It is already mid-September 2020, and the Andalusian Summer after Lockdown has been challenging for many! With the Coronavirus still present in our day to day lives, we wanted to share with you our experience. From both a personal and professional point of view. Travelling to and from Andalusia, viewing properties, client comments, and of course the country property market in Andalusia, Spain.
Country property market Andalusia, after the lockdown
Villas & Fincas has been in a roller coaster from the 1st of July, once our clients were allowed to fly in again. During the lockdown, the enquiries had risen too. And many of them planned a visit as soon as they were allowed again. This combined with the clients that had to postpone their visit due to the lockdown in March, April and May, made that we have been extremely busy this July and August. Owning a property away from the crowds, away from the big cities was and is hot! Not only in Spain. We hear this from all over the world. In the UK, Holland, Belgium, Germany and certainly Spain, people are leaving the cities on the search for a safe home in the countryside. Needless to say that we have sold quite well this summer, even through video call viewings followed up by a legal and technical survey on the country properties.
14-day or 10-day quarantine rules implemented by some EU countries have put the viewings on lower since the end of August. We are no experts nor do we pretend to be. COVID cases are rising, also in Andalusia. And we leave it to the government experts to decisions on this. The white-washed villages of Andalusia are however not so affected according to the Andalusian Government. Without any doubt, we have to be careful and maintain the use of face masks, social distancing and sanitizing hand gel. These are the basic “necessities” everyone grabs together with their car keys and wallet.
Surprisingly we still have quite some viewings planned for September. It seems that the pandemic makes people realize as well that you should not postpone living the life you want to live. Buyers are keen to make their dreams come true and do not mind to quarantine back in their home country. As they have had the time to study during the lockdown, clients know 99% of the ins and outs of the properties. That 1% is what cannot be supplied virtually, however hard we try! The feeling for the home. The ambience when you walk in through the door, the breathtaking views from the patio, the shimmer of the pool under the blue skies and bright sun.
More rural tourism in Andalusia
Most certainly we have seen a dip in the ex-pat tourism this summer, mainly caused by quarantine rules imposed on visitors returning to their countries and also a slight fear of travelling. Many however did come! They felt safe in Spain due to all of the protocols that are put into place. The beaches, restaurants, museums welcomed ex-pats in a safe environment, so they could enjoy the Andalusian sun & culture. On the Costa del Sol, the beaches are controlled with maximum capacity and distancing between groups, restaurants and musea have a limited capacity to secure distance between groups.
As was to be expected for the summer after lockdown, rural tourism in Andalusia is booming. More are hitting the windier inland roads to the mountains to not have to worry about social distancing. Many of our clients, running small guest houses and B&B’s inland in Andalusia, have had many Spanish guests this summer, next to the international ones. All looking for privacy and space, tourism away from the busy crowds. Spanish guests still tend to book long weekends in these country retreats. These accommodations offer a safe base for those looking to do day trips in the area. Enotourism also has had a good summer, with the bodegas offering wine tasting to small and private groups. It’s a great experience to enjoy overlooking the vines, eating tapas with a glass of ecological wine!
Thank you to everyone who has put their trust in our team and company. We highly appreciate your confidence and belief in us, and even more in the current times!
Rebecca Marriott | 17th September 2020