“GOLF PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN OUR PROJECTS”

Guaranteed service, professionalism and a long and successful track record are the calling cards of Gilmar, one of Spain’s premier real estate companies. “We are a leading agency, the largest non-franchised real estate network in Spain,” explains César Sobrado, commercial director for developments on the Costa del Sol. “It’s a family business that has been growing for 40 years and now comprises eight lines of business.”

Gilmar currently has 35 sales offices and more than 400 professionals. “We have become,” says Sobrado, “a flashship agency for the medium-high client profile, especially in Madrid, where the company was founded, and on the Costa del Sol, where we have offices in Málaga, Marbella, Puerto Banús and Estepona-Sotogrande. We also have sales offices in Cádiz, Sevilla and the Canary Islands.

Sobrado stresses the importance for Gilmar of the Costa del Sol, Europe’s leading golf tourism destination. “For us it is a very important market. In fact, this office (Marbella) was opened in 1992 and since then we have been firmly committed to this destination. Proof of its importance is that, in addition to the offices we have here, almost three years ago we decided to focus on marketing new-build projects specifically on the Costa del Sol. Following along the lines of what we are doing in Madrid, with a specific department to manage these projects, we applied sante. Está teniendo mucho éxito. Empezamos a comercializarlo en enero y hemos vendido doce viviendas en dos meses, clara muestra de la buena acogida que está teniendo. Las obras empezarán en junio y está previsto que la entrega de las viviendas sea el último trimestre de 2024.

–GILMAR comercializa también villas en entornos de golf…

–Sí, recientemente hemos comercializado una promoción de villas de lujo en primera línea de golf en Cabopino Golf (Marbella) y y no solo tenemos producto de obra nueva, sino también de reventa en campos de golf, e históricamente hemos comercializado promociones de Neinor Quabit en primera línea de golf. El golf es uno de los principales protagonistas de las promociones que comercializamos.

–¿Qué tipo de vivienda es la más demandada en la Costa del Sol?

–Es difícil decirlo, porque el mercado inmobiliario de la Costa del Sol es muy dinámico. Hay perfiles de clientes muy variados, pero es cierto que el target medio-alto es el que ofrece una mayor demanda, vinculado también a ciudadanos del norte y centro de Europa (con un poder adquisitivo alto) que buscan un producto de lujo, ya terminado, para trasladar aquí su residencia.

–¿Siguen predominando entre los compradores europeos los procedentes de los mercados tradicionales de la Costa del Sol?

–HHay compradores extranjeros que son protagonistas desde siempre, como el británico, que sigue siendo líder en número de clientes, a pesar de haber descendido en términos absolutos. Después están los centroeuropeos, belgas, holandeses, alemanes y escandinavos son omnipresentes en toda la Costa del Sol. Por último, destacaría la aparición de ciudadanos de Europa del Este, que nunca habían tenido tanta presencia como ahora. Destaca sobre todo el ciudadano polaco. ■ the same strategy here, so the structure and staff were greatly increased.

How would you describe the current state of the property market on the Costa del Sol? Is it a good time to buy?

Right now is a very good time to buy. The destination covers all require - ments sought by national and international clients, taking into account the new lifestyle and professional trends (remote working, digital nomads, etc.).

Gilmar has had great success in this area selling several real estate developments linked or very close to golf courses. What products of this kind are you currently selling?

One of the most outstanding new developments we have is Solaris, which is in a golf setting, with Chaparral (Mijas Costa) the nearest golf course. There are 80 two and three-bedroom properties, with prices starting at €191,000. It is very focused on second homes, although it is true that nowadays there tends to be a greater blending of second and first homes, so it is aimed at international and national clients. The design is modern, avant-garde and very interesting. It is having a lot of success. We started marketing the project in January and we have sold 12 homes in two months, so that’s a clear sign it is being very well received. Work will begin in June and the homes are scheduled to be delivered in the last quarter of 2024.

Gilmar also sells villas in golf settings?

Yes, we have recently marketed a development of luxury frontline villas at the Cabopino Golf (Marbella) course, and we have products not only involving new construction but also for resale at golf courses. We have also marketed Neinor Quabit frontline golf developments. “Golf plays a key role in the projects we market.”

What type of property is most in demand on the Costa del Sol?

It’s difficult to say because the Costa del Sol market is very dynamic. There are many different customer profiles, but it is true that there is greater demand in the upper-middle market, also linked to clients from northern and central Europe (with high purchasing power) who are looking for a completed luxury product, with the idea of moving their place of residence here.

Are European buyers still predominantly from the Costa del Sol’s traditional markets?

There are foreign buyers who have always been in the market, such as Britons, who maintain their leading position when it comes to the number of clients, despite having fallen back in overall figures. Then there are the central Europeans, Belgians, Dutch, Germans and Scandinavians, who are omnipresent throughout the Costa del Sol. Finally, I would highlight the arrival of clients from eastern Europe, who have not previously had such a presence as they do now – especially Polish clients. ■

Uno de los restaurantes preferidos de los golfistas en Marbella