Charlie of Charles Marlow looks forward to another year of delighting customersJanuary 12, 2018

As we look forwards to 2018, I asked Charlie of Charles Marlow to draw on his insight into the property markets of Deia and Ibiza and share an expert’s view of what they year is likely to bring.

Could we start by looking back, Charlie? What kind of 2017 did Charles Marlow have in Deia and Ibiza? 

Charles Marlow had a strong year. We’re fortunate to be operating in highly desirable areas and, over the years, we’ve built a reputation for our professionalism and transparency in transactions.  Now, many homeowners give us exclusive access to their homes – a powerful testament to the way we work. We have a great client base from all over the world so, despite some difficulties, we were able to build on an excellent 2016.

In Dieia, Nikol steered our growing rental business to another superb year. We had more bookings than in 2016 and some glowing testimonials from satisfied clients.

Gemma and Nina have worked on the marketing side of the business and continued to look at how we can engage with the local community in a positive way. We’re looking forward to announcing a new project in 2018 we’ve been working on for some time that will celebrate what makes Deia so special.

In Ibiza, demand continued to increase as home buyers were joined by investors looking to own a piece of island. Ibiza’s always had a lot to offer and it’s increasingly lending itself to a new luxury way of living – whatever you’re looking for.

Did any factors or trends emerge in 2017 that you expect to influence 2018? 

We’re seeing an increase in people looking for homes to which they can relocate their family or spend more time in the coming years. People are moving away from smaller sea front villas to rural homes on larger private plots.

What are your predictions for the property markets of Deia and Ibiza in 2018? 

I can understand that for many markets this would be a difficult time to answer but given the signs we are seeing in these two areas, I’m confident we’ll continue to see increases in the prime market.  Enquiries continue to be strong. But the real key is the fact that building restrictions are increasingly being tightened. Both Deia and Ibiza have seen further restrictions in the past 12 months and this will have a positive effect on prices as fewer desirable houses are available.

Also, with the laws tightening on short term lets for apartments, we may see an increase in movement in this area of the market.

Why do you believe the markets will perform the way you think they will?

As I said, this is due to supply and demand.  Demand has levelled out in the past 12 months, but supply has greatly reduced.  With new regulations restricting the building of large homes (500m2), this has put a premium on existing larger family homes.

What advice do you have for people looking to buy property in Deia and Ibiza in 2018?

Get a local lawyer. With the restrictions tightening, it is important to have a lawyer who understands how to navigate local laws.  Work with a reputable agent and if something looks too good to be true, it quite possibly is. It’s difficult to find a ‘great deal’ on Mallorca or Ibiza. But you may be able to buy a piece of a special place which has laws prohibiting it for many years to come.

What about sellers?

It’s a good time to sell. We’ve seen a strong spike in recent years and I think prices on both islands will continue to increase over time. If you’re looking to leave the islands, you’re in a strong position. But if you want to relocate and stay in the Balearics, it could be a good time to sell a home in a desirable area and explore other up and coming locations on the islands as we’re seeing plenty of investment.

Will there be changes to Charles Marlow’s offering in 2018 and, if so, why?

We’re always reviewing our approach, without over complicating it. We have a strong team of professionals and that has always been our main focus. We will introduce some features to improve the customer experience but this winter we’ve concentrated on our in-house processes to make sure we’re able to focus on our clients and not caught up in unnecessary paperwork.

What do you hope to achieve for Charles Marlow’s clients in 2018?

We hope to make sure potential clients are aware of the strength of our team and network. Our clients are always delighted with our service so it’s a case of celebrating this and showcasing the way we work.

How would you like 2018 to have been when you look back on it?

I would love it to be an enjoyable year where we continue to delight our customers. I’m confident the rest will look after itself.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to say a thank you to all the people we work with and who support us.  I’m grateful we are able to surround ourselves with the very best professional support, allowing us to offer our clients expertise in every field. I also feel very positive about the future of Mallorca. I’m excited for this year.

Thanks Charlie. Here’s to a great 2018.

To find out more about Charles Marlow’s Deia property portfolio and outstanding service, email hello@charlesmarlow.com or call +34 971 636 427.

For Ibiza, email charlie@charlesmarlowibiza.com or call +34 634 316 800.