Finally some good news in this Covid-19 year!! Hondon Villas have been busy in these difficult times. It’s been hectic to be honest, a surprise given the current pandemic. But we are happy to report multiple sales post Lockdown. Congratulations to all involved.
It’s a relief as we all know it is a worrying time for businesses that rely on movement of people and freedom of travel, like us. And of course the dreaded Coronavirus has impacted on people wanting to travel to/from Spain for their holidays and property inspections.
Thankfully people still want to move homes or invest in property in Spain and the glorious Hondón Valley is on many people’s list right now… or at least they have been for us, Hondón Villas.
It’s been a mixed bunch of sales, mainly from people already living in Spain and either upsizing/downsizing or moving areas. However, we have had two that flew in from the UK (safety measures in place of course) just to view a property, loved it and paid the reservation deposit! Bonus! And so pleased for vendors and buyers alike… more dreams made.
Anyway, so we need more properties to replenish stocks. Property that sells in the right location and at the right price. it can and is being done.
Let us know if you want to be listed with Hondon Villas, the first choice agent for 15+ years in the Hondón Valley area.
INTERESTED? CONTACT US: TEL: +34 622 314 244 OFFICE: Central Plaza in Hondon de los Frailes Office Location: https://www.hondonvillas.net/google-maps-for-hondon.php
We strongly recommend that you register with them as they have lots of generic online help & online webinars for buyers of homes abroad. Most of the main presenters are involved too. You can download buyer’s guides too to read on your web device and even ask questions on their social media pages. Start on the main APITS “The Hub” section here. ( https://aplaceinthesundigital.co.uk/the-hub/ )
CONTACT US TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY or APPOINTMENT Hondon’s First Choice Local Agent for 15+ Years! TEL: +34 622 314 244 OFFICE: Central Plaza in Honodn de los Frailes Google Map: https://www.hondonvillas.net/google-maps-for-hondon.php
[August 2020] What a year so far!! Here are some rambling thoughts for now … in a very fluid 2020! As we write we are 6 months into the Covid 19 pandemic. Masks, sanitising and social distancing are still compulsory here in Spain. It has affected all our lives in some way. By now most of us have seen personal and professional problems as a result of the pandemic… losing family or friends, unemployment, businesses closing, financial hardship and a general difficulty in coping with the uncertainty.
It’s this uncertainty and the restrictions on activities that lower people’s confidence in their immediate futures, their short-term plans. Life changing decisions, like changing jobs, investment, holidays, moving house & migration, will be put-off or even cancelled for now. There’s a knock-on affect of course. And we are not out-of-the-woods yet (August 2020).
House Price Index (Spain)
So it is fair to say that Real Estate in Spain (a key economic driver) over 2020 will continue to be & has already been impacted by various Covid related lockdown restrictions in travel, employment and the economy. Spain’s House Price Index* and property sales volume has been a snail’s pace upwards from 2013 to Q1, 2020… but because of Coronavirus we suspect the index to drop when the whole of 2020 figures come out, especially if things do not improve with the pandemic. Brexit will also be in the mix come Q1, 2021. How we’d like a crystal ball right now!
The graph above (c/o Kyero.com) shows a steady price increase from 2013 up to pre-Covid but also shows how prices dropped steadily after the crisis of the 2008 crash. You can also see that Spain still has not reached the heady days of the property boom before 2008.
* General Council of Spanish Notaries Public.
Sales & Mortgages Down
Kyero also report that during this last year up to April 2020 both the volume of sales and mortgage approvals have taken a dive just as Covid was taking a hold. Up to Q1 2020 there was a 39% reduction in sales volumes and -18% less mortgages approved in Spain. In our Valencia region sales are down 12%.
Hondon Valley Area…
Whilst Hondon Villas (the Hondon Valley, Alicante, Spain) saw no meaningful business during the lockdown period it has been surprisingly buoyant since we all went back to “normal” work mid-June. Trading conditions are still difficult but interest in buying / selling in Spain and in our case, the Hondon Valley area, is still keeping us busy right now…. thankfully.
But we would not be human if we didn’t show concern about our industry and our livelihood. Business wise it’s hard to justify investment right now or taking on more staff…. are all an if/but debate. Not knowing demand & supply is a strain. Paying bills, like rent and wages is a stress.
