Nestled in Las Lagunas de Mijas, property HQL-5MS6Z represents a concise example of what disciplined sourcing and local market knowledge deliver for international buyers on the Costa del Sol.

Discovering a one-bedroom in Las Lagunas de Mijas

At 52 square metres, this one-bedroom apartment on Avenida de Rota offers a clear value proposition: compact, well-lit living with coastal access and the kinds of building amenities that matter to overseas purchasers. Priced at EUR 249,000 and built in 1986, the flat has been maintained to a practical standard and comes furnished, with air conditioning, an elevator and communal pool access — features that make immediate occupancy and short-let management straightforward for non-resident owners. As shown in the photos, the living room benefits from large windows and a terrace with a distant sea view, a combination that lifts this modest floor area and strengthens rental and resale prospects.

Interior and immediate appeal

The internal flow is efficient: a single bedroom, a serviceable bathroom and an open living/dining area designed to make the most of natural light. The images capture the apartment’s daylight and neutral finishes — practical for international buyers who want either a turn-key retreat or a low-effort upgrade. The terrace, shown in the gallery, not only provides outdoor living but also frames the sea view that is often the decisive factor for buyers focused on lifestyle or short-term rental income.

What this property does not pretend to be is a large, luxury pied-à-terre. Instead, it offers three tangible advantages for foreign purchasers: affordability within the Costa del Sol market band, immediate lettability due to its location and furnishing, and manageable running costs in a building that includes lift access and communal facilities. MAK-1 International Realty selected this apartment with those buyer profiles in mind.

How MAK-1 International Realty frames opportunities

MAK-1 International Realty, based in La Cala de Mijas and operating for 25 years, specialises in bridging local supply and international demand. Their approach is evidence-driven: they prioritise properties with clear operational profiles (turn-key, holiday rental or first-time ownership) and document the practicalities that matter to cross-border buyers. This apartment exemplifies that selection logic. MAK-1 highlighted the building’s communal pool, the terrace sea view and the low-maintenance finish — all items that simplify ownership for someone buying from abroad.

MAK-1’s value-add is procedural as much as it is local knowledge. For this listing they prepared a concise dossier covering the property’s legal standing, community charges, historical occupancy patterns and likely short-term rental yields. They also map logistical factors: proximity to Málaga airport, coastal transport and local services in Las Lagunas de Mijas — information international buyers need before they commit to a viewing or an offer.

Due diligence checklist applied to this apartment

When assessing a property like this, MAK-1 recommends an ordered due diligence sequence. The firm assists with each step and prepares documentation tailored for overseas buyers:

• 1. Title and register checks — verify escritura and note any charges or servitudes. 2. Community accounts and meeting minutes — understand maintenance budgets and special assessments. 3. Practical running costs — annual IBI, community fees, water and electricity norms for short lets. 4. Planning and refurbishment risk — check for pending works or building permits that could affect costs. 5. Rental performance evidence — recent occupancy rates and typical rent levels for comparable one-bed apartments in Las Lagunas and nearby coastal locations.

For this specific flat, MAK-1 provided community fee figures and past short-let examples, enabling a buyer to test cashflow assumptions before purchase. That practical transparency — presenting both upside and likely cost lines — is central to the agency’s reputation with international clients.

Las Lagunas de Mijas: market context for international buyers

Las Lagunas de Mijas is a suburban hub positioned between inland Mijas and the coast. For international buyers, its appeal lies in affordability compared with central coastal resorts, combined with practical access to services, schools and transport. The area attracts first-time buyers, young professionals and investors seeking steady rental demand rather than premium holiday returns. Streets are mixed-use, and the urban grain supports convenience — supermarkets, cafés and healthcare are within short drives. MAK-1’s regional experience allows them to match buyer intent (long-stay residence, rental yield, or occasional holiday use) with the pockets of supply that fit those strategies.

Buyers should note local market characteristics: units built in the 1980s often have practical layouts but will vary in energy efficiency and communal asset condition. This means budgeting for targeted upgrades or confirming that the community has a refurbishment plan. MAK-1 flags these items early in negotiations, reducing surprises at contract stage.

Practical considerations for non-resident buyers

International purchasers should confirm two practical elements before offering: (a) the total cost of ownership including local taxes and community fees, and (b) the administrative pathway to manage the asset (trusted local management, keysafe solutions, or short-let platforms). MAK-1 routinely introduces vetted property managers and legal counsel experienced with non-resident owners, which helps reduce operational friction once a purchase completes.

What this apartment reveals about MAK-1’s sourcing

This listing illustrates MAK-1’s pragmatic sourcing criteria: focus on clear operational value, honest presentation and manageability for international clients. They do not overstate possibilities. Instead, they document the apartment’s strengths — sea view, terrace, pool access — and the realistic limitations of a compact 52 sqm plan. That balanced approach helps buyers calibrate expectations and evaluate trade-offs on price versus potential income or lifestyle use.

In conversations with clients, MAK-1 often frames such properties as tactical entries into the Costa del Sol market: lower acquisition cost, manageable upkeep, and the option to scale into larger holdings later. For buyers focused on capital preservation and low operational complexity, that argument is persuasive and demonstrably defensible with the numbers the agency provides.

Image-led observations

The accompanying photographs emphasise form and light: the terrace framing a coastal line, the living area’s daylight, close-ups of finishes and the communal pool. These images are used by MAK-1 not to romanticise but to show condition and context — an editorial choice that aligns with the due diligence ethos international buyers require.

Actionable next steps for interested buyers

• 1. Request the full due diligence pack from MAK-1, including escritura extracts, recent community minutes and utility cost history. 2. Ask for a short-term rental report for comparable one-bed apartments in Las Lagunas and the nearby coast. 3. Arrange a virtual viewing or an accompanied on-site inspection through MAK-1’s bilingual team. 4. Confirm management options for non-resident ownership (local manager, agency lettings, or turnkey operator).

If you are evaluating this property as a first purchase in Spain or as an entry point to the Costa del Sol, MAK-1 can provide the factual materials and introductions that reduce administrative risk. Their 25 years in La Cala de Mijas gives them records, local contacts and a pragmatic understanding of modest coastal apartments — the exact profile this listing represents.

To move forward, contact MAK-1 International Realty to request full documentation and to discuss how this apartment could fit your ownership strategy. With straightforward properties like this, disciplined due diligence and clear operational planning are the difference between a sound purchase and an avoidable complication.