Costa Brava - Baix emporda

2008 report

This report was prepared by Engel & Völkers, a real estate agency with offices in many of Spain’s most popular destinations. It is reproduced here with permission. More information on Englel & Völkers

Baix Empordà Property

The last 12 months have witnessed no dramatic increases or decreases and the market has slowed down after the sharp price increases of the past five years. Now an average price for an apartment is around the €200,000 mark increasing to €1 million for a finca with land or luxury villa and the majority of property sells within a year.

The most popular properties are apartments, particularly penthouses and villas and the average spend is approximately €400,000- €500,000. The main market here is Spanish (50%) with a growing British/Irish market (accounting for almost 20% of the market) followed by Dutch (12%), French (12%) and Scandinavians.

The French regard the region as the Spanish “Cote D’Azur” as the region is about same travelling time from major French cities such as Toulouse.

Around 50% of buyers are in the 30-40 age bracket reflecting the strength of the region with the family second home market and over 80% of all buyers buy a property here as holiday home.

New infrastructure development for residents driving from the Barcelona area is the completion of the new national motorway, which has substantially reduced drive times from Barcelona to the Platja d’Aro area.

The Baix Empordà offers residents quality lifestyle with beautiful countryside and a mild Mediterranean climate. Golf enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with Pals, Playa d’Aro, PGA, which hosted the Spanish Open in 2000, and Empordà are considered as four of the strongest courses in Spain and are ranked in the top 50 in Europe.

The most requested areas are Begur, Pals, Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc and Tamariu and our local office advises interested buyers to look at Pals and at selected properties in the Baix Empordà area.