The Germans, it seems, are amused by the manner in which Irish people are buying properties abroad, particularly in Spain. At an overseas property exhibition held in Dublin last weekend, a Spanish-based German agent remarked on how easy it was to sell in the Irish market. The way he sees it, potential customers arrive ready to hand over the money for their new holiday home in the sun, and most people aren't even familiar with the area. They listen to the sales pitch and then decide to go for it. He reckons Irish people need to wise up, as there's a lot of sharks out there.

It appears that the Irish are buying out whole blocks of apartment complexes, two or three at a time in some cases, around the Marbella area. While there may still be an element of exclusivity about Marbella town, the surrounding areas are fast becoming the Courtowns of the Mediterranean.