TORREVIEJA TOURIST INFORMATION

Torrevieja is about 50 kilometers south of Alicante airport and is right on the coast. Torrevieja used to be a tiny fishing village (like many of the towns on the Costa Blanca) but it has witnessed a huge explosion in size and population in recent times - most of which is from the huge numbers of people moving to Torrevieja from Northern Europe or buying holiday homes in the area.

Torrevieja is surrounded by salt lakes and as a result the climate is meant to be very healthy especially for people with arthritus. The salt lakes are protected and form the habitat for numerous protected species of bird such as the greater Flamingo and Montagu’s harrier. The salt is also commercially extracted providing one of the Torrevieja's main industries.

 

Any visitor to Torrevieja is bound to visit the harbor area with it's numerous restaurants, tapas bars and shops. The fish restaurants are a must as the fish is fresh in from the local fishing boats.

Torrevieja has many attractive parks, gardens and squares where you can sit down and just relax under the shade.

Torrevieja's indoor market offers fish, meat and fresh vegetables.

For sightseeing in Torrevieja you can enjoy the harbor, the fish market, the Church of La Inmaculata Conception, tour the S-61 Delfin submarine and the museum of sea and salt.

Torrevieja is almost becoming a city it is expanding so rapidly and as a result facilities are very good with three excellent hospitals. There are also private and national health clinics with many doctors and dentists of all nationalities.

Torrevieja has two water parks and a large indoor sports centre with an Olympic sized swimming pool.

VILLAMARTIN TOURISM

Villamartin is a fast growing tourist destination located on the Southern Costa Blanca, just south of Torrevieja.

Many tourists come to Villamartin because it is close to three championship golf courses - Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Villamartin.

Villamartin has grown rapidly in recent years with many British people and other Northern Europeans snapping up cheap apartments as second homes in the sun. Accommodation is mainly apartments but also townhouses and some villas.

Even if you are not into golf, Villamartin has plenty of attractions. Primarily this is about the climate and weather - the sunshine and heat.

Although Villamartin is slightly inland it is not far from the coast and many great beaches are close by although Villamartin car hire will be essential if you are to get around.

Because there are so many beaches along the coast it is possible to easily find uncrowded white sandy beaches - even in August. Examples of beaches close to Villamartin are La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca and Campoamor. All of them have the European Blue Flag which signifies high standards of water cleanliness, safety and good facilities for the family.

Close to Villamartin is the gated community of Los Dolses also with it's own plaza.

The Villamartin plaza is most certainly worth a mention. This is a square with a black and white chessboard pattern surrounded by shops, bars, cafes, banks and restaurants. In the heat of summer the atmosphere is buzzing with life and noise.

 

 

LA ZENIA TOURIST INFORMATION

La Zenia is located on the Costa Blanca South just south of the major town of Torrevieja.

La Zenia is a small but busy beach tourist resort. It has many restaurants, bars, shops and good facilities due to the number of people who live here all the year round. There are many Irish bars including Paddy's. Lots of bars showing Sky Sports. Many cafes offering all-day English breakfasts.

Clearly La Zenia is a great location for a beach holiday, you won't need to go anywhere else, as everything you need for a great family holiday in the sun is right here in La Zenia.

Also road access to La Zenia is very good. The AP-7 autoroute (motorway) comes down from Alicante airport and goes south to Murcia San Javier airport.

Also the N-332 goes directly through La Zenia and this also goes from Alicante airport in the north all the way down to Murcia San Javier airport to the south.

To the south of La Zenia is Cabo Roig, further south is Campoamor, Pilar de la Horadada, San Pedro del Pinatar and La Manga.

To the north of La Zenia is Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima, Residencia Los Altos and then Torrevieja.

La Zenia is a popular place where many people live all the whole year round. It has plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. Most residents are from Britain and Ireland.

For accommodation there is the landmark La Zenia Hotel right on the beach, a four star hotel.

CABO ROIG WEATHER FORECAST

The weather and climate in Cabo Roig is excellent. Cabo Roig is a town on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain and enjoys more than 2,800 hours of sunshine each year with an average annual temperature of 19.3 degrees Celsius.

Because the weather and climate in Cabo Roig is so favourable, Cabo Roig has become a popular tourist destination for sun lovers enjoying approximately 325 sunny days each year.

Many people are also choosing to live in Cabo Roig due to the excellent all-year round weather conditions.

 

 

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Renting your property long term

 

 

LONG -TERM LETTING

With property prices increasing faster than inflation, greater mobility in the labour market and an increasing number of immigrants, renting is becoming progressively more popular and in many parts of Spain there's a constant shortage of rental properties. A meager 10 percent of dwellings are available for long-term rental. Consequently buying a property in Spain for long-term letting has excellent investment potential, particularly if you don't plan to use the property yourself.

There are many factors you should take into account when considering letting your property long term:-

 

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Long-term letting has its advantages and disadvantages, although most home owners in Spain find the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, particularly when compared to the short-term letting.

Among the advantages are:

• A REGULAR MONTHLY INCOME

• LESS 'WEAR AND TEAR' ON THE PROPERTY THAN A SHORT TERM LET

• NO NEED FOR REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE, AS THE TENANT LOOKS AFTER THE PROPERTY

• A POSSIBILITY OF ADDED VALUE WHEN YOU COME TO SELL, IF YOU HAVE A GOOD TENANT

Among the disadvantages are:

• YOU CANNOT USE THE PROPERTY YOURSELF UNLESS YOU SPECIFY CERTAIN PERIODS OF THE YEAR TO RENT

• CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SELL THE PROPERTY WITH A LONG TERM TENANT IN RESIDENCE, ALBEIT THIS CAN BE OVERCOME BY SERVING A TWO MONTH NOTICE TO VACATE

 

FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED

People generally want furnished properties especially at the lower end of the market, whereas at the top end of the market, their can be demand for unfurnished. At The Rental & Sales Centre we prefer to let properties furnished as, as the property looks better and surprisingly bigger not too mention letting in this method will demand a higher rental income and have a higher potential market than unfurnished properties.

