Seeing the potential: Alex’s 6-week Málaga transformation

The challenge: a defined budget vs. a “new build” vision

When Alex contacted me, he was in a classic “stuck” position. He had spent weeks browsing online, and his dream of a new, modern property in his preferred Málaga neighbourhoods felt impossible on his budget. The market for new, move-in-ready properties in his price range just didn’t exist.

We sat down for a candid conversation. It was clear that to get what he wanted, we had to be more creative. I proposed a different strategy: instead of focusing on the “finished article,” let’s look for a property that offered more value for money—something with a great location, a spacious layout, and “good bones” that we could modernise.

The process: finding the “unchangeables”

I found a 1970s apartment that I knew had fantastic potential. While it was in its original condition—with dated terrazzo-style floors, a closed-off kitchen, and some poorly-placed partitions—I asked Alex to look past the finishes and focus on the “unchangeables.” It had a prime location, a very generous square footage, and wonderful sea views. This was our canvas.

The solution: a plan to de-risk the renovation

The word “renovation” can be daunting, so my priority was to remove all the stress and uncertainty before he committed.

• The negotiation: First, I handled the negotiation. By presenting a clear case based on the property’s condition, we successfully secured a reduction in the price, which in turn created the capital for the renovation.
• The team: I immediately brought in a professional, reliable contractor I have worked with for years. Before the sale was even final, we had a full plan, a fixed 6-week timeline, and a detailed quote.

The final budget was incredible. For less than €30,000, the plan covered the entire transformation—including a brand new kitchen, all new appliances, new windows, new floors, air conditioning, and even the furniture.

The result: a 6-week, “like-new” transformation

The day Alex signed at the notary, the team was ready. Work began immediately. In just six weeks, the property was unrecognisable — a deep, “back-to-the-bricks” renovation with all-new electrics and plumbing, professionally levelled floors and modern porcelain tiles throughout.

The biggest change was light: we opened up the living-room wall for a new 2.5-metre sliding glass door, flooding the apartment and making the sea view the star of the home. New solid-core doors, efficient air conditioning, double-glazed windows, and a brand-new kitchen with integrated appliances finished it. In the end, Alex got something his original budget could never have bought: a large, fully-renovated, “like-new” apartment with sea views — for a total investment significantly less than a comparable move-in-ready home.

I asked Alex to look past the finishes and focus on the “unchangeables”: location, space, and the sea view.

— Michael on finding good bones