Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog - Gran Canaria

It’s a bit of a coup for the south of Gran Canaria, the newly expanded Anfi Tauro golf course at Mogan, has landed the prestigious Spanish APG championships, to be staged from May 15 to 18. The event will attract a top class field to the par 71 course and add yet another dimension to this vibrant part of the island.

The course was designed by internationally renowned architects Hagge, Smelek and Baril and combines the best of nature with the most thoughtful in design. Palm trees, lakes and volcanic mountains come together to make this course a sheer delight to play, whether it be over 9 or the full 18 holes.

Mogan is a growing centre for tourists and investors alike as it has so much to offer from Puerto de Mogan with it’s marina served by a series of channels that has earned it the name of the Venice of the Canaries, to Playa Mogan, a small village clinging to the cliff-side that has grown into a classy resort with a great beach. This is the heartland of Cardenas Real Estate, an area they have watched develop since they were founded in 1980 by a local family. This insight, coupled with experience and multi lingual staff makes them the wise choice for property investment in Gran Canaria.

The south of Gran Canaria is a golfers paradise and the top male and female players that turn out for this big tournament are bound to be impressed by the warmth of the weather and the local people.

By Cardenas News

Cardenas Real Estate wins prestigious Bellevue Best Property Agents award for third consecutive year.

The aim of the Bellevue Best Property Agents initiative is to support and encourage the highest of standards within the real estate industry, throughout the world.

Their logo conveys the same message wherever you see it, whether it’s on the Internet or on an estate agents wall - it says exceptional quality.

This award is only valid for one year. Best property agents need to continuously prove their worth as they are reassessed at the end of it, for further certification.

If there are any material irregularities or justifiable complaints about the agent, Bellevue will immediately remove the agent from the list, and to forbid use of the logo.

Bellevue are continually looking for professional, trustworthy agents and developers, in order to enhance their list and ultimately make the whole buying and selling process easier for both buyer and seller.

By Cardenas News

It doesn’t take long for people to fall under the spell of Gran Canaria, even cynical tabloid journalists soon mellow out when faced with the multiple charms of a major southern resort like Maspalomas.

The UK’s top selling daily newspaper, The Sun, sent a reporter and her boyfriend over to get away from the spring snow, yes that’s right, spring snow. They certainly picked a nice area as Maspalomas is blessed with the sand dunes of the National Park and 2 full size golf courses. It just happens to be right in the heart of Cardenas Real Estate’sstronghold of excellent and affordable properties in the main southern holiday resorts.

If anyone can offer sound local knowledge, it’s Cardenas, a family company with 28 years experience in the business and three offices in the south at Puerto Rico, Playa de Mogan and Arguineguin. Not that their expertise ends there, they also have a strong network of contacts around the island to find the right premises for a potential customer, whether it is for a holiday home, a long term investment or a business premises.

Most people who make the move full time to Gran Canaria are looking for sun and fun but some prefer something a little more subdued, and Cardenas has a range of properties in more rural settings, where the weather is just as special, but there is a more sedate way of life. Maybe you will be next to make the big move, come for a holiday and end up wanting much more.

By Cardenas News

What great timing, you’ve popped into our Cardenas blog site, just in time to secure a one bedroom apartment in Loma Verde, where the south west coast of Gran Canaria stretches out in a panoramic view from your spacious Arguineguin home.

Roomy, single storey luxury awaits, in an enclosed development, where all the apartments have a garage, terrace and a communal swimming pool. Although the beachfront is a constant reminder of the growing  popularity of this part of Gran Canaria, your home will retain the privacy and seclusion that you may have not expected from as little as 230,000 euros, but seeing is believing on our main website.

Tropical garden areas and a high quality finish, are other stand out features and now, the partially furnished apartments come complete with the kitchen and appliances ready for you to move in.

This could be just the investment for you, but they are going fast, this is the third phase and they are being snapped up by those eager to sample the climate of Gran Canaria. The views and the setting, coupled with the affordable price, make Loma Verde picture perfect for all your needs.

By Cardenas News

The southern tourist hotspots of Gran Canaria are bright, modern and vibrant but local experts, Cardenas Real Estateare well aware of the ancient wonders of nature that surround their key investment areas of Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan, Arguineguin and Playa del Ingles.