Still we are far from beat yet … Real Estate in general is an awkward cash-flow business anyway, relying on sporadic, unpredictable results (especially since the crash of 2008) and we don’t get paid until completion of the sale. So we are used to forward planning and ensuring we have a “float” to work from. In our case we can see creditor payments in the pipeline for pre-Covid sales to give us some comfort. That helps. And our appointment diary is busy for the short term at least.
As you’d expect both seller and buyer are cautious right now and we are all trying to work out the game plan. Of course the seller always wants the best top price and the buyer wants to barter down the price! Nothing new there then.
It’s a fact that in the Hondón areas in general, the supply of property out strips the demand = buyer’s market !!And it means buyers are gold. A seller that will not negotiate, can and do regret it. Covid may well have exacerbated this.
In the Hondon Valley areas, we’d definitely say it is still a buyer’s market, houses rarely get the asking price. Typically, 10/15 K off the asking price is normal… and buyer’s like to make the “cheeky offer” a la “A Place in the Sun”, and they are more savvy to the Spanish property market than we were 15 years ago. So seller’s have to be realistic and motivated on price if they want to sell.
The Brits can mitigate this if they play the Sterling/Euro exchange and are returning to the UK with their equity. Just a few cents per pound can make £1000’s on a sale of a house. So if a Brit bought during the boom €1.46+ to the £ era, then the lower exchange rate is now in their favour going back to the UK.
Also, we know the local Hondón economy is not wholly reliant on full employment as there are few jobs and careers here anyway (apart from seasonal farm work / construction / hospitality. We rely on the investment and pension income of foreign property owners in the main. The market and area here is now about 20 years established… so we are on the property map so to speak for re-sales and new build. It’s money in, very little has to go out, so to speak. So in that way Hondón is a bubble and can buck the national trend.
So…. overall as we write… we, at Hondon Villas, still believe and are increasingly getting more confident that Spain, and the Hondon Valley areas, is still a massive attraction for relocation, retirement and holiday home purchases. There is no lack of enthusiasm to live abroad in sunnier climes. After all this area is still as beautiful, tranquil, very Spanish and houses prices are amazing value compared to northern Europe. We attract mainly affluent, cash-rich 50+ age groups / retirees from the UK, Netherlands & Belgium looking for that slower sunnier lifestyle so they are not so worried about employment or the cost of living.
Yes, the Spanish Real Estate market might take time to pull its socks up post Covid, but the green shoots are already here in Hondón. Caution is still key of course and not withstanding a worsening of Covid-19, or another strict lockdown on travel / hospitality.
One thing for sure we do know is that Spain has plenty of property available if and when anyone needs it and to suit all budgets and tastes, inland or coastal. The Spanish government may even add incentives or tax breaks to encourage the property market like they did post 2008 crash. Hopeful.
Here’s hoping to a post-covid shopping spree on Spanish property. Salud!
Charity Appeal… From Aug 8th 2020 keep an eye out for HV Teddy … You can WIN THIS GIANT TEDDY who is looking for generous donations or for you to buy raffle tickets to raise money for ALMA a local pet charity. The Covid situation has meant normal fund raising and volunteer work as been scarce. And animals are suffering!
If you can help… please go along to the #lovelocal store ofHondon Linen & Luxury Goods in Calle Virgen de la Salud (near the Frailes Plaza) on Saturdays to not only see their wonderful array of tempting products but to buy a raffle ticket to win this lovely Teddy Bear.
Hondon Villas SL are more than happy to help local charities and donate the bear. And thanks toFrank of Hondon Embroidery and Print for the T-shirt and the mask!! Yes, Teddy is Covid-19 aware !!
He should have a name.. any ideas?
Pop into see us at the Hondon Villas office: 24 Calle Juan Carlos (Central Plaza) Hondón de los Frailes. 15+ years in the Hondon Valley.
Richard Seal, a master of words and the description and of The Hondón Writers Circle has kindly submitted this insight into life in the rural charms of the Hondon Valley. Delightful.
Bill and Jean love describing to friends back in Wolverhampton how their Spanish villa is tucked away on a mountain road behind an abandoned ruin, beside a forgotten expanse of wasteland which hosts an occasional sheep or goat, with black trees struggling to yield any olives. They excitedly explain that it is too far for the postman to trek, so they have a village mail box – a space stuffed full of old leaflets, and fiesta flyers from yesteryear, parties probably celebrated with customary joy when the aged local shepherd was just a boy.
