MICHAEL AND MAIREAD: SPAIN

Michael and Mairead Dayton have been holidaying in Peurto Banus for the last 15 years and have finally decided to buy a holiday home there. They are looking for a one bed apartment, with a terrace or garden and air condiditioning.

They start with a 1 bed ground floor apartment with a south facing terrace. The price is €144,000 but it's a little too far from the port for Michael and Mairead. They want to be nearer the centre of things. They definitely have their hearts set on the port.

The town was established only forty or so years ago and it's a strange mix of the very exclusive and more traditional. The area between here and Marbella up the coast is called the golden mile - property here is very expensive.

The next apartment is right on the frontline of the port area. It's a €240,000 small 1 bed apartment with no terrace and no access to a communal pool. So while it's in the right area for Michael and Mairead it has none of the extras they require. And it's too dear.

It's disappointing so far for Michael and Mairead but there are plenty of properties to see over the next few weeks.