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This is an old part of Andalucia where the
villages are whitewashed and the streets are narrow and winding.
There's culture and history at every turn, with the Alhambra Palace
in Granada, the Alpujarras, the swathe of coastal towns, and the
ruined Arab castle in Los Guajares itself. Add authentic tapas and
fresh seafood, and you've got an unspoilt slice of traditional
Andalucian life.
Where to buy
In Los Guajares itself, you have the three villages of Guajar
Faraguit, Guajar Fondon and Guajar Alto. This old rural community
offers a handful of bars and restaurants, and spectacular scenery. A
two bedroom house can be picked up for a mere 67,000 euros, while
72,000 euros can secure you a fully renovated, traditional
townhouse.
Further to the southeast is the whitewashed
hilltop town of Salobrena. Surrounded by sugar cane fields,
Salobrena is a picturesque seaside town, with many shops and
resturants. Its maze of cobbled streets are overlooked by the ruins
of a Moorish castle. Spend 145,000 euros and you can pick up a four
bedroom apartment in the centre of Salobrena, while 155,000 euros
will buy you a traditional house in the old town.
Molvizar is another traditional village. Situated
on the edge of the Sierra del Chaparral, it lies in the stunning
Lecrin valley, which is covered with almond and olive groves, and
enjoys stunning views.
Molvizar is becoming popular with people looking
for a quite village location but with access to the lively coastal
town of Salobrena. There are many pretty, typically Spanish town
houses for sale. A two bedroom cortijo here costs 284,000 euros,
while a three bedroom townhouse is 106,000 euros.
Located near Motril, the village of Velez de Benaudalla nestles at
the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and is a typical mountain
village, with sugar cube houses, mountain views and a traditional
church. A new feature to Velez is the newly constructed dam, which
promises water sports, picnic areas and more. In the not-too-distant
future it will also be a haven for bird watchers and walkers,
providing many aspects of rural tourism.
Property here starts at 116,000 euros for a one
bedroom townhouse, while a two bedroom townhouse requiring some work
can be purchased for 99,000 euros.
The property market
Granada is relatively unknown compared to much of Andalucia.
Currently, over 48 per cent of property here sells for between
50,000 euros and 150,000 euros, and a quarter of all homes sold are
village houses. On average, property sells for 85,000 euros less
than the national average price of 245,000 euros.
The market in Los Guajares is very different from
that of a few years ago, when people were buying everything from
renovation projects to off plan investments and luxury villas. Over
the last five years, prices have increased dramatically, at a rate
of 15 to 20 per cent per annum. A property such as a cortijo, or
village home, has risen in price from 30,000 euros to over 100,000
euros. Nevertheless, there are still bargains to be had, especially
in villages such as Jete and Otivar.
There has also been an increase in the number of people buying and
investing in the area. The market is very international, although
recent months have seen more properties being sold to Spanish
clients than in previous years, more city based Spaniards are
looking to the Costa Tropical and inland areas of Los Guajares for
second homes, especially those from Madrid and Barcelona.
This has helped to keep the market for 2005
successful in what appears to otherwise be a sluggish year,
particularly in terms of the number of British buyers. 2005 is
seeing a mix of buyers seeking both property to let and also
property for permanent relocation. Although there are still bargains
to be had, this could all change when the motorways are finished and
Los Guajares becomes more easily accessible.
The lettings market
Due to the longer winter season than in the coastal areas, the short
term lettings season in Los Guajares is shorter than it is in much
of Andalucia. The region is more suited to those looking for a
walking holiday, rather than a beach vacation. However, some owners
do let their property during the summer, and most do this privately
via the internet. This shows the quieter nature of the lettings
market.
The income generated is less than you'd expect
along the Costa del Sol, although prices are rising in conjunction
with increased interest. There has also been a significant
turnaround in the number of clients looking to secure a long term
rental in the Los Guajares area prior to buying. This trend started
in 2004 and has grown significantly over the last eight months.
In terms of rental returns, a one bedroom
traditional property in Guajar Alto can generate 210 euros per week
in low season and 320 euros in peak season. A two bedroom townhouse
in Velez de Benaudalla can secure between 205 euros to 365 euros. In
the more popular coastal area of Salobrena, a three bedroom villa
can generate between 500 euros and 850 euros per week, depending on
the season.
Living in Los Guajares
There is much to recommend this area, not least the tradition,
culture and awesome scenery. However, there are negatives too. The
region has a limited infrastructure and the remote location of many
villages means limited resources, such as schools and hospitals.
The streets are often steep and narrow, which can
hamper access by car, and the weather can also be harsher during the
winter months than on the coast. If you're looking to buy here, you
must be prepared to learn Spanish, and to respect the locals and
their traditional way of life.
There is a strong local presence here, with a
growth of Spanish second home buyers investing in the area. Foreign
buyers tend to be semi retired couples and middle aged families who
are looking to escape the busy coastal resorts. There are still
relatively few British people here, and the foreigners who have
bought property are a cosmopolitan mix of Canadians, Scandinavians
and Americans. There's also a thriving artistic community keen to
take advantage of the area's natural beauty.
Salobrena and the surrounding resorts are more
touristy and built up than the inland villages, but the level of
development remains acceptable. There's more of an expat community
here, and certainly more attractions, but again, it hardly reaches
the levels seen further west in the Costa del Sol.
Granada in figures
Unemployment: 19%
Total EU population: 8,032 (35% of which are British)
Language: Castilian Spanish
Average property price: 160,000 Euros
Total area of Granada: 12,635km2
Population of Granada Province: 818,959
Population density: 64.82km2
Tallest peak, Mulhacen: 3,481m
Length of coastline: 100km
Martin Dell is Managing Director of Kyero Media
S.L. - publisher of the largest English-language property portal in
Spain,
http://www.kyero.com/
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Featured
Location - Los Guajares, Granada, Spain