The current mortgage crisis in the United States affecting the real estate industry in that country, as for Buenos Aires apartments in Argentina, but has definitely not affected Spain. Spain continues to draw in huge crowds of tourists mostly coming from Britain who are after hot properties here both for sale and for rent. Spain’s homeowners and property investors have never brought down prices of their respective properties despite the burgeoning housing industry crisis across the Atlantic.

This is largely attributed to the cooperation of the tourism industry in this country to lure in tourists and other investors. Another sector which has lent its hand to help albeit in an indirect way is the government of Spain, particularly its legislature. Spanish government has relentlessly pursued a very sound real estate policy in terms of individual foreign ownership. This is particularly true in a lot of holiday homes in Mediterranean coastlines across the country.

Most of these holiday villas are owned by British tourists who have contributed to the real estate industry themselves by letting these properties to their fellow compatriot tourists. These foreigners are not only here to enjoy the sun, they have found a conducive business haven here as well. For as stated earlier, even real estate tax laws here are quite minimal. A property owner only pays a very reasonable annual income tax as well as the monthly garbage collection tax which goes directly to the local government. In Seville for example, property owners are indirectly encouraged by the local government to lease their empty properties to other tourists or else they face steeper taxes with an increase as much as 50 percent. These properties total to about 40,000 all in all so expect the real estate industry in Spain to enjoy its hype in the months to come even as the United States is currently experiencing a housing crisis.

And as properties in coastal areas continue to dense, many tourist adventurers have set their sights into the hinterlands. There are several real estate opportunities nowadays in areas such as Seville, Cordoba and Jaen. If one wants to purchase properties located within these places or even nearby, it is suggested that they come here at least a week during summer and another week during winter to get a feel of how it is to live in Spain. During winter, tourists are mostly focused on the Alps where a variety of winter sports are played. Therefore, Seville, Cordoba and Jaen are mostly concentrated on the locals at this time.

As stated earlier, tourism plays a key role in increasing real estate opportunities in Spain. Its natural temperate climate during summertime which causes the temperature to rise at a maximum of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius is very conducive for Western and Northern Europeans to relax here indeed. Coupled with a fascination for local customs, dishes, language, environment and the culture in general, these tourists ultimately purchase properties here since going to tropics is not feasible for them considering the intense heat and the presence of exotic diseases like malaria and dengue fever there.

IT’S no wonder why British people keep on coming back to Spain. First is the sunshine. Spain is said to be the sunniest country in Western Europe and many British folks flock here because they cannot withstand the heat in the tropics. So Spain is definitely an ideal location because the climate here is temperate and the warmest temperature here during summer is about 22 degrees Celsius.

During winter, Spain is as cold as its neighbors and so the British retirees then go to the alpine mountains and engage themselves in winter sports like skiing. Surely, they can’t enjoy this in their country because England is an archipelago and they don’t have snowy mountains there like the Alps. So, whatever season is in the offing, both the tourism and the real estate industries in Spain really thrive. It’s not only the tourism industry that is progressing in Spain; it’s also the real industry estate industry here. Many British retirees have decided to buy a piece of real estate here ranging from a fully furnished villa to vacant pieces of land. The real estate policy of Spain is so accommodating to individual foreigners that it has helped the country’s economy move forward. Not only is it foreigner-friendly, real estate taxation in Spain is also minimal.

All a British villa owner needs to pay is the annual income of his property and a monthly garbage collection fee which goes directly to the local government. And then there are also numerous other factors involved on why Spain is such a static cling and a magnet for British tourists. One factor is that both Spain and Britain are members of the European Union. As such, there is no need for visitors from Britain to acquire a visa in going to Spain. This easy and fluid transport of tourists from Britain to Spain every year accounts for a huge chunk in ultimately developing the economy of Spain. Because the Spanish are one of the gayest people in Europe, the British tourists have taken a liking in residing here and relieving themselves of stress back home associated with the hectic life in urban areas.

Spain is also the location of big sports events in the coming months. By August 22 to 24, 2008, the Spanish Grand Prix of the Formula One circuit comes to Valencia. This is one of the thrills that Formula One fans are looking forward because the race takes Formula One drivers right across the urban thoroughfares of the city. There is no race track per se; the streets themselves are converted into one long race track like what they do in Monaco. This scheme is definitely advantageous to all businesses and hotels along the race route not to mention that driving on a converted race track is more thrilling and more fun than in a conventional one. Another circus that will be coming to Valencia is the America’s Cup in 2009. When this most prestigious sailing race visits the harbor of this city, it will really be a boost in all sorts of entrepreneurial activities here.