Real estate Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the best European cities to live in when it comes to quality of life, thanks to its good climate year round, green spaces, beaches, great food and bohemian feel.  Every year, many foreigners decide to invest in real estate Barcelona, and buying an apartment in the city for their own use or as an investment.

Here, I would like to highlight some of the reasons why so many people end up buying an apartment in Barcelona

The best places to look for an investment property are in the old town, as this area has the classical "Barcelona feel" to it.  The areas of Gothic, Raval and El Borne are popular.  Apartments here hold their value well, and offer options for a return on your investment through holiday rentals.  The pretty streets and beautiful architecture are usually enough to seduce most people, but more practical aspects such as good connections to the airport and good local amenities are sound reasons to invest here.

Some good bargains can be found if you are willing to spend money on a refurbishment, although this area has been going through a process of gentrification over the last decade, so you are likely to find a good selection of immaculate apartments.

The Eixample is another good area to invest, although prices increase sharply for some of the best areas.

Foreigners buying an apartment in Spain are strongly advised to contract a multilingual agent that can handle all aspects of the property transaction, the process is different in Spain to most northern European countries, so you need someone experienced with your interests at heart to guide you through potential pitfalls. 

Googling "buyers agent Barcelona" should bring up a list of reputable agents that specialize in foreign buyers, and act on your behalf, helping you select suitable properties, dealing with other real estate agencies and private buyers, arranging lawyers and holding your hand through the whole process. The good ones can even assist in managing your property investment after you have found your apartment, and offer good advice on every aspect of buying a property.