The international financial markets are expected to be a key driver in the uptake of Spanish prime residential listing during 2015, according to a new analysis.
The latest market reports suggest there has been an increase in demand from UK, US and Swiss buyers thanks to the rise of the dollar, pound and Swiss franc against the Euro.
Conversely, the number of Russian investors is expected to dwindle as the rouble goes further into free fall in 2015.
‘With unemployment falling, the economy growing faster than predicted and listing reaching the bottom, 2015 is set to be a pivotal year for Spain’s listing market. Prices are on average 40% below what they were since the start of the crisis in 2007 and we predict a slow and steady recovery. This is an opportune time to invest,’ said a leading Property Analyst.
The report says that prices in Barcelona have stabilised in the past 12 months and new international interest is impacting on demand for prime residential listing. 2015 is expected to be the most significant year of recovery for the prime market in Barcelona since 2007.
Middle Eastern buyers accounted for 12.5% of all purchases during 2014, followed by the Spanish and French both at 11%, the Germans at 8% and the British at 7%.
The bulk of prime market listing purchases in Barcelona during 2014 was for investment use with two out of five buying for that reason, whereas in2013, the main reason for buying was for use as a primary or secondary residence.
The number of transactions in 2014 increased over 2013, with more listings above €1 million selling than in the previous year.
‘We see 2015 as the recovery year for the Spanish prime residential listing market, driven mainly by increasing numbers of overseas buyers. We expect that those who were deterred by falling prices during the past seven years or so, will enter the market, enticed by some real opportunities,’ explained the Analyst.
‘Prices have fallen by up to 40% in some areas of the city but, in the last 12 months, these prices have stabilised. Some recent figures suggest that, in some of the most desirable areas of the city such as Eixample and the beachfront, prices for the best listings are starting to creep up again. The key change in the Barcelona Residential market during 2015 will be the return of quality new build residential developments which have not been seen on the market for several years and where demand currently outstrips supply,’ he added.
In the Costa Brava, foreign investment in residential listing has grown significantly. In 2010, foreign investment in new housing listings accounted for 9% of the market. In 2014, foreign investment represented 26% of the market.
Price movement in the prime residential listing market for the Costa Brava region is not expected in 2015. However, sales volume is predicted to increase particularly in the coastal areas around Begur, including Aiguablava, Tamariu, Calella and Llafranc, traditionally a very popular area for mid to high end British and northern European buyers.
The report also points out that the Costa Brava prime residential listing market is seeing maintained levels of activity each quarter, with sales trading leading into the summer particularly strong.
Research indicates that the majority, some 80%, of prime market buyers are looking at the Costa Brava as a second residence or holiday home although just over 13% of buyers in 2014 purchased in the area for use as a primary residence.
‘Given the worsening economic situation in Russia and the Rouble’s continued struggles against the Euro, the number of Russian buyers will inevitably fall further. On the other hand, the strength of the British Pound and the likelihood that it will strengthen further against the Euro should attract an ever greater number of British buyers to the market in 2015,’ .
‘Also, since the unpegging of the Swiss franc against the euro and its subsequent rise, we have already noticed an increase in the number of Swiss buyers coming into the market. Apart from this, more and more savvy purchasers are taking advantage of cheap mortgages to leverage their listings against a weakening Euro,’ he added.
‘These factors should help make the market more attractive. Buyers will inevitably be looking for good deals in 2015, with a focus on reduced priced listings in prime locations,’ he continued.
Along with slight price increases, Ibiza saw a 10% increase in prime market listing buyer interest, a trend that is expected to continue in 2015 and it has seen foreign investment in residential listing grow steadily. In 2010, foreign investment in new housing listings accounted for 18% of the market. In 2014, foreign investment represented 32% of the market.
Sales in the Balearic Islands, which includes Ibiza, have shown a more robust incremental increase in sales activity for the past year than is evident in the Spanish overall listing market.
Ibiza saw the majority of sales activity in the second quarter of 2014, transacting close to €10 million Euros during a three month period. While the majority of prime market buyers bought holiday home listings, close to a third, 28.6%, of purchases were for investment purposes.
‘As far as prices are concerned, we are seeing a slight rise once again. Ibiza remains very much the place to be and is a secure investment destination, with its high return on rentals during the peak summer months,’ .
‘In 2014, we saw a 10% increase of client numbers and expect this upward trend to continue in 2015. The high season seems to be extending as increasing numbers decide to enjoy the island’s lovely winter months. As a result, we are seeing an increase in demand for long term rentals. The vast majority of renters come from the UK, Spain, France and Germany followed by Italy and the Netherlands,’ .
The Marbella residential listing has also seen strong growth in foreign listing ownership. In 2010, foreign investment in new housing listings accounted for 12% of the market. In 2014, foreign investment represented 35% of the market.
Amongst foreign buyers resident in Spain, transaction value of purchases made across the Malaga region, which includes Marbella, increased for each quarter in 2014 over 2013 levels.
The data also shows that average listing prices in key luxury districts across the Marbella region remained steady between the end of 2013 and the end of 2014. Average prices in Marbella Town rose in average prices to €2,307 per square metre.
According to statistics international interest in Marbella comes primarily from the UK at 22%, followed by the US at 9% and after that, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden.
The market for designer and quality listings in prime locations turned around a year ago, with buyer interest picking up, and a significant increase in the number of transactions in 2014.
‘This has been particularly noticeable in the luxury sector, resulting in an increasing shortage of good quality, luxury listings available to buy. One of the primary changes that we have observed in 2014 is the profile of our buyers, which has evolved from predominantly retirees to a much more dynamic, younger buyer who is more quality and fashion orientated,’ .
‘Therefore, the average age of buyers has dropped from an older age group to late 40s to 50s, whose focus is on quality, style, accessibility, services, security and privacy,’ he added.
It is expected that during 2015 prices across the market in Valencia will remain stable as they have done over the last six months. In the most discerning areas of the city, a slight rise of prices ranging between 1% and 3%, is expected.
Although the number of sales transactions of second hand listings in Valencia has dropped significantly since 2007, sales trading has seen increases each year since 2012 with a 31% increase in the number of sales of re-sale listings trading in 2014 over 2013 levels.
‘It is expected that during 2015 prices across the market in Valencia will remain stable as they have done over the last six months. In the most sought-after areas of the city a slight rise in prices of between 1% and 3% is expected,’ he added.
‘Foreign buyers are increasingly looking to buy in Valencia city as the market opens up to a more international clientele and this trend is expected to continue into 2015,’ .
The reports also suggest that 2014 was a year of stability and growth for the listing market in Madrid, with prices expected to have bottomed out. Total sales value of transactions in the first three quarters of 2014 was higher than the corresponding quarters of 2013.
Madrid city centre saw some price corrections in the third quarter of 2013, and has since steadied in price, maintaining an average price of €3,285 per square metre by the end of 2014. The affluent districts of Chamberi and Salamanca both saw slight price increases over the levels recorded at the end of 2013, at €3,260 per square metre and €4,138 respectively.
Last year was one of stability and growth for the listing market in Madrid. ‘Following several years of crisis and an important price correction, positive economic indicators brought renewed interest from international investors,’ .
‘Madrid remains one of the most reasonably priced European capitals with a high growth potential. It is widely believed that the market has bottomed out and it is predicted that listing prices in Madrid will remain stable during 2015,’ ..
