Costa de la Luz Buyers Guide

Costa de la Luz - Basic Facts

Region: Andalucía
Capital City: Cádiz
Provincial Capital: Cádiz
Population (2006): 1,194,062
Land Area: 7.441 km²
Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro €
Temperature: Moderate

How to get there
Four international airports within easy reach, an excellent road network and extensive railway services

By Air 

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) has daily connections between Stansted and Jerez.
Clickair (www.clickair.com) flies daily between Seville and London while Ryanair has four flights a week between Seville and Liverpool
Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) operates a daily Dublin-Seville flight in the summer and flies the route three times a week during the winter months
Monarch (www.flymonarch.com) has daily connections between Luton and Gibraltar, while British Airways (www.britishairways.com) flies twice daily between Gatwick and the Rock as does Easyjet (www.easyjet.com).
Málaga has frequent daily flights from London and all major regional British airports.
More details from Spanish airports authority site www.aena.es and the comprehensive www.spanish-airport-guide.com

By Rail

The rail network runs south from Seville, passing through Jerez, El Puerto de Santa María and on to Cádiz via San Fernando. All stations are connected to the international rail network via Madrid

By Car
Coming from Madrid, the N-IV to Seville feeds into the A-4 Cádiz motorway which bypasses Lebrija and Jerez. Take the Jerez north turning for Arcos. For Vejer, take the Jerez south turning and head south-east on the Algeciras road. Vejer lies just off the N-340.

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The transport infrastructure continues to develop, with the expansion of Jerez airport and new flight routes on the horizon


Tourism and visitors

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Beaches and mountains, flamenco and golf, nature and man, side by side

The Coast
Named for the quality of its light, the Costa de la Luz is fringed with mile after mile of golden sandy beaches. Great for sunbathing and swimming, this is also one of the world’s best locations for windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing while the golfing options are plentiful
The Countryside
From coastal wetlands to rolling hills, green valleys and mountain ranges, this is nature at its best: perfect for walkers, climbers, birdwatchers and anyone who loves the great outdoors
History and culture
Take an unrivalled trip through the centuries, from prehistoric remains and Roman cities to Moorish glories and monumental cathedrals; immerse yourself in such popular art forms as flamenco and the cult of the world renowned Andalusian horse or even the lore
of the bullring
Towns and Cities
Whether its the style of Jerez, the faded grandeur of Cádiz, the elegance of El Puerto, the edginess of Tarifa or the white town tranquillity of Vejer or Arcos, the Costa de la Luz is full of urban delights and surprises

Everything you could ask for, from sport to culture or gastronomy and fine wines to pure relaxation is within easy reach


Why move to Spain?
An idyllic and healthy lifestyle enjoying all the good things at low cost.

Lifestyle Long lunches and relaxed days are an attractive proposition as life slows to an easier pace. The locals keep their timetable for a reason and adjusting is simple – and rewarding.
Weather Hot summers tempered by Mediterranean breezes and winters full of sunny days – the climate is perfect.
Cost of living Not only is property cheaper here than in northern Europe, but being here costs less. Markets are full of wonderful, cheap produce and even the supermarket bills will make you smile.
Diet and health The Mediterranean diet is full of good, healthy options besides being delicious. Spanish health care is excellent and the system is easy to get into.

Good, fresh produce and the outdoor life contribute to a sense of well-being for the increasing number of foreigners living on this stunning coast

Life on the Costa de la Luz

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Surfing or strolling, sightseeing or sipping sherry, sailing or sunbathing – there’s a world of choice

Life on the Costa de la Luz is full of possibilities. Everyone is catered for, from the sun-lover to the culture fan and the most extreme sports man to the most ardent nature lover. 

The beaches are without rival in Spain –perhaps in Europe – and water sports fans from all over the world flock to the province. Off shore, there’s whale-watching, sailing and fishing, or how about a quick ferry ride across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco. Inland, the mountains are havens of peace and filled with wildlife. 

You can take a gentle stroll, a steep hike or climb towering cliffs. Then there are the olive groves and vineyards stretching for mile upon mile and the centuries-old towns full of charm and history. 

The province has ancient monuments, grand old buildings, a lively arts scene, a great tradition of gastronomy and, of course, wine and sherry-making and plenty of spectator sports for all the family to enjoy. Closer to home, you can indulge in simple domestic pleasures, pottering in the garden or just grabbing a good book and sitting in the sun

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There are so many different ways of making sure you enjoy life to the full

Guide to off-plan properties

Staged payments cut the initial outlay and mean investors can profit as they buy
Advantages The payment plan is a bonus for off-plan purchases. The investor makes a smaller initial commitment and can take out a mortgage of up to 70 per cent. On top of that, properties are likely to appreciate in value over the build period. 
Process Stage payment plans vary from builder to builder, but most require a €3,000 deposit to secure an off-plan property, followed by a 10 per cent payment (minus the initial deposit) on signing contracts. After three months, a further 20 per cent payment is made but then nothing until the remaining 70 per cent on completion of the property.
Mortgages Spanish mortgages are available, often up to 80 per cent for non-residents. Mercers are able to obtain favourable rates and deals with certain banks on behalf of our clients

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The advantages of a new home with modern design and building techniques are an attractive option

Resales
Plenty of options, from terraced house to country mansion

Tried & tested The Costa de la Luz has property to suit every taste and a large sector of buyers are looking for older, ‘character’ property or recently built properties which have already been lived in. Whatever you want, from rustic cortijos to chic loft apartments or huge urban mansions, Mercers can help find your dream property.

Process All buyers need a lawyer to ensure full legal checks on the property are carried out correctly. Mercers sell only fully legal properties and carry out preliminary land registry checks. This is unusual for an estate agent but it ensures that Mercers’ due diligence procedures are carried out. In addition we also recommend experienced local bilingual lawyers. 

