Chestertons Real Estate Agency has had a good 2016 with the opening of two new branches, and Raymond Sammut, branch manager of the central Santa Venera office, said: “There were times in the past when the south of Malta was not so popular because clients had family living in the area and they wanted to remain close.”

For the past 16 years, Mr Sammut has been selling apartments, maisonettes, terraced houses and houses of character in Malta and Gozo.

“Over the past few years this trend has changed,” he said, adding that he has had clients buying in the south coming from all different areas of Malta. “Ever since Skyparks, Smart City, the University and the project in Cospicua, property in the area has been given a boost. Locals are investing in the area and buying to rent has become popular. Foreigners are showing a lot of interest in the Three Cities, along with Valletta, since V18 is right round the corner.”

Believing that the current property market is very promising, Mr Sammut said if a specific property is valued at the right price, it does not take long to sell. The trend of buying on plan is becoming more popular, giving clients the advantage of buying at a lower price than the market value. Property on plan also provides clients to choose their own finishes.