Double Good News on Spanish Property Prices

Summary: Still good growth in Spain's property market, but a slowdown is likely to encourage UK SIPPs pension buyers and other second home buyers who can now invest for less and enjoy equity growth as well

There was double good news for Spanish property buyers when Spain's biggest valuation survey reported prices of resale homes went up by 16.6% in the first three quarters of 2005. That was the good news for UK residents who have already purchased their properties in the last year or so and there was further good news for investors and buyers planning to buy in the next few months - the survey showed equity growth was down 3% for the same period last year, resulting in ownership for less and with a good equity growth. The Spanish Real Estate Association (Tasaciones Inmobiliarias -TINSA) said the average price of a 'used' or second hand house per square metre (psqm) was EUR 1,772. This meant home prices had risen 16.6% in the past year to September. In larger cities, the price was higher, with the average being EUR 2,304 psqm - a 16% rise. But TINSA, the firm who will be providing valuations for the SIPPs in Spain pension property owners, said in its report that despite these rises, the deceleration of house price increases in Spain was continuing. A year ago, house prices had risen 19% during the previous 12 months. TINSA carried out a study of 190,000 homes, many in favourite second home areas favoured by buyers from the UK and northern Europe, to produce the report. Ildefonso Ortega, TINSA president, said there had been a "smooth fall" in house prices and predicted the next yearly rise in prices would be between 5 -10%. SIPPs in Spain spokesman, Alberto Linares welcomed the TINSA report, saying: "Our Spanish banking partners predicted a 12% increase for this year and the same for next year. While it's good news for those who have bought property in Spain already, its also good news for the many SIPPs property pension purchases planned for next year when UK tax breaks will encourage second home investment because prices are likely to be lower than in previous years." The SIPPs in Spain grouping includes 50 leading Spanish banks and developers, PropertyInSpain.Net, Mortgages In Spain, Travelex, TINSA, Siemens Smart Homes and specialist SIPPs providers who have put together a one-stop, buy-manage-rental package for SIPPs property purchasers and their financial advisors. More than 2,500 carefully selected apartments, penthouses, townhouses and villas are on offer currently with a further 7,000 likely from next year. As expected, the European Central Bank increased the base bank rate by 0.25% to 2.25% - the first increase in the five years. Experts say the increase will have little impact in booming Spain. Spanish mortgages rates can be half the UK interest rate. Spanish Property News