ask local planning authorities to verify the information. You don’t want to be in the position of purchasing a property with splendid views of the beach or sea, only to see them disappear behind a new development that springs up overnight.”
“You want to have great panoramic views and be close to facilities, but nowhere too noisy,” advises Chris Garwood. “A good tip when buying off plan is to measure the sizes of rooms in your existing house in metres so that you can immediately relate to the list of room sizes for the proposed development.”

“An off-plan property should display the latest in building techniques and materials from sound-insulation to durable flooring,” says Ian Crozier of Duchy Estates.
And a ten-year construction guarantee, compulsory under Spanish law for structural defects, is yours for the full decade, which can’t be said for a resale.

“All new-build properties in the Valencia region are subject to new building regulations and must have solar panels for heating water, proper insulation and double glazing,” comments Chris Garwood, “and the great benefit of buying off plan is that you can cherry pick the best unit.”
“Penthouses, corners and those with the best views sell faster and resale better,” says Ian Crozier.

What’s Available

Nuevo Portil Golf Resort on the Costa de la Luz is set in an idyllic location interspersed with natural umbrella pine forests and overlooking golden sandy beaches, beaches. Hoyo 19 is a beachfront apartment development within the popular golfing resort at Nuevo Portil on the western Costa de la Luz. Within strolling distance, just 50 metres, of the long sandy beaches lapped by calm waters sheltered by the natural La Flecha (The Arrow) sandspit, Hoyo 19 is also adjacent to two four-star hotels, the newly refurbished Playa Cartaya Hotel and the colonial styled Hotel AC Portil. Comprising two bedroom apartments and three bedroom penthouses, the development boasts spacious private terraces and balconies, underground parking and storage as well as stunning landscaped gardens with a feature swimming pool as well as paddle tennis courts. Titan Properties will soon be taking reservations for the beachfront apartments, most with panoramic sea views. Off-plan prices start from as little as €185,000 (approximately £124,000 pounds) for a two bedroom property. Payment terms are 20% - 80% upon completion, expected May 2009.

At Nova Sancti Petri, close to Chiclana, the Entrepinos development beside Barrosa beach offers seven new houses with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The area is best known for a golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros and there are tennis courts, horse riding and watersports close by. Prices from €660,000 (£479, 510)

Cumbre del Sol is located in the heart of the Costa Blanca between Javea and Moraira. This residential area is located by the sea with many amenities including parks, sports and leisure facilities, top-quality infrastructure, shopping centres, banks, and medical centres.
The two beds have one bathroom and the three bedrooms two bathrooms. Parking spaces are provided with communal pool and gardens. They are only a few metres from the sea. The interiors are high-end and they have sea and mountain views. With views of the sea, the Penon de Ifach and green areas, this development comprises two and three bedroom apartments. All properties have large terraces, a modern finish, pre-installation of air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen and alarm system. The development has communal swimming pool, parking and social club. Prices start from €189,633 for a two bed property.

Punta Prima is a new front line beach development with sea views situated on the white coast of the Costa Blanca just south of Torrevieja. The luxury two bedroom, two bathroom apartments have marble floors throughout and fully-fitted kitchens, including white goods. Within the development are beautiful landscaped gardens, several communal swimming pools and amenity areas. A new marina and promenade area extending south towards La Zenia is planned, so this development offers a sound long-term investment opportunity for buyers.

In Northern Costa Blana, Es Poblets and Las Marinas developments offer two bedroom apartments with sea views and Las Rotas development south of Denia has apartments from €240,000 and villas from €400,000.

Alcazaba Hills in Estepona is a third generation Alcazaba project following Alcazaba Beach, also in Estepona, and the inaugural La Alcazaba in Puerto Banús. Alcazaba Hills, scheduled for completion mid-2009, features contemporary Mediterranean-styled south-facing apartments as well as a clubhouse with spa, fitness centre and restaurant, and of course the signature exotic landscaping. Prices at Alcazaba Hills start from €330,000 for a two bedroom apartment