Property Point Marbella – High quality 3 bedroom apartment in Benahavis

Bedrooms: 3
Bathroom: 2
Year Built: 2009

Town: Benahavis and Atalaya
This south facing property built in 2009 with a contemporary style has been finished to a very high standard and includes marble flooring throughout, air conditioning with heating, Satellite TV connections and alarm system.
From the terraces you have spectacular golf and sea views overlooking the beautifully kept landscaped gardens and swimming pools.There is also an indoor pool with gymnasium, sauna and a steam room.Gated community with 24hrs security and concierge service.
For more information go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

Home Features Air Conditioning Alarm Dishwasher Fully Fitted kitchen Garage Microwave Satellite TV Terrace Washer/Dryer

Community Features Clubhouse Entry Phone System Garage Gym Indoor Heated Pool Lovely Gardens Mountain Views Pool Sea Views Security Spa/Jacuzzi

Property Point Marbella – 2/3 Bedroom Apartments in Golf Valley, Benahavis

Area: Nueva Andalucia Bathroom: 2 Bedrooms: 2-3

Town: Nueva Andalucia This fantastic complex has two swimming pools in different levels, extensive areas to sunbathe, gardens designed by a landscape architect as well as fountains, ponds and waterfalls, The apartments have been designed to enjoy the privileged views over the golf valley and sea. All of them have extensive covered terraces and open patios and wide large windows as well that allow maximizing the sun light from the Mediterranean. For more information go to www.propertypointmarbella.com Home Features Air Conditioning Fully Fitted kitchen Patio Terrace Under floor Heating Community Features Garage Golf Course Golf Views Lovely Gardens Pool Sea Views Spa/Jacuzzi

 

Property Point Marbella – Spain’s new Penal Code

The new Spanish Penal Code, which introduces new crimes and increased penalties for serious offences such as paedophilia, terrorism and corruption, came into effect last week with the primary aim of being more proportional and consistent, according to Minister of Justice, Francisco Caamaño.

“Its spirit, if we had to condense it into one word, would be proportionality. This is a code that is harder on those crimes that Spanish society believes should be punished,” he said.

The new Penal Code, which was approved in June and comes into force six months after being published in the legislative Official State Bulletin, for the first time regulates corporate criminal liability. Now companies will be fined or dissolved if they commit crimes or tolerate criminal conduct.

It also clamps down on investment scams where documents are falsified to obtain credit, loans, information or resources. Similarly, it punishes the leaking of news or rumours to either alter or maintain the market price of stocks and shares.

In addition, the new code increases the penalties for town planning crimes, public finance fraud, match fixing, bribery, and influence peddling. Furthermore those charged with deleting, damaging or removing computer data or programs in an unauthorised way from private or public firms will also face tougher sentences under the new system.

Motorists

From now on, your car could be impounded on a permanent basis if you are caught on a motorway speeding over 200 kilometres an hour and if caught driving at more than 120 kilometres an hour in an urban area. Your vehicle will also be taken away forever should you be found with more than 1.2 grams of alcohol per litre of blood, or if you refuse to participate in alcohol or drug tests.

The new legislation states that breaking the town centre speed limit of 60 kilometres an hour, or the out of town limit of 80 kilometres an hour, could mean a prison sentence.

“I think anything which deters people from drink driving and speeding must be a step in the right direction,” says Torremolinos resident, Christiaan Pieterson, whose niece’s car was hit in Los Álamos by a speeding driver who was later found to be over the limit. “It was miraculous she was OK! It’s absolutely correct that those who are drunk behind the wheel have their car taken away, as they could be taking someone’s life away as a result of their irresponsible actions.”

Read the whole article on the Sur in English Website

For the best properties on the Costa del Sol go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

Property Point Marbella – Spain Sees Progress on Deficit and Unemployment

Spain’s jobless numbers fell for the first time in five months in December,data showed Tuesday, and the prime minister said the government beat its target for reducing its public sector deficit last year as it fights to fend off a debt crisis.

