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SS Group

01 December 2024

Ultimate Guide to Buying Real Estate in Marbella

Marbella, situated on Spain’s stunning Costa del Sol, is famed for its picturesque beaches, luxurious lifestyle, and dynamic culture. Whether you’re in search of a vacation getaway, a solid investment, or a permanent home, understanding the real estate market in Marbella can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and key factors to consider when purchasing property in this breathtaking region.

1. Get Acquainted with the Local Market

Before starting your property search, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the real estate trends in Marbella. The market offers a wide variety of options, from exclusive villas to modern apartments, and property prices can vary greatly depending on location, size, and amenities. Conduct thorough research to understand the current market dynamics, so you can make informed decisions based on your budget and lifestyle preferences.

2. Choose Your Ideal Location

Marbella is divided into several distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own unique appeal:

Marbella Town: Perfect for those who want to be close to shops, restaurants, and cultural experiences.

Puerto Banús: The hub for luxury living, high-end boutiques, and vibrant nightlife.

Sierra Blanca: A prestigious residential area known for its panoramic views and upscale properties.

San Pedro de Alcántara: A quieter, family-friendly area, ideal for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere.

When selecting a location, think about your lifestyle and the amenities that matter most to you.

3. Set Your Budget and Financial Plan

Establish your overall budget for the property purchase, taking into account not just the property price, but also additional costs such as taxes, notary fees, and ongoing maintenance. Typically, buyers can expect to pay an extra 10-15% of the purchase price in transaction fees. Be sure to factor these into your budget to avoid surprises.

4. Work with a Real Estate Professional

Engaging a local real estate agent can simplify the buying process. A skilled agent will have detailed knowledge of the market, access to exclusive listings, and the expertise to negotiate the best deal on your behalf. Look for agents with positive client feedback and a deep understanding of Marbella’s diverse neighborhoods.

5. Understand the Legal Aspects

Enlisting the help of a lawyer is crucial when purchasing property in Marbella. Your lawyer can assist you with several essential tasks:

Due Diligence: Ensuring the property is free from any legal or financial encumbrances.

Contract Review: Helping you understand the details of the purchase agreement.

Financing: Assisting with the mortgage process, if required.

Tax Advice: Guiding you through taxes like the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) and ongoing property taxes.

6. Property Inspections and Viewings

Once you’ve shortlisted properties, arrange viewings to assess the condition of each one. Pay attention to the property’s upkeep, its features, and the surrounding area. Consider conducting a professional inspection to ensure there are no hidden issues that might require costly repairs later on.

7. Make a Competitive Offer

Once you’ve found a property that meets your needs, work closely with your agent to make a competitive offer. The negotiation process is often part of purchasing a property, so be prepared for some back-and-forth discussions. Your agent will provide valuable guidance on pricing and contract terms.

8. Finalizing the Purchase

Once your offer is accepted, your lawyer will guide you through the following steps:

Reservation Agreement: Sign a reservation contract and pay a deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price.

Due Diligence: Your lawyer will complete all necessary checks before proceeding.

Final Signing: Once everything is in order, sign the official deed of sale in front of a notary, make the final payment, and receive the keys to your new home.

9. Post-Purchase Actions

After the purchase, there are a few important tasks to complete:

Register the Property: Ensure the property is registered with the Land Registry.

Utility Setup: Arrange for the installation of essential services such as water, electricity, and internet.

Community Rules: If you’re buying in a gated community or complex, familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Property in Marbella

What types of properties are available in Marbella?
Marbella boasts a wide array of properties, from luxurious villas and contemporary apartments to townhouses and beachfront homes. You’ll find options to suit various tastes and budgets.

What additional costs should I expect when buying property in Marbella?
Buyers can expect additional costs amounting to 10-15% of the purchase price. These costs include property transfer tax (ITP), notary fees, registration fees, and legal expenses.

