The Costa Property Podcast

Most people will tell you that to truly integrate and feel part of life in Spain, you have to go from zero to a hundred - full immersion, full fluency, straight away. But that often backfires… In this episode, Sandra shares her honest story about moving to Spain with only 10 or 15 sentences of Spanish. You’ll hear how she used to avoid kids’ parties, feel anxious in restaurants, and embarrassed at...

If you’ve been running the numbers for a move to the Costa del Sol, there’s a moment we want you to avoid: you’ve shortlisted homes and then the budget falls apart over a cost you didn’t factor in. It’s small on paper, but big enough to derail the plan.  In this episode, we’ll show you how to spot it early, build it into your figures, and keep your search steady. What you’ll learn: Exactly which l...

Lorraine and her husband William always dreamed of owning a place in the sun. In 2017, they travelled to Benalmádena for the first time and after viewing 20 apartments, they found the one that felt right: a peaceful spot with a small sea view and space for visiting family. For years, their apartment was their getaway from London life. But during the pandemic, unable to travel, they realised just h...

Moving to the Costa del Sol and wondering how healthcare really works once you land? Do you need private or public, and how can you qualify?  In this episode of the Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner hit the road with Irina from Málaga Expat Consulting to compare Benalmádena’s public and private hospitals and bust the biggest myths expats have about healthcare in Spain. If the Costa Del Sol...

Spain’s property prices have reached their highest levels in 20 years. But what does that really mean for buyers and sellers on the Costa del Sol? In this Q3 Market Update, Sandra and Warner from WL Costa Properties take you behind the scenes of what’s really happening on the ground. They reveal the trends, the shifts, and the insights shaping the current Costa del Sol property market. From the ri...

Málaga Airport is about to receive the biggest investment in its history, a €1.5 billion expansion that will add new terminals, welcome millions more passengers and position Malaga as Spain’s third-busiest international hub. But this isn’t just an infrastructure project. It’s fuel for the Costa del Sol property market and it could be the most significant signal we’ve seen in years for buyers and i...

Everyone dreams of moving to Spain - the sunshine, the slower pace, the promise of a better life. But three years after making the leap, does it really feel like home? In this episode, Sandra is joined by Kerry, co-founder of Nerja Coffee Roasters, who shares her honest reflections on life in Spain three and a half years in. From siestas and fiestas to running a business abroad, Kerry reveals the...

How much do I really need each month to live on the Costa del Sol? The truth is, there isn’t a single answer. A single person’s costs look very different to a family of four with children in private school. And more than anything else, your lifestyle choices will determine your budget. In this episode, Sandra  breaks down the day-to-day costs of living in Spain - covering both the basics and the e...

Thinking about buying property in Spain?  Chances are you’re asking the same questions Warner and Sandra hear every single day from international buyers.  In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast , they go quick-fire through the 10 most common questions foreign buyers ask about Spain with honest, unfiltered answers you won’t find on Google. They answer questions like: What an NIE number is an...

If you’re British and dreaming of relocating to Spain, it can feel like Brexit has slammed the door shut.  Headlines, forums, and conflicting Facebook comments often paint a picture of impossible red tape and endless paperwork. But the truth is very different. In this episode, Sandra is joined by Melanie Radford from My Lawyer in Spain, one of the country’s most trusted legal experts on relocation...

Buying a property in Spain is exciting, but for many international buyers, the mortgage process feels confusing and overwhelming. In this episode of the Costa Property Podcast, Warner sits down with Peter van Dijk from Mortgage Direct, a leading mortgage broker in Spain, to cut through the noise and explain exactly what you need to know if you’re thinking of financing your dream home on the Costa...

Would you hand over half a million euros to a stranger on the street? On the Costa del Sol, that’s exactly what many overseas buyers are doing - trusting unqualified, unregulated agents with life-changing amounts of money. In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner expose why Spain’s property market is sometimes compared to the Wild West - and, more importantly, how to protec...

