The Costa Property Podcast
by Warner and Sandra Laurie - Costa Del Sol, Spain
The Costa Property Podcast is your first step to making your dream home in Spain, on the Costa Del Sol a reality! We are Warner and Sandra, founders of WL Costa Properties. Ten years ago, we relocated from Ireland to Benalmádena, chasing our dream of owning a home in the sun and living an outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle with our family. Our business was born from our own relocation journey, inspired by the advice, services, and support we wished had been available to us. Now, through this podcast, we’re here to help you turn your dream into reality. Join us each week as we share expert insights from life in spain, property lawyers, real estate agents, and relocation specialists, alongside practical advice and personal stories (with a dash of mindset along the way!) From navigating Spanish property laws and securing financing to choosing the right location and building your ideal expat lifestyle, we cover it all! Includi
Episodes
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121: The Q3 Costa Del Sol Property Market Update: Is Spain's Property Market About to Crash?
Fewer people are buying property on the Costa del Sol right now, but the prices keep going up. So what’s happening, is the market slowing down or worse, are we seeing a crash? It is the question we are being asked more than anything else at the moment, so in our quarter three 2026 market update,...
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120: Torremolinos vs Benalmádena: Which Costa del Sol Town Is Right for You?
Torremolinos and Benalmádena sit ten minutes apart on the same train line, they share the same beautiful stretch of coast, and on paper they look so alike that choosing between them has started to feel impossible. Torremolinos or Benalmádena is a decision our international buyers often get stuck...
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119: The Secret's Out! What's Next for the Podcast and Our Business in Benalmádena
Something has been sitting on our vision board for well over six months, and today we finally get to share it publically. This episode is a little different from our usual format. There is no guest and no deep dive into one topic. Instead, we are filling you in on everything that has been brewing...
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118: Moving to Spain With Kids? 6 Honest Truths After 10 Years Here on The Costa del Sol
Raising our family on the Costa del Sol is by far the best decision I have ever made. Our children are bilingual and they spend most of the year outside, and that is a childhood I could never have given them back in Ireland. However, there are a handful of things I wish somebody had sat me down…
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117: How Will I Make Friends in Spain? The Fear Nobody Admits Before They Move with Ali Meehan of Costa Women
Of all the questions we get asked, and we get asked a lot of them, this one comes up again and again. Will I make friends out there? Will I fit in? Will I have somebody to actually go for a coffee with? Because you could live in the most beautiful apartment in the world, and if you do not have a...
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116: The Real Cost of Buying Property in Spain Right Now: Here’s What You Actually Need in the Bank
You are scrolling Idealista. There is a two bedroom in Benalmadena at 350,000 euro, the terrace looks lovely, there is a bit of a sea view in the background, and you say to yourself, we could actually do this. Here is what nobody tells you while you are sitting there scrolling. The number on the...
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115: Fell in Love With the Costa del Sol this Summer & Want to Make the Move? [Start here]
Ten years ago this month we packed up our house in Ireland, put two small children in the car and moved to the Costa del So from Ireland. Since then we have helped hundreds of international buyers make the same move and find their dream property from our base in Benalmadena. So if you were here...
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114: Fuengirola vs Benalmadena: Where Should You Buy on The Costa del Sol in 2026?
With 10 years living in Benalmadena and hundreds of international buyers guided through this exact decision, Sandra and Warner know the Fuengirola vs Benalmadena question better than almost anyone on this patch. In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra walks you through the exact 5...
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113: Why We Chose Benalmádena - The Most Underrated Town on the Costa del Sol [Listener Favourite]
Everyone thinks of Benalmádena as a holiday town. We call it home. In this listener-favourite episode - back by popular demand because you keep asking us - Sandra and Warner go behind the scenes of daily life in Benalmádena and explain why they chose it over Marbella and Málaga to be their…
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112: How We Moved from Ireland and Built a Life for Our Family on The Costa del Sol [Our Story 10 Years On]
Ten years ago we sold our house in Ireland, packed up the car with two babies in tow and moved to the Costa del Sol in Spain. Everyone thought we were mad… In this very personal episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest, behind the scenes look back on ten…
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The Costa del Sol Q2 Market Update 2026: What Other Agencies Aren't Telling You
The Costa del Sol property market has changed in 2026 and almost no other agency on this coast is willing to say it out loud. In this Q2 2026 Market Update episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest, no-spin breakdown of what has actually happened on the Costa...
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#110 How to Plan a Successful Costa del Sol Buying Trip (Avoid the #1 Mistake That Catches Buyers Out)
In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra Laurie sits down solo to unpack the single biggest mistake she sees international buyers make on their Costa del Sol buying trip and how to make sure you don't make it yourself. The team at WL Costa Properties have spent 30+ years combined...
