When Spain’s Trade Ministry Secretary Jaime García-Legaz first announced the plan in 2012, the property investment required was set to be 160.000 euros, which led to assumptions, and in some case fears, that certain nationalities would flood the market purchasing the stock of low priced properties that met the financial criteria with the sole intention of securing residency of a European member state, thereby opening the gateway to the rest of Europe. But even back then – and more so now with the minimum investment value increased to 500.000 euros – already it would seem that instead it is the wealthier families looking for a complete lifestyle change who have been intrigued and encouraged by the proposal. Canadians, Americans, Japanese, Australians and citizens of the United Arab Emirates are just some examples of those who have been investigating the possibilities of a more permanent move to Spain or, at the very least, the possibility of extended holidays in Marbella, thanks to the proposed legislation.

Many estate agents recognised that the Chinese and Russians would be among the first nationalities to take advantage. This is in no small part due to the problems they have encountered in the past when attempting to stay in Spain for periods longer than those afforded by a tourist visa. Important investors on the Marbella property scene for the past few years, these groups are now expected to invest with increased confidence in the larger, more luxurious villa properties, establishing homes once reassured that they will have the right to reside in Spain for as long as they or their families choose. We anticipate seeing many more successful families settle in Marbella, even if the main breadwinner still commutes back to the home country for work, as and when necessary (although, of course, the ever growing advances in technology and communication mean that many can work from wherever they find themselves with little inconvenience to their business).

Several countries have already adopted the strategy of offering residency in order to attract serious investment to their shores. Most countries require the investment to be around 500.000 euros – and Spain will be among them – but, for example, a non-EU national aiming to become a resident of France would need to purchase a property of more than 10.000.000 euros!

The proposed legislation is expected to be approved and enter into law next autumn, but already we are seeing an increased number of enquiries from non-EU nationals researching the possibilities. Please click here for a detailed update from lawyers Javier Carretero & Asociados.

The villa had just been finished and was put on the market fully furnished and equipped. The owners were experienced builders and decorators and had already built several luxury villas in Marbella. Their villas are so wonderfully presented that they are usually sold in a short period of time as it happened with this recent sale.

Located close to Puerto Banus marina, with superb views of Marbella’s iconic La Concha mountain, Las Brisas golf course and the Mediterranean sea, and decorated with special attention to detail, this property met all their requirements and it was love at first sight.

Marbella is a luxury destination with a high concentration of bespoke services and quality brands, and in bringing together as it does key decision-makers from top international firms across the different sectors, the La Zagaleta Forum provides an invaluable platform for the discussion of the latest consumer and marketing trends in this market segment.

Noted as one of the most exclusive country club resorts in Europe, La Zagaleta is a fitting host of such an event, with an intimate knowledge of the needs and preferences of the discerning consumer. Its chairman and founder, Don Enrique Pérez Flores, who divides his time between Spain and Switzerland, pointed out that it is no coincidence that such a forum should take place in Marbella.

Its tradition of luxury and its cosmopolitan ‘can-do’ atmosphere, coupled with the natural beauty and climate of its location, ensure that Marbella is usually one of the first places to return to growth. With this in mind both local, national and international speakers and delegates had a lot to learn from one another, setting the tone for a fascinating event that comes at a time of great international challenges and change that affect even the most luxurious and established of sectors and brands.

New trends in the luxury market

Beside the input from multi-award winning La Zagaleta itself, the forum hosted by TV news anchor Ana García-Siñeriz also featured analyses from Eva Quiroga and Paul Donovan of UBS. A leading economist and managing director at UBS Investment Bank, Paul Donovan outlined the challenges ahead for the developed world and the Eurozone countries in general, but also expressed his belief in the resilience and future of the region as a whole.

Other speakers included José Luis Bonet, who as president of the Freixenet Group gave insights into how his company has been thriving in changing times and market conditions since its founding over a century ago, whilst the lively address by the chairman and founder of Grupo Intercom, Antonio González-Barros, underlined the importance and future growth potential of doing business on the web.

Building upon excellence in your field and a passion for what you do are the fertile founding blocks for success, but the speakers also emphasised the fact that in the modern business environment you cannot focus on your product and services alone, but should be aware of the trends, challenges and opportunities that shape the market today. In an increasingly global market where technology and trends change the scenery faster than ever, adaptability is the formula for survival – and success.

Standing out in a crowded marketplace

Fuencisla Clemares, director of retail, classified and tech industries at Google Spain laid out some of the latest trends that are linking the online and physical facets of retail and luxury services ever more closely, while a panel led by Paloma Cabello, member of the Global Advisory Board of MIT in Massachusetts, discussed the ways in which both young and well-established firms can distinguish themselves in highly competitive and at times saturated markets.