The purchase contract, or compra-venta, sets out the terms for the transaction and includes the agreed price, deposit, intended completion date and declarations from buyer and seller that they are legally entitled to broker the deal. 

The completion takes place at a notary’s office, where final checks are made before the deed of sale is signed and the balance of payment handed over

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Choices embrace everything from traditional to modern, urban to rural, beach front to golf course

The right place and the right team add up to the right investment
Potential Quarter of a century of experience in the Spanish market has given Mercers the perfect pedigree when it comes to sourcing sites with potential for investors. And because Mercers only work in a select few areas, local knowledge means that the exact location of developments and the right team to bring properties to completion are a given. The emphasis is on quality development and this brings with it long term rental potential. Mercers have identified the best spots along this beautiful coast so what our clients are getting is the cream of the cream

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Experience and local knowledge enable us to help clients realise the best potential and rental yield for carefully selected properties

Arcos de la Frontera
Population: 30,508
Province: Cádiz
This is the archetypal ‘white town’, an ancient settlement perched on top of a high sandstone cliff with its houses and churches seeming poised to tumble into the river below

Unbroken vistas, unforgettable skylines, unbeatable golf and unrestrained fiestas

The town Arcos is a place of rich architectural beauty, magnificent views and half-hidden corners but one with plenty of options for the sports fan and an excellent base for visiting the area’s cities, beaches and natural parks.
Events Easter in Arcos brings a week of processions followed by a running of the bulls; there’s a summer-long party every night for the young at heart, the town’s feria in September, a week of celebrating and carousing and the magical ‘Living Bethlehem’ night just before Christmas each year.
Location A new motorway links Arcos and Jerez to the west while continuing road improvements mean the A382 motorway will soon leave Arcos well under two hours from Málaga. Seville is just over an hour to the north


Jerez de la Frontera
Population: 202,687
Province: Cádiz

Jerez is a jewel of the south: a handsome city of broad avenues, palm-shaded squares and older, narrow streets.

It’s the home of sherry, a world centre for equestrianism and the cradle of ‘pure’ flamenco

The best known symbols of Andalusian culture are in evidence throughout the city

The city Sherry bodegas ring the centre while the famed equestrian school, the bullring and the flamenco schools all speak of deep-rooted culture. But the city’s shopping districts are modern and full of big retailers.
Highlights Festivals are much in evidence, with Carnival and Easter processions taking up days of revellery. The Crosses of May celebrations are well known but Lebrija’s biggest draw is the Caracolá flamenco festival in July.
Location Apart from its own international airport, road connections are excellent, with the main north-south motorway running past the city, another new motorway connecting Jerez with Gibraltar and a third linking to the east linking the city with Arcos and beyond

Vejer de la Frontera
Population: 12,828
Province: Cádiz
Vejer sits high above the coastal plains, its white houses gleaming in the sun.
Wandering the streets of the old town is a real journey back in time but there’s a good selection of restaurants to suit any modern taste and a warm welcome from the locals

Stunning white hilltop town within minutes of a string of sandy beaches

The town Walking the cobbled, flower-lined streets of this old Moorish fortress town is a quiet pleasure, and there are plenty of good bars and restaurants to stop in
along the way. No wonder this is such a popular spot with expats and those seeking a holiday home.
The Area Vejer towers above the La Janda plains, outstanding areas of natural beauty and
perfect for country walks. The biggest draw, though, is the nearby coast with its magnificent beaches and water sport opportunities.
Location The town lies just off the main coastal route through Cádiz province, the A340, halfway between the provincial capital and Tarifa. It’s 50 minutes from Jerez, two hours from Seville and 40 minutes from Gibraltar

Local knowledge and a high degree of customer care are key factors

Over the past quarter of a century Mercers have built up an enviable reputation for fairness, reliability and good value. We operate only in specially chosen areas of Spain, ones which we know intimately, which means we are in the best position to judge and advise on the market. All our staff are hand-picked for their familiarity with the area, their customer relations skills and their understanding of Spanish ways. Our products speak for themselves and our unrivalled, bilingual team ensures our clients receive full attention before, during and after a sale.

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Experience and innovation are just part of the blend which has brought Mercers a unique and valued place in the Spanish property industry

Putting trust and good value at the top of our priorities

Mercers are a forward thinking, client-orientated
company. The reason we restrict our operations to specific areas is so that we can concentrate our efforts and resources to
supply our clients with the best available properties. We invest heavily in our after sales department, employing bilingual staff solely in this role. This commitment to our clients and their needs is unusual in this day and age. We have been featured in many publications, both national and international. Chris Mercer, the company’s founder and director, is a frequent contributor to specialist publications and has appeared on panels at some of the property industry’s most prestigious events. We are normally the first to break into new areas and this benefits our clients, who not only get the best choice of properties, but also the lowest prices

What You Say
We were recommended to Mercers by friends and similarly we will have no hesitation in recommending Mercers in the future.
Mr Oake

We were very pleased with the assistance and advice from your after sales office. We had not been to the area much during construction and were given excellent advice about essential purchases. Your staff gave us an exemplary service with professionalism and courtesy.
Mr & Mrs Burnell

Your staff made our weekend house hunting successful and most of all enjoyable. We were anxious that we would feel pressurised by sales staff, this was not the case at all. The weekend was stress free, relaxed, informative and well planned.
Mrs Morris

Congratulations...never before have I had vast amounts of money removed from me in such a pleasant manner!
Mr Kelly

I have to say that during 18 months of visiting different agents in Spain we found you to be the most pleasant and know - ledgeable representatives of any of the companies we dealt with.
Mr Edden

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Experience and innovation are just part of the blend which has brought Mercers a unique and valued place in the Spanish property industry