Mariano Rajoy - the Spanish president and his Vice-President Maria Dolores de Cospedal are caught up in the Barcenas scandal. Luis Barcenas, the ex-treasurer of the Partido Popular ( the ruling party) is currently in gaol and trying to explain how he has more than € 42 million in his Swiss bank account. He also claims that Rajoy and de Cospedal have received "brown envelopes" with € 45 000 each. Rajoy appears to be" burying his head in the sand " ostrich style and refusing to comment but this story will run as they say in the news.

The market here in Mallorca is still very challenging. Whatever you may read in the press sales are still few and far between - the "far between" being the operative words as the gap between owners perception of value and offers from  buyers  remains quite far apart on most occasions.

One major problem is that even if an owner has reduced the asking price dramatically, offers are still made at much lower levels. We emphasise to potential buyers that the price has been calculated on TODAY'S market but still the offers are undercutting the revised asking price.

On the bright side the high end properties continue to to attract interest as against the €500,000 to €2,000,000 market which is really tough.

According to the Local Government sales in the first quarter of this year amounted to € 52.4 million - a slight improvement on the same period last year. It also states that demand for coastal properties is the strongest element.

The picture below shows how with imagination a previously boring and ugly building can be revitalised. How many ugly apartment blocks in Mallorcan resorts could benefit from this kind of "makeover"?

And Palma's new Congress centre which remains uncompleted could look like this:

The new law is quite clear - if you wish to sell or rent your property you need such a certificate which we can help you to obtain. I have not heard of anyone being fined for not having a certificate but as the government needs the cash - no doubt the pressure will increase.

What's on in Mallorca   

Consell Sunday market - good for a "mooch round" 

Consell market   

  http://www.seemallorca.com/events/classical.html

Sam brings a beautiful woman into a fancy Beverly Hills furrier. "Show the lady your finest mink!" Sam exclaims.

As the lady tries on the coat, the furrier discreetly whispers to the man, "Ah sir, that particular fur goes for $65,000."

"No problem. I'll write you a check."

"Very good, sir," says the shop owner. "Today is Saturday. You may come by on Monday to pick it up, after your check has cleared."

On Monday, Sam returns. The store owner is outraged, "How dare you show your face in here? There isn't a single penny in your checking account."

"I just had to come by," grins Sam, "to thank you for the most wonderful weekend of my life."

'The two biggest myths about me are that I`m an intellectual, because I wear these glasses, and that I`m an artist because my films lose money. Those two myths have been prevalent for many years.'

'Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.'

'I had a terrible education. I attended a school for emotionally disturbed teachers

'There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman

'It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens.'

'Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.'

'My brain: It`s my second favorite organ.

'My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.