To add a fun and interactive element that still remained linked to the topic of successful luxury business modelling, local Michelin star chefs Dani García and Paco Morales discussed the economics of fine dining whilst preparing some highly innovative new dishes on stage. It was a suitable moment to break for lunch prepared by the staff of Dani García’s acclaimed Calima Restaurant at the nearby Hotel Meliá Don Pepe. The glorious weather and seaside location encapsulated Marbella far better than words could have done to those visiting the area from across the country and abroad.

The afternoon session saw an insightful marketing and advertising presentation by Marcos de Quinto, president of the Iberian region for Coca Cola, followed by leading designer Dimitris Hadjidimos of Claydon Reeves and a much anticipated speech by former F1 star, communicator and successful entrepreneur David Coulthard. Beautifully organised and seamlessly managed, the La Zagaleta Forum maintained a high standard throughout, closing with a speech by the CEO of Spanish railways RENFE, Julio Gómez-Pomar, and Marbella’s councillor for tourism, Mr. José Luis Hernández.

As the mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, said in her opening address, Marbella shares with the many luxury companies that do business here that it is an established international brand that has the energy and potential to build on past successes and forge ahead with new innovation and vision to enhance its appeal as a leading global luxury destination.

The residential area, which is therefore also the most expensive one in Marbella itself, is Santa Margarita, an elegant and very private enclave just off the famous Golden Mile that runs close to the sea from Puerto Banús to Marbella’s centre.

Not surprisingly, this finest address in town is lined not just with luxurious villas – that wouldn’t be so unusual in Marbella – but with grand estates running down towards a beach lined with exclusive beach clubs and jetties for private yachts.

Second only to the Cala Marmacen in Mallorca, (Urb.) Santa Margarita beats even the most expensive streets in Madrid and Barcelona. At €20,000 per square metre, it is also the 13th most expensive address in all of Europe, just the sort of place where you would expect to find the international jet set.

The area that the Baroness Thyssen, amongst others, calls home is conveniently located close to the beach, the famous Marbella Club and Puente Romano hotels, the latter’s stylish racquet club, sumptuous beach clubs and seaside nightclubs, shops, boutiques and restaurants, and yet it is also very private and secure.

Though very much in the international super category, it is still well short of the three most expensive spots in Europe, where acute land shortage has contributed to stratospheric levels of €300,000/m2 in the Bahia de Romazzino (Sardinia), €100,000 at the Avenue d’Ostende in Monaco and €93,000 in London’s Knightsbridge.

One can’t help thinking that Marbella by comparison offers a whole lot of style, glamour and quality of life at price levels that are a little more within the realms of mere mortals. No wonder it continues to be so popular among people who can choose from pretty much any luxury destination on the planet.

Now that using technology as part of a home search is the norm and no longer the exception, it is vital to ensure that your property stands out for the right reasons from the word go. So whether you are getting ready for a professional photographer to shoot your home, or preparing for your first viewing, it’s important to maximise your property’s appeal to the majority of those looking.

Some owners may decide to invest in the services of a professional home staging company but there is much you can do yourself. It’s not just about baking bread in the oven and brewing fresh coffee any more! In the current economic climate, remember that to most property purchasers price is key so don’t invest in major renovation work expecting to recoup the money upon a sale. Instead, ensure that all minor repairs are carried out, paintwork touched up, silicon seals refreshed, breakages replaced and any settlement cracks filled, and that your home is presented in its best light.

When searching for a new property, most people are looking to take the next step up the property ladder and buy a property better, more beautiful and more aspirational than their current home. So your property really does need to look the part. We’ve put together some suggestions to help you get started.

Declutter

One of the easiest tasks to carry out is decluttering your home. The longer we live in a property, the more items we seem to accumulate. Depersonalise your space by packing away any collections, excess ornaments, family photos and the children’s artwork covering up the fridge – be ruthless! Potential purchasers will want to see that your property includes adequate storage solutions so throw out the clothes you don’t wear anymore to make your wardrobes look extra spacious, clear out bathroom cabinets and organise kitchen cupboards removing old utensils you no longer require. Give unwanted books to a local charity shop or hospice and take CDs and DVDs out of their cases and file in binders instead to maximise the space on your shelves.

Ornaments

Move any collections of ornaments, toys, and so on, to a storage facility, thereby avoiding packing things into your wardrobes and filling up storage space. Leave one or two ornaments out in key positions so visitors can imagine their own pieces in their place.

