Luxury Property Market Still Booming in Marbella

Ideal Spanish Property brings you an exclusive interview with one of Marbella's most influential "super-agents", Younes Cohen, who is a co-founder of the top-end Puerto Banus based agency, Cohen and Cunild.  Mr. Cohen has been a long-established figure in the Costa del Sol Real Estate industry, who deals with clients who appreciate his companys' values of discresion and privacy.  The Spanish property company specialises in marketing high luxury properties, yaughts and watches.

Mr. Cohen and I met to discuss the Spanish property business on a sunny July day in the cinema-room that is for display in his office on Avda Julio Iglesias, opposite Puerto Banus, which they often install into his customers luxury villas.  It would be unusual to see a Real Estate office with millions of euros worth of Supercars in it, even during a booming market, nevermind during a recession, so I am keen to find out the secrets to Mr. Cohen's success.  But I began by asking him how he started in the business:

When and how did you get into the Real Estate and Supercar business?

It was a natural progression really, having been successful as a real estate broker for eight years and after lengthy discussions with my friend Mitchell Cunild, a car broker, we decided to form the partnership. At Cohen and Cunild we offer a unique blend of high end real estate, supercars, yachts and watches.

These are tough times for the Spanish real estate sector... why have you decided to open an office in Puerto Banus now?

It’s tough everywhere at the moment, but from my experience these economic conditions have made people more realistic both in buying and selling. Opening an office in Puerto Banus was a natural progression in capturing the local and international market. Real estate is just one of our departments and the shared overheads make opening in these tough times a more realistic option.

Have you had any famous clients?

Discretion is our business Michael! Our clients range from some of the most famous international businessmen and sport stars to Middle Eastern royal dynasties. They come to us because we offer a service that is neither aggressive or flashy. Yes, we do have a Bugatti Veyron in the showroom but we sell to connoisseurs who appreciated the finer things, which is true for our properties and cars. We treat everybody equally and we are gaining a reputation as the most relaxed in the port.

What's the most impressive property that you have on your books and why?

All of our properties are impressive! If we’re talking price then I’ve just listed an impressive $42 million house in Switzerland, but one of my favourites is a charming house called Guadalmina Baja Cortijo, traditional Spanish with a stunning interior and gorgeous gardens. At €7.500.000 the house offers a lot of accommodation for your money and whilst boasting Spanish charm. 

Which is the most impressive car that you're selling at Cohen & Cunild?

I’d say based on the crowd taking photographs outside the showroom  at any time of day and night it would be the Bugatti Veyron. However, the favourite of ours in the showroom is the Porsche Carrera GT, it’s a rare car and if your a driving enthusiast then the Porsche is one of the best handling cars ever. 

Is there a recession for the top end clients that you're aiming for?

Our very top end clients would be called recession proof,  but most of our buyers are being sensible on what they can actually afford. Our international clients have a number of properties around the world and as such we work together to ensure that they get the right property.

What would you say to people who would like to buy a property in Spain but are afraid following all of the recent planning controversies?

Thanks to work by the Government these issues have been cleared up. Buying property in Spain has been simplified and has been made a lot more transparent.

Do you see a bright future in store for the Marbella / Puerto Banus area? If so why

Of course we do! Marbella is a unique micro-economy in Spain, the area has hugely wealthy individuals who live or have a place here. With this in mind we cater to their tastes. As I’ve said, we also have a number of less exotic  cars and real estate, and our mid range clients are experiencing a much better year than 2010.

Cohen & Cunild / http://www.cohencunild.com/ Avda Julio Iglesias no.3, 1, Puerto Banus, Malaga