Flanked by stunning views, lush almond groves, and fields full of oranges and lemons, Bill and Jean often sit together gazing at the landscape and feel that all this is a bit too good to be true. However, they know, through the blood red brilliance of the Costa Blanca sunsets, the occasional dog bark carried on the breeze and the birds which nightly hold the high notes on their twisted boughs, that this is how life is supposed to be.
Sitting in church every Sunday, listening to the service, Bill and Jean are vaguely lost amid Our Lady and saints unknown. They marvel at the Spanish words barely understood but sensed and sampled. A smiling señor and señora on the row in front suddenly turn to clasp their hands, making the couple feel so welcome. Afterwards they enjoy a leisurely lunch with a few Spanish locals, savouring the great value menu del dia with a bottle of vino tinto – Neither dissent at the prospect of time so well spent.
On a late August evening, Bill and Jean stand in the village surrounded by Spanish folk in family clusters, sitting together on rickety chairs hauled out of shuttered houses. The fiesta parade of floats leaves the pair in slack-jawed awe: Flower pot children amble ahead of twenties’ flappers, blazing a trail for Hawaiian gyrators; comic characters herald zombies and an underworld cast before the spectacular midnight firework blast. English village fates seem such distant memories, the couple’s life now is a Fandango; They smile at each other and wonder each day who could have spiked their Earl Grey.
Credits : Copyright c2020. This article was kindly written for Hondon Villas and the Hondón Community by Richard Seal, a member of the local Hondon Writing Circle. ‘Too Good’ is taken and adapted from Richard Seal’s book ‘Living Now’ (2018)
Percy Chattey Books publish Story Telling ® a series of Short Stories and Poems in digital eBooks / paperback formats available online via Amazon and Kindle.
The Provincial Institution (Alicante Diputación) want to help foreign citizens to understand and integrate more into local and national life here in Spain. Some 190,000 euros has been allocated to do this. And our region is involved.
Novelda Magdalena Church
The deputy of International Residents, Juan de Dios Navarro, has highlighted that the objective of these programs is to collaborate with the local entities of our province in the development of projects and activities that “contribute to help, advise and integrate the thousands of foreigners who they have chosen our province to live ”.
If you live here in Spain, you will know it can be different from life in Northern Europe, even quirky to foreigners! Many foreigners do not have the language skills or understanding to integrate or learn about the real day-to-day life here. Of course understanding the language, economy, culture and labour can enhance and facilitate a better lifestyle & happiness.
In this sense, the new initiatives such as Spanish courses, awareness and integration campaigns, care and advisory services, information campaigns on the municipal register, volunteer programs, intercultural participation days or sports activities will be subsidised. “The demand for this type of projects has increased significantly in recent years given the importance that, for their (foreign citizens) full integration in Alicante, have, for example, knowledge of Spanish or legal, legal or labour issues that concern them.” says Juan de Dios Navarro.
So look out for these initiatives in your local Town Hall or on local Facebook groups and get involved. Most will be free!
The benefited municipalities are Aspe, Elda, Hondón de las Nieves, Hondón de los Frailes and La Romana, in the Middle Vinalopó, Crevillent, in the Baix Vinalopó, and Salinas and Sax, in the Alto Vinalopó. Aigües, El Campello and Mutxamel, in L ‘Alacantí, and Albatera, Algorfa, Almoradí, Benferri, Benijófar, Bigastro, Catral, Cox, Daya Nueva, Daya Vieja, Dolores, Granja de Rocamora, Guardamar del Segura, Jacarilla, Los Montesinos, Pilar de la Horadada, Rafal, Redován, San Isidro, San Miguel de Salinas and Torrevieja.
In Vega Baja. Alcalalí, Benigembla, Benimeli, Calp, Dénia, Llíber, Murla, Castell de Castells, Ondara, Orba, Parcent, Pego, Benitachell, Els Poblets, Sanet y Negrals, Tormos and Xábia, in the Marina Alta, and L’Alfàs del Pi , Altea, Beniardá, Bolulla, Callosa d’En Sarrià, Finestrat, Polop, Relleu and Tárbena, in the Marina Baja. In the El Comtat region, aid will go to L’Alqueria d’Asnar, Cocentaina, Facheca, Muro de Alcoy, Lorcha and Planes, while L’ Alcoià will benefit Banyeres de Mariola, Onil and Tibi.