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#109 Is the Costa del Sol Market Crashing in 2026? Buy Now or Wait? The Honest Truth
In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest conversation about what's actually happening in the Costa del Sol property market so far in 2026 and the question every international buyer is asking right now: should I buy now, or should I wait? If you've…
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#108 Why Benalmádena? The Costa del Sol Town You're Wrong About in 2026
In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for a conversation about the Costa del Sol's most misunderstood town, Benalmádena. If you've ever dismissed Benalmádena as "just a tourist spot" or written it off based on a holiday memory from 10 years ago, this is the...
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#107 Is Spain the New Safe Haven? The Real Reason Why Everyone Is Looking at Spain in 2026
In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner sit down for an honest conversation about a MAJOR shift they're seeing in buyer behaviour in 2026 and answer the question: Is Spain really a Safe Haven? From US buyers seeking safety and predictability, to UK and Irish families…
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#106 Should you trust AI with your property search in Spain? An AI educator shares the honest truth
If you're using AI tools like ChatGPT for your property search in Spain, this episode is essential listening before you make any decisions. In this episode, Sandra is joined by AI educator and startup CEO Susanne Drews (Chemp AI), who has lived in Spain for 20 years, to unpack the real risks of...
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#105 10 Honest Lessons From 10 Years in Spain | Is There Anything We’d Do Differently?
In this honest 10-year reflection, Sandra and Warner share the 10 biggest lessons they’ve learned from building a life in Spain over the past decade, including what they would do differently, the mistakes people still make, and the advice they now give their VIP clients before they buy or…
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#104 Benalmádena’s Luxury Neighbourhood Explained: La Capellanía with Resident Expert Julia Payne
If you’re an international buyer looking for a premium villa lifestyle on the Costa del Sol, Marbella isn’t the only option. In this episode, Sandra is joined by Julia Payne, who has lived in La Capellanía, Benalmádena since 2000. Julia shares what makes the area so desirable, how community fees...
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[3 Part Series] Map Your Move to the Costa Del Sol Step 3/3: Your Financial Plan + Property Strategy
Welcome to the final step of our 3-part Map Your Move to the Costa del Sol series. In this episode, we pull everything together so you can move from dreaming to doing with a clear financial plan and a realistic property strategy. You’ll understand how to get clear on your real budget beyond the...
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[3 PART SERIES] Map Your Move To The Costa Del Sol Step 2/3: Timelines, visas, schools & healthcare
Welcome back to Map Your Move to the Costa del Sol 3 Part Series In Part 2, we get into the less glamorous but absolutely essential side of making your move work: realistic timelines, visa and residency considerations, schools and healthcare. We also unpack the difference between buying a…
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[3 PART SERIES] Map Your Move to The Costa Del Sol Step 1/3: how to choose where to live
Most people start their Costa del Sol move the wrong way round. They browse listings, fall in love with a town on holiday… and only later realise it doesn’t fit real life. In our brand new series Map Your Move to The Costa Del Sol Part 1, we share the fail-proof process that we use with serious...
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100 Episode Special: What’s Next for The Costa Property Podcast?
In this special Episode 100th of The Costa Property Podcast, we celebrate a major milestone and share what’s coming next for the show. The podcast began as a simple way to help buyers feel calmer and more informed when buying or relocating to the Costa del Sol, cutting through information…
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How to choose the RIGHT Real Estate Agent on the Costa Del Sol, Spain (A Seller’s Honest Experience with WL Costa Properties)
In this episode, Warner sits down with our client Lee, a Costa del Sol homeowner who recently sold his property with WL Costa Properties in El Pinillo (Benalmádena/Torremolinos area) and made a big lifestyle move to El Faro. Lee shares what surprised him most about the process, what mattered when...
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#98 Costa del Sol Real Estate 2026 Predictions: Will Property Prices Continue to Rise?
If you’re thinking about buying a property on the Costa del Sol in 2026 and you’re asking, “Will prices keep going up or should we wait?”, this is the conversation you need to hear. Sandra and Warner of WL Costa Properties answer the big 2026 questions international buyers are asking, and Warner...
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Benalmádena vs Marbella? Why Savvy Buyers Are Flocking to Benalmadena in 2026
Has Marbella always been top of your Costa del Sol wishlist? In this episode, we break down why Benalmádena has gone from underrated to in-demand and why more and more serious buyers are choosing Benalmádena After almost a decade living and working here, we share what we’ve seen buyers get right...
