While in many countries and regions property prices are falling due to the tightening monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB), there are still areas where buying a home has become more expensive. This is the case, for example, in Costa Blanca, where the price tag of a house skyrocketed by about 10 per cent last year. "Despite the increased price, demand is still on the rise," notes Carl Vorsselmans of the real estate agency "New construction in Spain".