The island of Lanzarote is one of the seven islands in the Canarian archipelago. As one of the autonomous regions of Spain, the islands have an interesting cultural identity all their own, partly due to their history and also their geographical distance from the mainland.

In the recent past, the islands were one of the poorest regions of Spain as it emerged from under Franco's rule. Before the advent of mass tourism really took off, the local economy was very dependent on fishing and agriculture for its survival.

Since the 1970's however, their fortunes have changed considerably, as the reliably warm climate has been recognized as one of the only places within Europe that offers the chance of winter sun holidays. This in turn has boosted the construction industry and the economy in general.

However, Lanzarote's development has not been a headlong rush into high rise apartment blocks, unlike on Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Instead, it has taken a more considered approach, with strict controls introduced to limit the amount of building allowed.

This has had a twofold effect. One being that its tourism is recognized as following a more sustainable model. And the second that the property market has been given a valuable boost, due to tight controls over the supply of new housing.

Thus property for sale in Lanzarote has retained its value in comparison with certain other areas of Spain. As there simply hasn't been the widespread construction going on to the same extent as in other regions.

And as there are periodic moratoria on further developments, the housing stock available is usually always in demand. Whether as property for sale or as long term rentals on Lanzarote.

This is especially the case when the island's population growth is considered. As the number of people living on the island has swelled from 65,000 in 1988 to 141,000 in 2010, more than doubling the size of the resident population.

There are few places on the island where this is more evident than in the town of Playa Blanca. The southernmost resort was a tiny fishing village twenty years ago, with only around fifty houses. Now it is the second largest tourist resort on the island.

Much of the property in Playa Blanca that has been constructed in the last twenty years is now available for holiday rentals. As the demand has been predominantly for villas and residential housing and increasing numbers of tourists wish to stay in this town on the south coast.