Thinking of buying a property in Spain to use as a holiday rental or investment? Recent April 2025 legal changes could affect your plans and you might not even know it yet. In this episode, Sandra sits down with expert property lawyer Patricia Ruiz from My Lawyer in Spain to unpack what every international buyer needs to know before signing on the dotted line. From short-term rental restrictions,...

Have you ever wondered, Is this it? Maybe the kids are grown, your career has shifted, or you’ve simply outgrown the version of life you’re living. But what does it really take to start over in midlife... and how do you know where to begin? In this episode, Sandra speaks with coach and expat Emma Thorne Lees, who supports women navigating identity shifts, burnout, and life transitions - whether th...

Buying a property in Spain as a foreigner? It’s the question we get from nearly every client. In this episode, Sandra is joined by Elena from Martínez-Echevarria, one of the top-ranked legal firms on the Costa del Sol , to reveal the risks buyers face when they try to navigate Spain’s property system alone. If you're planning to buy in Spain, especially as a foreigner unfamiliar with Spanish...

What’s actually going on in Benalmádena in summer when the heat is on and the beach is packed? In this episode, we’re lifting the lid on what daily life is really like in July and August on the Costa del Sol. From the rhythm shift that happens across Spain, to why property tours slow down, and how locals adapt their schedules, this is the real, lived experience of a Costa summer. Whether you’re a...

Thinking of trading grey skies for Spanish sun but not sure how to make remote work work?  This one’s for you. In this episode, we’re joined by Maya Middlemiss, a true pioneer of remote-first life and founder of Remote Work Europe . Maya has helped individuals, global teams, and companies rethink the way they work - long before remote work was trendy.  Maya has worked across every facet of remote-...

What makes someone leave the heart of Málaga’s historic centre for Benalmádena?  That’s the question we explore in this week’s episode of The Costa Property Podcast, where Sandra sits down with cultural expert and long-time Spain resident, Hanni Martini. After a decade of vibrant city life, Hanni made the leap to a new home in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol. But why? And was it worth it? In this...

Selling your property on the Costa del Sol? We see time and time again - sellers rushing in without the right plan, and their property sits on the market longer than it should. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, Warner shares his 4 Golden Rules that every property owner needs to follow for a smooth, stress-free, and successful sale. WL Costa Properties have helped hundreds of sel...

In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast , Sandra and Warner dive into why Benalmádena is becoming one of the smartest places to buy on the Costa del Sol. Forget the outdated package holiday reputation… Benalmádena has evolved into a vibrant, year-round destination for families, retirees, and investors alike.  With amazing transport links, a thriving international community, beautiful beaches...

What does it really take to move beyond the holiday version of Spain and embrace authentic life on the Costa del Sol?  In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra is joined by Malaga-based food and culture guide Hanni Martini, who shares her raw, real journey from rainy UK life to full immersion in local Spanish living. From adjusting to Spanish meal times and navigating language learnin...

In this special Q2 market update, Sandra and Warner lift the lid on what’s really happening in the Costa del Sol property market - from the tourist visa impacts and the end of the golden, they share the trends they are seeing on the ground on the Costa DelSol. If you’re wondering whether 2025 is a good time to buy, or how the market’s shaping up from Benalmádena to Mijas, this one’s for you. Sandr...

In this episode, Warner sits down with Alex Radford, a dual-qualified UK and Spanish solicitor and one of the go-to legal experts for Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun.  Based on the Costa del Sol, Alex has helped hundreds of international clients safely navigate the Spanish buying process - from NIE numbers to Power of Attorney, bank accounts to legal horror stories. Together, Warner and Alex break...

Thinking of buying a property in Spain - but confused about what really happens next? You’re not alone. In this episode, Warner breaks down the full buying process, start to finish. From making an offer to walking out of the notary with keys in hand, you’ll hear how each step works (clearly and without the jargon) Whether you're actively searching or just getting serious, this episode is desi...

Everyone talks about the sunshine, the lifestyle, the dream. But what no one really warns you about? The emotional toll and how much pressure relocation can quietly put on your relationship. According to psychologists, relocation is one of the top five most stressful life events, right up there with divorce and starting a new job.  In this episode, Sandra and Warner open up about what really happe...