Spanish Real Estate August 2021

Contents

  • Sales set a record

  • Safe cities

  • Pool surcharge

  • View from the window in Barcelona

  • “Golden visas” are returning?

  • Historic masia for sale

1. Sales set a record

Spanish property sales since 2007

In the first half of 2021, 267,715 villas and apartments were sold in Spain, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Spanish Land Registry. This is the best result since 2008, when 313,248 transactions were recorded from January to June. Moreover, this is 0.6% more than in “pre-Covid” 2019, when 266,018 purchases were made in the first half of the year.

Real estate market experts attribute this to a large number of delayed purchases that did not take place last year due to public fears about the virus, closure of a number of borders and other factors.

The best half-year in the last 13 years is accompanied by another interesting figure: 55,777 new housing purchases. This is 13.5% more than in pre-Covid 2019, and the best result since 2014 (67,429).

2. Safe cities

The safest cities in the world list

Madrid and Barcelona made it into the ranking of the safest cities in the world according to The Economist. The capital of Catalonia took 11th place, and Madrid took 21st. The ranking is based on indicators such as personal security, healthcare, infrastructure and ecology.

The first three places were taken by Copenhagen (Denmark), Toronto (Canada) and Singapore.

3. Pool surcharge

Pools in Andalusia

According to a study by the Idealista portal, “real estate in a residential complex with a shared pool is on average 36.7% more expensive” than similar properties without a pool. The biggest price difference is in Andalusia (64.4%), Valencia (54.4%) and the Canary Islands (52%).

At the same time, only about 20% of housing for sale can boast a private or shared pool. The most offers with pools are in Alicante.

4. View from the window in Barcelona

The number of issued “Golden Visa” in Spain, by year

Barcelona has its own criterion that can dramatically increase housing prices. According to Barnes Barcelona experts, if an apartment offers views of Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Tibidabo or the Mediterranean Sea, the property value increases by at least 30%.

Elizabeth Hernandez from Barnes Barcelona notes that today most home buyers in the city are looking for 150 m² apartments near schools and parks.

5. “Golden visas” are returning?

The number of issued “Golden Visa” in Spain, by year. Screenshot from Idealista

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 324 “Golden visas” have already been issued to foreigners this year, which corresponds to the figure for the entire year 2020. According to experts, this is a continuation of the trend in the real estate market - deals blocked during the pandemic are now being completed as the market “catches up” on its losses.

To obtain a “Golden visa,” it is necessary to invest in Spanish real estate or the country’s economy from €500,000.

6. Historic masia for sale

An 18th-century masia is for sale for €3.95 million in the municipality of Osona (65 km from Barcelona). In addition to the main mansion, the complex includes a guest house, gallery, sanatorium and church.

The total area of the property exceeds 3,000 m², and the plot occupies more than twenty hectares. Inside there are meeting halls, dining rooms, kitchen, bedrooms and several open spaces. The masia stands out for its architectural details of exterior and interior, stained glass windows and spiral staircases. The estate is surrounded by peaceful nature, nearby is Montseny Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.