There’s are 100’s of tapas recipes and dishes to choose from. They can be regional or very generic Spanish and portions vary too. In many parts of Spain they are served free with your drinks in Spanish Bars, always welcome. Some can be bizarre compared to northern European tastes but give them a go!
Well one of our favourite cooking channels on YouTube is “Spain on a Fork”. If you are new to Tapas or want to try something new then this channel is well worth a subscription.
Try cooking these very easy but essential Spanish Tapas Dishes yourself… In the video below you can learn to prepare and cook the very popular and typical Spanish tapas recipes…. it looks so easy and so delicious. let us know how you get on.
Including Warm Salted Almonds Manchego & Sweet Roasted Peppers Garlic Mushrooms with Smoked Paprika Roasted Potatoes with Paprika Ali-Ole Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Cheese & Egg Montaditos … all delicious and at only 3 or 4 ingredients per dish. The recipes can be printed and followed here:
A Montadito is a staple of the culinary arts from Spain. It is a unique tapa-sized rolls of bread similar to a baguette but wider and with a twist. … The etymology of the word ‘montadito’ stems from the word ‘montar’, which means ‘to mount’ in Spanish.
You can get Tapas in the Hondon area, but it’s not widely available or of great variety... least not in the league of Granada and the Andalucia region in general. A new Spanish run Tapas Bar has just opened calls “El Charro” in the Frailes Plaza (see Facebook El Charro)
Tapas, those delicious little snacks you can get in any bar in Spain, have recently been making quite a splash in the United States. In the past 3 years, I have seen 4 tapas bars pop up in my neighbourhood alone. And people are crazy about them! The thing is, other than serving tiny bits of expensive food and over-priced drinks, these trendy American tapas bars have almost nothing in common with your traditional Spanish tapas bar.
In many places in Spain, dinner is not served until 9 or 10 o’clock at night. So many people like to “tapear” or go out and eat tapas at a few different bars to meet up with friends, discuss the day, and in general just relax in a fun social atmosphere. In a lot of the major cities and in most parts of Adalucía, when you order a drink, often you get a tapa for free. Or sometimes it is the other way around; if you order a tapa, you get a free drink.
Now, how this tradition came about is debated among a few popular theories. First, it is important to know what “la tapa” means. Literally, it means “cover” or “top,” so it is important to keep this in mind when thinking about its history.
Some say that some sneaky tavern owners from Castilla-La Mancha found that a strong smelling and tasting cheese could “cover” the flavor of cheap wine. This way, they could sell the not so great wine for a higher price by including a free piece of cheese.
Others say that when King Alfonso XII was visiting Cádiz on the south west coast, he ordered a cup of sherry, which is famous in this region. In order to protect the wine from the blowing beach sands, the waiter covered the wine glass with a slice of cured ham. King Alfonso apparently enjoyed it and asked for another glass of sherry with a “tapa” just like the first.
Less legendary is the thought that since you are most likely standing when you are out having drinks with friends, you would need to cover your drink with your plate in order to have a free hand to eat. Or that you would need to top your sherry, a very sweet wine, with bread or ham to keep the curious flies away.
Now what kind of tapa you get with your drink widely depends on the region, but the staples are olives, of which there can be many different varieties, bread with aioli, and some kind of fried seafood. It is also very common to see small slices of bread topped with Spain’s famous jamón serrano or slices of cheese. My favourite is tortilla Española, which is very similar to an omelette with pieces of fried potato and onion inside instead of cheese.
There are thousands of tapa recipes out there and I encourage you to try a few on your own. Being all the fad right now, your friends would definitely be impressed if you invited them all over for an early evening of tapas at your house. ¡Salud! and ¡Buen provecho!
Hola! thank you for your visit.
If you are looking to buy or sell property in the Hondón Valley area, please consider Hondón Villas, a local family business for 15 years. We are passionate about property and can advise & hold your hand throughout the process. Our office is in the main Frailes plaza, open Mon-Fri 10.00-17-00 and by appointment at evenings and weekends, WEBSITE : WWW.HONDONVILLAS.NET