In general you should buy the best furnishings you can afford and avoid using things you no longer want, cheap or second-hand furniture which will probably need replacing more often anyway.

You will need an inventory for a furnished property, which should be completed by the owner, prior to a tenant moving in. The inventory can be prepared by DFC Spanish Rentals  if required, and after the tenants have vacated DFC Spanish Rentals will check the items against the inventory list.

 

FURNISHINGS AND FITTINGS

A property should be fresh, light, spacious and perfectly decorated in neutral colours (white, cream etc), with modern, hard wearing furniture and a well presented terrace or garden, don't forget to include terrace furniture. You should supply quality appliances but not go overboard with the design or kitchen gadgets. Keep kitchen worktops uncluttered and make sure there is plenty of cupboard space.

It is advantageous to have soft furnishings that have machine washable covers (Two Sets), preferably in a 'stain forgiving' colour.

At DFC Spanish Rentals we shall ensure the furniture and decor is spotless and in excellent condition each time a property is let. We shall after consultation with the owner throw away and replace any bedding or appliances that are well past their best. Furthermore we shall ensure that handles, knobs, curtain rails and anything else that will get lots of hard usage are in good working order.

If you want to market a property at the top end of the market it must be beautifully or even luxuriously furnished and equipped. This includes top of the range finishes, bedding, kitchen appliances (i.e. Dishwasher, Microwave, etc), Satellite TV, DVD Player, Stereo System, Power Shower and Off-Road parking.

 

 

SETTING THE RENT

DFC Spanish Rentals will guide you into deciding what rental income can be achieved for your property as it is important to get the correct balance between a competitive rent and one that gives you a reasonable return on your investment. We normally recommend a rent that compares with that of similar properties in the area. It's not worth charging 500 € per month for your two-bedroom property if there are similar properties in the area charging 400 € per month unless demand exceeds supply. In a buyer's market, it's worth charging slightly below the going rate to ensure you get a tenant.

For example:

• Your rental income is higher if you let your property for 400 € per month for 12 months = 4800 € per annum.

• Than if you charge 500 € and take 4 months to find a tenant thus returning you = 3200 € per annum.

Here at DFC Spanish Rentals we can advise you of comparative rates for similar properties in the same area.

 

FINDING TENANTS

Here at DFC Spanish Rentals  our top priority is to find a good and reliable tenant.

ADVERTISING

INTERNET - The internet is a limited advertising tool for long-term rentals, as accommodation is usually on the market for a very short time.

SIGNS - Another very effective method we use here at DFC Spanish Rentals  is to attach our 'For Rent' and 'For Sale' signs to the outside of properties including our office and mobile telephone numbers. Calls will be answered 24hrs a day.

WORD OF MOUTH - This works very well for DFC Spanish Rentals we are based in relatively small communities where everyone knows everyone and their business. The word is spread widely in local estate agents, builders, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and local communities.

We ensure we supply a quick and efficient response to any enquiries and, above all, have someone on hand to show prospective tenants round the property, as we find most clients like to see the accommodation as soon as possible.

As your managing agents DFC Spanish Rentals  shall source to find suitable tenants and look after your property, which is especially advisable when you don't live in Spain or close to where your rental property is situated. We offer professional advice on how best to let and market your property to yield maximum rent. We offer a potentially wider market for tenants, and peace of mind regarding maintenance, security and dealing with problems.

DFC Spanish Rentals will carry out the following services:-

• ADVISE YOU ON THE 'MARKET' RENTAL FOR YOUR PROPERTY

• MARKET THE PROPERTY

• ARRANGE VIEWINGS AND CHECK POTENTIAL TENANTS

• CHECK REFERENCES (IF AVAILABLE)

• PREPARE THE TENANCY AGREEMENT

• COLLECT AND HOLD DEPOSIT

• COLLECT RENT AND PAY INTO YOUR SPANISH BANK ACCOUNT

• PAY ANY NECESSARY BILLS ON YOUR BEHALF

• CARRY OUT REGULAR INSPECTIONS

• DEAL WITH ANY TENANTS PROBLEMS

• ARRANGE MAINTENANCE, EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS OF ANY DAMAGED OR FAULTY ITEMS

• DEAL WITH INSURANCE CLAIMS

• ARRANGE ANY NECESSARY CLEANING (BETWEEN LETS)

KEEPING TENANTS

Once we find a good tenant, we do all we can to make sure they stay. Good tenants are too precious to be mistreated or taken for granted and model tenants need to be well looked after. We shall endeavor to keep the property well maintained, and with support from the owner replace worn out furniture and redecorate regularly, repair broken items, and replace irreparable items promptly particularly essential items such as water heaters and washing machines.

Maintaining a good relationship with the tenant is an essential part of our management so if a tenant asks for extra furnishings or upgrades to the property, before refusing outright we will always consider if this is a reasonable request and put it forward to the owner. Upgrades are usually a good investment and add value to the property and may persuade a tenant to stay longer. On the other hand we don't want to be seen as over generous and pamper the tenants every whim.

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