Weighed down by massive unemployment and shrinking tax revenue, Spain has seen premiums demanded by investors to hold its debt soar in the last six months on concerns its control over public finances was slipping.

In a radio interview, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said the country would beat last year’s target, which was to reduce the broad public sector deficit, including regional administrations and state agencies, to 9.3 percent of gross domestic product, from from 11.2 percent of G.D.P. in 2009.

Mr. Zapatero added that high unemployment continued to be a main concern for the government.

“In 2011, growth will consolidate and we will create net jobs over the year, but we’re a long way from seeing the employment growth that we’d like to see,” Mr. Zapatero said.

Jobless numbers dropped by 0.25 percent in December from a month earlier to 4.1 million, the Labor Ministry said on Tuesday.

To read the whole article go to The New York Times website

For the best properties to rent or buy go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

Property Point Marbella – Luxury Apartments in Benahavis

Bedrooms: 2/3/4 Bathroom: 2/3

Area: Benahavis

Town: Benahavis and Atalaya Full Description: This brand new development is located in the new golf valley of Benahavis in breathtaking surroundings and is only 10 km from Puerto Banus. The development sits on an elevated plot with unobstructed 180 degree views of the golf course and out across the Mediterranean to Gibraltar, and from the other side to Marbella and beyond to the mountain La Concha. The development is only 10 minutes to the beach as well as to the typical Andalucian village of Benahavis and is surrounded by three golf courses. There are a further ten golf courses within 10 minutes drive, including the prestigious Marbella courses of El Paraiso, La Alqueria and Atalaya. The location of the construction means that the buildings do not obstruct each other’s views, enjoying the benefits of a tranquil front line golf location, yet close to the beach and numerous other leisure and commercial centres. Built to the highest standards which includes spa facilities, a heated in-door pool, gym, Jacuzzi and sauna. Panoramic golf views, fitted kitchen, marble floors, air conditioning, central heating, double glazing and underground parking.

Home Features Air Conditioning Fully Fitted kitchen Garage Microwave Patio Satellite TV Storage Area Terrace Under floor Heating Washer/Dryer

Community Features Controlled Access Entry Phone System Fitness Center Garage Gated Community Golf Course Golf Views Gym Indoor Heated Pool Lovely Gardens Mountain Views Pool Security Spa/Jacuzzi

Property Point Marbella – Gorgeous villa in Nueva Andalucia

Bedrooms: 4
Bathroom: 2,5
Year Built: 1985
Area: Nueva Andalucia
Built size: 190m2

Town: Nueva Andalucia
A real deal villa in Nueva Andalucia at a very interesting price. An amazing villa very tastefully furnished and decorated.
This centrally located villa right next to several golf courses, has an inviting turquoise colored pool with its own wooden bridge. The inside has been done in a timeless style that suits almost everybodys likings.

Home Features
Air Conditioning
Alarm
Dishwasher
Fireplace
Fully Fitted kitchen
Garden
Infinity Pool
Patio
Satellite TV
Terrace
Washer/Dryer

Property Point Marbella – Large 2 bed property beside Puerto Banus

For more information on this property and many more go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

Town: Nueva Andalucia
Full Description: This large 2 bedroom apartment has recently become available and offers a wonderful opportunity to purchase within only a few minutes walk to the famous Puerto Banus. Set amidst mature gardens and swimming pools along with on-site paddel tennis courts the development has 24 hour gated security and offers luxury at an affordable price.

Bedrooms: 2 Bathroom: 2

Area: Nueva Andalucia Built size: 115

Property Point Marbella – Is 2011 the year to buy property?

With the property market still weak and house prices expected to fall further in 2011, many commentators are claiming this could be the year to bag a property bargain.

New research from the Building Societies Association (BSA) shows that public opinion about buying property in 2011 is positive. According to the findings, nearly two-thirds of us would buy immediately or within the next year, given sufficient money.