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#96 Moving to Spain on the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)? Hear Vicki’s Story, Timeline + Essential Tips
Thinking about moving to Spain on the non-lucrative visa (NLV)? In this episode, Sandra sits down with WL Costa Properties client Vicki Owen, who has just completed the full UK → Spain NLV process while juggling a wedding, a house sale and a relocation to Benalmádena on the Costa del Sol. She…
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#95 Rent First, Then Buy? Gracie’s First Month in Málaga: Yoga, Business & Building a New Life on the Costa Del Sol
What actually happens when you stop dreaming about Spain and finally get on the plane? In this episode, Our client & Dublin entrepreneur and wellness practitioner Gracie Mahady shares her first four weeks living in Málaga on the Costa del Sol , renting in a Spanish neighbourhood, building…
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#94 Q4 2025 Costa del Sol Property Market EXPLAINED [ What 2026 Buyers Need to Know ]
In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Warner sits down with Lynsey and Jacqueline to unpack what really happened in the 2025 Costa del Sol property market – in Q4 and what it means if you’re planning to buy in 2026. From serious international buyers (UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Canada) to…
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#93 Living Alcohol-Free on the Costa del Sol: How Sober Socials Is Taking the Coast by Storm
When most people picture the Costa del Sol, they picture beach bars, sangria, happy hours and pubs. But what if you’re sober, sober-curious, or you just don’t want your whole social life to revolve around alcohol, can you still move to Spain and enjoy it? In this episode, Sandra talks with Emma…
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#92 Relocating to the Costa del Sol: How One Couple Bought Their DREAM Home in Benalmádena, Spain
Ready to buy in Spain without even stepping inside? In this episode, Lynette and Damien share how they found, secured, and fell in love with their dream home in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, Spain. From years of visiting the area to building trust with our team, they walk through the exact...
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#91 Spanish Wine 101: 10 Myths Everyone Gets Wrong with Winederlust Málaga [Spanish Wine Expert]
This week we’re taking a little detour from property into one of the real joys of life in Spain: wine. Sandra is joined by Linda from Winederlust Málaga, a wine and food expert from Manchester with over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, now based in Málaga. Together they bust 10 of the biggest...
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#90 Top 10 Questions About Selling Your Property on the Costa del Sol Spain [ Answered + Pro Tips ]
Thinking about selling your property on the Costa del Sol in Spain? 🇪🇸 In this conversation, Warner sits in the hot seat as Sandra asks the Top 10 questions every seller asks us - from how long a sale really takes, to how to price your home, to what documents you need, right through to how to...
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#89 Buying Property in Spain? Here’s EXACTLY How to Protect Your Budget from Exchange Rate Movements
Exchange rates can shift your Spain property budget by thousands. In this episode, Sandra talks with Carol Schleisman from Currencies Direct about how exchange rate movements impact buyers, including a real case where a buyer’s budget dropped by €20,000 during her trip. You’ll learn the key...
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#88 The TRUTH No One Tells You About Buying a New Build in Spain [ Real Buyer Story ]
Over 40% of international buyers in Spain choose new builds, but what actually happens once you reserve, pay your deposit, and wait for completion? In this episode, Warner sits down with Viktoria Jancurova, a recent buyer who purchased a new-build apartment in La Cala de Mijas through WL Costa...
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#87 Moving to Spain With ZERO Spanish? 5 Tips That Will Make or Break Your Experience
Most people will tell you that to truly integrate and feel part of life in Spain, you have to go from zero to a hundred - full immersion, full fluency, straight away. But that often backfires… In this episode, Sandra shares her honest story about moving to Spain with only 10 or 15 sentences of...
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#86 Think you know your Costa del Sol property budget? The blind spot most buyers miss!
If you’ve been running the numbers for a move to the Costa del Sol, there’s a moment we want you to avoid: you’ve shortlisted homes and then the budget falls apart over a cost you didn’t factor in. It’s small on paper, but big enough to derail the plan. In this episode, we’ll show you how to spot...
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#85 How One Couple Turned Their Holiday Home into a New Life in Spain
Lorraine and her husband William always dreamed of owning a place in the sun. In 2017, they travelled to Benalmádena for the first time and after viewing 20 apartments, they found the one that felt right: a peaceful spot with a small sea view and space for visiting family. For years, their...
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#84 How Does Healthcare Work on the Costa del Sol? A Complete Guide for Expats
Moving to the Costa del Sol and wondering how healthcare really works once you land? Do you need private or public, and how can you qualify? In this episode of the Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner hit the road with Irina from Málaga Expat Consulting to compare Benalmádena’s public and...
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#83 What’s Really Been Happening on the Costa del Sol Property Market? Your Q3 Update
Spain’s property prices have reached their highest levels in 20 years. But what does that really mean for buyers and sellers on the Costa del Sol? In this Q3 Market Update, Sandra and Warner from WL Costa Properties take you behind the scenes of what’s really happening on the ground. They reveal...
