Property for sale in Spain

It has always been said that buying your first home is one of the most difficult decisions of your life. Knowing where you want to live, the property's layout and the area are factors to be taken into account. But it's a decision that experts say is made in a time of need. The same does not happen with second homes: a thoughtful decision, but a little less so, and one that awakens a need when you begin to glimpse summer.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, foreigners bought 30,796 homes in Spain, 7% less year-on-year, representing 18.4% of total transactions. According to data from the Ministry of Housing, the majority of transactions were carried out by residents (17,231 units, 5.8% less year-on-year), while non-residents recorded a larger decrease (13,565 transactions, with a decline of 8.6%). %).

The consensus of companies in the real estate sector for 2024 highlights that housing prices will continue to rise in Spain, although at a slower pace than in previous years, while they expect sales to remain in line with 2023, with a slight drop in operations. We review the forecasts of entities such as CaixaBank, BBVA, S&P Global and other companies.

In a climate of ever-changing interest rates, and after a period of savings and reduced investment such as the pandemic and following years, collective real estate investment, either through real estate crowdfunding or by tokenising real estate, is booming. Luis Miguel Larriba, partner in Garrido's tax department, explains the main aspects of this real estate investment opportunity.

The eternal doubt of whether it is a good time to buy a house is never resolved, since subjective and personal factors always come into play. However, with the data on the table and knowing a little about how the sector has evolved in other cycles, you can know if the scenario is more suitable to jump into the pool of home buying or not. According to a panel of experts consulted by idealista/news, now would be a good time to buy a home because there is a very active demand and a shortage of supply. “If it fits you, it's time to buy,” say some of the sector professionals interviewed.

If you've ever dreamed of taking the plunge, leaving the big city, buying an old village house and renovating it, now is your time (as long as you live in Catalonia). The Generalitat has just launched a grant for renovating homes located in small villages. Its aim is to encourage residents or families who want to move in permanently to live in the area by renovating old, often vacant or dilapidated buildings. Grants can be up to €40,000.

For a long time, Spain has been a popular destination for second-home buyers.

Foreigners bought 63,183 homes in Spain in the second half of 2023, 10% less year-on-year; representing 20.9% of total transactions, below the two previous semesters. However, data from notaries place the average price paid by non-residents for properties above €2,700/m2, the highest figure on record. Only Asturias managed to break the record, while the Valencian Community accounted for 30% of the total. By nationality, the British continue to lead the ranking, while purchases made by Colombians reach maximum levels.

Andorra is attractive for its scenery, ski slopes and the tax benefits its residents enjoy.

Spain captured a total of $2.210 billion (€2.060 billion) in real estate investment in the second half of 2023, placing it among Europe's top four countries to invest in real estate and the world's top 10. As revealed in Colliers' 'Global Capital Flows' report for the second half of 2023, Spain ranks eighth in the world, while the United Kingdom is in first place.

These luxury homes with sea views offer an unrivalled degree of exclusivity and are meticulously designed to satisfy the most demanding standards.

Real estate professionals are increasingly needed to mediate operations. According to data from the Federation of Associations of Real Estate Companies (FADEI), the Spanish real estate sector employers' association, real estate agencies already mediate seven out of ten home purchase and rental operations in Spain. According to the association, the benefits of having the services of a professional in the sector are clear: a real estate agency can sell a home 30% quicker and, can reduce viewings by 80% for rental properties.

A busy quarter is approaching for real estate sector. In the run-up to summer, those looking buy usually close their transactions. Experts give their forecasts for the next quarter, among which are a shortage of housing, which will mean that demand and prices do not fall and may even continue to increase, and purchases made by foreigners will continue to rise from 21.4%, which was already established during the first half of 2023.

Foreign homebuyers in Spain are at an all-time high (15%), according to the Yearbook of Property Registrars, and barely 1.7% lower than 2022 sales records, with just over 87,300. The British (9.5%), Germans (7.3%) and French (6.7%) are once again the main foreign homebuyers.

Property auctions in Spain can be an exciting and potentially lucrative way to purchase real estate. Buying property at auction allows you to get your hands on a house in Spain for considerably less than the market value.

Two relevant reports were missing, and both reached the City Council last January, favorable to the development proposal of the Benidorm Ensanche Levante Plan, which covers an area of 575,371 m2. This is the most important area that remains to be developed in the Levante area of Benidorm and where it is intended to build more than 2,000 homes and 20 hotels. From now on, another path begins, which may be long, in which the promoters must draft the urbanization and reparcelling project for the sector.

The developer sold more than 600 homes to international clients last year, 13% more than the year before. Although the Costa del Sol and Levante are the most in-demand areas with the most transactions, Aedas assures that Tenerife South has made its way as a new on-trend residential destination for foreign buyers, after capturing 6.4% of its operations. It is the fifth most prominent location, behind Malaga, Alicante, Valencia and Madrid.

The Room2030 project, designed by architect Sergio Baragaño in collaboration with ArcelorMittal's R&D centres, consists of modular units and prefab houses made in Asturias and ready in one day.

According to the latest idealista report with data from February, the largest year-on-year increases have occurred in Jerez de la Frontera (14.6%), San Cristóbal de la Laguna (12.9%) and Telde (10.3%), while Marbella (€4,526/m2) and the university city of Tenerife (€1,637/m2) are the only places in this study to reach maximum prices.

This article recommends 5 things you should keep in mind when renovating a farmhouse. Fundamentally, look at the property's condition and rescue all the original elements you can. First of all, it's important not to throw anything away, as the best thing about farmhouses is their rustic essence, and you'll find somewhere to put the elements.

If you want to buy a place in the sun but the price is putting you off, Spanish repossessions direct from banks can be a great way to get a bargain.

When buying a home, many factors are considered before deciding on a location, but generally quality of life and weather conditions are valued. In this sense, the Canary Islands would be the best-valued in Spain, followed by the Balearic Islands, according to the Spain Happy Index, prepared by Sonneil, the Spanish technology marketer specialising in second-hand home sales.

Sustainability and speed of construction are two of the attributes that define today's prefabricated houses. A clear example of this can be found in this 128-m2 home designed by Tini Living that was assembled in just 10 days in Barcelona. Another of its qualities is its efficiency and sustainability. It has large windows to optimise natural light, which considerably reduces energy consumption. As for the price, a project of these characteristics ranges between €1,800 and €2,000 per square metre.

House auctions are a great opportunity to buy a property for less than its market value, with savings of up to 50% in some cases. Although once dominated by investors, more and more people are looking for a more affordable alternative in a market that continues to rise.

In Spain's complex cultural and geographical mosaic, finding the cheapest towns is an interesting topic for those looking to reduce expenses or longing for a quiet and authentic life. This analysis not only reveals affordable options but highlights the wealth of opportunities these locations o