The desire for British and Irish buyers to purchase an investment property or holiday home in southern Spain is as strong as ever, despite the financial restrictions of the credit crunch. This desire is also being fuelled by the need to bolster diminishing pensions. These are just a couple of major findings from a new Spanish property survey carried out by Marbella-based property company Andalucian Dream Homes. The company wanted to gauge how buyers are thinking and feeling about Spain and about buying Spanish property in general.

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Group Marketing Director Adam Godwin explains more: ?Although actual sales on the Costa del Sol are down on previous years, the numbers registering an interest in Spanish property through our website show that desire and demand is returning.

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?We advertised throughout the Christmas period and saw a sharp uplift in both visitor numbers and new registrations, which clearly shows the desire to find out about Spanish property is as strong as ever. In this new-look market where interest is high and prices are low, there are other hidden factors at play so we surveyed our database to find out what they are.??

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. The survey results are fascinating as well as extremely positive for Spanish property in the mid to long term.

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Top Five survey findings: ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

• Despite the credit crunch 74% of respondents are still looking to buy Spanish property.

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Spain will always be one of the most popular places for those who are ready to invest in property. Its many natural lifestyle advantages such as climate and proximity to the UK ensure it will continue to be a safe and reliable choice. The Costa del Sol is also one of Europe?s favourite holiday destinations and the new airport expansion means the region is set to see in excess of 20 million visitors per year ? providing a captive market for those buying to let.

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• 63% of respondents believe property to be the best option for supplementing dwindling pensions over the next 10 years.

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• Temporary loss of spending power from the pound to the euro is the main reason people are waiting to buy, with 55% saying this affected their decision.

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• Only 10% of respondents had any faith in investing in stocks and shares.

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• Whilst scare stories have had an influence on buyer behaviour, the exchange rate is the more important factor.

Other points of note in the survey were that buyers felt confused about how to recognise and choose the best locations and ? in these times of big discounts and fluctuating exchange rates - how to accurately assess the real value of a Spanish property.

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The response rate to the Andalucian Dream Homes survey was excellent, which demonstrates there is still massive interest in Spanish property despite the economic and market changes over the past year. However, it?s obvious those who are interested in purchasing have legitimate concerns about a range of issues.

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