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Positive start to 2016 for Spanish prices with two indices showing growth all round
The residential property market in Spain has started 2016 positively with the latest figures showing that the average value of housing increased in January. The latest data from property appraisal company Tinsa, shows that the Balearic and Canary Islands have seen prices rise the most, up 5.4% month on month and 3.2% year on year. While overall prices increased by 2.9% compared to December 2015 and are up 1.1% year on year. Prices in large cities increased by 2.9% year on year while priced on the Mediterranean Coast rose by 1% and in Metropolitan areas they increased by 0.8%. But in smaller towns the market is not doing as well, with average prices falling by 2.2% year on year although there was a small rise month on month. It also shows that since the peak of the market in 2007, the average property prices is still down by 41% but there are regional variations. For example, since the peak prices are down 48% on the Mediterranean Coast, down 44.2% in large cities and down 43.5% in Metropolitan areas. The gap is less in the Balearic and Canary Islands, with an accumulated decline of 29.1% from peak while in smaller town they are down 37.3%. Property portal Fotocasa’s latest data is also positive. It shows that the average price of second hand housing in Spain increased by 0.3% month on month in January, taking the average price to €1,623 per square meter. However, year on year this index is still showing an average decline in prices of 0.3%. It also shows that since the peak in 2007 average prices are down 45% and 12 of Spain’s 17 regions have registered price declines in excess of 40% since the peak. In a Rioja prices are down 54.7% since 2007, in Castilla-La Mancha by 52.2%, in Navarra by 52.1%, in Aragón by 51.4%, in Murcia by 50.1%, in Valencia by 47.8%, in Catalonia by 46.6%, in Asturias by 45.6%, in Madrid by 44.7%, in Andalucía by 42.7%, in Extremadura by 41.6% and in Cantabria by 40.1%. In January average prices increased in 10 regions. The biggest rise was in the Canary Islands with growth of 2.1%, followed by Aragón up 1.2%, Valencia up 1%, Andalucía and Catalonia both up 0.9%, Castilla-La Mancha, Navarra and La Rioja all up 0.8%, the Balearic Islands up 0.2% and Asturias up 0.1%. In contrast, Extremadura recorded the biggest fall in prices with a decline of 1% in January, followed by the Basque Country down 0.9%, Galicia down 0.6%, Cantabria down 0.5%, Castilla y León and Murcia both down 0.4%, and Madrid down 0.2%. The Basque Country remains the most expensive of Spain’s regions, with an average price of €2,730 per square meter, followed by Madrid at €2,197 and Catalonia at €2,064. The regions with the most economical second hand housing prices are Castilla-La Mancha at €1,058 per square meter, Extremadura at €1,100 and Murcia at €1,145. The index also shows that 30 of the 50… Continue reading
UK property asking prices up almost 3% month on month
The price of property coming to the market in the UK increases by a substantial 2.9% or £8,324 in January, hitting a new record of £299,287 and surpassing the record set in October 2015 by over £2,700. Housing demand is higher than ever as the latest Rightmove report records that traffic to the property portal hits record levels, with visits up nearly 20% year on year in January. It says that there has been an encouraging 5% uplift in new properties coming to the market compared to same time last year resulting in the highest total number of newly listed properties at this time of year since the 2008 credit crunch. The firm is also predicting that 2016 will be the year of the first time buyer as Government initiatives and a low interest rate outlook are now aligning when there is more property choice for first time buyers, with a 10% year on year jump in the number of two beds or fewer coming to the market. ‘The new year’s market has hit the ground running in many locations, continuing last year’s momentum and resulting in the price of property coming to the market hitting a new high. Many agents reported high numbers of sales in November and December and properties selling more quickly, so it’s encouraging to see signs of replenishment of property, especially in the first time buyer sector,’ said Miles Shipside, Rightmove director and housing market analyst. ‘However, in spite of the apparent veneer of market buoyancy, those thinking of putting their property up for sale need to avoid being too optimistic with their initial asking price, as most buyers are still understandably being very selective about their future home,’ he added. The previous record price high was set in October 2015 but this has now been exceeded by £2,738, pushing the average new seller asking price to £299,287. Shipside pointed out that a continuing feature of the recovering market over the past few years has been the supply of property coming to market failing to keep pace with demand. There are now signs of fresh supply increasing with the volume of new properties coming to the market is at the highest level since the credit crunch of 2008. However, he added that it should be noted that this is patchy by region with only four regions above the 5% year on year average uplift, namely London, South East, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber. In the West Midlands new stock is actually down by 0.3% and Wales and the North West have seen an uplift of 1% or less, restricting fresh choice for buyers in these regions. ‘While more properties are coming to market there is little anecdotal evidence of tax shy landlords selling up. It is more likely made up of additional first-time sellers who are either hoping to bag a buy to let investor before the April stamp duty hike, or joining others who… Continue reading
Office buildings in Scotland face new energy efficiencies
Proposed new rules aimed at improving the energy efficiency of commercial properties in the UK which could have significant financial implications for owners of older buildings, have been published by the Scottish Government. The draft regulations, the Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings (Scotland), are scheduled to come into force in September this year and mean that properties must achieve a minimum energy performance level, most likely an E rating based on current Energy Performance Certificate standards. It means that commercial properties with an EPC rating of F or G may require expensive energy improvement works to meet the new minimum standard. A similar minimum energy efficiency standard is already in operation in England but the Scottish proposals differ in a number of key respects and some fear these inconsistencies will have a negative impact on the commercial property market in Scotland. Generally speaking, the Scottish regulations will apply to all commercial property with a floor area greater than 1,000 square meters. While detailed guidance on proposed exceptions is awaited, only buildings already requiring an Energy Performance Certificate are intended to comply. With few exceptions, a sale or grant of a new lease on a qualifying property will trigger the need to meet the new regulations, so the owner must provide a prospective buyer/tenant with a formal action plan detailing how the energy performance of the building can be improved to meet the statutory minimum rating, according to Liz Stewart, a partner in the commercial property team at Stronachs LLP. She explained that action plans, which bring another additional cost, can be produced by a qualified member of an approved organisation, and will assess greenhouse gas emissions and energy performance. Works needed to improve the energy performance of the property to the minimum standard must be identified in the plan which, once agreed, will be added to a statutory maintained register. If improvement works are needed, the owner has two options; to complete the upgrades within 42 months, or defer the works. In the interim, the owner must keep an accurate record of the property’s energy consumption via a Display Energy Certificate, which must be registered annually, with a view to reducing the energy consumption of the property concerned. ‘Responsibility rests with the property owner. Failure to comply can result in a penalty charge and responsibility for enforcement will lie with each local authority in Scotland. In most cases, it is hoped improvement works will reduce energy bills in the long term with the cost of upgrades recouped within five to seven years,’ said Stewart. ‘The environmental impact of older commercial properties should also be mitigated. Having said this, some older properties may require considerable improvement works to meet the minimum energy efficiency standard without any guarantee of payback. At least 40% to 50% of existing building stock pre-dates the 1940s,’ she pointed out. Detailed government guidance is anticipated in the coming months, and a number of issues including… Continue reading
