“Thanks for all the depressing news” was the understandably sarcastic message one reader sent me after the last news bulletin, which contained nothing but unremittingly bleak news from the Spanish property market.

Occasionally I receive irate messages from people berating me for my negative stance, but all I can say is don’t shoot the messenger. I’ll be the first to pounce on good news when it comes, but until then I’m not going to sugar-coat the bad news that flows relentlessly through the Spanish press.

But by way of showing that things might not be as bad as the headlines suggest, at least in some areas and segments, here is some feedback from two professionals working at the front line of the market, who are in a better position than most to judge what is happening on their patch.

Costa del Sol property market forum discussion, started by Chris McCarthy, from Your Viva (www.vivaestates.com)

Andalucia property market report 2010/2011 by Barbara Wood of The Property Finders (www.thepropertyfinders.com)