As Paraiso Real Estate welcomes Phase 2 of Spain’s de-escalation plans, we’re thrilled to see continuing signs of movement on the local property market.
Since the COVID19 lockdown began we’ve successfully guided three sales through to completion at the notary’s office with the invaluable support, collaboration and hard work of our local lawyers, mortgage brokers and currency company representatives. We’ve also negotiated two sales through to exchange of contracts with completion expected in June and July.
On 16thMarch when we were ordered to close the office, we weren’t sure how long we would be away and what the immediate future would hold for us. We decided to focus our efforts on improving our marketing and undertaking some of the tasks on our to do list that had been postponed during a busy start to 2020 selling apartments for sale in Benavista and listing some beautiful villas for sale in El Paraiso. This, together with an urgent need to learn to homeschool our children, has kept us out of mischief for the past eleven weeks!
We recommenced viewings on week 10 when Malaga was approved to move into Phase 1 of the de-escalation plan but we’ve also been asked to provide video viewings of several properties. This is something we’re keen to expand on and we hope to introduce a video viewing for each property, subject to owner approval. You can see some of our first videos on our new YouTube channel. Just search for Paraiso Real Estate and subscribe to our channel to see any new releases. Outtakes available on request!
Phase 1 also welcomed customers back to some of the café’s in Benavista. It was lovely to see some familiar faces outside. However the rules are very strict and to enter our office you have to be wearing a mask (now compulsory in enclosed spaces or outside if you can’t guarantee there will be 2 metres between you and people you pass). We also have to ensure that all the surfaces in our office are kept regularly disinfected to keep you and us safe, and we have had to use tape to show how far away from our desks you should stand in order to talk to us. It’s a very steep learning curve for all!
So what’s new in Phase 2? Well for those of you living here or prevented from leaving during lockdown, you’ll be pleased to know that the beaches will be open from 1stJune as well as the swimming pools on some complexes. The opening of the swimming pools is very much dependent upon each community’s ability to abide by the regulations which include banning the use of community sunloungers, restricting numbers normally allowed in the pools and gardens, regularly disinfecting the facilities around the pools and ensuring the correct chemical combinations are used in the pool water. Use of the beaches is also subject to strict new rules which vary from town to town.
There are too many new developments in phase 2 to list here but they include being allowed inside restaurants (with strict limits on capacity), the abolition of specified time slots for walks and exercise (except for over 70s whose time slots continue), children can go out for a walk with both parents, gatherings of up to 15 people in homes or premises permitted, owners can travel to second residences (as long as they are in the same province), many more shops can open, street markets may recommence (one third of the normal number of stalls), shopping centres can open (with capacity limits), cinemas, theatres and auditoriums can open (also with limited capacity) to name but a few advancements towards the new normal.
Poco a poco we are finding our way towards this new way of living, working, enjoying and experiencing life in El Paraiso. We hope you are too.