How do I choose the best location in Marbella?
Think about your personal preferences, including proximity to amenities, schools, and beaches. Popular areas include Marbella Town for city living, Puerto Banús for luxury and nightlife, and San Pedro for a peaceful, family-oriented environment.

Do I need a lawyer to purchase property in Marbella?
Yes, hiring a lawyer is highly advisable. They can handle due diligence, review contracts, assist with legal paperwork, and ensure that the entire process is smooth and transparent.

How do I make an offer on a property in Marbella?
Once you’ve found a property you like, work with your agent to submit an offer. If accepted, a reservation contract will be signed, and a deposit will be required to secure the property while your lawyer conducts due diligence.

By following these steps and working with trusted professionals like SS Group, you can navigate Marbella’s real estate market with confidence and ease.

31 October 2024

Discover Nueva Andalucia: A Guide to Marbella’s Premier District

Nueva Andalucia is one of Marbella’s most coveted areas, known for its unique charm and prime location. This guide explores everything you need to know about the district, from its history and location to the types of properties available and the lifestyle it offers. We’ll also delve into the various amenities, activities, and services that make Nueva Andalucia stand out, giving you a comprehensive overview of what it’s like to live in this prestigious area.

Join SS Group as we introduce you to Nueva Andalucia, Marbella’s hidden gem!

Overview of Nueva Andalucia

Situated in the heart of Marbella’s iconic Golf Valley, Nueva Andalucia spans 10.11 square kilometers, making it the largest and one of the most desirable residential districts on the Costa del Sol. The area boasts a serene ambiance, with wide, open spaces, beautifully landscaped streets, and an abundance of greenery, offering a perfect balance between modern amenities and natural beauty.

Though it offers a peaceful retreat, Nueva Andalucia is just minutes away from Marbella’s bustling hotspots, including the famous Puerto Banús and the lively Marbella Arena. As of 2022, the district is home to over 20,000 residents, a testament to its appeal as a blend of luxurious living and an ideal location.

A Hub of Lifestyle and Leisure

Nueva Andalucia is brimming with amenities that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From fine dining and chic bars to boutique shopping and cutting-edge fitness centers, the area seamlessly blends luxury with vibrancy. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a sophisticated evening out or a leisurely afternoon at a café, Nueva Andalucia offers plenty of options.

The district is also famed for its world-class golf courses, earning its nickname, the “Golf Valley.” Golf enthusiasts can play on renowned courses like Las Brisas, Aloha, and Los Naranjos, each offering a mix of stunning Mediterranean views and top-tier facilities that regularly host international tournaments.

Prime Location on the Costa del Sol

Nueva Andalucia is conveniently located just 5 kilometers from Marbella’s center in Malaga province. Nestled between the majestic Sierra Blanca mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, the area is famous for its breathtaking vistas. Homes facing eastward offer particularly striking views of La Concha, Marbella’s signature mountain. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, it’s no wonder this region is so sought after.

Its proximity to essential transport hubs adds to its appeal. Malaga Airport is just a 45-minute drive away via the AP-7 freeway, and Gibraltar Airport is within close reach as well. Whether you’re a local or international visitor, getting in and out of Nueva Andalucia is a breeze.

Historical Roots

Nueva Andalucia owes much of its development to the visionary developer José Banús. His legacy is most evident in the creation of Puerto Banús, a world-renowned luxury marina. Drawing inspiration from Beverly Hills and with the guidance of architect Noldi Schreck, Banús opted for an Andalusian village-style marina over high-rise buildings, setting the tone for the area’s aesthetic. Puerto Banús officially opened in 1970, with an illustrious guest list including royalty and celebrities, further solidifying its status as a symbol of luxury.

Neighborhoods within Nueva Andalucia

Nueva Andalucia is split into two primary sections, each offering a distinct living experience:

Western Nueva Andalucia: Known for its calm, lush surroundings, this part of the district is home to neighborhoods like Aldea Blanca, La Campana, and La Torre de Andalucia, which feature charming villas and townhouses. La Cerquilla, another notable area, surrounds the prestigious La Quinta golf course.
Eastern Nueva Andalucia: This sector is synonymous with opulence, featuring luxurious villas and apartments nestled among the area’s famous golf courses, including Las Brisas, Los Naranjos, and Aloha Golf Club. Its proximity to Marbella’s Golden Mile adds to its exclusivity.

Property Market in Nueva Andalucia

Nueva Andalucia offers a diverse selection of over 5,000 properties, ranging from contemporary, minimalist villas to traditional Andalusian homes with classic architecture. Whether you’re seeking a luxury villa overlooking a golf course or a stylish apartment with sea views, there’s something to suit every taste.

Investors are increasingly drawn to this district due to its potential for high returns. Many older properties are renovated and resold for a profit, making Nueva Andalucia a prime location for both residential buyers and those looking to invest.

Rental Opportunities

Nueva Andalucia’s rental market is thriving, thanks to high demand for both holiday rentals and long-term stays. The most sought-after properties are those near Puerto Banús or with views of the sea or golf courses, especially during the peak rental season from June to August. This makes the area ideal for property investors aiming to generate rental income.

A Diverse International Community

Nueva Andalucia is home to a large international population, with expatriates making up a significant portion of its residents. According to 2022 statistics, 82% of its population is of foreign descent, with the British and Scandinavian communities being particularly well-represented. This international influence brings a rich cultural diversity to the area.

What Makes Nueva Andalucia Special?

Nueva Andalucia’s charm lies not only in its luxurious lifestyle but also in its diverse offerings. Golf is a major draw, with world-class courses like Los Naranjos, Las Brisas, and Aloha serving as a hub for enthusiasts. Beyond golf, the area offers an exciting culinary scene, with a variety of restaurants catering to all tastes, from gourmet dining to casual options.

Additionally, Nueva Andalucia boasts trendy bars, designer boutiques, wellness centers, and luxury spas, making it a haven for those seeking a vibrant yet sophisticated lifestyle.

Activities and Amenities

The district offers a wide range of activities for residents and visitors alike. Apart from its renowned golf clubs, Nueva Andalucia has a wealth of fitness facilities, tennis courts, and paddle courts for sports lovers. For families, there are excellent schools in the area, such as Aloha College, which is recognized for its top-quality education.

Conclusion

Nueva Andalucia combines elegance, luxury, and convenience in one of Marbella’s most desirable settings. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a lover of fine dining, or seeking a tranquil place to live with a vibrant international community, this area has it all. With its prime location, stunning views, and wealth of amenities, Nueva Andalucia truly is a gem on the Costa del Sol.

SS Group is ready to help you find your dream property in this exceptional part of Marbella.

25 Jan 2023

SPANISH HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION NEWS

The Spanish construction sector is lobbying the government to extend the exceptional material price review mechanism ahead of the decree expiring next March following its entry into force just over two years ago. Prices for basic materials remain high and trade associations fear losing this protection. According to various industry sources consulted by the newspaper “Cinco Dias”, the government would not respond to the companies, either officially or unofficially. Last November, the Transport Ministry expanded the basket of materials included in the review mechanism, including: concrete, ceramic materials, wood, plastics, chemicals and glass.

The sector also requests that the amount of the economic rebalancing can be raised from the threshold of 20 percent of the amount awarded for the work, in force up to now, and that all economic impacts are considered for the purposes of compensation. Another sectoral request is that the calculation of the price change start from the last day available for the submission of offers and not from the signing of the contract. The latter usually occurs much later than the submission of offers, which means that the costs may already have changed from what was budgeted and the damage remains the responsibility of the contractor.

2 Jan 2023

UK HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Construction faces significant headwinds this year as the UK slips into recession and as structural changes in the economy reshape the demand. As the pattern of construction activity changes, firms will be need to be ready to tap into new opportunities as they emerge.

