• Culmia has released a new report that gauges opinions and analyzes the homebuyer experience in Andalusia, from the initial search through to the signing of the purchase agreement.
• Fifty percent of Andalusians prefer a single-family home, followed by a condo in a building (39%), a condo in a gated community (27%), a penthouse (18.5%), and an apartment (14%).
• People over the age of 30 account for the largest share of home purchases, led by those aged 46 to 64 (59.4%).
• For 1 in 2 people, the lack of options within their price range and the scarcity of properties in the area they are interested in are among the main challenges they face when searching for a home.
• In general, the budget in Andalusia ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 euros (42.5%). Likewise, 36.5% would have a budget below that amount. Only 18% would allocate up to 400,000 euros.
• Scientists are the most desirable type of neighbor for Andalusians, followed by businesspeople and comedians.

January 23, 2023. – The pandemic and the effects of lockdown have changed the priorities of homebuyers in Andalusia at every stage of the process, from the start of the search to the final closing of the purchase. This is demonstrated by the findings of the report “The Homebuyer’s Journey in Spain” by Culmia. Prepared by the polling firm Sigmados, it offers a current snapshot of the profile of homebuyers in Spain and its autonomous communities.

The report reveals that 34% of Andalusians admit they are currently considering moving, and that, in general, they prioritize having a terrace or garden or the option of living in a newly built home.

This search for larger living spaces is primarily driven by the typical profile of today’s homebuyer, the majority of whom —64.7%—have households with three or more members, followed by couples, at 29%. In contrast, only 6.3% of people currently looking for a home live alone.

According to the report’s data, 66.7% of respondents said they had at some point searched for a home to buy, and of those, 59.5% ended up purchasing one. In general, people over the age of 30 are the ones who purchase the most homes, led by the 46- to 64-year-old age group, at 59.4%.

For the most part, people who are looking for a new home already own their own home. More than half— 53%—own their homes, and only 22.3% are looking for a home while currently renting. Notably, 24.7% are currently living with a relative, with the youngest segment of the population standing out from the rest: 42% of Andalusians between the ages of 26 and 35 live with a relative, compared to 8.1% of those over 35 who are in the same situation.

What kind of housing do Andalusians want?

The search for housing in Andalusia focuses primarily on owner-occupied homes; however, within this category, there is a distinction between the search for newly built homes (42%) and resale homes (31%).

By age group, it can be seen that those over 30 are more likely to opt for new-construction homes for ownership. However, existing homes are the top choice for young people (38%). It is also noteworthy that the percentage of young people renting homes increases significantly compared to other age groups, exceeding 12% for both types of housing.

Houses are the most sought-after option, at 50%, followed by apartments in high-rises at 39%, apartments in gated communities at 27%, penthouses at 18.5%, and apartments at 14%. As for preferences, spacious homes are most popular, with three-bedroom units being the most sought-after (54%), followed by two-bedroom units (24.5%), and four-bedroom or larger units (19.5%).

Main reasons for moving

The pandemic has shifted the priorities of the typical homebuyer, and along with more spacious homes, other aspects beyond the interior itself are now valued. Among the main reasons that have prompted Andalusians to start looking for a home, 20% cite the possibility of having a terrace or garden, while 18.5% say they would like to buy a newly built home. Other reasons for the search include a change of residence (17.5%), the desire to live in a quieter area (17.5%), or the need for more space because their previous home had become too small (17%).

When it comes to location, potential buyers are generally reluctant to relocate or make moves that involve long distances. Thirty-four percent say they are looking for a home in the same city and even the same neighborhood where they currently live; 30% want to live in the same city but in a more central neighborhood, while 20.5% would like to live in the same city but in a neighborhood farther from the center.

On the other hand, 16% are looking for a home in the same metropolitan area but in a more central location, as opposed to the 7% who would prefer to live in the same metropolitan area but farther from the center. However, 7% are looking to move to another city within the same autonomous community, and only 2.5% are looking to move to a city in another region.

The impact of the pandemic and changing needs are also reflected in the factors that are most highly valued when deciding to buy a home. In addition to price and location, Andalusians rank having a larger home and the possibility of a bright, private terrace as their third priority. The availability of parking and a storage room, along with having good neighbors, are the other two major factors influencing the decision.

Search Process: Influence of Family and Friends and Greater Digital Impact

Andalusians tend to seek advice and guidance from the people they consider closest to them. 59.5% acknowledge that they value advice from family and friends the most when making decisions, while 38% say they value advice from a professional in the field more highly.

Among the most commonly used methods for starting a home search are digital channels, and specifically, those specializing in the real estate sector are gaining more and more ground. Some 57.5% say they conduct these searches through real estate portals, 33% use Google to find options, and 29.5% visit developers’ websites to review their listings and/or consult a real estate agent.

It is noteworthy that 23% of respondents turn directly to friends for help with their search. Finally, 14.5% and 10% use social media and outdoor advertising, respectively.

With regard to advice and support, Andalusians consider the role that real estate agents play throughout the entire home-buying process to be significant. The aspects most highly regarded in relation to sales representatives are their product knowledge and advice on financing, at 27.6% and 25.9%, respectively.

A fast purchasing process and quick quotes

The time spent looking for housing generally ranges from 1 to 12 months, with 3 to 6 months being the most common duration, and the youngest group spending the most time on the search.

The main challenges they faced during their search were, for about 1 in 2, a lack of options within their price range and a shortage of products in the area they were interested in.

In general, 42.5% of respondents in Andalusia set their budget between 100,000 and 200,000 euros, while for 36.5%, the budget would be below those figures. Thus, budgets of up to 400,000 euros fall in the middle range, accounting for 18%, while only 1.5% would be willing to allocate a budget above that amount.

In addition, for 40.3% of those who purchased a home, their budget was on track and they did not notice any deviation; 20.2% said the purchase was 10–20% cheaper, and for another 20.2%, it was up to 20% more expensive.

What do Andalusians do when they get home? Who would be their ideal neighbor?

The report also highlights some interesting facts about how Andalusians behave at home, many of which are related to the “new normal” following the end of the pandemic. In fact, 32% of those surveyed say that the first thing they do when they get home is take off their shoes. Putting down their keys (20%) and greeting their family (18.3%) are the second and third most common responses, respectively.

When it comes to Andalusians’ preferences for neighbors, 16% would like their neighbor to be a scientist; 14% would like them to be a businessperson; and 12.3% would like them to be a comedian.