Blue Chip Realty UK is Robin’s own overseas property company that specialises in locating quality homes and investment property on the Spanish Mediterranean and throughout Cyprus for British buyers.
He explained: “I have spent a lot of time in Spain and have personally bought and sold three homes there – one whilst actually living in the country and two since returning here to the UK.
“I went to Spain after my early retirement from Ellis of Richmond and found it was not uncommon to encounter rogue traders in the foreign property market. Equally there were many honest people in the business; but it could be a difficult and dangerous place for the unwary investor to tread.
“I spent two years researching the market and establishing relationships with only the most reputable estate agents, developers and investment companies along Spain’s beautiful Mediterranean coast, which for me is the most beautiful part of Spain.
“For example, I have an excellent relationship with two of the most prestigious developers in Spain, responsible for hundreds of home; similarly I work closely with seven estate agents spread throughout this part of Spain and I know that they are trustworthy and again, they bring access to so very many homes.
“For some it is the enthusiasm of the British to own property in Spain that encourages them to view investment opportunities there. This is why I work closely with one of the largest property investment companies in Spain. Buying off plan is where the real profits in property are and this company seeks money from British investors, which the bank guarantees, so that initial investment is safe. Normally the investment is made at the earliest stage of a development and then once it has been built and sold the investors hopefully reap the dividends.
“The major benefit of working through an investment company, besides the security it offers on the initial investment, is that they take care of everything from the land purchase, the construction and on through to the final sale.
“I joke that it will only be a matter of time before someone from this area buys a home that has been built as part of someone else local’s investment portfolio. Interest in Spain is remarkable and some people are keen to buy on the newest developments.
“There truly is something for everyone and I pride myself on finding exactly what my clients are looking for, whether it is a luxury apartment in the heart of a bustling town or a retreat in an idyllic rural location.
“I have been to golf clubs where the car parks are full of BMWs and Mercedes and everyone inside the clubhouse speaks English – equally I have wandered along picturesque promenades without hearing a single English voice.
“I always meet with potential customers and will only advise on properties that genuinely meet their expectations and aspirations of a life in Spain and that meeting is an advisory service, it is most definitely not a hard sell or any of the other unsavoury practices that some in the industry pursue.
“I am also open about dealing with properties that are for sale for at least £200,000, which tends to attract the more serious investors who have given owning Spanish property serious consideration. I’m not in the market of selling cheap homes; everything that is sold through Blue Chip is of the highest standard.”
With the obvious exception of the time spent in Spain, Robin has lived in West Berkshire for 30 years, and spent 20 years in Chieveley. He represented Ellis of Richmond in this area and consequently is well known by a veritable host of discerning wine buyers and he is finding that customers, who chose Ellis of Richmond, also want the same level of service and expertise if they are looking at the Spanish property market.
“I do enjoy meeting with people I have known for many years and I am deeply honoured that they consider the integrity with which I sold wine, to bode well in what I can offer in relation to Spanish property. This is something that I am truly passionate about and I find it very rewarding to find someone their dream home in Spain, or the investment opportunity that will help them in the future.”
He concluded: “When I worked for Ellis of Richmond, all our wines, whether £3 or £33, were always better than the next persons. It was about quality and Blue Chip Realty UK is about quality in the properties we offer and in the service we offer our customers.”