UK construction has already faced turbulent market conditions over the last year as the initial post-pandemic recovery in UK economic and construction activity dissipated and material and labour supply issues restrained construction activity during 2022. Whilst these pressures will persist during 2023, faltering demand is expected to be a growing constraint upon industry workload.

Supply side disruptions initially fuelled a sharp rise in material costs as the industry emerged from the pandemic. The war in Ukraine drove prices higher with the annual rate peaking at 26.8% in June. The production of many construction products is energy intensive and are among those seeing the sharpest prices rises as gas and electricity costs soared.

Encouragingly prices stabilised somewhat during the second half of last year, helping the annual rate of material price inflation to ease to 15.5% in October. The annual rate should ease further over the coming year, although reduced government support for businesses’ energy costs may feed through to material price inflation.

Firms will continue to face stiff competition to recruit skilled staff this year. The industry’s long-standing labour supply issues intensified during 2022. Fewer EU nationals and the withdrawal of older workers from the labour market have shrunk the potential industry workforce, with the number of vacancies, at 49,000, almost double pre-pandemic levels. Designers and contractors may need to increasingly turn to modular and offsite components to ease their project’s on-site labour requirements.

Alongside these supply side issues, construction activity last year was shaped by both cyclical and structural shifts in demand which will further reshape the pattern of construction workload during 2023.

Demand will constrain overall construction activity during the coming year, with the UK economy in recession and a weakening development pipeline feeding through to a decline in project starts and construction output.

The number and value of project starts weakened during the second half of last year. Whilst there was an increase in major project starts (over £100 million), the value of underlying project starts during the final six months of 2022 were 5% lower than a year earlier and there were also 8% fewer projects started.

Similarly, the development pipeline has weakened, with 14% fewer projects securing detailed planning consent during the final six months of 2022 and the value of underlying detailed planning consents slipping by 5% against a year earlier. The shrinking pipeline is expected to feed through to a further weakening in project starts during 2023.

Private Residential

The UK housing market is slowing as homebuyers’ confidence has been undermined by a drop in real earnings and prospect of higher taxes and mortgage rates. House prices have softened and the number of mortgage approvals in the three months to November was 19% down on a year earlier.
Developers are adjusting their development programmes as market activity cools. Private residential starts weakened during the second half of last year as developers increased their focus on building out projects already on site.

Detailed planning consents also fell back last year, with around 16% fewer projects securing approval and a further decline in project starts is anticipated during 2023.

Private Non-residential

Structural changes in the economy and property demand will drive industrial and commercial sector activity during 2023. Strong demand for logistics space has driven rapid growth in industrial activity, which is expected to remain at a high level during 2023. Commercial starts picked up during the final quarter of 2022. Office refurbishment and fitout projects are expected to remain a growth area this year as landlords and tenants adapt office accommodation to optimise the benefits of hybrid working.
In contrast the weaker economic outlook and the squeeze on household incomes is expected to curb in retail and hotel & leisure facilities during 2023.

Public Sector & Civil Engineering

Promised increases in government capital funding should support a recovery in sector starts during 2023. The value of health project starts rose by an estimated 2% last year and increased NHS funding is expected to maintain sector activity above pre-pandemic levels during 2023.

Although the value of underlying civil engineering starts fell back last year, overall starts jumped by 13% due to a sharp increase in major projects (£100 million or more). These major contracts, including HS2 works and energy projects, will help to underpin civil engineering workload over the coming year.

21 Dec 2020

Planning achieved for a luxury town centre development of apartments and penthouses. Stations Court is located just a few minutes’ walk from Solihull town centre UK, Solihull Train Station, Mell Square Shopping Centre, close to Solihull School and the Hospital.

24 Nov 2019

SS Group of Companies offer various incentive schemes for new home buyers as well as offering the government backed help to buy scheme we also offer a part exchange scheme for your existing home .

