Buying in the Costa Cálida
The Costa Cálida, which translates as the “warm coast”, came relatively late to the international buying market but is increasingly popular, led by the glitzy, celebrity resort of La Manga and myriad smaller resorts around the Mar Menor.
It’s easy to see why we’re flocking here. The Costa Cálida is relatively inexpensive, has great weather and is easy to get to.
Sitting on Spain’s southeastern corner, it stretches for 250 kilometres along the Mediterranean coastline within the small autonomous community of Murcia.
Why buy property in the Costa Cálida
This picturesque slice of the Spanish coast is home to some quaint towns, grand resorts and the stunning Mar Menor — a saltwater lagoon designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
The Costa Cálida isn’t just warm, it’s sunny too, enjoying 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, twice the levels of northern Europe and the UK. At the peak of summer, you can expect temperatures in the 30s and even the winter sees average highs of 18°C.
You can make the most of the Costa Cálida’s sunshine from one of its many Blue Flag beaches, while the Mar Menor is perfect for taking up a new sailing or wind sports hobby.
You can also spend your days out on one of the Costa Cálida’s many beautiful golf courses, such as Alhama Signature Golf, Roda Golf & Beach Resort, La Serena Golf and Mar Menor Golf Resort.
While property in the Costa Cálida’s most desirable resorts can come with a steep price tag, it’s still easy to find affordable properties along this delightfully warm coastline.
Inland can seem arid at first, but there is plenty of attractive countryside too, with village and country homes at highly attractive prices. The city of Murcia, 50 kilometres inland, is a popular university town of half a million – very Spanish and with much fewer tourists than Andalusian cities.
The property market in the Costa Cálida
The Costa Cálida is an area where you can still buy a fixer-upper a short drive inland for €50,000 and luxury villas start at €300,000.
You can buy a small apartment, ready to move into, along the coastline for just €90,000. Often, these will be in a residential complex with a communal pool and gardens. You can even find homes with a mountain or sea view. These properties make ideal, low-cost holiday homes for those not planning to sell their primary residence.
Those looking to retire to the area might want somewhere with a more settled community, perhaps in Águilas, Cartagena or, for a more international community, La Manga. Even here you can buy an apartment for under €150,000.
A budget of €200,000 will start to offer options of detached villas with pools and €300,000 is where luxury starts, including designer villas.
The new-build property market is growing along the Costa Cálida, particularly around golf courses and La Manga and Los Alcázares. While more expensive than resales in quieter seaside towns, these properties are perfect for those after a key-ready home in the heart of the action, with landscaping and swimming pool, on-site gyms and more.
The Costa Cálida is a great place to look for an affordable, yet luxurious home. Even with a big budget, you’ll often see your money go further than it would along the Costa del Sol. Discover new-build penthouses with incredible views, four-bedroom villas benefitting from plenty of privacy and homes perfectly positioned between the golf course and sea.
Where to buy property along the Costa Cálida
La Manga
The crème de la crème of the Costa Cálida, La Manga is a resort designed to attract those with a love for golf, tennis and the beach. It has a buzzing atmosphere, with a choice of restaurants and shops. It’s also close to the Mar Menor, Europe largest salt lagoon. Property for sale tends to be impressive apartments, luxury villas and new developments. For investors and holiday homeowners looking to make a profit, La Manga is the place to look.
Los Alcázares
Situated on the western side of the Mar Menor, Los Alcázares is a former fishing village turned resort town. Los Alcázares is a popular choice with British buyers (and other nationalities), so you’ll find other expats to make friends with.
San Pedro del Pinatar
If you’re torn between the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca, San Pedro del Pinatar might suit you well, as it sits on the border to the north of the Mar Menor. As well as a dip in the lovely Med, you can enjoy mud baths in Las Charcas. You’ll find plenty of shops, bars and a lively marina.
Águilas
An ancient fishing port, Águilas has a population of around 35,000 which quadruples in summer but means it’s lively in the summer and winter. It has a busy port and marina, beyond which are sandy beaches with plenty of resorts, although these do tend to get quiet in winter.
Steps to buy property in the Costa Cálida
- Search online: The Your Overseas Home property portal has over 5,000 listings in Costa Cálida and the wider Murcia region. Determine what you can buy for your budget, as well as a list of features you would like in a home (close proximity to the beach or golf, mountain or sea views). You may want to narrow down your search to specific towns such as the Mar Menor or La Manga.
- Form a team of experts. Once you have chosen a handful of properties that tick your boxes, reach out to an estate agent. They will be able to talk through the area and what you are looking for in a home in greater detail. You will also need an English-speaking lawyer to ensure that the purchase is legally secure. Plus, a currency specialist like Smart Currency Exchange can help you to transfer your money to the Costa Cálida. You may also want to connect with a financial advisor and a mortgage specialist.
- Book a viewing trip. Once you have your team in place, head out to Costa Cálida to see your pick of properties.
- Once you have made an offer: If the seller accepts your offer, you will sign a reservation contract and pay a fee to take it off the market. While surveys are not the norm in Spain, many international buyers prefer to have one, so you will easily be able to find an experienced professional in Costa Cálida to complete one. Then, you will sign and pay the deposit, around 10% of the purchase price.
- Hold the keys in your hand: You will need to sign the sale contract, escritura pública at the notary’s office. Finally, pay the balance of the purchase price, minus the deposit you have paid. You must also pay the relevant taxes (ITP), stamp duty, notary fees and legal fees.