Alfa Inmobiliaria: "20% of flats for sale in Spain are renewed in summer"

Malaga

During summer, 20% of properties for sale in Spain are renewed. Alfa Inmobiliaria network reached this conclusion in a study based on data provided by its more than 115 offices across Spain.

"This phenomenon, which at first glance may appear to be a mere seasonal coincidence, reflects owners' strategies and behaviour to optimise selling their properties in a highly competitive market," says Jesús Duque, vice president of Alfa Inmobiliaria.

The company believes that many homeowners decide to take their flats off the market during summer for fear that demand will drop considerably, and that being listed for a long time will negatively affect how prospective buyers perceive them. Behind this fear lies the idea that in summer potential buyers concentrate more on their holidays and recreational activities than looking for a home.

However, Duque states "The alternative to the seasonal withdrawal strategy is to see the summer as an opportunity to sell, taking advantage of competitors removing their listings". According to the real estate network, this counterpoint occurs mainly in coastal areas or mountain destinations, where more tourists and holidaymakers can lead to a significant increase in real estate demand, as well as in large cities, where many families want to start the school year in a new home.

A trend in recent years

According to Alfa Inmobiliaria, the 20% supply turnover during the summer is not a one-off but a pattern that has repeated in recent years, with seasonal fluctuations influencing the availability of properties for sale.

Their most recent studies find that demand for property tends to decrease by 10-15% during summer months compared to spring. However, supply can be reduced by as much as 20-25% due to "strategic withdrawals". These dynamics create a situation where demand and supply remain relatively constant, although both are lower in absolute terms, according to the real estate network, which points out that "the renewal of the supply of properties for sale during the summer reflects the real estate market's dynamism".

For Duque, "understanding why this is happening, from the fear of 'burning out properties' to the opportunities that different areas offer during summer, is crucial to optimise sales strategies". He concludes that "adapting to seasonal trends and using market data to make informed decisions can be the difference between a successful sale and a property languishing on the market".