Platinum Properties: Expansion brings a fresh approach to the Algorfa property market

What a difference a year makes! When I spoke to Platinum Properties Office Manager Lyal Taylor a year ago, I was impressed by his extensive local knowledge, having lived in Algorfa and worked out of La Finca for many years. Now Platinum is expanding its business interests into Algorfa town, and they expect to open their new office, just off Plaza España on the corner of Avenida Maria del Mar Rodriguez, by the beginning of September.

It’s been a hectic few weeks for all at Platinum, with lots of running around and meetings with architects and planners, but they are very much looking forward to opening a second office, and bringing the Platinum experience to Algorfa as well as La Finca. Speaking to Lyal, he told me:

We’ve been looking to expand for a while now, and when this opportunity arose, we took it. We love working out of La Finca, but we’re looking at two very different markets here, and it’s the next natural step for us as a company. We’re pleased to be part of the Spanish heart of Algorfa, because although the town has residents from most countries in Europe, it’s first and foremost a Spanish town. All Platinum’s staff live in and around Algorfa, and our new office is already feeling like home to us, even though there’s still a fair bit to do before we open for business.It’s a new adventure for buyers, sellers, and for all of us as well.

The new premises will allow Platinum to offer a better service for clients, with double exposure for all listings, as there will be reciprocal advertising in both offices. For buyers, there are also advantages with expansion. Algorfa and La Finca may be close – around 3 kilometres apart in distance – but each area has its own particular characteristics, and having offices in both locations will make it easier for clients to consider their lifestyle options, whether they are looking for a holiday home or permanent relocation.

For buyers on a budget, there are apartments available in Algorfa from €60,000, whereas on La Finca there’s almost nothing available under €130,000. And if you’re unsure about driving in Spain, it’s perfectly possible to live or stay in Algorfa without transport, as the shops, bars and sports facilities are all within comfortable walking distance.

If you’re already here and thinking of downsizing – perhaps the villa you needed when the children and grandchildren descended in the holidays is too big now they’re older and broadening their scope for travel arrangements – Platinum can help with that. Having offices in the two most popular locations around Algorfa makes it easier to showcase the benefits of each area to prospective clients.

The new office is tastefully decorated in Platinum’s logo colours of black, silver and white, and it will be furnished in similar style to the La Finca office to keep the uniform theme running through both offices. For the moment, existing staff members will move between the two offices as required, but it’s likely the team will grow once the impact of expansion can be accurately assessed.

Another new development in the last year is that Platinum is managing the sales for several local commercial units, plus a still-trading business. I asked Lyal how this happened, because it’s unusual to see a locally based real estate agent dealing with business premises as well as housing stock. He told me:

It just evolved, really, it wasn’t a conscious business decision on our part. A previous client asked if we’d handle the sale of their premises, and then other local business people approached us, because they know we’ll deal with sales sensitively. If a business is up for sale, it doesn’t mean there are problems, or the business has failed. Just as with houses, people sell for all sorts of reasons. We know the area, and also the people selling the premises, and they trust us to respect their confidentiality as we handle their sales. It allows us to offer more options to our clients.

The housing market around Algorfa is in good shape, although at the moment, there’s a real lack of property coming onto the market to satisfy the demand from buyers. Algorfa bucked the trend during lockdown, because while prices in most areas were naturally experiencing a drop, if anything, they were rising in Algorfa, and this trend continued post Covid.

In the last year, prices for apartments on La Finca have increased considerably, which is good news for sellers, but not so good for clients who didn’t commit to purchasing last year! Clients are also still buying from virtual tours, as they did during the pandemic. Although travel is easier now, work commitments and other time constraints make virtual purchase a viable option, particularly when buyers have done their research and know what they are looking for in a property.

So does this mean it’s a seller’s market, and people can ask what they want for their property? In a word, no! As Lyal explains:

As an agent, our job is to advise people on how to sell their property with minimum stress and delay. That means assessing the market value and advising the client accordingly, not simply asking how much they want to achieve and agreeing with them. Your property, no matter how well appointed, is only worth what the buyer is prepared to pay. Location and orientation helps set the price, but recent sales figures also give you a very good idea of a property’s value.

It’s clear from talking to Lyal and his team that Platinum Properties know Algorfa, and know the housing market. Why not call in and see them, or contact them through their website, and see if Platinum can help you sell your property or find your dream home in the sun? It could be the best move you ever make – pun intended!

Image credits: All images are the property of Platinum Properties