The Costa Property Podcast

Ten years ago we sold our house in Ireland, packed up the car with two babies in tow and moved to the Costa del Sol in Spain.  Everyone thought we were mad… In this very personal episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest, behind the scenes look back on ten years of relocating to the Costa del Sol. The fears nobody tells you about, how they actually survived, a...

The Costa del Sol property market has changed in 2026 and almost no other agency on this coast is willing to say it out loud. In this Q2 2026 Market Update episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest, no-spin breakdown of what has actually happened on the Costa del Sol in the first half of 2026, and the buyer-profile shift every international buyer needs to unde...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra Laurie sits down solo to unpack the single biggest mistake she sees international buyers make on their Costa del Sol buying trip and how to make sure you don't make it yourself. The team at WL Costa Properties have spent 30+ years combined experience walking international buyers through the Costa del Sol coastline. We know exactly where th...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest conversation about what's actually happening in the Costa del Sol property market so far in 2026 and the question every international buyer is asking right now: should I buy now, or should I wait? If you've been sitting on the fence telling yourself "surely the prices are going to drop because of...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast , Sandra and Warner sit down for a conversation about the Costa del Sol's most misunderstood town, Benalmádena. If you've ever dismissed Benalmádena as "just a tourist spot" or written it off based on a holiday memory from 10 years ago, this is the episode you need to hear before you buy on the Costa del Sol. Sandra and Warner unpac...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest conversation about a MAJOR shift they're seeing in buyer behaviour in 2026 and answer the question: Is Spain really a Safe Haven? From US buyers seeking safety and predictability, to UK and Irish families who've simply had enough of rising costs and weak leadership , Sandra and Warner share exactly wh...

If you're using AI tools like ChatGPT for your property search in Spain, this episode is essential listening before you make any decisions. In this episode, Sandra is joined by AI educator and startup CEO Susanne Drews (Chemp AI), who has lived in Spain for 20 years, to unpack the real risks of relying on AI for your property search on the Costa del Sol. You’ll hear exactly how to use it wise...

In this honest 10-year reflection, Sandra and Warner share the 10 biggest lessons they’ve learned from building a life in Spain over the past decade, including what they would do differently, the mistakes people still make, and the advice they now give their VIP clients before they buy or relocate. This is the real behind the scenes lessons you only learn after years of actually living here. You’l...

If you’re an international buyer looking for a premium villa lifestyle on the Costa del Sol, Marbella isn’t the only option. In this episode, Sandra is joined by Julia Payne, who has lived in La Capellanía, Benalmádena since 2000. Julia shares what makes the area so desirable, how community fees work, what types of homes you’ll find, lifestyle perks and average price tags for homes  What you’ll he...

Welcome to the final step of our 3-part Map Your Move to the Costa del Sol series. In this episode, we pull everything together so you can move from dreaming to doing with a clear financial plan and a realistic property strategy. You’ll understand how to get clear on your real budget beyond the purchase price, how to think about cash vs mortgage, and how to shape your buying strategy around your l...

Welcome back to Map Your Move to the Costa del Sol 3 Part Series In Part 2, we get into the less glamorous but absolutely essential side of making your move work: realistic timelines, visa and residency considerations, schools and healthcare. We also unpack the difference between buying a property for investment or future retirement and relocating properly to live in Spain, why working with the ri...

Most people start their Costa del Sol move the wrong way round. They browse listings, fall in love with a town on holiday… and only later realise it doesn’t fit real life.  In our brand new series Map Your Move to The Costa Del Sol Part 1, we share the fail-proof process that we use with serious international buyers to get location + mindset clarity before property viewings. What you’ll hear ⬇️ ✔️...

In this special Episode 100th of The Costa Property Podcast, we celebrate a major milestone and share what’s coming next for the show.  The podcast began as a simple way to help buyers feel calmer and more informed when buying or relocating to the Costa del Sol, cutting through information overload, rumours, and misleading headlines. In this episode, we reflect on what we’ve learned after 100 epis...

