Villas in Malta

You probably aren’t exactly sure what a villa is. It’s a word that is much used but very often misused. Many times, villas in Malta are described as such, but incorrectly. The word villa has been around since the time of the Roman Empire when it described a country house for the elite consisting of residential quarters and farm buildings around a courtyard. The Italian word villa translates to country house or farm. These days, the correct application of the word villa is to describe a detached house in the countryside.

What is a Modern Villa?

Most villas originally included a large amount of land and often barns, garages, or other outbuildings but most modern villas are built as holiday homes, often with a pool instead of the various outbuildings. A pool is certainly a desirable feature for people looking to buy a villa in Malta, especially if they are looking at it as an investment as a buy-to-let.

Buying a Villa

You can buy a villa in Malta which is already built or another option that has recently increased in popularity is to buy on-plan. Buying on-plan means you purchase a villa that is either partially built or unbuilt – i.e. you buy it based on the plans. If you can’t afford to buy a finished property, or you haven’t found a villa that you love, then buying on-plan is a great alternative. It has its advantages, but the easier option is definitely to find a finished property. The key factors of buying a villa are much the same for buying any property in Malta. These are:

• Ensure you have sufficient funds for the deposit.
• Know how much the bank is willing to lend you as a mortgage.
• Know the key features you are looking for in a villa. Do you want an open or closed floor plan? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? What are your preferred locations? BUT be prepared to compromise.

Renting a Villa

A villa is a great way to enjoy a holiday on the island. It takes you away from home and for a family, it is usually a more budget-friendly option than a hotel. There are properties big enough to accommodate extended families or even two to three families which make them even more financially attractive. You can decamp to a villa in the country or your favourite town/village on the sea in Malta or Gozo and enjoy a real home-from-home.

One of the most important things to remember when you want to rent a villa in Malta is that the island is a popular holiday destination. In the summer particularly, and especially if you want a short-term rental, there is going to be a lot of competition for available properties. Villas in the main tourist resorts, close to beaches and/or with sea views are going to be the most sought after and will usually command a higher rent.

There is a fantastic variety of villas: from small bijou residences with a courtyard garden to a huge sprawling building with all the trimmings including extensive gardens, pool, and tennis courts.

If you are going to rent a villa it is best to have as much notice as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing the property you’re looking for.