11/05/2008 by Martin Sargent.

Things are starting to take shape.

We have finished the foundations on the second villa. The concrete has been poured, levelled and then vibrated to take out any air bubbles.

60 cubic metres of concrete have gone into the foundations, 8 lorry loads.

The last section of the basement walls have been poured along with the pillars and columns.

We use a cardboard shuttering for the columns which is removed after 24 hours.

The basement walls on the first villa are completed and we are moving the shuttering to the second site.

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04/05/2008 by Martin Sargent.

The concrete lorry and concrete pump have arrived to start the first section of wall for the basement. We have started with a twenty six metre section of shuttering. The panels are painted with a product to stop them sticking to the cement. The site has been inspected by Applus the technical control company for the seguro decenal and the quality control have taken the concrete samples they need.

We have now removed the shuttering ready for the next section of wall.

The block work and steel are now finished for the second villa. The concrete will be poured early next week next after the electrician has soldered the copper wire for the earth.

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27/04/2008 by Martin Sargent.

Checking the steel for the foundations before we pour the concrete

The concrete lorry and pump arrive and we start pouring, the concrete is also vibrated to remove any air bubbles.

The foundations are finished for the first villa, the blocks are rendered then sealed to prevent damp. We fill in between the foundations with stone to raise the floor levels.

Steel work is started for the walls then we start shuttering.

The foundations are started for the second villa.

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19/04/2008 by Martin Sargent.

The steel work is nearly complete and ready for the concrete to be poured on Monday morning. I have had site meeting with the surveyor (aparejador) Mª­ Angeles Pazos Agüera, (she also works for the Arrecife council) on Friday morning we went through the plans and was happy with the changes we made. The technical control company APPLUS also checked the site on Wednesday and signed the first paper in regards to the Insurance (seguro decenal). Both companies plus the quality control company ( Consultores Canarios control de calidad y asistencia tecnica) will return Monday morning for the final check before the concrete is poured.

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19/04/2008 by Nick Lanzarote Guidebook.

British tourism up 16.7% during January/February 2008

Overseas investors with interests in the Lanzarote property market will have been warmed by the release of the latest tourist figures for the island. Which reveal an upsurge 16.7% in British visitor numbers for the first two months of 2008. According to statistics just released by Spanish airport operator AENA.

The figures for January and February represent the first reversal of a downward trend in visitor numbers from the UK over recent years. Although this has been slight – and from a position of enormous popularity – as Lanzarote still attracted over 1 million visitors from Britain and Ireland during 2007 alone.

Many observers feared that the current credit crunch and resulting tightening of the consumer purse strings might have a negative impact upon both tourism and the property market on the island.

However, these fears have proved unfounded – and suggest that, conversely, Lanzarote might even benefit. As hard-pressed consumers eschew more expensive and exotic locations in favour of better value holiday options closer to home.

Certainly, owners of holiday rental apartments in Lanzarote aren’t complaining.

As, according to ASOLAN, the islands hoteliers association, occupancy levels rose 7% across all accommodation categories. With self-catering apartments in particular performing exceptionally well - recording occupancy of 84.19% during January and February. Which normally are amongst the quietest periods in the holiday rental calendar.

Island based holiday companies, such as White Beach Holidays and Lanzarote1 are also reporting a bumper start to the year. With forward bookings also showing double-digit growth to date on 2007 figures.

And it’s not just the British who are flocking to the island. As overall foreign visitor numbers are up by nearly 11%. With Lanzarote enjoying a particular resurgence of popularity in the Scandinavian market place – traditionally a source of decent visitor numbers back in the 1980´s, when tourism first really took off. During January and February visitor numbers from Norway and Sweden leapt by 31.1% and 61.7% respectively.

Where tourism leads, property investment tends to follow. And as previously reported by leading island property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook, demand for entry-level investments on Lanzarote – in the form of studios and apartments - remains buoyant.

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10/04/2008 by Martin Sargent.

We have installed the electrical boxes ready for Unelco to supply electricity for the site.