Cleanliness

Encourage family members to help keep your home clean and tidy at all times so that you’re always ready for that last minute viewing! Make sure all beds are well made (even those not in use), cushions are plumped, kids’ toys are put away, kitchen counters are clear of superfluous appliances and bathroom vanity unit tops are free from beauty clutter. All surfaces should be wiped down and check that tile grouting, corners, skirting boards, sockets and louvered doors are kept clean. Pet paraphernalia needs to be kept to a minimum and preferably outside during fine weather.

Decor

Keep decor neutral using only accents of colour thus helping prospective owners work out how they would stamp their own style on the property. Avoid heavy wall colours, brightly coloured kitchens and overbearing pieces of furniture that will distract their attention. Instead arrange key items of furniture away from the walls in a room to increase the feeling of spaciousness and avoid hiding all the walls behind artwork and furniture – you may arouse suspicion, causing visitors to think you are covering up structural issues or patches of damp.

Lighting

Make the most of the natural light flooding into each of your rooms by pulling curtains back from the windows rather than artfully draping them across. Especially during winter, use bedside lights to make bedrooms look warm and inviting, and ensure that the lights are turned on, particularly in any windowless bathrooms, before your visitors arrive. Always try to make your property look as light and bright as possible.

If you would prefer to recruit the aid of a professional to help you best present your home for sale, contact the Diana Morales in-house Home Styling consultant who specialises in interiors and will be able to advise you on the minimum work required to obtain the best results.

Inside and out, this refined home is a study in elegance and style, the product of a refurbishment that has seen the property converted into a comfortable, modern and luxurious villa that meets all the requirements of today yet maintains the timeless appeal of its contemporary-classic architecture.

Refined tastes

Ambient lighting casts the home in a welcoming glow and highlights its stylish outline and beautiful setting. Step inside and a hallway leads you to the spacious open-plan living and dining room that connects with a superb modern kitchen in the American style. Inspired by the grand apartments of Manhattan and mansions of California and Florida, this is a living area that oozes quality, taste and elegance yet also forms the comfortable heart of the home.

The layout allows the three spaces – living room, dining room and kitchen – to function independently of one-another whilst also forming a single space in which the elements compliment each other beautifully. It is the kind of place you want to spend time in, with a lounge that looks out over beautiful scenery and features such details as a large modern gas fireplace flanked by recesses with ambient LED lighting that call out for your finest art works.

Designed in such a way that it interacts both with the living room and the kitchen, the dining room is both practical and attractive, with its own inspiring views of the surroundings and a functional proximity to a modern gourmet kitchen that matches Italian design and top of the range German appliances with beautifully finished wood. Form and function are in balance here too, where a simple touch will reveal or hide modern kitchen apparatus to leave your kitchen clean and uncluttered.

Good design means natural light flows into most every room in the house, including the formal dining room that leads on from the kitchen and enjoys it own bay window with sunny views. It is an area with a great many possible uses, ranging from a formal dining room to a study, a children’s playroom, a modern wine cellar or even a bar that communicates with the living room.

Also on this main level, leading on from the hallway, are three spacious bedroom suites featuring quality wooden floors, elegant modern bathrooms and the same high standards of carpentry enjoyed throughout the home. This includes solid tall doors to match the tall ceilings, but also made-to-measure cupboards with built-in storage systems that glide as effortlessly as the sliding doors, which lead directly on to the panoramic terrace.

Though they feature the same use of clean, modern styling, Japanese style basins and beautifully finished combinations of tile and stone, each of the bathrooms is personalised in finish, layout and configuration. A rather unique touch of elegance is the manner in which the main bedroom suite is designed and finished, effectively forming a private wing in the classic tradition.

You enter this bastion of privacy and comfort through a bright and attractive reception room from which stairs lead to the bedroom, walk-in dressing room and opulent bathroom that occupy the first floor of the home. Perfect in itself as an area in which to read, relax or have a private office, the reception room is merely a prelude to very private suite that enjoys some of the finest views in the home and a sunny balcony just made for enjoying a morning coffee or evening sundowners.

The Marbella lifestyle at its best

This would, however, not be a prime Marbella villa if it did not also pay attention to the outdoors. Since the climate permits us to spend a significant part of the year outdoors, the refinement, comfort and style of the interior has to be extended into areas such as the large panoramic terrace and the areas surrounding the garden and swimming pool.

Although the terrace extends across virtually the entire width of the villa, a protruding section framed by elegantly wide steps leading down to the garden on either side is a very special and affective feature in which it is a delight to dine, entertain and just take in the stunning views.

Besides its prime location in the midst of an exclusive established area, it is the wonderful garden which reveals that this is a refurbished villa, for it takes time to create such a well manicured garden with flowering plants and tall trees that cast welcome pools of shadow and frame the vistas in the rich tones of their foliage.

