It’s a very busy period for all those involved in the overseas property industry. The growth curve just keeps on rising with supply doing its best to keep up with the insatiable demand for a home in the sun. Within Europe, Spain has maintained its status as one of the favourite purchasing destinations.
The boom in the UK property market has given homeowners the financial ability to make use of their increased assets by investing in property overseas, where some bargains can still be found. Recently voted the number one holiday destination for families, many people are realising their dreams of making their stay in Tenerife a more permanent one. It’s perhaps no wonder then, why the largest independent estate agents in the Canary Islands have expanded at breakneck speed.
David Wood and George Lauhingfan, both veterans of the Spanish and Canarian property industry, formed the Horizon Property Group S.L. in 1999. Between them they’ve clocked up a total of 38 years experience in overseas real estate.
Mortgages and loans are readily available to both non-residents and residents with banking partners, Banesto, who bring a wealth of financial services into the reach of Horizon’s clients.
“Our business is built on a foundation of goodwill,” says Wood, “although we have our own dedicated marketing department to keep interested parties informed, word of mouth is all-important.” It’s also their comprehensive after-sales service that has ensured the good word gets round. Clients are introduced to furnishing companies, interior designers as well as ancillary services such as builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers.
Their quayside offices in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, still act as command central, but a network of other branches now extends into many lucrative areas.
“Due to a snowballing of demand for overseas investment property, we felt the time was right to expand our business further a field,” says Wood. Satellite offices have been opened in three of the other Canary Islands; Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
All properties within the different locations covered by Horizon can be found on their website (www.horizonpropertygroup.com). With between 40,000 and 50,000 hits per month bringing 700-850 email enquiries each week, the site has proven to be a huge success in helping property buyers find exactly what they’re looking for.