You avoid all the stress of trying to sell your house on the market, managing and paying for estate agents, and worrying about house buying chains. It’s straightforward, to make your home move as easy as possible.

The Benefits of Part Exchange : If your home qualifies for Part Exchange, there’s no waiting for months with your house on the market, worrying about whether you will be able to sell. We agree the offer price up front, organise the survey and aim to complete the transaction as soon we can, so you can get on with planning your move.

We’ll offer a fair and realistic price for your property. We’ll instruct a minimum of two independent Agents to value the anticipated selling price of your property.

You won’t have to pay estate agent fees. Moving home is costly enough, without having to worry about estate agents fees as well. From the time you agree a Part Exchange with us, you won’t have to pay estate agents at all.

You won’t have to worry about house buying chains. With Part Exchange, you won’t need to worry about other people pulling out of their purchase or delaying their move. You have a buyer for your home so you can move when your new home is ready!

If you like to find out more regarding this service please contact our buying team on 0121 222 1320

2 Oct 2019

Our Site at Raunstone Grange is a new development of six luxury individually designed detached executive homes, set within a private gated development. The site has a mixture of generously sized four and five bed properties.

Set within the heart of Ravenstone village and nestled amongst the leafy surroundings of the national forest .Ravenstone village has a rich history.

Each home comes with a 10 year build warranty and help to buy incentive scheme is available on all our homes.

Each of our homes are designed as a permanent enhancement to the village locations and towns where they are situated in.

The development is due for completion in early 2020 For further information on any of our new build homes, please contact our sales team or email us on info@ssgroupuk.com

29 Sept 2014

Do you have land to sell?

SS Group of Companies actively explore all development opportunities presented to us. We have been aggressively purchasing new sites throughout this year. We are happy to consider conditional/unconditional land purchases as well as joint ventures or any approach in this respect.

Every site is assessed on an individual basis. We employ a ‘first class’ team of land, architects and town planners to ensure we are confident in obtaining planning permission whilst still maximising the full development potential. We are experienced at assessing development potential and have an excellent working relationship with local authorities.

Our Specialist team can make a prompt evaluation of suitable sites and deploy funds to purchase in reasonable timescales. We offer attractive agent fees for acquisitions that lead to completion.

We would like to hear from you if you have opportunities in the following areas:

* Large or small parcels of Land
* Greenfield or brownfield sites
* With or without planning permission / consent
* Commercial premises or hotels suitable for re-development
* Mixed use residential / commercial opportunities
* Strategic Land

If you have land or property to sell within the Midlands or the surrounding areas, then kindly contact our Land acquisitions team on: 0121 222 1320 or email us on info@ssgroupuk.com for a no obligation assessment.

21 Sept 2012

SS Group of Companies and SS Group Uk are backed by the home buying incentive scheme for purchase of any of their new build properties across the Midlands

What is Help to Buy?

With Help to Buy, you could buy a brand-new home sooner than you think.

You only need a 5% deposit.

The Government lends you up to 20% of the value of the property.

The loan is interest-free for 5 years, making your dream home more affordable.

You then need to secure a 75% mortgage.

There are a range of competitive mortgage rates available with this scheme, so it’s worth comparing lenders to find the best deal. We can introduce you to a New Home Mortgage Adviser who’ll search the market to find you a great deal.

Homes that qualify:

Until 2021 the current scheme is available exclusively on new build homes up to the property value of:

£600,000 in England
£300,000 in Wales
£200,000 in Scotland

Who is eligible?

Most people know that Help to Buy is available for first time buyers, but under the current scheme existing homeowners can benefit too.

There are a few important conditions:

*The home you buy must be your only residence.
*The scheme isn’t available for buy-to-let investors.

*The scheme isn’t available to those who will own any other property after completion.If you are interested in saving via this scheme please why not call our mortgage specialists from our lending teams who would be more than happy to help provide information on the saving when buying one of our new homes.