But while low interest rates and competitive property prices may be tempting you to dip a toe back into the market, is this really the right time to buy? 

Should you cash in on current property prices?
Well, a lot depends on your reasons for buying. If you plan to purchase during the next 12 months, you could find yourself buying in a falling market. That said, few property experts are predicting prices will fall sharply.
Nationwide’s chief economist Martin Gahbauer said there was little evidence to suggest house price declines will accelerate in the months ahead and Martin Ellis, Halifax’s housing economist, expects house prices to remain “broadly stable” during 2011.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) also says prices are likely to continue to slip over the coming months but that the lack of supply in the market is likely to prevent significant price declines.

With this outlook for 2011, it may well make sense for those looking to take the first step to buy in the next 12 months to take advantage of lower house prices.

The same applies to those looking to upsize. Even though you will get less for the home you are selling, you will make savings on the property you are buying and this is likely to be the bigger sum.

To read the whole article go to money.uk.msn.com

For the best properties to rent or buy along the Costa del Sol go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

 

Property Point Marbella – Spanish tourist arrivals post seventh monthly increase

The number of foreign visitors to Spain rose in November for the seventh straight month despite a drop in tourists from its main market Britain, government data showed Wednesday.

The country welcomed 2.9 million foreign tourists last month, a 2.7 percent increase over the same time last year, bringing total arrivals in the first 11 months of 2010 to 50.1 million, up 1.3 percent, the tourism ministry said.
“All the main source markets of tourists to Spain posted rises in the number of tourists, with the exception of Britain,” it said in a statement.

The number of arrivals from Britain fell 6.1 percent in November over the same month last year to 590,192.

But this was offset by a slight rise in arrivals from Germany, the second most important source of tourists to Spain, and sharp rises in arrivals from France, Italy and Scandinavian countries.
Tourist arrivals from Germany were up 0.1 percent to 445,905 while arrivals from France soared 10.3 percent to 429,794 and arrivals from Italy jumped 30.9 percent to 240,941.
Arrivals from Scandinavia soared 15.1 percent in November to 312,814.
Tourism, which accounts for around 10 percent of Spain’s economy, has taken a battering due to the emergence of cheaper sunshine destinations in the eastern Mediterranean such as Turkey and Egypt and the drop in the value of the British pound.
The country got 52.5 million visitors in 2009, down 8.7 percent from 2008 when Spain lost its ranking as the world’s second most visited country to the United States.
Earlier this month the UN World Tourism Organisation said China may overcome Spain as the world’s third most visited country this year after France and the United States.
In 2008, the number of visitors to Spain fell 2.3 percent, the first reversal in tourist arrivals in more than a decade.

Read the whole article on the Independent Website

For the best properties to rent or buy go to www.propertypointmarbella.com

Property Point Marbella – El Gordo Christmas Lottery

The Spanish Christmas lottery, El Gordo or ‘The Fat One’, is the biggest lottery in the world and  one of the oldest, having started in 1812. While the first prize in 2005 was ‘only’ 3€ million, El Gordo has the biggest prize pool of any lottery in the world, last year totaling over two billion euros!

How the El Gordo Spanish Christmas Lottery Works

The Spanish Christmas Lottery works differently to most lotteries in the world. A whole ticket billete is very expensive, costing 200€ in 2005. However, these tickets are split up into ten decimos (tenths) costing 20€ each. When buying your tickets you have the choice of buying a single decimo, a whole ticket, or a fraction of your choice. If you don’t buy the whole ticket, someone else will buy the rest of your ticket.

The Draw

El Gordo is drawn every December 22. The process is very long,taking more than three hours, so you will likely see people sat by their radios for much of the day, waiting for the results.

As the wealth is often spread out among a group of people rather than a single person, a win in a small community can have a profound effect on the local economy

So invest in a ticket and you could be having a very merry Christmas!

For information on properties to rent or buy go to www.propertypointmarbella.com