Going underground
Sunday Business Post, Ireland
11 March 2007
If you’re looking for an unusual holiday home, how about a Spanish cave, asks Ginetta Vedrickas Irish people buying second homes in Spain is hardly the stuff of headlines: visit any large resort on the Costa del Sol, and you’re bound to meet Irish home-owners by the score.
But head further inland to the little known Altiplano region and, among this farming community, Irish buyers are snapping up caves which are not only good value but which make wonderful overseas homes.
Unlike the now highly priced costas, this is one region of Spain where you can find real value with unspoiled beauty thrown in. Covering the regions of Baza and Huescar in the north-west of the province of Granada, this part of northern Andalucia has a variety of landscapes, including a ring of surrounding mountain ranges and some impressive desert landscapes.
The coast is 150 kilometres away and skiing is possible in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Around 90 minutes from the city of Granada, the town of Galera sits within a green valley formed by two rivers which wind their way between hills with a lunar-like landscape.
It is here that you find the remains of ancient civilisations and the many cave homes carved from its hillsides, which are proving increasingly popular with today’s buyers. Former mining engineer Les Edwards moved to Galera in 2002 after buying a restaurant, which he ran with his wife, Sharon, and son Craig, a fluent Spanish speaker. His restaurant, which was popular with locals, also attracted growing numbers of non-Spaniards who were just discovering the region.
After getting increasing queries from visitors wanting homes here, Edwards gave up his restaurant to concentrate solely on Spanish Inland Properties. The company sells all kinds of property but specialises in cave homes, which are prevalent in the area and which appeal to buyers looking for something a little different.
Historically, poor Spaniards lived in the caves until they were able to afford traditional homes, carving out extra rooms from the soft stone as their families grew.
Most locals still look down on these types of properties, but non-Spaniards love them and their peaceful location, according to Edwards.
‘‘We haven’t specifically targeted the Irish market, yet we still get enquiries,†he said.
‘‘This is a very different area to the Costa del Sol, which certainly isn’t for everyone. This region attracts buyers who are looking for some peace and quiet and an area which is unspoiled, and these are the kinds of buyers we want to see.â€
Edwards has over 200 caves on his books and he believes they will attract the sophisticated Irish market now wanting eco-friendly homes.
‘‘The Irish have some very ecologically advanced projects of their own, so I believe they will be very interested in what we’re trying to do here,†he said.
He has just started a project to transform 20 cave homes, not only into stylish places to live but ones which produce their own power and use recycled water, therefore minimising damage to the environment.
Mention the word ‘cave’ to most people and the reaction is that they are dark, dank holes which couldn’t possibly be comfortable, let alone stylish. I held a few preconceptions of my own, but a two-night stay in a cave house outside Galera challenged all my prejudices.
Two spacious bedrooms were built into its walls, complete with wardrobes specially carved to add storage space. The living areas and bathroom were at the front of the cave.
Most cave homes have all mod cons, including heating often a woodburning stove is enough for the entire property and mine had satellite television and a CD player.
Thanks to their insulation qualities, these homes are snug and warm in winter yet surprisingly cool in summer. Surprisingly, they are not that expensive. An unrestored cave home can still be bought for as little as ‬20,000, and Spanish Inland Properties currently has a range of attractively priced examples.
Acave home with five rooms and a good-sized patio area in a quiet location, yet within easy reach of the traditional Spanish town of Benamaurel, needs complete restoration to turn it into a modern home, but is on offer for ‬20,000.
Restoration costs are around ‬600 per square metre, but the company will handle the entire restoration process on a buyer’s behalf. Crucially, a fixed price is agreed from the start, making the process relatively stress-free.
Typically, an unrestored cave costing around ‬26,000 would cost between ‬60,000 and ‬80,000 to renovate, giving you a smart and stylish home for around ‬100,000.
Restoring these cave homes is a skilled job, but the company works with several teams of builders, who usually transform caves with an average build time of around three months.
An alternative is to buy the finished version. Spanish Inland Properties has a selection of restored caves, including one just outside the village of Galera, which is a stunning example of how these properties can be transformed into stylish living accommodation.
With light flooding in from a natural opening in the cave roof, it contains many smart features including an en suite bathroom, three bedrooms and a woodburning stove in its high-tech kitchen. At ‬170,000, this is the higher end of the market, but it is still remarkable value and rental income is good, as many visitors enjoy the novelty of renting a cave.
Gerry and Margo Finnegan from Galway are in the process of buying a restored cave near the historic town of Orce after searching for an overseas home for three years.
‘‘We’ve travelled all over France and Spain, but this is the nicest part we’ve seen, and the people are lovely,†said Gerry, who is a professional musician.
The couple, who are in their 50s, hope to retire here one day but, until then, plan on using the four-bedroom cave as a holiday home and as a rental property. The cave has a spacious garage which the Finnegans eventually hope to convert to further accommodation. The restored cave comes fully furnished down to the cutlery.
‘‘I really like the town, and the cave’s location is perfect for us as we’ll be able to walk there,†Margo said. ‘‘We’re night people so we hope to enjoy the town’s facilities.†The couple opted for a restored cave as they didn’t want to wait and believe it is excellent value.
‘ ‘With e 100,000, you couldn’t buy half an acre in Ireland today,†Gerry said.
The pair don’t want to be based anywhere too commercial, as they found much of the coastline to be, and they clearly love the novelty value of a cave home and being the first Irish buyers in this particular town.
‘‘We love this area, it’s a great mix of Spanish, English and Irish although we’ll be the first Irish in this town and we’re really looking forward to that,†Gerry said.
