Costa del Sol property: two retired teachers, €346,200 for a terraced house in Manilva
Sale proceeds and pension carried the financing, and the monthly instalment was to stay deliberately small. The buyers had equity from the sale of their previous home but wanted to keep financial reserves for retirement and not finance the purchase entirely from own funds.
Is Manilva a good location for a terraced house on the Costa del Sol?
Manilva has largely preserved its original character and offers quiet residential areas, proximity to the sea, good infrastructure and short distances to Estepona and Sotogrande. For many German-speaking buyers it is an attractive alternative to better-known places, and attractive locations here need not be in the top price segment.
Key figures: €534,000 price, €346,200 financing needed
- Purchase price: 534,000 €
- Renovation: 31,900 €
- Financing required: 346,200 €
- Equity: 283,800 €
Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO
Relaxed living at the western end of the Costa del Sol
Manilva is one of the places to live on the Costa del Sol that have largely preserved their original character. Located between Estepona and Sotogrande, the municipality offers a pleasant mix of proximity to the coast, quiet residential areas and good transport links. For many German-speaking buyers, Manilva is an attractive alternative to the better-known places in the region.
This practical case shows how buying a terraced house for permanent owner-occupation can be sensibly financed.
Two teachers from Rhineland-Palatinate retiring by the sea
The choice fell on a terraced house in a well-kept residential complex with a view of the Mediterranean. The generous terrace, the quiet neighbourhood and the good accessibility of shops and the coast were particularly convincing.
€630,000 in all: price, purchase costs, refurbishment: Purchase price: 534,000 €; Additional costs: 64,100 €; Renovation: 31,900 €; Total investment: 630,000 €; Equity: 283,800 €; Financing required: 346,200 €.
Proceeds from the house sale, reserves kept for retirement: The buyers had equity from the sale of their previous home. Even so, they wanted to keep financial reserves for retirement and not finance the purchase entirely from own funds.
In addition, the house was to be adapted to their personal living ideas before moving in.
Kitchen, bath, interior doors and a shaded terrace
The property was well-kept and immediately usable. The planned investments therefore mainly served to improve living comfort.
Planned were a new fitted kitchen, the modernisation of the bathroom on the upper floor, the replacement of the interior doors, more efficient air conditioning and the redesign of the terrace with permanently installed shading for year-round use.
As all measures were calculated before the purchase contract was concluded, they could be fully included in the total investment.
65% financed, the retirement reserve stays intact: The financing was set at around 65 % of the purchase price. This kept enough equity as a reserve, while at the same time creating durable, balanced financing.
Alongside the purchase price, all acquisition costs and the planned modernisation were included in the overall plan from the outset — covered from equity, not by the bank loan. Additional financing steps after the purchase were therefore not required.
Home ready to move in, money left over for travel
Once the work was completed, a comfortable home was created that offers the buyers ideal conditions both in everyday life and for their upcoming retirement.
The financing remained easy to calculate and at the same time left enough financial flexibility for travel and personal wishes.
A good location need not be in the top price bracket: Manilva shows that attractive residential locations on the Costa del Sol do not necessarily have to be in the top price segment. Anyone who takes all investments into account early creates a transparent overall calculation and avoids later financial surprises.
For a permanent move to Spain in particular, this planning provides additional security.
Terraced house in Manilva: financing for peace by the sea
Manilva offers ideal conditions for people who want to combine peace, the sea and Mediterranean quality of life. An overall plan that budgets the purchase price, additional costs and all planned modernisation together already at the acquisition — the bank loan for the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation from equity — creates a solid basis for a long-term centre of life on the Costa del Sol.
Similar cases by region and price band: Cases with a comparable region and price band — for context, not a promise of the same outcome.
Modern apartment in La Cala de Mijas — case report: Anonymised case report: Modern apartment in La Cala de Mijas – Both working remotely, moving step by step. Mortgage financing for non-residents.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the full purchase price not paid from own funds?
Many buyers want to keep financial reserves for retirement or unforeseen expenses and therefore choose balanced financing.
Which properties are especially in demand in Manilva?
Terraced houses, detached houses, modern apartments and villas in quiet residential locations are among the preferred properties for permanent owner-occupation.
Which modernisation was planned for the terraced house in Manilva?
Planned were a new fitted kitchen, the modernisation of the bathroom on the upper floor, the replacement of the interior doors, more efficient air conditioning and the redesign of the terrace with permanently installed shading for year-round use. The property was well-kept and immediately usable.
A similar situation in Spain? Let's talk.
Every financing in Spain is an individual case. In a free initial consultation we will tell you honestly what is feasible and which bank fits.
Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Brokerage under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina (D-W-132-ZUCB-95); Siegfried Perini registered as directly involved person (§11a GewO) · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank
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Content by Siegfried Perini — local brand representative since 2019, active in real estate since 1992, entered in the German intermediary register (§ 11a GewO) as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice. Point of contact for German-speaking buyers in Spain and Portugal. Brokerage by Olga Nikushkina, mortgage credit intermediary under § 34i German Trade Regulation (GewO); in Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary.