In February 2016 EasyJet will open their Spanish headquarters in Barcelona creating 120 new jobs and new people looking for a home to rent. Landlords will have an influx of new clients waiting to rent their Barcelona properties.
Spanish Ski Season Rentals
With the start of the Spanish ski season there has been an influx of tourists will continue through the winter. Rental prices generally rise during the ski season in areas close to the mountains and popular ski resorts. Some tourists choose to base themselves in a Barcelona rental apartment and then make short trips into the mountains to ski.
Spanish Foreclosures Down
Foreclosures on unpaid mortgages is down by 12.4% as compared to 12 months ago. The National Statistics Institute published new statistics showing the 3rd quarter of 2015 to have fewer foreclosures on main residences of home owners.
November Average House Prices
The average Spanish house prices rose by 1.9% in November as compared to November 2014.
Spain’s Construction Industry is Recovering
Thanks to the renewed interest in real estate investments in Spain there has been resurgence in the construction industry. Building activity has increased across the country contributing to the balance between supply and demand slowly reaching a stable state. Proof of this improvement can be seen in the increased amount of building permits issued in the second half of 2015.
Rentals, Illegal Tourist Rentals and Affordable Housing
Rental apartments leased to tourists are driving the rents of local residents higher as landlords compare the profit they can make by renting long term or short term. Locals are finding it difficult to keep up with the ever rising rents. The Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH) is campaigning to keep rents affordable for locals. The movement began in Barcelona (the present major or Barcelona, Ada Colau was one of PAH’s founders) but has now gone national. The organization works towards preventing house repossession. The Barcelona mayor is also pushing towards municipal policy which will provide a safety net for homeowners about to lose their houses. One of her proposed moves is to block rental websites from advertizing unlicensed, illegally rented short term apartments. This would be done by requiring each advertisement to display proof that they are registered with the municipality and paying tax on the extra income.