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#82 Malaga’s €1.5B Airport Expansion: What Buyers Need to Know Before It’s Too Late
Málaga Airport is about to receive the biggest investment in its history, a €1.5 billion expansion that will add new terminals, welcome millions more passengers and position Malaga as Spain’s third-busiest international hub. But this isn’t just an infrastructure project. It’s fuel for the Costa…
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#81 3 Years On: Kerry’s Honest Truth About Life in Spain
Everyone dreams of moving to Spain - the sunshine, the slower pace, the promise of a better life. But three years after making the leap, does it really feel like home? In this episode, Sandra is joined by Kerry, co-founder of Nerja Coffee Roasters, who shares her honest reflections on life in…
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#80 What Does It Really Cost to Live on the Costa del Sol? A Breakdown of Monthly Expenses
How much do I really need each month to live on the Costa del Sol? The truth is, there isn’t a single answer. A single person’s costs look very different to a family of four with children in private school. And more than anything else, your lifestyle choices will determine your budget. In this...
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#79 The Top 10 Questions We Get Asked All the Time About Buying Property in Spain [Must Listen]
Thinking about buying property in Spain? Chances are you’re asking the same questions Warner and Sandra hear every single day from international buyers. In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, they go quick-fire through the 10 most common questions foreign buyers ask about Spain with…
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#78 Brexit, Visas & Red Tape: Is It Still Easy for Brits to Relocate to Spain?
If you’re British and dreaming of relocating to Spain, it can feel like Brexit has slammed the door shut. Headlines, forums, and conflicting Facebook comments often paint a picture of impossible red tape and endless paperwork. But the truth is very different. In this episode, Sandra is joined by...
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#77 How to Get a Mortgage in Spain as a Foreigner: Everything You Need to Know
Buying a property in Spain is exciting, but for many international buyers, the mortgage process feels confusing and overwhelming. In this episode of the Costa Property Podcast, Warner sits down with Peter van Dijk from Mortgage Direct, a leading mortgage broker in Spain, to cut through the noise...
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#76 Exposed: The Wild West of Costa del Sol Real Estate and How to Buy Safely
Would you hand over half a million euros to a stranger on the street? On the Costa del Sol, that’s exactly what many overseas buyers are doing - trusting unqualified, unregulated agents with life-changing amounts of money. In this episode of The Costa Property Podcast, Sandra and Warner expose…
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#75 A Spanish Lawyer Explains: What 2025’s New Rental Laws Mean for Buyers
Thinking of buying a property in Spain to use as a holiday rental or investment? Recent April 2025 legal changes could affect your plans and you might not even know it yet. In this episode, Sandra sits down with expert property lawyer Patricia Ruiz from My Lawyer in Spain to unpack what every...
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#74 Is It Too Late to Start Over? Emma Thorne Lees on Finding a New Direction in Midlife
Have you ever wondered, Is this it? Maybe the kids are grown, your career has shifted, or you’ve simply outgrown the version of life you’re living. But what does it really take to start over in midlife... and how do you know where to begin? In this episode, Sandra speaks with coach and expat Emma...
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#73 Do You Really Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in Spain? A Top Legal Expert Breaks It Down
Buying a property in Spain as a foreigner? It’s the question we get from nearly every client. In this episode, Sandra is joined by Elena from Martínez-Echevarria, one of the top-ranked legal firms on the Costa del Sol, to reveal the risks buyers face when they try to navigate Spain’s property...
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#72 Living in Spain in August: Surviving the Heat, Siestas & What No One Tells You
What’s actually going on in Benalmádena in summer when the heat is on and the beach is packed? In this episode, we’re lifting the lid on what daily life is really like in July and August on the Costa del Sol. From the rhythm shift that happens across Spain, to why property tours slow down, and…
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About this show
The Costa Property Podcast is your first step to making your dream home in Spain, on the Costa Del Sol a reality!
We are Warner and Sandra, founders of WL Costa Properties. Ten years ago, we relocated from Ireland to Benalmádena, chasing our dream of owning a home in the sun and living an outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle with our family.
Our business was born from our own relocation journey, inspired by the advice, services, and support we wished had been available to us.
Now, through this podcast, we’re here to help you turn your dream into reality.
Join us each week as we share expert insights from life in spain, property lawyers, real estate agents, and relocation specialists, alongside practical advice and personal stories (with a dash of mindset along the way!)
From navigating Spanish property laws and securing financing to choosing the right location and building your ideal expat lifestyle, we cover it all! Includi
Hosted by
Warner and Sandra Laurie - Costa Del Sol, Spain