A modern swimming pool with deck area, infinity edge dropping away to merge with the scenery and spa-style jets, borders an outdoor bar with catering facilities. Where in many villas the lower level is subterranean here it is set on the garden level, providing direct access to the pool and bar.

Instead of a basement, therefore, it consists of a spacious open room currently used as a second lounge and dining area, whilst also containing the villa’s fifth bedroom and sixth bathroom, all of which connect to the large double garage and an area suitable as a home cinema, bodega, indoor pool, sauna or gym. While it can function as an independent apartment, this lower level offers a great flexibility of uses, including games room, library and office.

Modern yet featuring a timeless elegance and refinement, this stylish villa offers the best of Marbella in a location that is peaceful, secure and private, yet within a few minutes of the shops, schools, beach clubs, restaurants and golf clubs of Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús and Marbella town.

The purpose of this energy labelling system is to measure and compare the overall energy efficiency of buildings, in compliance with European legislation.

Who needs an EPC?
Every owner who wants to sell or rent his/her property needs to have the certificate.

Whether you are selling or renting your property, you must appoint a qualified technician to issue the certificate prior to marketing your property. The EPC will be required by the Notary Public on completion of a sale.

In the past, this certificate was requested only for properties built after 2007 (in accordance to Royal Decree 47/2007). But now, and as from 1st June 2013, EPCs will be required for all buildings. In the case of apartments, the owners of each unit need to apply for the EPC if they wish to sell or rent it – it is not up to the Community of Owners to provide it.

What does the EPC say?
The certificate contains:
- An energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (low performance)
- Information about the property’s energy use and typical energy consumption
- Description of the property
- Recommendations to reduce energy use and increase savings
- Cost-effective recommendations to improve energy efficiency

The information is set out in an officially approved template that can be viewed in this link.

How do I obtain an EPC?
The certificate can only be issued by accredited qualified technicians, who will visit your property to complete the energy assessment.

How will the technician evaluate my property?
It will be a visual inspection where the technician will take measurements with specific equipment, check the orientation, observe the construction materials used for interior walls and façade, layout, windows, type of heating/cooling, water heating, lighting, blinds and awnings, etc.

How long is an EPC valid for?
Once the certificate is issued, it is valid for a period of 10 years. If relevant improvements are made to the property during that time, a new one should be requested to reflect the new energy efficiency rating.

Who controls the certificates?
A copy of the EPC will be required to be registered before the competent authority appointed by each Autonomous Community for control and supervision purposes.

Benefits of the EPC
The overall benefit in the long term is a reduction in energy consumption of fossil fuels and the reduction of carbon dioxide released into the environment.

In the medium term, it provides cost-effective measures for owners and tenants to make substantial savings in their energy bill.

Undoubtedly, a property with a satisfactory energy rating will be worth more in this competitive market than its energy inefficient counterpart, therefore the introduction of EPCs will have a positive impact in the property market.

Recommendations to improve a property’s energy efficiency rating are not obligatory and do not have to be overly expensive. The Spanish Government is in the process of approving financial aid for owners who decide to undertake specific reforms to make their properties more environmentally-friendly.

Further assistance
If you wish further information or help to request the EPC for your property in Marbella area, please contact us.

Our rentals service was launched in response to a growing call for both short and longer-term properties amongst our clients. Though the range and choice of homes that we can offer for rent has grown impressively since then we purposely keep this a small and bespoke division capable of offering a very personal and dedicated service.

In other words, the DM Properties rental service operates to the same philosophy as that which applies to the company in general, focusing on quality of product, service and sound advice as our leading principles.

As a result, our selection process is stringent, enabling us to offer a shortlisted portfolio of properties that represent the best that Marbella has to offer. Geographically we cover the most sought-after parts of the Costa del Sol, from Estepona’s New Golden Mile in the west to Cabopino in the east.

This encompasses a broad choice of apartments, villas, penthouses, luxury studios and townhouses in attractive areas such as Guadalmina, Los Monteros, Elviria, Nagüeles, Sierra Blanca, Marbella Centre, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, Benahavis, La Quinta, El Madroñal and many others.

You can have a choice of different environments ranging from beachside to frontline golf, country club, rustic and urban, but the standard of the properties, their facilities and their surroundings is always very high, and we don’t take on rentals that are overpriced.

Naturally we also cater to specific needs and services, for people with children, in large family groups, who need wheelchair access, wedding parties and a whole range of supporting services to ensure your stay is just as you imagined it. So for more information please feel free to contact us and see what we can do for you.