The seas surrounding the Canary Islands are used by a third of all whale and dolphin species in the world. These proud independent creatures are a symbol of the islands and a popular attraction to visitors. Sometimes they need our help, and this last weekend the animal loving people of Playa del Ingles were able to give a helping hand to a young male dolphin.

The dolphin had become stranded in shallow water near the shore and was in some distress. The local maritime rescue and animal welfare agencies sprung into action and captured the stricken animal, and with great care, transported it to the Taliarte rescue centre, where vets from the University of Las Palmas were waiting to treat it.

Thankfully there was little damage, but the dolphin was kept under watch for 12 hours and checked out for stress and disorientation. Once recovered, the dolphin was taken by boat, out 6 miles from the shore of Playa del Ingles and released to join it’s pod of friends back in the wild.

There are plenty of pleasure boats that can take you out to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, from Gran Canaria. They are all licenced and have to conform to a strict code of conduct, to make sure they give these magnificent creatures the room and respect they deserve. Just more examples of the wonders that the island of Gran Canaria can bring into your lives every day when you relocate to this sunshine corner of the Atlantic.

By Cardenas News

Well if there was an Oscar for best location and best quality of life, Gran Canaria would be a sure fire favourite. Alas there isn’t but at least Gran Canaria can bask in the reflected glory of Las Palmas born Javier Bardem who lifted the Hollywood statuette as best supporting actor. With the warmth of the climate and the locals welcome, we already know that Gran Canaria is No Country For Cold Men - or women.

Whatever sort of property you are looking for, Cardenas Real Estate can find somewhere to suit you, residential, rural or commercial. The tourist south is the stronghold of Cardenas Real Estate, as they were founded in 1980 in Arguineguin and have grown to become experts in Puerto Rico, Maspalomas and Puerto de Mogan, to name just a few.

You will always get plenty of choice from apartments to houses and villas and the setting is up to you, among their current stock they have apartments in private and holiday complexes in Puerto Rico. If you want to be a little inland and away from the vibrant tourist spots, how about Monte Leon, set among mountains and greenery but still in easy reach of the coastal resorts.

Have a browse and see what properties might tempt you, Cardenas Real Estate are a family company that will guide you every step of the way and take pride in their very own supporting role.

Liable to this tax are the persons receiving an inheritance, bequest or legacy and not having have their usual residence in Spain, as well as residents in Spain if the deceased person did not have his/her usual residence in Spain.

The competent Tax authority is the Special Branch of the Tax Authority in Madrid, i.e. depending on the State Tax Agency (AEAT), whereas for residents in Spain, the competent tax authority is the regional tax authority.

It is important to know that the filing deadline for acquisitions resulting from death is SIX MONTHS from the date of death.  For the case that the delay in obtaining the necessary documents from abroad (i.e. Certificate of Inheritance) might make it difficult to comply with the deadline, it is advisable to apply for an extension of the six months delay, but that must be done within FIVE MONTHS from the date of death.

How to pay the tax:

It is possible and advisable to pay the tax using the self-assessment Form 652 “Inheritance Tax Simplified Return”.  A Tax Identification Number (NIF) and tax identification labels provided by the Tax Agency are necessary. Before requesting them, Non-resident foreign national taxpayers must apply for a Foreign National’s Identity Number (N.I.E.).

Main documents to be presented

• Deed of Acceptance of the Inheritance (certified and simple copy), or, failing this, an Inventory of Assets and Heirs, in duplicate.
• Death Certificate.
• Certificate from the General Registry of Wills and Testaments.
• Copy of the Will or the Declaration of Heirs.
• Copy of the IBI (Property Tax) bill

besides any other relevant document about the inheritance assets (insurance, bank statement, car documentation etc.)

How high can be the Inheritance Tax? It is not as high as most people imagine. It depends mainly on the value of the estate and the degree of relationship with the deceased, and accessorily on the previous fortune of the inheritors too. The rate is progressive and varies from 7,65 % up to a maximum of 34% applicable to an estate over 800.000 Euros approximately, though in the case of remote relatives (cousins or similar) or non-relatives at all, the final amount could be multiplied by 2 or more (up to 2,4).

