That measure, which intends to bring dynamism into the housing market, and encourage investment in real estate to reduce the oversupply of bank-repossessed properties, took effect the very next day with its publication in the B.O.E. (Official State Gazette) and the exemption applies to Income Tax, Income Tax of Non Resident and Corporate Tax for the year 2012.

Further the Government approved a draft law amending the Rent Act as well as the Civil Procedure Law, and containing a series of measures to encourage and boost the housing rental market, a rather rigid market and much less widespread than in other European countries (only 17% of the flats are rented whereas the ownership rate is 83%). The draft bill – which also includes tax incentives both for resident and non residents, with a view to stimulate the renting of flats belonging to non residents – is designed to encourage the renting of empty houses and flats (estimated in 3 million whereas 1, 8 million homes only are occupied on a rental basis.). Thus, 60% of the rental income will be exempt from paying income tax in Spain. It also contains a series of measures tending to make the lease terms more flexible, improve legal security by making simpler and speeding up eviction proceedings in case of non-payment of the rent, achieve a better balance between the rights of owners and the so far overprotected tenants,  making it easier for owners to recover their flats if they need them for family or other reasons, and favouring direct agreement between the parties, for instance regarding the yearly update of the rent amount or other matters.

Those measures should not only induce non resident owners with empty flats to put them up for rent but one can expect that  investing in properties in Spain with a view to rent them will  become still  more attractive through the increased flexibility and legal security for the owners.

As to the tax exemption on Capital Gains for the future sale of property that has been purchased until the end 2012, it will surely stimulate the demand, and it is an important aspect to take into consideration for those who are interested in buying a property, but have not yet decided when, as it could bring important future savings.

With two marinas Puerto Rico is very attractive for watersport fans in Gran Canaria. It is located in the municipality of Mogan in the south of Gran Canaria.

No matter if diving, sailing, boat trips, windsurf, dolphin tours or fishing – you can practice all these outdoor activities in Puerto Rico.

And not to forget the perfect climate all year around. Without any doubt Puerto Rico is one of the most sunny places in Europe!

In Puerto Rico you can everything you need: restaurants, pubs, bars, shops, a shopping centre and a very lively nightlife. For sure Puerto Rico is not a boring place!

One of the highlights and things we would like to recommend you to do in Puerto Rico is to walk along the promenade to the next beach which is called Amadores. Its a spectacular walkway just along the coastline – with amazing sea view and a fresh breeze from the sea!

Location of Puerto Rico

“Going local in Gran Canaria” can be purchased through the following links:

www.amazon.com/author/matthewhirtes

www.expatbookshop.com

Palacio de Congresos Meloneras, Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands are steeped in folklore, myths, and old traditions and now Gran Canaria is hosting its own version of  the X Files with an international gathering of experts in the supernatural, strange, and bizarre.
The first ever Congreso Nacional Del Misterio will take place at Maspalomas Congress Centre in Meloneras on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May. Experts on many diverse subjects will travel from around the globe to attend including Marilyn Rossner from America who is acknowledged as the worlds leading medium.
Part of the reason that Gran Canaria was chosen is the history of strange phenomenon in and around the Canary Islands. One of the most infamous cases was the alleged sighting of a large red alien at Santa Maria de Guia in Gran Canaria in 1959. Then there is the famous ghost island of San Borondon said to have been sighted by many sailors in Canarian waters.
Folklore and culture still play a key role in many of the big fiestas that take place around the year in Gran Canaria. The sardine funeral at Carnaval, the three kings at Reyes, and the fire jumping rituals of the eve of San Juan are all much loved events with visitors and settlers in Gran Canaria.

ZDF Frühlings-Show in Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria

Germany’s state broadcasting channel ZDF is recording once more their famous FRÜHLINGS-SHOW in Gran Canaria, this time in the well known Puerto de Mogán.
Recording is taking place over 3 days: 27th, 28th, and 29th of March.

The three spring shows, recorded in the fantastic scenery of Puerto de Mogan, will start the open-air season on the Germany’s state channel ZDF.
In the picturesque fishing harbour and the Marina of Puerto de Mogan, often called Little Venice of Gran Canaria, the presenter Andrea Kiewel, known as  “kiwi”, welcomes many stars of the German charts and pop scene, including Nino de Angelo, Karel Gott, Lena Valeitis…….

Broadcasting dates: Sundays, 08:04 / 15/04 and 22/04 at 11 ºº, Andrea Kiewel will present the stars, music and dreamy feelings of the fantastic holiday island of Gran Canaria and Puerto de Mogán.

Puerto de Mogan

The Mayor of Mogan, Francisco Gonzalez is currently in Berlin attending the International tourism fair. On his first day there he has successfully signed an agreement with Germany´s state broadcasting channel ZDF to allow them to travel to our island to record in the municipal of Mogan.

A professional team of 150 from the channel will spend a month on our island in the municipal of Mogan resulting in three television programs which will be broadcast to over 20 million viewers.

Recording will mainly be in Puerto de Mogan but will also include segments from Puerto Rico to Amadores beach, Playa del Cura, Arguineguin and the Presa de las niñas (reservoir in the mountains).
Various sets will be prepared including a huge platform on the water and on the local beach with a capacity to entertain an audience of 300.

Mogan’s mayor is very satisfied with the success of his trip to the Tourism fair and the interest shown in the municipal of Mogan.  Regarding the agreement achieved he states that this is very positive for the tourist sector in Mogán and hopes that it will have the same impact as in 2007 when the German series “Our man in the south” recorded 4 episodes in Gran Canaria.

Carnival Arguineguin - Leonor, Pilar & Lucy

Not only is Gran Canaria so popular thanks to the fantastic climate but also for the public events held throughout the year. The Carnival of Las Palmas grows in fame year after year and thousands of people come to the island to celebrate with the islanders this magical event.  Las Palmas celebrated their “Comic” themed Carnival for 19 days in February.  Spectacular events on the calendar included the Drag queen gala, Carnival queen gala and the Carnival parade.

Other municipals hold their own Carnivals and Arguineguin hosted their Carnival parade on Saturday the 25^th of February.  The streets came alive and filled with the locals and people of all nationalities dressed in costumes of all sorts.  The tourists luckily enough to have passed through Arguineguin or to have found out about our Carnival without a doubt would have enjoyed a fun night.  Our girls at “Cardenas” are yearly participants and enjoyed a great night out that spread into the early hours of the morning!

This Saturday the fun continues in Maspalomas with the “Great Carnival parade” starting at 5pm in Playa del Ingles.  It is expected to have a crowd of 200.000 participants and spectators so it certainly will be a sight to see!

The World Tourism Organisation scours the globe for the best setting for this special day which will be at the centre of a flurry of media attention, it’s a real coup for Gran Canaria. Bravo de Laguna, President of the Gran Canaria Cabildo spoke proudly of the honour saying “it will enable Maspalomas to be known in all corners of the planet”.

The timing of the World Tourism Day award fits well with a continued rise in holiday bookings for Gran Canaria. AENA the airport authority revealed that for 2011 visitor numbers were up by 11.1 % and bookings for this year are already pushing previous records. It will be a very proud day when Maspalomas takes a bow before the world and it’s very well deserved for an area that always strives be better.

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 its 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.

See all awards of Cardenas Real Estate.