20 Years of Mortgages

In 2012, Spain’s property market was entering a new phase. Prices had adjusted, uncertainty remained, but for some investors, opportunity was beginning to reappear.In Episode 7 of 20 Years of Mortgages, Kevin is joined by Rafael Martínez-Echevarría from Martínez-Echevarría Abogados to explore how high-net-worth buyers approach the Spanish property market — and why their decisions often go far beyond finding the right property.Together, they discuss how experienced investors think about timing, risk and long-term value, as well as the importance of legal and tax planning, ownership structures, succession and the cross-border considerations that can shape a high-value purchase.They also explore why Spain continues to attract international capital and what buyers should consider when making decisions designed not just for the next few years, but for the long term.Because at this level, buying well isn’t simply about spotting an opportunity. It’s about structuring it properly.🎙️ Watch or listen to Episode 7 of 20 Years of Mortgages, by Mortgage Direct.

By 2011, the conversation around buying property in Spain was beginning to change. International buyers were no longer looking only at price and opportunity — lifestyle was becoming an increasingly important part of the decision.

In Episode 6 of 20 Years of Mortgages, Katherine is joined by Berni Walker, CEO of thinkSPAIN, one of Spain’s leading property portals for international buyers.

Together, they explore what different locations reveal about what buyers are really looking for — from Barcelona and Valencia to the Costa Blanca — and how factors such as lifestyle, climate, investment potential and infrastructure influence where international buyers choose to call home.

Berni also shares insights from years of buyer search behaviour and enquiry patterns, exploring how hotspots emerge, what international buyers can overlook when choosing an area, and how Spain’s property map could evolve in the years ahead.

Because choosing a property in Spain isn’t just about what you buy — it’s about where and how you want to live.

🎙️ Watch Episode 6 of 20 Years of Mortgages, by Mortgage Direct.

In 2010, the Spanish property market was beginning to recover, but confidence was still fragile and international buyers were more cautious than ever.In this episode of 20 Years of Mortgages, Katherine is joined by Erwin Hartgring, co-founder of Dream Properties International, to explore the role that trust, strong partnerships and professional networks played in navigating a changing market.They discuss why the right relationships matter, the importance of a client-first approach and how bringing together the right professionals can make the property-buying journey in Spain more connected and manageable.Because when it comes to buying property abroad, nobody succeeds alone.🎙️ 20 Years of Mortgages, by Mortgage Direct.

How did the 2009 financial crisis reshape the Spanish mortgage industry?

In this episode of 20 Years of Mortgages, Kevin Monger is joined by Virginia de la Cuadra Galera, an experienced Spanish property lawyer, to discuss how the post-crisis market transformed the way international buyers purchase property in Spain.

Together, they explore the challenges of frozen credit, the growing importance of legal advice, and how mortgage advisers, lawyers and estate agents adapted to better support international clients. They also share the lessons from 2009 that continue to shape the Spanish property market today.

Whether you're buying property in Spain, looking for a Spanish mortgage or planning to relocate, this episode offers valuable insights from professionals who experienced the market first-hand.

Guest: Virginia de la Cuadra Galera Host: Kevin Monger

20 Years of Mortgages is the official podcast by Mortgage Direct, exploring the key moments that have shaped the Spanish mortgage market over the past two decades.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Confidence underpins every property market. But what happens when it is lost? 📉🎙️ Episode 3 of the 20 Years of Mortgages podcast is now live.In this episode, we are joined by Dylan Leworthy from UCI to revisit the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and explore one of the biggest challenges the property market has ever faced: restoring buyer confidence.Why did recovery take so long?What brought investors back?And what lessons from 2008 still shape today’s market?Whether you are an investor, property professional or simply interested in the evolution of the Spanish property market, this episode offers valuable insights that remain just as relevant today.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.https://mortgagedirectsl.com/category/podcast/#MortgageDirect #20YearsOfMortgages #PropertyMarket #SpainProperty #RealEstateSpain #PropertyInvestment #MortgageAdvice #Podcast

In 2007, Spain's property market seemed unstoppable. Prices were rising, credit was easy to access and confidence was everywhere.

But beneath the surface, the foundations of one of the biggest property crashes in modern history were already forming.

In this episode, Katherine Walkerdine is joined by Mark Stücklin, founder of Spanish Property Insight, to revisit the final moments before the crash and explore the warning signs many buyers, banks and investors failed to see.

A conversation about market psychology, lending, risk, buyer behaviour and the lessons that still matter today.

🎙 Guest: Mark Stücklin

🎧 Series: 20 Years of Mortgages by Mortgage Direct

Every journey has a starting point.

In this first episode of 20 Years of Mortgages, Katherine and Kevin take us back to where it all began — arriving in Spain, falling in love with the lifestyle, and quickly realising how complex the mortgage process was for international buyers.

What started as frustration became an opportunity: to build a mortgage brokerage designed specifically for foreigners navigating the Spanish property market.

They are joined by Alex Vaughan, founder of Lucas Fox, first partner in the history of MD, who shares his own early experience of building a business in Spain and recognising the same gap in the market.

Together, they explore the challenges of starting from scratch in a foreign country, building trust as outsiders, and how those early decisions shaped the industry we know today.

This episode is about foundations — the moments that don’t feel significant at the time, but define everything that comes after.

A conversation about beginnings, challenges, and the decisions that shape long-term success.

🔗 Learn more about Mortgage Direct: https://mortgagedirectsl.com

🔗 Explore Lucas Fox: https://www.lucasfox.com/