The tax is calculated on each inheritance share, which means that if one person only inherits the whole of the estate, he/she will pay a higher rate than if several persons share the inheritance.  Regretfully the tax free amount for next of kin  (spouse, children) is quite low (not quite 16.000 Euros) and has not been updated for a number of years.  Hopefully it will be increased in the near future.

A practical example:

A father leaves to his 3 children a house worth 200.000 Euros and 3.000 Euros in the bank.  Each child will pay approx. 5.426 Euros inheritance tax. The total tax amount (3 shares) will be approx. 16.280 Euros, which means an average rate of 8,02% on the total value of the estate.

If the same person leaves only one child to inherit, the inheritance tax to be paid will be approx. 30.180 Euros, which means a rate of 14,87%.

There are Agreements to avoid double taxation between Spain and many countries, and according to those, Inheritance tax to be paid in Spain for assets situated on Spanish territory is liable to be deductible in the country of residence.

Non-resident Inheritance taxpayers must appoint a tax representative.  It is most important to choose a serious and experienced person or legal person. Cardenas Real Estate has a large experience in dealing with inheritance matters and will provide you with a professional assistance and help, from the very first moment, providing exact information as to the documentation (including from foreign authorities) required, helping to obtain the NIE and NIF, assisting you with the signature of the Deed of Acceptance of Inheritance at a Spanish Notary public, preparing the tax returns and generally taking care of all necessary steps until the inherited assets including real estate are effectively transferred to the inheritors.

By Daniel García Chagrin (Lawyer & Tax Advisor) at Cardenas Real Estate.

Cardenas Real Estate                          Brian & Barbara, Manchester, England    
Av. Tomas R. Bosch,
6-Apt.
Costa Rica, 1
35130 Puerto Rico,
Gran Canaria                                                                
España

2nd February 2008.
 
Reference: Purchase of Apartment, Puerto Rico.
 
F.A.O. Leonor Martin Sanchez (Directora Sucursal)
 
Dear Leonor.
 
We hope you and your family are keeping well. We wish to thank you personally for your professional way in which you helped us to purchase our much-wanted apartment in Puerto Rico.

From our first meeting we knew we were in good hands to oversee all the important things from setting up a bank account and organizing all the legal aspects including our visit to the Notary, all of which could not have been made easier and more assuring without your experience and friendly manor in overseeing things.
Your continuous effort was second to none in finding our apartment, we just could not see where you got your energy from. You are and always will be an absolute “Star” in our minds.

We would also like to say that Cardenas Real Estate will always be a recommendation from us to friends or in fact anyone we meet who is looking to buy property in Gran Canaria.
We just cannot thank you and all of the staff enough.
Looking forward to see you again week commencing 17th March 2008.
 
Best Regards
 
Yours sincerely
 
Brian & Barbara (Manchester, England)

More testimonials here.

If you want to know where to go for the best holiday, follow the lead of your local travel agent, and if one’s opinion doesn’t sway you, 1,200 of them should give you a very convincing lead.

Gran Canaria is very proud to have been chosen as the venue for the 2008 ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) annual conference, beating off competition from Tunisia. The prestigious event will take place on October 7, 8 and 9 in the Maspalomas Conference Centre. The centre at Meloneras, just 700 metres from the beach, has a stunning architectural design and can hold 3,000 people in it’s series of halls and meeting rooms.

The Gran Canaria tourist board are rolling out the red carpet and has donated 200 free hotel rooms for delegates. Many of the representatives from Britains top travel firms, will arrive a few days before the conference and enjoy the islands hospitality and a chance to explore. Decisions and impressions made at this conference will shape the tourism market for 2009, and Gran Canaria will use it as a showcase to keep visitors flowing in.

Maspalomas is sure to impress them with it’s golf course and rolling sand dunes, no wonder so many people chose to invest in a holiday home there. Cardenas Real Estate specialise in Maspalomas and the surrounding resorts of Puerto Rico, Mogan and Arguineguin and has some great new additions to it’s Mapalomas properties including villas, bungalows and apartments.