Location: Costa Brava, Spain
January 1, 2008
However romantic a life on the edge of the sea, many buyers prefer the charms of the country. In both Baix and Alt Empordà, competition can be fierce for masías—traditional farmhouse estates built as far back as the 12th century. The stone-faced homes are often constructed on sizeable, triple-digit acreage with outbuildings and swimming pools. Options, however, are limited to one of three stages: new, restored or complete ruin.
Typical of the area (save for its limited acreage) is a fully renovated, six-bedroom, 18th-century farmhouse on a two-acre lot, listed by Lucas Fox for €1.5 million ($2.18 million). Located near the medieval town of Serinyà and within striking distance of the coast, the 3,800-square-foot home retains its original bread oven, kitchen fireplace and other age-old features, along with modern conveniences, such as a swimming pool and sauna.
It is worth noting that the Catalonians are a fiercely independent breed with their own language that is rather unlike the Castilian spoken throughout most of the country. But once you have the keys to your Costa Brava villa in hand, it’s "mi casa," in any language you please.
Lucas Fox, www.lucasfox.com
Engel & Völkers, www.engelvoelkers.de
John Taylor, www.johntaylorspain.com
FACTS & STATS
Where to Start: Real estate agencies are unregulated and
ubiquitous in Costa Brava, so make sure your agent has a good reputation and
speaks your language. Many agencies will assure you that they can handle legal
matters, but it’s best to hire an independent attorney. "No document, no
signature, without an attorney is the golden rule," says Eduardo Peña Haitz of
Estudi Legal & Interlex, Advocats Associats (www.estudilegal.net). Also,
fees and taxes can add as much as 10 percent to the purchase price.
Costa Brava is served by a small airport in Girona, which is easily accessible within Europe. However, if you are coming from the United States, you will probably fly into Barcelona International Airport, where you can rent a car for the 90-minute drive to Costa Brava. Follow the scenic coastal route and stop for a well-aged Rioja and pan tomate at the historic Hotel LlaFranch (www.hllafranch.com). Alternatively, the train (www.horarios.renfe.es) will whisk you from Barcelona to Girona or Figueres, home to the unforgettable Dalí Theatre-Museum (www.salvador-dali.org).
Where to stay: For the ultimate in Baix Empordà luxury, check in at the Hostal de La Gavina in S’Agaro (www.lagavina.com), located on a cliffside in the heart of Costa Brava. If you’re looking for an inland property, a good base of operations is the lavishly restored, 14th-century Castell d’Empordà (www.castellemporda.com), situated between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea.
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