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Analysis of the property markets. Buying real estate in the eurozone and Spain

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Summer in Spain

In Europe the property figures are still skewed by the political and economic mess that goes by the name of the EU. Let me start with Spain as it is probably the most popular destination abroad for Brits.

On the one hand there is still a vast backlog of unsold properties. Behind this avalanche of empty homes is the backlog of foreclosures still on bank books but not on the open market. This massive backlog will hold prices down for the rest of the decade at least. There will be small movements up and down, but basically prices can’t rise much with that overhang threatening the market like a bank of thunderclouds.

On the other hand, in the most popular areas the most desirable properties are selling reasonably well although at greatly reduced prices.

Another problem area is the exchange rate which has entered an uncertain zone. This uncertainty may continue for several years. There is no way of predicting how this will turn out. There are two reasons for this.

The first is the Greek melodrama. The obvious conclusion to this matter is for Greece to leave the euro and go back to the drachma. Unfortunately, this is not a business matter but a political one, and politicians are, generally speaking, not in touch with the real world. I therefore expect more and more fudging which won’t solve anything, and will probably make matters worse. In short, we have an ongoing uncertainty, and markets hate uncertainty, so the euro will stay in the doldrums.

The second is that little matter of economic resilience. One day the market recovery is presented as happening. The next day all is doom and gloom again.

There appears to be the beginnings of a recovery in Spain. That will put more people back to work, and lead to a small rise in wages, and this will tend to lift the property market.

On the other hand, we have a resurgence of the age-old Spanish problem: regionalism. A significant indicator of this is the recent booing of the national anthem at football stadiums. To what extent this can be taken as a serious indicator is debatable, but there have always been regional problems in Spain. The most vociferous are the semi-autonomous zones of Catalonia, Vizcaya (Basque), and Valencia.

This may turn out to be a temporary fad, but it could also turn out to be the beginnings of the breakup of the state into smaller independent regions. The most obviously viable of these proto-countries is Catalunya. It is the wealthiest, the most organised, and has the longest and strongest pedigree. It’s parliament goes back to the tenth century, well before there was such an entity as Spain. And you can take it the guys who live there are acutely aware of this.

In short, there are no obvious guides as to where things are headed in the eurozone. Up, down, sideways, and god knows where.

I’m remaining on the sidelines. Putting my money where my mouth is means renting in Southern Europe for me. I have put more money in my pocket by selling up, and living in rented accommodation. I pay €400 a month all in, and that includes wifi (but not gas). Owning doesn’t come close.

Maybe I’ll spend the rest of the day down by the landing stage. Too hot to take a boat out, but I’m thinking of preserving the rest of the lemons. I’m inundated with them. Free holiday for anyone who fancies sharing the cooking and preserving. Gosh, life is tough!

john

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