Author: Alfredo Bloy-Dawson

Alfredo Bloy‑Dawson is a seasoned real estate marketing consultant based in Marbella, Spain. Drawing on over a decade of experience he now collaborates with top-tier real estate agencies, property developers, and property portals across Spain - most notably on the Costa del Sol - to craft marketing strategies. He is the co-author of Home Truths: A Candid Analysis of the Costa del Sol Property Market
July 16, 2025

Historic Supply Crunch

Spain’s housing market is experiencing a historic supply crunch. According to new data from Spain’s largest property portal Idealista, the number of homes for sale in the country fell by 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. This is the largest year-on-year drop ever recorded since Idealista began keeping records. This nationwide trend is putting pressure on buyers and shifting the dynamics in many […]

July 15, 2025

You’ve Just Lost a €2m Sale

A Swedish, a German and a French estate agent are chatting in a bar in Marbella after a game of padel  (of course). What language do you reckon they are speaking? English. And we know that in their home countries, stereotypically, the Germans and the French resent speaking English. But here… It’s the common language, get over it. Picture this: Your English sucks, and you’re […]

July 9, 2025

Crypto Counts for Credit?

The U.S. is taking serious steps to bring crypto into the mainstream mortgage system, starting with how borrowers prove they have financial reserves. It is still early, but if the pilot succeeds, this could become a permanent part of the home loan process by 2026. In Europe, the building blocks are in place. Regulation, market interest, and borrower demand are growing. However, the shift will […]

July 7, 2025

Clearing Up the Confusion

Since the July 1 rollout of Spain’s new Número de Registro Único de Alquiler (NRUA) requirement, there has been confusion among real estate agents about when and where this registration is necessary, especially for those working with short-term rental properties. Many agents have asked whether every short-term rental now needs an NRUA, or whether the rule affects offline marketing and non-digital bookings. The short answer: […]

July 7, 2025

Does Marbella Need Another MLS?

For seasoned estate agent Chris Dyson, building trust in real estate isn’t just about local knowledge or experience, it’s about transparency. That principle now drives his latest venture, NLS.com, a curated MLS-style portal designed to offer buyers a clearer, simpler way to find quality homes in Marbella and the Costa del Sol. In an interview discussing his work and outlook on the market, Chris Dyson, […]

June 27, 2025

STR License Rules Update

Thinking of buying a property in Spain to rent out short-term? Here’s what you need to know (June 2025): Rules around holiday rentals are changing in Spain. You can still rent short-term (like Airbnb), but there are conditions. If you already have a tourist licence, you’re mostly safe. If you’re buying now, you need expert help – a good agent and lawyer are essential. Some […]

June 27, 2025

15 Video Podcast Tips for Hosts

 Here are 15 practical tips to help your video podcast look and sound the best and make your message land, which is polite for “suck less.” 1. Know the Style of the Podcast Is it a casual, back-and-forth conversation, or is it focused entirely on the guest’s story? Understanding the format will help you prepare and deliver in the right tone. 2. Nail the Introduction […]

June 25, 2025

YouTube Subs Monitor – Marbella Real Estate

This looks at YouTube subscriber growth between 2 January 2025 and 24 June 2025 across 22 channels in the real estate space based in Marbella and the wider Costa del Sol. The details below are for my use and is based on a manual count by me. If incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify. The list is based on channels that I […]

June 23, 2025

Heatwave Cools Holiday-Home Demand

OPINION: This spring has been much hotter and drier than usual across most of Northern Europe. Because of this unusual weather, some people have put their plans on hold for buying vacation homes in sunny Spain, for now. But there’s good news! During Covid, we learned that people’s desire to buy homes in Spain doesn’t disappear – it just builds up over time. The Swedes […]

June 19, 2025

Spain vs EU: Property Tax Clash

Spain may be forced to change how it taxes second homes for non-residents. The European Commission has opened an infringement case against Spain over its tax rules on second homes owned by non-residents, including many foreign property owners. The EU claims Spain’s system may discriminate against non-residents, violating core European Union principles, according to El Pais Why Is the EU Investigating Spain’s Property Tax Rules? […]