Robin's Path to Premium Living — Co-Ownership as a Game-Changer
The dream: a second home in southern Spain
Robin had always dreamed of owning a modern, well-located second home along the Costa del Sol. He and his wife love the relaxed lifestyle, outdoor activities, and international community.
Their favourite spot? The New Golden Mile in Estepona, ideally located close to beach clubs, golf courses, and international shops.
Client Profile
Name: Robin
Nationality: Swedish
Age: Early 30s
Profession: Works in tech, hybrid remote setup
Family: Married with one young child
Travel habits: Enjoys 3–4 weeks of sun per year, particularly in winter and spring.
The Property
Robin set his sights on a new-build 3-bedroom apartment featuring:
- A large south-facing terrace
- Access to a shared pool
- Stylish, contemporary interior design
Total Cost: €763,000
(Including taxes and furnishings, but excluding company setup and agency fees for sole ownership)
Cost Breakdown:
- Property price: €650,000
- 10% VAT on new build: €65,000
- 2% stamp duty & solicitor’s fees: €13,000
- Furniture pack: €35,000
A smarter path: co-ownership within the budget
Robin had saved €300,000 — a solid amount, but far from enough to buy the property outright.
Under the co-ownership model, the all-inclusive cost for a 1/4 share — covering the share of the property, taxes, furnishing, and the shared company structure — came to:
€196,000 Co-ownership offered the perfect solution. With just €196,000, he could buy a 1/4 share of the property with freehold ownership and three months’ exclusive usage each year.
That left him with €567,000 — the difference between the adjusted full property cost (€763,000) and his 1/4 share — which he chose to invest steadily over the next 15 years, rather than spend upfront, making use of cost averaging and long-term compounding.
Investing the difference: long-term thinking
Robin invested the €567,000 he saved by not buying the entire property as follows:
An initial €104,000 (the difference between his €300,000 savings and the €196,000 total cost of his 1/4 share (including furnishing and fees) was invested as a lump sum in an ETF tracking the S&P 500 or MSCI World Index (historical return average +9%/year).
The remaining €463,000 — representing the capital he would have spent to buy the full property — was invested steadily over 15 years, averaging around €30,870 per year. This long-term strategy used cost averaging to smooth market fluctuations and benefited from long-term compounding.
Please note: This case study is for illustrative purposes only. We are not financial advisors and this does not constitute financial advice.
Co-Ownership + Investment Strategy
1. Property Ownership
1/4 co-ownership share: €196,000 → €220,000 after 15 years (in today’s euros)
2. Investment of Difference
Initial ETF investment (€96,000) → ~€341,000 after 15 years
Additional €453,000 invested steadily over 15 years (~€30,000/year) in ETFs → ~€751,000 (using cost averaging and historical returns of 6.5%)
Total projected value (inflation-adjusted): ~€1,309,000
Sole Ownership Path
Had Robin bought the full property for €763,000 (excluding fees not applicable in sole ownership):
Projected value after 15 years: ~€892,000 (in today’s euros)
Difference in total value after 15 years: ~€437,000 in favour of the co-ownership + investment path
And importantly, Robin retains greater financial flexibility and liquidity over the entire 15-year period.
Quality of life, right-sized
Robin and his family enjoy three months a year in one of southern Spain’s most sought-after locations — without financial strain. His son is growing up with sunny holidays, and Robin works remotely several weeks a year from the terrace.
And in the future, Robin plans to transfer his share to his son — a low-cost, meaningful gift with transfer fees of around €1,000 only.
Co-ownership as access, not compromise
Robin’s story is a clear example of how co-ownership can open doors. It’s not just a smart choice for wealthy investors — it’s a practical opportunity for families and individuals with strong savings who want real quality and long-term flexibility.
“Without co-ownership, this level of property would never have been an option. Now we have a home in Spain, and financial freedom to plan for the future.”
If premium real estate felt out of reach, this might be your way in.