Not many estate agents have a more pleasant commute to work than Damian Whitehead. He lives on the main island of Malta but takes the 20-minute ferry ride every day out to the smaller (and greener) island of Gozo.
After a day with clients, he can relax at the charming Il-Kartell restaurant overlooking Marsalforn Bay and, should he be celebrating a sale and not fancy driving, has the use of a company flat to stay overnight.
Like many Maltese, Mr Whitehead has Irish ancestors. His maternal great-grandfather, one William Bob Cranton from Tipperary, joined the British army after the First World War, was posted to Malta, married a local woman and died at the tragically young age of 21 in 1920.
Mr Whitehead, who is Gozo branch manger for the Dhalia estate agency, says "property prices have increased almost four-fold over the past 12 years with the biggest increase occurring over two years ago ahead of EU membership".
He says the average price of a luxury 96sq m (1,030sq ft) apartment with sea views on Gozo is about €250,000.
But he has a wide range of second-hand properties currently available ranging from "a fully furnished two-bed village apartment within walking distance of a beach" at around €90,000 up to a "house of character" (a three double-bedroom villa with pool and large terraces at Xaghra for €617,000.
The biggest new development on Gozo is Fort Chambray - a luxurious complex of 500 apartments and villas being built in the grounds of an 18th century Knights' Fort.
The hilltop setting benefits from a welcome, gentle cooling breeze and affords stunning views of the sea, the island of Malta and the largely uninhabited island of Comino with its famed Blue Grotto.
The complex will include a five-star hotel and a 1,000sq m swimming pool, believed to be the biggest in Europe.
Phase 2 of this development is to be launched later this month and will consist of some 200 apartments ranging in size from 50-120sq m (530-1,291sq ft).
Prices will start at €175,000 rising to €650,000 and include all fittings and furniture. A leaseback arrangement, to be managed by the hotel, will allow owners to use the apartments for up to two months a year.
Further details: www.dhalia.com
