Buyer priorities on the northern Costa Blanca are changing. International buyers are taking a closer look at construction quality, materials and the surroundings of their future homes. Increasingly, buying a property by the sea means planning to spend a substantial part of the year in Spain, alongside summer holidays.

Balticnews.com interviewed Māris Āboltiņš, Managing Director at MARA Holding, about Dénia’s property market and the MARA Residence development. The complex of 22 apartments and penthouses is under construction on Les Deveses beach, with an architectural design by Carles Faus Arquitectura. Completion is scheduled for 2027.

— According to idealista, property prices in Dénia rose by 17.4% between September 2024 and April 2026, reaching €3,361 per square metre. How do you explain this growth? What factors are shaping the market?

— Several factors are at work. Construction materials and labour have become more expensive in recent years. Higher fuel prices this year have also contributed to rising material costs. In some cases, suppliers and construction companies have had to revise their prices during the year.

There is also a local factor: the supply of new homes in Dénia is limited. For a time, new developments progressed more slowly, partly because developers were waiting for permits. Construction activity has now picked up, but high-quality new properties by the sea continue to attract considerable interest.

Dénia has traditionally been one of the more expensive locations on the Costa Blanca. Its location, port, natural surroundings and way of life all have their own appeal. Buyers pay attention to these qualities. However, I would not promise that prices will rise at the same rate every year: property values also depend on the wider economic situation.

— Who is interested in buying a home in this area today?

— We see interest comes from a wide range of buyers, including local Spanish buyers as well as buyers from Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other countries. International buyers are particularly noticeable after the main summer season ends. In September, many holidaymakers return home, while people arrive for whom this is the start of a more appealing season: the weather remains warm, and the coast becomes quieter.

They include couples, retirees, people who can work remotely and those who want to spend extended periods here. For European buyers, being able to travel by car or motor home also matters. It allows them to use their home in Spain in a way that suits their lifestyle.

— What do these buyers look at first?

— Location is certainly important. But a beachfront position is not always the only deciding factor. Buyers ask detailed questions about construction quality, materials and how practical the apartment will be to use.

In our experience, many people buy primarily for their own use, rather than with an immediate intention to rent the property out. They imagine their everyday lives here: how they will spend time at home, what is nearby and how comfortable it will be to visit in different seasons. Price remains an important part of the decision, too. For example, buyers from the Netherlands, the price difference compared with their home country is particularly noticeable.

— What if a buyer is considering an apartment as an investment?

— A seaside property can serve different purposes: you can live in it, sell it later or rent it out. There is also demand for long-term rentals in Dénia, but any decision should take into account of the particular property and the buyer’s circumstances. For example, professionals who work on rotational schedules often look for long-term accommodation. There is little supply of this kind in new developments in Dénia.

Seaside homes in Dénia remain relatively easy to resell: supply is limited, while demand is steady. I would advise buyers to distinguish between opportunities and promises of guaranteed returns. The market depends on economic conditions, and rental requirements and procedures need to be checked separately. Buyers should understand in advance why they are purchasing an apartment and how they intend to use it.

— How did the concept for MARA Residence take shape?

— We wanted the development to feel like part of its setting. The beach, and natural landscape are close by. When choosing colours, textures, fittings and communal spaces, we therefore took inspiration from the surroundings. A dune with natural vegetation is being preserved directly in front of the development, with rice fields and orange groves nearby.

It was important to create a sense that life within the development extends naturally beyond the apartment into the garden, around the pool and along the path to the sea. For many people, nature and the climate are the reasons they choose this area. Another important factor is that Les Deveses beach has been restored through a government project: it has been widened, and breakwaters have been built to protect the shoreline from erosion.

— Why did you choose the Les Deveses area for the project?

— I like its combination of space and relative tranquillity. In summer, the central areas of the resort town attract large numbers of visitors. Here, you can enjoy greater privacy while remaining connected to Dénia and the surrounding towns.

We also considered everyday needs when choosing the location. It matters that residents can easily reach the main roads, access essential services and plan their lives here outside the tourist season. Outside the peak season, the main roads are five to ten minutes away. In summer, of course, traffic can increase journey times, and that needs to be taken into account. The area also remains active after the season ends, when many holiday destinations become almost empty.  The area offers easy access to schools, golf course and a wide range of sports activities. There are also riding stables nearby for those who enjoy horse riding.

— Which features of the development will be particularly important to future owners?

— We have thought carefully about the communal spaces and how adults and children will use them. The development include a large shared swimming pool, a children’s playground area, a relaxation area for adults, a outdoor fitness area, landscaping gardens and access to the beach. We wanted the journey from the apartment to the sea to be convenient, and the grounds to be enjoyable even on days when residents do not feel like going to the beach. At the entrance, there will be foot showers and dog shower, as well as board racks, so owners do not have to bring their equipment into the apartment.

We are also paying particular attention to the building’s interior spaces and landscaping. The internal atrium will include planting to help keep it bright and welcoming outside the summer season. Plants, colours and textures should connect the development’s grounds with the coastal landscape. It is important that owners experience this in everyday life.

— Buying a home under construction in another country can raise many questions. How do you support international buyers?

— We have worked with buyers from different countries and understand how thoroughly the process needs to be explained. First, we help them choose an apartment. We then guide them through the sequence of the transaction and the documents required. We provide support with transferring funds and dealing with the bank, and assist them until the purchase is completed.

For matters that fall within the responsibilities of a lawyer, bank, notary or another specialist, we seek clarification from the relevant professional. Each stage of the transaction has its own rules and responsible parties. Our role is to stay in contact with the buyer and help them obtain clear answers.