Spanish Property Prices
Valuation company Tinsa has reported that the Balearic and Canary Islands are the only regions in Spain where house prices went up in April over the previous year – an increase of 3.3% versus an average 10.5% decline for the rest of the country.
Daniel Chavarria Waschke, Managing Director of the Balearics arm of Sotheby’s International Realty with offices in Mallorca and Ibiza, says; “This is consistent with the market predictions we posted in January this year when we stated that we had started 2013 with a real sense of positivity. We made reference to the fact that Ibiza had its recovery in 2012, way ahead of the mainland, and was already ‘booming out’ again. Meanwhile we said that demand for holiday homes in Mallorca had remained high throughout the ‘crisis’ largely due to the mix of nationalities involved, with more than 80% of buyers non-Spanish. We believed that at the top end, the worst was over for Mallorca and recovery would accelerate in 2013. Our crystal ball appears to be spot on with April’s 3.3% house price increase reflecting that recovery. Long may it continue.”
Spanish Property Prices – The Mainland
Spain has had a rather tumultuous few years with Tinsa calculating overall house price falls at 37.2% from peak values in December 2007 when the bubble burst. The mainland Mediterranean coastline is home to the highest falls at 45.1% and the capital and major cities with populations greater than 50,000 next at 40.4%. The Balearic and Canary Islands prop up the table with falls of ‘just’ 24.5% from the peak, with a positive turnaround now on the cards. Spain cannot be judged as a whole, but the sum of its parts.
Waschke continues; “Not only is it unfair to judge Spain as a whole – Mallorca and Ibiza enjoy very different qualities to the mainland – but it is also important to consider that Tinsa values all properties for sale, and that includes small apartments with no views or homes in less exclusive areas of the Islands. Our business focuses entirely on the luxury end of the market and I suspect if we were to carry out the same exercise, the ‘peak to bottom’ price falls would come out a lot lower than Tinsa’s across the board 24.5%.”
Spanish Property Prices – Government Initiatives
Market recovery may well be accelerated by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s statement of intent to offer indefinite residency to foreigners purchasing a home priced in excess of €500,000, significantly higher than the €160,000 first suggested back in November 2012. A more detailed draft of the proposal is expected by the summer but there has already been strong interest from China and Russia, nations keen to access some of Spain’s millions of empty homes in return for lucrative residence perks.
This €500,000 threshold suits high-end sale companies like Sotheby’s as in Mallorca, the Company focuses exclusively on villas priced above two million euros and apartments above half a million euros, whilst in Ibiza the bar is set at villas above one and a half million euros and apartments above one million. However Waschke is unconvinced that the floodgates will open.
He says; “Each day there is a new rumour about some such law or another. Whether the €160,000 threshold moves up to €500,000 or not, I cannot confirm, as it is still a Government proposal and not a ‘fait accompli’. As and when the situation arises our lawyers will advise case by case. In Mallorca and Ibiza we do not have too many buyers from outside the EU and I would be surprised, if this new measure becomes law, if we suddenly start attracting many buyers from outside our usual target audience.”
Spanish Property Prices – What’s on Offer?
The featured property with this post is an impressive modern design villa with sea views set in the secure gated community of Vista Alegre on Ibiza in the Balearic Islands. The handiwork of renowned architect Miguel Arenas, the house has been purposefully proportioned to offer a double height living area – perfect for displaying the household’s magnificent collection of artwork, sculpture and furniture. The remainder of the property is distributed around this central gallery with the grand bedroom suites all bathed in natural light courtesy of floor-to-ceiling glass. Outside the villa boasts an enormous swimming pool surrounded by sweeping lawns, an outdoor kitchen and plenty of open and covered terracing that blurs outside to inside. Additional features include underfloor heating throughout, intelligent domestic electrics, a music system, electric gates and alarm. Established in 1968, Vista Alegre is gated, has automatic car registration plate recognition and offers privacy, generous plot sizes and phenomenal sea views across to Formentera island.
Built area 680m², Plot size 2,780m²
Six Bedrooms, Seven Bathrooms
Price €4.5 million.
