About buying new buildings on the Costa Blanca

By the end of last year, 6,144 homes had been built in the province of Alicante. This is the highest figure since 2008 and represents not only a 33 percent increase on 2016, but also the fifth consecutive year that the figure has risen.

In the Alicante and Valencia areas, total property sales in January were up more than 40 percent compared to 2017, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute. All signs point to growing demand from foreigners for new builds.

Starting prices for new buildings, usually purchased at the foundation stage or in the middle of construction, are, for obvious reasons, significantly lower, which is a big advantage.

To begin with, new builds are modern designs and have better build quality. Compared to older properties, there will be better insulation and double glazing, and most modern homes have ventilated air conditioning, which is more efficient.

Buyers can usually choose their own interior finishes, including tiles, kitchen units, and villas can be custom-designed to suit their own interior layout.

European law dictates that all new properties in Spain come with a ten-year structural guarantee from the developer, who will also be obliged to take care of any faults.