We chat with Marc Pritchard, Director of Sales and Marketing at Taylor Wimpey España
- How did you get into working in the property sector and what do you enjoy about it?
I spent many happy days of my childhood on Mallorca when we went there for family holidays. It gave me a deep-rooted love of the island, which ultimately led to my living here in the early 1990s.
I began working in marketing for Taylor Wimpey España in late 1993 to help others to do the same – to find their dream home, whether on Mallorca, another Spanish island or the mainland. I love working with different types of clients and discovering how I can help meet their needs.
The innovation side of the business really appeals to me as well – I enjoy seeing how homes are evolving and particularly how they are becoming more sustainable. Taylor Wimpey España has a real commitment to that.
- Taylor Wimpey España sells homes in a range of Spanish locations. Which are the hotspots in terms of demand for your most luxurious properties in 2023?
The Marbella area of the Costa del Sol is going to be a key hotspot for us in 2023 when it comes to luxury holiday homes. There are so many high-end shops and upscale restaurants in the area, plus the nightlife is excellent. The surrounding scenery is stunning too, with picture-perfect beaches, pristine golf courses and ancient architecture dotted around.
- Who is your typical buyer?
We sold homes to over 40 nationalities last year, so our buyers are very diverse. The main groups of buyers were from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Most are keen to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle and spend holidays outdoors in the sunshine.
The weather is certainly important to our buyers! Many also want the chance to practice sports year-round – many of our clients are enthusiastic golfers who want to spend more time on the fairways.
Generally, our buyers are between about 40 and 60 years old. They are split between families with children and older buyers who are planning to spend some or all of their retirement in Spain.
- What do buyers look for in a luxury villa in Spain?
Most of our buyers are looking for a serene, peaceful area that provides them with plenty of privacy – an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Panoramic sea/golf/mountain views are important to that.
At the same time, buyers are looking for convenience. They don’t want to be more than an hour’s drive from the nearest airport and they want amenities nearby, from shops to places to eat and socialise. Many of those who plan to spend long periods of time in Spain want to have the chance to meet other foreigners/expats too.
Quality finishes and homes that have been built sustainably are also top priorities for those buying luxury properties in Spain. They also need everything for year-round living – so air conditioning systems that heat, as well as cool.
For buyers seeking detached villas – such as those at Las Villas de Dalt de Sa Rapita in Mallorca, where the first phase of construction is due to finish this summer – private pools are a particularly popular feature.
- Who will be buying luxury properties in 2023 – is it mainly families for personal use or investors seeking the safety of real estate investment in an uncertain world?
Our clients are mainly families who want a second home in which to create magical holiday memories. Many also plan to use their property for retirement. They are certainly conscious of the value of property as a long-term investment, but that is not their key motivation in buying a home in Spain. Only around 10% of our clients are buying primarily as an investment property that they can rent out.
- Taylor Wimpey España’s completions jumped by 77% in 2022 compared to 2021. What drove that?
Real estate demand was so high after the Covid lockdowns ended. People were looking for a better place to live and a better work/life balance. Many no longer felt tied to the office in the same way as they were before the pandemic.
We’ve aligned our properties with those priorities. Buyers can enjoy light-filled homes with terraces, communal areas with gardens and pools and excellent WiFi coverage for working from home.
- What does Taylor Wimpey España have planned for the future in terms of its most luxurious homes?
We are sticking with our existing strategy of delivering a range of homes, from affordable two-bedroom apartments priced from around €200,000 to larger, four-bedroom properties costing up to €1.5 million. They will include a mix of apartments and penthouses, townhouses and a few semi-detached and detached homes and villas.
Homes at the upper end of the price scale usually come with lovely private gardens or terraces, depending on their location, plus a private pool. Some will also come with access to communal pools and other garden areas and children’s playgrounds – we provide a real variety of options so that our buyers can always find a home that fits with their particular priorities.
- Why does Spain stand out as the place to buy a luxury property, compared to other European destinations?
The lifestyle and weather certainly play their part! 300+ days of sunshine per year is wonderful for both physical and mental well-being. Spain is also a very safe and secure country, with superb connections by road, rail and air to a wide range of destinations.
Spain also has the advantage of a lower cost of living than many other countries in Europe. From property prices to everyday expenses, you can get more for your money here than you can elsewhere. Combined with the superb gastronomy, rich cultural heritage and wonderful scenery, it’s a very compelling package.
For more information visit: taylorwimpeyspain.com
