Meet Felipe Mármol: “Now is the time to make that dream a reality!”

Felipe Martínez del Mármol is seated in a sunny boardroom, a broad smile across his face. His relaxed posture says it’s Friday afternoon, the sun is shining and life is good. He is thinking about the weekend with his family and where they’ll go for lunch if the weather stays as fine as it is today… and it will.

Felipe is a Partner with Martínez-Echevarría Pérez & Ferrero International Lawyers and he is a man with a sunny disposition and an infectiously positive outlook on life. Born in Granada, Felipe came to the Costa del Sol in 2001, taking up his partnership with Martínez-Echevarría.

Marbella now and ten years ago – what are the major differences?

Marbella, indeed the Costa del Sol in general, has changed quite dramatically for the better. So many elements have been created to improve the overall infrastructure of the region: the Autopista and the long-awaited San Pedro tunnel, the high-speed rail Renfe AVE connection from Málaga to Madrid, the new airport terminal, which has made the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport one of the most important in Spain, the new port in Málaga city which has become a major stop-off for cruise liners, and the whole commercial area of the port, Muelle Uno, which has been transformed into a lively, vibrant and wonderful place to enjoy lunch and shopping.  

What’s more we are starting to see the arrival of important investment into the local region. Normally the year starts off slowly, but this year has started off as busy as any other time of the year.

What are your favourite aspects of life on the Costa del Sol?

Definitely the satisfaction of working in such a privileged area, with a beautiful all-year-round climate, a wonderful cultural and gastronomic scene and so many leisure activities for both adults and children.

I love that we are so close to Granada and Sevilla, two of the most important cultural centres of Spain, and two hours away you can be skiing in the Sierra Nevada or windsurfing in Tarifa. Where else in the world can you indulge in such a choice and a superb climate?

What motivates you?

All of the above! How can you not feel motivated waking up to the Costa del Sol! It’s also a great place to bring up children and that really motivates my being here. I have two children and they get so much out of life here. There are endless activities for children on the Costa del Sol:  beach, golf, outdoor sport; plus think about it, in really a very short distance you have leisure attractions such as Aventura Amazonia in Elviria, Selwo Aventura in Estepona and Selwo Marina in Benalmádena as well as the Crocodile Park in Torremolinos… My children also love horse riding, so when they have been good, as a treat, we take them horse riding, just down the road in Nagüeles, Marbella.

Two good reasons to visit Málaga city?

Just two?!  The Carmen Thyssen and Picasso Museums for art lovers, the Cathedral and La Alcazaba for architectural enthusiasts. And the gastronomy culture, Málaga is a great place to eat out and now so much of the centre has been pedestrianised , it’s a real pleasure to take a stroll through the streets, stop-off for tapas and enjoy the Malagueño lifestyle. If I have a meeting in Málaga, I like to spend 10 minutes just walking through the pedestrianised streets and enjoy taking in the local life, before I get back in my car and head to my office in Puerto Banús.

Do you speak other languages aside from Spanish? Is it important to be bilingual or multilingual here?

I get by with my English, it’s important for work. You can live your life as a resident with only one language, but if you want to work here, you really need to speak Spanish and at least one other language, and that doesn’t necessarily have to be English.

The market has fragmented over the last three or four years; whereas before 90% of our clients were English, now there are more nationalities moving here. The Scandinavian and Russian markets have become very important. In Martínez-Echevarría we have native Scandinavian and Russian lawyers, who are able to handle all clients’ queries in their own language.

What is your favourite time of year in southern Spain?

It has to be springtime – March and April. When the rest of Europe is still in a relatively cold period, the Costa del Sol is warming up a treat. It’s time for lunch on the beach, picnics and golf!

Predictions for 2013?

We see 2013 as the year of recovery for the Costa del Sol; at least the start. The real estate market is once again growing, new markets are opening and new buyers are coming in. People are really taking advantage of the great property prices the market has to offer at the moment. And why wouldn’t they! We are seeing a change from pure investment purchase, to younger couples with families who have wanted to buy for years, now is their time. They can afford to buy their dream home and make the move.

What survival tip would you offer to new buyers? 

Put yourself in good hands. From the real estate agent that you opt to buy through… to the lawyer who takes you through the purchase process and all the professional services you need when you move here. Luckily the recession has cleared out many of the less professional companies. Now business here is, well a serious business, and the businesses that have survived are established and real. But you must still do your homework.

Felipe Mármol is a partner in Martínez-Echevarría Pérez & Ferrero, a VIVA RECOMMENDS Corporate Partner. They are one of the largest international law firms, with five offices in Spain, a network of branches throughout Europe and extending to Africa and South America. They are able to offer clients a multidisciplinary service with a high level of specialisation.

Visit their microsite for more information, or contact them direct: Tel: Marbella +34 952 765 000; Fuengirola +34 952 199 111; Málaga +34 952 240 056.