A concierge property is the ideal pied-à-terre for people wanting to combine comfort and elegance with convenience and first-class services. It means you can arrive at an apartment where everything is ready and waiting for you – and you can call room service or avail yourself of any of a long list of amenities right on your doorstep.

Set in private, independent wings yet offering access to the restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, swimming pools, spas, beach clubs, hair salons and lounging decks of a luxurious resort hotel, such a property is serviced, maintained and if you like, rented out, during your absence and made ready for your return. In this way the apartment suite can earn money while you’re away or simply be safe and secure when you’re not there.

What’s more, when you are ‘in residence’ you’ll be waited on hand and foot – just as if you were a guest staying in a luxury hotel suite. You can arrange for the fridge to be stocked, champagne to be ready on your arrival and also have private catering and waiter service for that special business or romantic dinner. Business facilities are also on hand, as are spas, laundry and hairdressers to name just a few, meaning that you can have everything organised before you even venture out.

Kempinski suites
One of the prime concierge properties offered by DM Properties is the private wing of the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Marbella. Popular with our clients, it is set amid lustrous vegetation that cascades along a series of gardens and swimming pools towards a rather secluded bend of the coastline. Private owners of the beautifully dressed one-bedroom apartments and studio suites have access to all services of the hotel, including concierge support, restaurants, bars, the wellness and beauty spa, gym, tennis club, kids club, summer beach club, babysitting and cleaning services.

With the luxurious hotel as your base and attractive discounts on its services, the property offers a convenient home base that can also be rented out through the Private Wing management company of the Kempinski, making this an interesting investment. The standard both of services and comfort is five-star deluxe, endowing your home in Marbella with the glamour, convenience, security and elegance of an extended stay in a grand deluxe hotel suite complete with valet car service.

Don Carlos Deluxe Villas
Another attractive option in this genre is the five-star SPA Hotel Don Carlos, an iconic bastion of luxury on the eastside of Marbella. Set within beautiful lush grounds right upon a pretty stretch of white sand beach, the Don Carlos offers the same standards of service and amenities within a highly refined ambience.

Again, all services and amenities are at the fingertips of owners in the private wing, along with discounted rates in the restaurants, bars and cafés. The properties consist of spacious ground floor apartments with private terraces located within an independent wing with its own access. The level of appointment is five-star deluxe, complete with stylish modern décor, amenities and private storage facilities.

Additional rooms for visitors can also be obtained at favourable rates, along with rental management packages that offer attractive income flows. Besides sun decks, swimming pools, a health and beauty spa, golf and tennis there are also full concierge and business support services available. On the beachside of the Don Carlos is the famous Nikki Beach club, completing a property and service package that optimises comfort and convenience for those who want to make the most of their stays in Marbella.

Busy lifestyles have encouraged many to set up gyms in their homes. It is difficult to commit time to travelling to another location and this can lead to the downfall of many a fitness regime. By having a dedicated room in the house where you can exercise at any time you choose, the likelihood of keeping up with that new year’s resolution is far greater! If you can only fit in a half hour work out, you can do just that, rather than wasting time in the car driving to and from your local fitness centre.

A lot of people, especially women, find gyms a daunting place full of muscle bound men and women with perfect bodies. A home gym can save your blushes and you can choose your own methods of motivation without bothering others. If you want to work out to Beyonce at full volume, you can!

At first glance, a private gym in your home can sound like an expensive luxury but if you compare the gym set up price to a membership subscription at a fitness centre, you may be surprised! This is particularly true if more than one member of the family wants to join and you split your time between two locations, perhaps the UK and Spain, and therefore need to be a member of two gyms and pay subs even when you are not in the country. At home, not only can you choose the equipment that you want to use but you can ensure there’s something for all the family to enjoy, motivating younger and older generations to keep fit too.

At DM Properties we’ve listed many homes that feature private gymnasiums. In some of the bigger villas, they are complemented by saunas and jacuzzis to enhance your work out routine, and many even have indoor heated pools. When visiting one of these houses, it is important to check with your agent whether or not the gym equipment is included in the price although we can recommend suppliers if you need to replace or add to what is already there.

This unique villa on Marbella’s Golden Mile has covered all the bases incorporating a professionally fitted gymnasium, indoor heated swimming pool and relaxation area, plus an impressive outside swimming pool. And for when you’re not feeling quite so dedicated there’s a games room nearby!

But if you’re not quite ready to give up a whole room of your property over to fitness, then why not look out for a villa located on a complex with exclusive facilities for residents. The Le Village development has a social club, indoor swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools just for property owners and their visitors. You get the best of both worlds!

For more information on properties with gym facilities, visit our website and see some more photographs in our Facebook page album.