It’s no secret that buying a traditional property in Spain can be a bit of a nightmare.
The process is wrought with bureaucracy and you are constantly surprised by hidden costs and legal fees – which typically amount to 15% of the asking price (sometimes more).
And soon, things could become even more troublesome, as the socialist government wants to bring in a 100% tax on the sale of homes to non-resident buyers – meaning a €200,000 home would end up costing British buyers €400,000, if the law is passed through parliament.
It’s no surprise then, that many British buyers are turning to mobile homes, which come with no hidden costs and are a fraction of the price of flats or villas.
Camping sites are popping up across the country to fulfil the growing demand for an affordable place in the sun, following years of price increases among more traditional homes.
Caravans will not be subject to the proposed 100% tax law and prices can start from as little as €35,000 for a two-bed.
In many areas, mobile homes cost a fourth or even a fifth of the price of nearby apartments or villas.
Retired British expat couple Tracy Patterson, 63, and Clyde Wheelbarrow, 77, moved to Spain nine years ago, settling in an apartment in the city centre of Malaga.
However, around two years ago, the rent became too expensive and they were forced to live in a campervan.
They then purchased a mobile home in Camping Valle Niza some 18 months ago for €48,000.
The site is just metres from the beach and sits around 25 minutes by car from Nerja, one of the jewels of the Costa del Sol.
‘We were simply priced out,’ Tracy, a retired dental hygienist, told the Spanish Eye from the decking of her mobile home.
‘But we love it here, it’s so relaxing and easy going, people just want to enjoy their lives and we have everything we need.’
Clyde is a musician who has worked as a producer and supporting act for some of the biggest stars in music, including Eric Clapton, Etta James and Jimmy Hendrix.
He said living in a mobile home offered an unbeatable level of affordability.
He added: ‘There is a bus stop just outside that takes us to Malaga or any of the nearby towns, and there’s so much to do nearby.
‘And when you compare the cost of some things to England it can be around 50% less, including gin and tonics for €4.50.’
The couple bought their mobile home from fellow British expat Jojo Love, 54, who has been selling such properties along Spain’s Mediterranean coast for years.
She and her close friend Bambi, aka the Caravan Queens, set up their own company 11 months ago and have already sold close to 50 units.
The pair recently featured on Channel 5’s Bargain Loving Brits In The Sun.
‘The interest in caravan living from Brits is just growing and growing,’ Jojo told the Spanish Eye this week from Camping Valle Niza, one of the parks she manages on the Costa del Sol.
‘We’ve had 7,000 enquiries for just one caravan this week.
‘I think a lot of people want to get away from England now. They are missing the feeling of community in the UK.
‘There’s so many pubs closing down, the old boys just want to go to their local and have a smoke without being harassed, but there are far fewer places than before Covid.’
Once someone has bought their mobile home in Valle Niza, they have to pay ground rent of €6,000 per year.
This includes the use of the on-site swimming pool for 365 days of the year, free WiFi, a pool bar and restaurant, free weekly yoga and Spanish lessons, a gym and drinking water.
The pool is cleaned daily and the rubbish is also collected every day.
‘Bills here are basically around €35 per month, and when you think that a nearby flat is easily going to cost you €200,000 before extra costs, while community fees can be hundreds per month, there is simply no comparison,’ added Jojo.
Property prices grew by just over 10% across Spain last year, but in holiday hotspots the growth was far greater. In the Balearic Islands for example, prices have risen by 60% in just three years.
Meanwhile, socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in February that his government will effectively double the price of any property purchase made by non-residents – with Brits to be the most affected.
The law, which has yet to be voted on in the Spanish parliament, has been branded potentially catastrophic for real estate markets in hotspots like the Balearics, Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol.
In Alicante, for example, latest figures show that almost half (44%) of property sales are made to foreigners, and Brits remain the biggest group of non-Spanish buyers nationwide.
Amid the growing uncertainty of the traditional market, scores of Brits are opting for the simpler process of buying a caravan.
‘We’re growing parks all the time,’ Jojo added, ‘We have a new one in Fuengirola, two new ones in Almeria, another in Granada and one in Valencia.’
The homes typically range between €45,000 to €80,000, although there are deals to be made.
They are ‘sold as seen’ and people can remain in them for as long as they wish.
Single mother Janet Maginn, 56, from near Belfast, spent her life savings on her two-bed mobile home, also at Valle Niza.
She told the Spanish Eye: ‘I had wanted to live in Spain for a long time but my budget was small.
‘I don’t drink or smoke, and although I love a party and karaoke, I want to be home by 10pm, so big cities like Alicante or Benidorm did not interest me at all.
‘When I saw this campsite I knew immediately that it was perfect.’
Janet was able to purchase her home and the first year of ground rent for €43,000.
‘It was a huge decision as it was all my savings but I haven’t looked back,’ she said.
‘I had a huge list of must haves and they were all met. I can get a supermarket to deliver my shopping for just an extra €4.50, there’s a village a few minutes’ walk away, there’s free drinking water, I have everything I need.
‘More importantly it’s a great community feeling, everyone is so friendly and you have friends nearby at all times.’
Scottish part-time resident Eileen Tonner, 67, agreed, saying the camp offers ‘great friendship in a fantastic location.’
‘I’ve got slight disabilities and it’s all on flat land and the bus is just outside,’ she told the Spanish Eye from her pool lounger.
‘I don’t have a care in the world when I am here. And when I took ill last year and had to be hospitalised, the support from neighbours was just so overwhelming.
‘And the UK should take note of the quality of care I got in the hospital, it was fantastic.’
Part-time tradie Martin James, 54, from Bristol, has been living at Valle Niza for almost four years.
He told the Spanish Eye: ‘It’s much more affordable and there’s very little upkeep. I like this little community feel, everyone speaks to you in the morning and they actually care.
‘Getting a flat would be quadruple the price and it’s also quite hard to get a mortgage.
‘We are going to see a lot more people living on camping sites, especially if the 100% tax comes in.’