In this episode, Warner sits down with our client Lee, a Costa del Sol homeowner who recently sold his property with WL Costa Properties in El Pinillo (Benalmádena/Torremolinos area) and made a big lifestyle move to El Faro.  Lee shares what surprised him most about the process, what mattered when choosing an agent, and the behind-the-scenes details that helped sell his home fast. This episode is...

If you’re thinking about buying a property on the Costa del Sol in 2026 and you’re asking, “Will prices keep going up or should we wait?”, this is the conversation you need to hear. Sandra and Warner of WL Costa Properties answer the big 2026 questions international buyers are asking, and Warner gives his straight answers based on notary data from Benalmádena and 20 years real estate experience on...

Has Marbella always been top of your Costa del Sol wishlist? In this episode, we break down why Benalmádena has gone from underrated to in-demand  and why more and more serious buyers are choosing Benalmádena After almost a decade living and working here, we share what we’ve seen buyers get right about the Costa Del Sol in 2026 and where expectations still need a serious reset. You’ll learn: Why B...

Thinking about moving to Spain on the non-lucrative visa (NLV)? In this episode, Sandra sits down with WL Costa Properties client Vicki Owen, who has just completed the full UK → Spain NLV process while juggling a wedding, a house sale and a relocation to Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol. She walks us through the paperwork, the costs, the three-month wait with no passport, and the emotional side o...

What actually happens when you stop dreaming about Spain and finally get on the plane? In this episode, Our client & Dublin entrepreneur and wellness practitioner Gracie Mahady shares her first four weeks living in Málaga on the Costa del Sol , renting in a Spanish neighbourhood, building community and slowly moving her yoga and reflexology business from Ireland to Spain. You’ll hear: Why rent...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast , Warner sits down with Lynsey and Jacqueline to unpack what really happened in the 2025 Costa del Sol property market – in Q4 and what it means if you’re planning to buy in 2026.  From serious international buyers (UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Canada) to low supply, “Wild West” listings and the rise of non-lucrative visa moves, this is an insider briefing...

When most people picture the Costa del Sol, they picture beach bars, sangria, happy hours and pubs. But what if you’re sober, sober-curious, or you just don’t want your whole social life to revolve around alcohol, can you still move to Spain and enjoy it? In this episode, Sandra talks with Emma and Louise, co-founders of Sober Socials, a growing community on the Costa del Sol for people who want c...

Ready to buy in Spain without even stepping inside? In this episode, Lynette and Damien share how they found, secured, and fell in love with their dream home in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, Spain. From years of visiting the area to building trust with our team, they walk through the exact steps that made a fast, confident purchase possible. In this real-life buying property in Spain story, yo...

This week we’re taking a little detour from property into one of the real joys of life in Spain: wine. Sandra is joined by Linda from Winederlust Málaga, a wine and food expert from Manchester with over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, now based in Málaga. Together they bust 10 of the biggest myths about wine, from dark rosé and “breakfast cava” to Sherry, screw caps, natural wines and that my...

Thinking about selling your property on the Costa del Sol in Spain? 🇪🇸 In this conversation, Warner sits in the hot seat as Sandra asks the Top 10 questions every seller asks us - from how long a sale really takes, to how to price your home, to what documents you need, right through to how to sell without ever stepping on a plane. Because yes, selling in Spain can feel daunting, especially if you’...

Exchange rates can shift your Spain property budget by thousands.  In this episode, Sandra talks with Carol Schleisman from Currencies Direct about how exchange rate movements impact buyers, including a real case where a buyer’s budget dropped by €20,000 during her trip. You’ll learn the key pitfalls to avoid, how to protect your rate with forward contracts, and why speaking to a currency speciali...

Over 40% of international buyers in Spain choose new builds , but what actually happens once you reserve, pay your deposit, and wait for completion? In this episode, Warner sits down with Viktoria Jancurova, a recent buyer who purchased a new-build apartment in La Cala de Mijas through WL Costa Properties. This is the real story; the shiny parts, the stressful parts, and the moment she opened her...