We have completed the excavation on both plots of land for the aljibe (water tank) and the waste tank.

All tools and machinery have been delivered to the site and we will start on the foundations tomorrow.

Click on photos to enlarge them

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29/03/2008 by Martin Sargent.

Natura Design. Since the end of last year the Euro has reached some record highs
against the Pound Sterling and the US Dollar. Inevitably the Lanzarote property market has been affected. On
December 19 2007, the GBP was worth almost Euro 1.40. Three months
later, it has gone down to Euro 1.28. This is a real reduction of 9.4%,
which means simply that property in Lanzarote and other Uropean countries has
become 9.4% more expensive for the British buyer.
But now selling a property in Lanzarote and sending the money back to
the UK as sterling you would have
gained 9.4% in extra profit. The smart investors who bought in Lanzarote
have another reason to be happy with their investment. The
Euro could be overtaking the dollar as the world’s major currency and
become stronger in the future.
Lanzarote property prices have become stable and in some cases have decreased. As a
result, the Lanzarote Property Market is more realistic to the foreign
investor, leaving room for growth & capital appreciation in the
future. Lanzarote property continues to be a good investment and a real
possibility for people who long to relocate to the warmer climate and for a different lifestyle.

By Natura Design

Posted in Lanzarote News | No Comments »

11/03/2008 by Martin Sargent.

Client’s comment by Ron
Martin at Natura Design constructed for us a large terrace with a swimming pool ,built a built in BBQ and a Jacuzzi room.
From our first meeting when he took us to look at some of his work we felt very comfortable with his approach and attitude.
The work was started on time and we were kept up-to-date on progress with emails and photographs.
Martin was proactive with his help and suggestions as the work progressed to help us get the best from our project.
The work was completed to a very high standard on time and at the costs we agreed.
On completion our villa and garden was left very clean and tidy.
Martn explained how every thing operated and showed us how to clean our new pool.
In our opinion we would not hesitate to recommend Natura Design to anyone who wants a good job..
Ron….

Posted in Pools - Finished, Villas Built By Natura Design, Client - Ron | No Comments »

05/03/2008 by Martin Sargent.

Demand amongst overseas investors for residential and commercial property in Puerto del Carmen is currently driving the Lanzarote Property market. According to an analysis of 636 property for sale enquiries received by Lanzarote´s busiest property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook , during the first two months of 2008.

Property Hotspots

Where are the current property hotspots for overseas investors on Lanzarote?
According to this detailed analysis of British and Irish property investment requirements Lanzarote´s oldest resort – Puerto del Carmen – is currently top of the props. Accounting for 43% of all property enquiries received during January and February 2008. With Costa Teguise recording 30% and Playa Blanca trailing in third place with 19%. However, Playa Blanca remains the most popular spot on the island for anyone searching for a villa investment –generating five times more demand than closest resort rival Costa Teguise.

Costa Teguise just pips Puerto del Carmen for apartment enquiries. Whilst Puerto del Carmen leads the way for commercial property – accounting for 64% of all demand. So reflecting the resorts position as the epicentre for expat enterprise on the island.

Ideal Homes

What types of property in Lanzarote are currently in demand with overseas investors?

Apartments currently lead the field – attracting over three times as much interest as villas. Suggesting that recent changes in market conditions and consumer confidence are stifling demand for the more expensive properties currently on the market. Whilst investors instead turn to lower cost options.

Posted in Lanzarote News | No Comments »

02/03/2008 by Martin Sargent.

In my opinion Saidia remains a great place to buy, because of the
combination of beach, golf, marina and hotels. The apartments,
townhouses and most villas will be ideal for the rental market, similar property sales prices have
increased by approx 15-17% - so capital is appreciating too.

Morocco Sotheby’s International Realty has launched a limited number of
golf villas with good prices. The size of the villas varies between 250
m² and 336 m² (indoor living atrea). Each villa with individual
swimming pool and garden and they are overlooking an 18 holes golf
course.

Posted in Investing in Morocco | No Comments »