Higher quality new-build apartments and villas are luring Brits to the Costa Blanca

THE Costa Blanca is now the favourite destination for Brits seeking a home in Spain, accounting for 27 per cent of Spanish mortgage enquiries received at overseas mortgage specialists Conti.

Taylor Wimpey has just launched phase three of La Vila Paradis, a high-end beachfront scheme 26 miles from Alicante airportPH

Taylor Wimpey has just launched phase three of La Vila Paradis

The Costa Blanca is one of Europe’s most heavily visited areas, extending 200 km along the Mediterranean coast. And it’s Alicante which is attracting the most attention from clients financing their purchases through Conti.

Even though Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) indicate prices are creeping up they are still some 30 per cent lower than before the property crash in 2008, which makes the region an excellent choice for retirees seeking a bargain re-sale or a brand new build.

Buyers can also expect higher quality new villas and apartments now from house builders like Taylor Wimpey Spain which is rolling out developments in prime locations, using quality materials, offering lots more space and choosing designs that won’t date.

We were able to release equity from our house,

Trish Lowe

Today’s buyers in Spain can also expect greater transparency, unlike previous owners, some of whom were stung by corrupt mayors, unscrupulous lawyers and illegal builds on agricultural land. Even so that does not mean you can avoid doing your due diligence.

Having said that Taylor Wimpey is a UK company which has been building homes in Spain for over 50 years, which should give British buyers some confidence. Taylor Wimpey has several developments along the Costa Blanca including La Recoleta III, a scheme of two and three bedroom apartments in Punta Prima, five km from the bustling resort of Torrevieja.

Punta Prima is a prime spot just two minutes from the beach and 45 minutes from Alicante Airport. It is being developed into an enclave of apartments, townhouses and villas from a variety of developers.

Prices start from €248,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and €18,000 for an underground car parking space.PH

Prices start from €248,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and €18,000 for an underground parking space

Some of the properties, it has to be said, are prettier than others, but La Recoleta is among the more stylish using local stone and offering buyers a large communal pool, garden areas and walkways to the beach.

Two-bedroom apartments cost from €175,000 and include designer appliances, air conditioning as well as an underground parking space and storeroom.

Geoff Evans 63 and Trish Lowe 69 have been together 30 years and bought a two-bed apartment in Torrevieja 10 years ago.

They had no intention of moving permanently but when Geoff retired and Trish was made redundant they sold their semi-detached home in Torbay and moved to Spain.

“We were able to release equity from our house,” Trish explains, which enabled them to pay €125,000 for their two-bedroom apartment. Property prices have fallen considerably since their move and their apartment is now worth just €100,000 but they have no desire to return to the UK.