Martin and Orla Murphy were feeling especially celebratory last Christmas, not to mention excited about the approaching New Year, thanks to the completion of their Spanish property purchase in time for the festive period.
The Irish couple got the keys to their townhouse in Orihuela Costa, a popular stretch of the southern Costa Blanca, in December 2021, which meant they could start planning trips there during 2022. Delayed but not deterred by Covid and numerous lockdowns, they had done viewings and agreed a purchase price of €138,000, which was €7,000 off the asking price, just a couple of months prior.
The Murphys will use their Spanish home for holidays and keen golfer Martin in particular
is planning golfing breaks there with friends. Previously they had always visited the Costa del Sol, but when they began their property hunt back in 2019 they were recommended the Costa Blanca by friends who already had a place there.
“So I spent two years researching the location and the type of property I wanted to buy,” said Martin, who is semi-retired and an experienced property purchaser. “I contacted three local estate agents and made a list of properties to view through
them, before flying out to Spain in October 2021.
The plan was to make a shortlist of three properties before Orla flew out to pick one with me.”
One of the agents stood out from the others and their experience was key to the Murphys’ successful purchase. She chatted in depth to Martin about the couple’s requirements, allowing her to really get to grips with what they wanted from their holiday home. She proposed viewing some other carefully selected properties, besides the ones they had picked on-line.
“So we visited a house in the Verdemar urbanisation in Villamartín and she was absolutely spot on,” continued Martin. “I was delighted and went back later in the day to talk to people there and get a feel for the place. My wife came the next day but thought the house was too dark. So the agent suggested we visit another house in Verdemar and guess what, it was even better than the first! Both Orla and I agreed it was exactly what we wanted and paid the deposit there and then.”
Once the deal was done, their estate agency assisted the couple with all the documentation
and formalities required to complete the transaction. “They organised our visit to the local government office and our solicitor and helped us open our Spanish bank account,” added Martin. “After doing all this I realised how difficult and awkward it would have all been without their assistance.”
Overlooking the communal pool, the Murphy’s townhouse is on a small development of 14 properties within the Verdemar community. Accessed by a front terrace and covered porch, the ground floor includes a lounge/diner with open fireplace, fully fitted American-style kitchen, single bedroom with en-suite shower and outside rear terrace. Upstairs includes a master bedroom with patio doors to a balcony, second double bedroom, family bathroom and staircase to a solarium with fantastic sea views. It also has a covered parking bay.
Not by coincidence, the property is located between Villamartín and Campoamor golf courses, being less than five minutes’ drive to each clubhouse or a walk to the edge of the fairways. Two other courses nearby are at Las Colinas and Las Ramblas. Shops and amenities, including the popular Villamartín Plaza (main photo) with its restaurants and nightly entertainment, are a walk away, while the beach is a car journey.
Villamartín is one of the residential communities that make up Orihuela Costa, the 16-kilometre stretch of coastline that runs south from Torrevieja. Other popular areas there include Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig,
Los Dolses and Campoamor. The most developed stretch of the entire Costa Blanca, you’re never far from a great choice of amenities, fantastic sandy beaches and quality golf courses.
Other highlights include the La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre and lively strips, with lots of bars and restaurants, not forgetting the pretty coastal promenade.
Orihuela Costa is well served by road thanks to the AP-7 motorway, which runs the length of the Costa Blanca. For year-round flights, there are airports at Murcia-Corvera to the south-west and Alicante to the north, with transfers to and from each taking around 40-45 minutes.
