You can have a piece of it all in Spain: beauty, history, culture, lifestyle, sophistication. And you can have it all for a lot less than you could a few years ago. How so? Property values in Spain have leveled out for the time being. Some areas are even considered "bargain areas." In these areas you can get luxury and style for very little cost. In a few years, after the housing market turns around, you will be able to sell such properties for a profit.

If you're not looking for an investment, Spain has numerous, beautiful holiday properties for sale as well. You can choose from areas that are secluded and practically shut down in the off season or areas where nightlife, shopping and culture abound. You can even buy a private property on one of Spain's many islands.

No matter your reasoning for buying property in Spain, you need to be sure that you are buying the right property. This is where location comes in. Location is everything. Location dictates the kind of lifestyle you will be living while in Spain. It also is vital in terms of appreciation and resale value.

There are many areas in Spain that are ideal to buy. Let's take a moment to talk about a few of them. There is a large variety of different types of locations, so we are going to give you a taste of what type of property you can buy in Spain as well as highlight some of the best areas.

• Convenience and Stability - If you have a deep wallet and want to be in the middle of everything, Costa Brava has everything you need. Airports, shops and a high-speed connector train that runs all the way to London will keep you connected and in the middle of it all. And the coastal beauty of Costa Brava will leave you speechless. The price tag of living in this area might also leave you speechless. A basic apartment here averages 300,000 pounds. But the area is virtually untouched by the recent housing market decline. Housing prices have risen steadily in spite of the market.

• Value and Familiarity - The highest concentration of British landowners live in Costa Blanca. And there is good reason why. Flats start out at only 40,000 pounds. Cheap beer and cheap flights to Britain make this the ideal area in which to purchase a holiday property. But don't expect to get rich off of property appreciation.

• Seclusion and Island Life - If you want seclusion, the small island of Formentera is for you. One of Spain's most protected coastal regions, Formentera has seen little development. Conveniences are few and far between. Properties are also few. But if you want to purchase a piece of unspoiled island paradise, this island is for you. Apartments start out at 150,000 pounds. Luxury properties can cost as much as 1 to 2 million pounds.

Remember; location is everything. If you want to purchase a property in Spain that you can enjoy and resale when the time is right, you need to pay attention to where you are buying. In fact, where is more important than what. An ugly house in a good area is preferable than a gorgeous house in a bad area.