Real estate prices in Spain continue to trend downward, although luxury properties are retaining their value and more foreigners are purchasing homes in the region. Tinsa, a Spanish appraisal firm, reports prices are down 7.4% in the last 12 months, and are declining to an ever greater degree in the country’s largest cities, with values declining as much as 31.9% from their historical peak. High-end real estate, however, is doing well in the country. Places like Mallorca along the Mediterranean coast enjoy a strong market with plenty of demand, according to Sotheby’s International Realty. For more on this continue reading the following article from Property Wire.
Average residential property prices in Spain have fallen by 7.4% in the 12 months to the end of September, according to the latest House Price Index from Tinsa, one of Spain’s leading appraisal companies.
The steepest price falls were in large cities where they declined 8.9%, followed by the Mediterranean coast where most overseas buyers have holiday homes. Peak to present, prices are down on average 24.1% and by 31.9% on the coast.
But there is an increase in foreign buyers, perhaps keen on seeking out bargain prices in some parts of the country. Figures from the Bank of Spain show that foreigners invested €1.3 billion in the second quarter of this year, up16% on the first quarter and 37% compared with the same time last year.
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Foreign investment is still some 32% down on the peak of the buying market in the second quarter of 2003 when it reached €1.9 billion, but there has been a clear improvement in the last two quarters.
But some parts of the Spanish market are doing well. High end estate agents point out that top quality properties with a sea view will always sell well. Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty has noticed a widening price gap between first line sea view homes and the countryside equivalent.
With requests for Mediterranean-front property outweighing inland by a huge ratio of five to one, premium prices are commanded and paid.
‘We really only deal with top end clients who have fantastic budgets and can afford the very best and the very best in Mallorca is a sea front home. For this reason there’s a vast chasm between coastal and inland prices,’ explained Stephen Dight, Sotheby’s managing director on Mallorca.
He pointed out that you might pay €9 million for a 900 square meter property on a 4,500 square meter plot in a prestigious seafront location, you could have a charming 475 square meter property on a mammoth 25,500 square meter countryside plot within 20 minutes of the capital, Palma, for less than a third of the cost at €2.85 million.
The Mediterranean is key to Mallorca’s appeal. Much of its tourism, economy and lifestyle are centred on the coastline. The Island is renowned as both a cruise ship stop off and a hub for the luxury yachting industry with several prestigious marinas.
With so much leisure time revolving around the sea, and the spectacular elevated views afforded by the rugged cliff tops, it’s little wonder that coastal real estate carries such a price premium.
This article was republished with permission from Property Wire.
