Holiday makers still want to surf the net while abroad
Internet access, in particular Wifi, are considered an essential must have for owners renting out their properties in Spain to holiday makers who still want to surf the net.
España Breaks, a boutique website advertising holiday rentals all over Spain compiled data from across their portfolio in January 2012 and discovered some stand out features that help raise interest among potential guests.
In the gadget stakes, España Breaks data identified that while devices such as satellite television and games consoles increase rental interest, Wifi and internet access led the way with 19% of guests in January 2012 enquiring for properties that offered these essential features.
Meanwhile, when it comes to property size, 37% of enquires were made for properties with only one bedroom while 23% desired two. With this in mind, España Breaks identified that the majority of holiday makers travel in groups of four people or less, and along with not wanting to pay the higher rental rates a large property can require, accounts for the lack of interest in larger properties.
Further research shows that properties with reviews from past guests gain more enquiries. Indeed, reviewed properties generated 36% more renter enquiries in January 2012. España Breaks also examined the effect on enquiries levels for unreviewed property, revealing 40% less enquiries than average.
Finally, when it comes to creature comforts, properties with a secure safe where renters can put their valuables was of great importance in January’s enquiries, with 21% requesting this key feature. Taking second spot was the humble hair dryer which increased enquiry levels by 17%.
‘Those who currently rent their Spanish property should take note of these top tips. Wifi and internet access for example are key features within a property nowadays as renters want to use their smart phones for accessing social networking sites, uploading photos or indeed checking the latest exchange rates while guest reviews make all the difference to securing future renters,’ said Robin Haynes, managing director of foreign exchange specialists Currency Index.
Meanwhile, Murcia in Spain has been names as one of the World’s Best Real Estate Markets 2012 by International Living. The index takes into account value for money, appreciation potential, income potential, costs and ease of buying.
The index does not recommend locations that, although undoubtedly cheap, have pitfalls such as unstable governments, dicey property laws or astronomical buying costs and taxes. Other top spots are Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay.
‘Finding ourselves amongst a who’s who of emerging nations, the likes of Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay, is flattering but not altogether unsurprising. Murcia does make good sense right now for a catalogue of reasons, not least the Paramount Theme Park which will be the largest in Spain and second largest in Europe when it opens in 2015,’ said Chris Mercer, director of Murcia based agents Mercers.
‘Interestingly the author gave Murcia a score of 85 out of 100 for value for money, only nine others in the top 25 could match or beat it. With prices from just €50,000, that’s around £41,000 pounds, for a two bedroom semi detached home with roof terrace on a golf course. If a buyer is looking at Spain, Murcia is the current best bet,’ he explained.
‘Murcia, whilst not as mainstream as say the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, is a market on the up and plenty of things are conspiring to make the future rosy. Prices are at their lowest point in a decade. The new Corvera International Airport is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2012 and the proposed Mediterranean Corridor high speed AVE rail link should stop here. This is all creating a huge momentum for holiday and investment homes,’ he added.