Poles are looking for houses with a Spanish soul

In just over four years, Poles have already bought almost 12.5 thousand. real estate in Spain, and the following years bring new records. Will this series stop?

Looking at trends – both numbers and our daily experience with clients, we do not expect quick braking. Poles have convinced themselves to Spain – not only as a holiday direction, but also as a place to live and investment. Pandemic, remote work, digital transformation – all this affected our mobility and approach to where and how we want to live. The war in Ukraine still causes us to look for geographical diversification – as far as possible from the front line. We see that many people set up a base here, planning the future, and treat the property not only as a place of capital, but also a lifestyle.

The Agnes Inversiones office has been present on the market for over 18 years. How has the preferences of our compatriots buying houses and apartments for Costa del Sol changed for almost two decades? What was a breakthrough moment for the Polish boom on the Iberian Peninsula?

When we started, most customers were looking primarily for small, holiday apartments at a reasonable price. Today we are dealing with a very conscious and demanding customer. Not only expectations, but also budgets are growing. More and more people are interested in modern villas, premium investments, projects with a strong accent on architecture, view and privacy. The pandemic period was a breakthrough and shortly after it – many Poles thought for the first time about a house in Spain not as a luxury, but a necessity – plan B, a place to live, which gives more sun, more space and better conditions for remote work.

The way of making decisions has also changed – today customers are much more often verified with whom they work and look for proven, reliable partners. A lot has changed on the market and customer awareness has significantly increased – the Instagram profile, no coverage, and a one -man “company without office” are not enough. It is difficult to leave the keys to the house today to someone who has no real facilities and experience.

During the year, you mediate in the sale of real estate, the total value of which oscillates around EUR 100 million. This is a huge amount – what houses and apartments on Costa del Sol are buying Poles, and will customers with less rich wallets find something for themselves?

This is true – the number of transactions is growing, but their average value is equally growing. Today, Poles buy not only apartments for 400 thousand. – EUR 1.5 million, but more and more often a luxurious villas in the range of EUR 2-6 million. Marbella, Benahavís – today are synonyms of modern high standard investments. Some customers are also looking for houses with a Spanish soul – an old tile, traditional Andalusian architecture, a mature garden. This is often a choice for people open to renovations or refresh the interior, but at the same time looking for authenticity and real estate with nature.

At the same time, we do not close to customers with a smaller budget – Costa del Sol offers a very diverse market. We have in the portfolio of real estate from about 350 thousand. euro, especially in towns away from the shoreline. For many people this is the first step – a thoughtful investment or retirement base.

It is also worth noting that our company definitely dominates the purchase without a loan. Financing is considered less often – most often when the customer is aimed at real estate over EUR 3 million and the appropriate purchase structure allows tax optimization.

Does the work of a real estate office – including customer service – actually lasts almost around the clock, or does it give space for activities in other areas and simply for a moment of rest?

This is a very intense profession, especially if it is treated comprehensively. At Agnes Inversions, we run customers from the first phone, through visits, negotiations, documents, to the transfer of keys and subsequent property management. In addition, we also run a rental department, and this means that we do not have a “from -to” job – we also operate on weekends, often in the evenings. In the sale of real estate, it happens that customers have already selected preferred objects and we specially arrange a presentation after dark – so that they can see what the garden looks like in the evening, how the villa is illuminated and what view is spreading at night from the terrace. This is a completely different experience than during the day – for many people crucial when making decisions.

I think that for this work you have to be simply created – like people, be able to listen and have an open head. For me, relationships with clients are the greatest value. Often, long -term acquaintance and even friendship are born from one transaction. This is a huge satisfaction, but also a source of energy for further action – because I know that I have a real impact on important moments in their lives.

Finally – what are the three key arguments determining the advantage of real estate in Spain over those in Poland or in other European Union countries?

First of all – climate. 320 days of sun a year, mild winter, beautiful spring and autumn. It’s not only a comfort of life, but also health. In addition – Costa del Sol is a paradise for active people: you can play outdoor sports throughout the year – from tennis and cycling, to sailing and of course golf. We say for a reason: Costa del Sol is also Costa del Golf.

Secondly – quality of life and security. The inhabitants of the region are kind, open, and the infrastructure – from healthcare to gastronomy – is at a very high level.

Third – market stability. Spain, and especially the southern coast, is a market that invariably enjoys international interest. This place with a limited supply (between the sea and the mountains cannot be built an infinite number of estates), and at the same time with growing demand. This means that a well -chosen property has a huge potential for value increase and gives real security of capital. Marbella has always been resistant to crises – this is a unique place on the map of Europe.

Talking: Agnieszka Rzepowska