Gonzalo Bernardos is Professor in the Department of Economic Theory at the University of Barcelona, \u200b\u200balso Commissioner of Economic Resources University of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bProfessor at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI). Also is a director of several Masters among which the Real Estate Advisory and Consulting the University of Barcelona.
By chance, a few days ago, I saw an interview with Gonzalo Bernardos on Channel 3 / 24 of the Catalan regional television. Under the title: you beginning to start the sale of flats? the interview is over 20 minutes on the current real estate situation in Catalonia.
Bernard notes that in recent months there has been a surge in sales housing, although not very significant, has broken the negative trend of 2008 and part of 2009. In his opinion, this slight improvement is not to mean that prices start to rise automatically. The prices have not fallen at least 25% in 2006 as they were not yet in place, and if the buyer is interested in a home that already has the price at these levels, you must still negotiate with the landlord an additional rebate can reach up to 15%.
Realtors For the next few months will be very interesting in closing the purchase and sales, for several reasons:
1) - The buyer knows that at 1 July 2010 will increase the VAT.
2) - Interest rates are very low, with monthly mortgage payments fully assumable by the buyer, and not expected to go up the short to medium term. Gonzalo Bernardos says that throughout 2010 the interest would remain below 2%.
3) - There are quite hesitant buyers who did not buy in 2009, if prices fell further and facing a decisive moment to decide if they find the time. They also thought buyers expected to 2011 waiting for lower prices, will buy if they find a good choice for a good price and before the tax increase.
4) - middle class families, who generally are less affected by the crisis, if they have secured employment and median income, they see an opportunity to have the house of your dreams at a good price, you understand: housing 3-4 bedrooms, with amenities, great views, ...
5) - Homeowners who bought in their day-plan properties for resale and for over two years by paying (or should) that can not afford, sell well below the purchase price, provided free economic burden of mental and this is them and not let them live.
I noticed this winter that the weather also influences the behavior housing market. In this cold and rainy winter with abundant snow and low temperatures has been lethargic people, leaving the weeks elapse, and saying "the crisis passes and I caught me." For about 10 days, the weather has changed for the better, have increased temperatures and the phones have regained their happy sound that announces the interest of someone for a property. Not end up closing or sale, but for now things start to move. Gonzalo Bernardos
A follow him in his many appearances in the media, it is continuously required by journalists, by a clear way of explaining things and sometimes a bit counter to predict just the facts and in economy going is the job of risk. Personally took several years to coincide (the as speaker, myself among the public) at a conference on the housing that is organized at the province of Tarragona and are held at the Hotel Termes Montbrió, where I took a coffee-break to chat with us and make us the picture that illustrates this post.
This is the video of the interview with Channel 3 / 24. Is conducted in Catalan.
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