Everyone has predicted a crash in the UK, has this happened on such a scale . . . . no. Will it happen . . . who knows? Is anyone scaremongering in this country? No. At the moment the Del Sol is stagnating due to the fact that the prices jumped to ridiculous amounts which people refuse to pay as they can go elsewhere and buy for half the price in places like the Costa Blanca. I have recently purchased a property through a very reputable company. Atlas International do not saturate particular areas purely for the very reason that if there's too much it will collapse on itself. The reason i bought in the Costa Blanca is that i cannot afford a property in the UK! I have spent less than £90k and own a beautiful top floor apartment, the builders cannot build over 3 storeys high. I have views of orange/lemon groves , I have a pool, solarium, amenities, beaches, golf courses etc. Atlas International did not pressure me at all. They put my interests first, unlike some other companies!!!

G. Colyer, Dorking,

The UK housing market will crash in the near future.

jim, london,

its simply supply and demand and more of our clients are buying in areas such as turkey croatia ect .
selling spain and downsizing to cheaper living areas.
we have been telling clients for four years that this was a bubble waiting to burst .

Robert J Fox, Norwich, Norfolk

Whilst there may be a slump in someareas of Spain as the press have reported horror stories from Valenecia and Marbella, other parts of Spain are booming, there are the areas that were undeveloped until recent years, such as The Region of Murcia which are now booming.
Buyers have not given up on Spain but they have given up on areas of Spain which are over built, concrete jungles. In Murcia the planning rules are very strict and will not allow building over 3 stories high unless on the La Manga Strip. They also insist that developers give a percentage of land back to the Town Hall to provide leisure areas, hospitals, schools etc for the growing community. Polaris World are one of the biggest developers in the area and all of their properties are built on golf courses, which even if you don't like golf, make a wonderful green landscape to look out on. Tips for buying in Spain, choose a location with a view, get a BANK guarrantee choose a reputable Agent -registered with FOPDAC

Gill Hughes, Birmingham, UK

You only have to drive down that eastern coast of Spain to see the madness of the developments. As you get down towards Benidorm it becomes like a futuristic horror story. It is quite scary.

Nick Wibberley, Neuvic-Entier, France

Having worked in a managerial position in Spanish off-plan property for 5 years, I can tell you that from an insiders perspective, we were aware of this situation developing for at least the last 3 years.
Most major estate agencies have quietly branched out into new countries.
Meanwhile, in Spain, there has been a collective "hush hush" approach amongst agents - discussing the problem has been taboo.
The greed of Spanish developers is legendary, many hammering UK purchasers with hidden surcharges and price increases with no tie-in to what the market has actually been doing.
Clients offered supposed "rental guarantees" have simply purchased a property with a loaded price - only finding out 2 years later that the property cannot be rented out.
It's not all bad news though - a holiday home (or permanent residence) serves its purpose very well. One property per person is a great idea, Spain after all is a lovely place.
Pity anyone who bought as a short term investment though...

Steve, Benalmadena, Spain

In my opinion the cash started last year and is sprains own fault, the country is rife with corruption and no one any longer has any faith in the government to deal with it. They have encouraged over supply in there greed to make money and collect tax. They wont sort out the land grab laws and have allowed illegal building for so long it has become the norm. The local government seems all to be bent and out for there own gain. The market will not return until Spain can be trusted.

r ellis, sidmouth, devon

"For years, economic Cassandras have been warning that Spain’s soaraway property market is destined for a fall."
... and in the UK too!

Michele, Richmond, UK

Spain is a market which is currently excessively overpriced compared to other parts of Mediterranean Europe .The prospect of further increases in bank interest rates in the UK, in the coming months, will lead to belt tightening in the UK , with no spare funds for spannish properties. With more and more developments available for purchase and no buyers there is only one way for prices to go and that is down. The tell tell signs in the spannish stock market this week are the real signs that the construction companies are not selling with the prospects of a fall up to 30% in property values. Together with "land grab issues "and "not so good building regulations" this latest issue will put new buyers off.

Chris Smith, Eastbourne , UK

Prices for villas on the northern Costa Blanca have been drifting lower for the last year or two. There are now some real bargains to be had. Some friends of mine have had their 3 bedroom Villa with pool in the Jalon valley for sale for 18 months, started off at 299,000 euro dropped to 279,000 euro now at 259,000 and would take an offer!
Don´t be put off Spain by these scare headlines. It´s a better place to live than the U.K.

Friedrich, Jalon, Spain

I don't think I would want to live there and be surrounded by the British in their "dream" homes with their tan worship and the drink problems.

Michael Waugh, London, UK

Well, the greediest in my view always get their come uppance first. It's little blips like this that should serve as a warning to the UK housing market. But no doubt the pundits with all the usual self-interest in the property market will continue to talk it up.

Keith, Newport, Isle of Wight, England