Case Study: Anouk's Smart Move — Co-Ownership and Smarter Investing
Profile
Name: Anouk
Nationality: Dutch
Profession: Works remotely, based in the Netherlands
Typical travel pattern: Visits Costa del Sol 3 times per year, staying 3–4 weeks total
Preference: Mild winters, low-season travel, and cost efficiency
The property she considered
Anouk was interested in a new-build, premium 3-bedroom apartment in Mijas, near Marbella. It featured a large terrace, access to a swimming pool, and came fully furnished by an interior designer. The total price, including all taxes, fees, and furniture, was:
€707,000 (if bought as a sole buyer, in her own name)
That price included:
€600,000 purchase price
10% VAT: €60,000
2% stamp duty: €12,000
Furniture & interior design: €35,000
What Anouk actually paid
Instead of buying the entire property, Anouk chose co-ownership, purchasing a 1/4 share for:
€181,750
This gave her the right to use the property for up to 3 months per year, far more than her usual 3–4 week stay. With remote work, she may now extend her trips in the cooler, more pleasant winter months (daytime temperatures in the low 20s).
What did she do with the remaining capital?
By choosing co-ownership, Anouk retained over €525,000 in available capital.
Rather than leave it idle, she split the funds as follows:
50% (€262,625) invested in an ETF tracking the S&P 500 or MSCI World Index, historically returning 9–10% annually
50% (€262,625) placed in a savings account or money market fund, earning around 2.5% per year
Please note: This case study is for illustrative purposes only. We are not financial advisors and this does not constitute financial advice. All investment figures are hypothetical and based on historical performance, which is not a guarantee of future results.
Taking inflation into account
Over the past 20 years, the average annual inflation has been:
France: ~1.7%
Spain: ~2.1%
For this case study, we’ll apply a conservative average of 2% annual inflation across all scenarios to express future values in today’s euros.
Projected outcome after 15 years (inflation-adjusted)
| Investment type | Initial amount | Real annual return | Value after 15 years* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETF (S&P 500/MSCI) | €262,625 | ~6.5% | ~€693,000 |
| Savings @2.5% | €262,625 | ~0.5% | ~€284,000 |
| Total | €525,250 | ~€977,000 |
* Approximate figures, adjusted for 2% annual inflation
Property value comparison (inflation-adjusted)
Let’s now assume the property value increases at 3% per year, which is typical for well-located real estate. However, to make a fair comparison, we will also apply 2% inflation to reflect future value in today’s euros.
| Ownership type | Initial value | Nominal growth | Real growth | Value after 15 years* |
| Full ownership | €707,000 | 3% | ~1% | ~€821,000 |
| 1/4 ownership | €181,750 | 3% | ~1% | ~€205,000 |
* Inflation-adjusted at 2% annually
So:
The full property grows in real value by around €114,000
Anouk’s 1/4 share grows by around €23,000
But her €525,000 invested generates approximately €452,000 in real growth
Total projected asset value after 15 years:
Co-ownership share: €205,000
Investments: €977,000
Combined: ~€1,182,000 (in today’s money)
Compared to:
Full property: ~€821,000 in today’s euros
A financially sound lifestyle choice
“I didn’t need the whole property. Co-ownership gave me exactly what I wanted — and the freedom to make my money work elsewhere.”
Anouk enjoys sunshine, freedom, and a premium second home on the Costa del Sol — while growing her wealth smartly in the background. For modern buyers who value flexibility and financial efficiency, co-ownership just makes sense.
A tip for other buyers
Anouk’s example is one of a buyer who could afford full ownership — but chose a smarter structure instead. In the next case study, we’ll explore a different profile: someone who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a property of this quality, but finds co-ownership a way to step up and access a premium second home that would otherwise be out of reach.
Looking ahead
Anouk now has two children, and she’s preparing to transfer her co-ownership share to them — so they can begin building family memories of their own, with her future grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The transfer process is simple and very affordable, typically costing around €1,000 — another fantastic advantage of the co-ownership model.