The Spanish property market is witnessing an unexpected revival, with home purchases skyrocketing by 41.5% in September, marking the sharpest increase in 17 years. According to the latest data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE), a total of 61,887 transactions were carried out—the highest figure since July 2007, when sales surpassed 63,000.
This resurgence follows two years of dampened demand due to rising interest rates and tougher mortgage conditions imposed by the European Central Bank (ECB).
New boom in the making?
The housing market has now recorded three consecutive months of year-on-year growth, with July and August showing increases of 19% and 0.9%, respectively. The current surge reflects renewed optimism among Spanish homebuyers, buoyed by a fall in interest rates and improved mortgage conditions. Sales of newly built homes jumped by 54.9% compared to September last year, reaching 12,531—the highest in 20 years—while transactions involving second-hand homes grew by 38.4%, to 49,356.
“These steep increases suggest the beginning of a new boom in home purchases,” says María Matos, Director of Research at Fotocasa. “With the decline in mortgage rates, a dynamic period for property acquisition is emerging, supported by increased buyer confidence, higher household savings, and more attractive loan options.” Matos also noted that the market has shown resilience despite interest rates hovering above 3.7% for much of the year, averaging 50,000 transactions per month.
Regional leaders in property market sales
Property transactions increased in all regions of Spain compared to September 2023. Andalucia led with 11,344 sales, followed by the Valencian Community (10,801), Catalonia (8,987), and Madrid (8,105). Extremadura experienced the most significant year-on-year increase, with sales up by 79.3%, followed by the Basque Country (67.4%) and Asturias (57.3%).
Despite the renewed vibrancy in the market, Matos warns of potential challenges. High demand for new properties is meeting supply constraints, driven by rising construction costs, scarce land availability, and excessive bureaucratic hurdles—factors that could spark further price increases in the near future.
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