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Forcadell: RE Investment Fell by 3.5% in 2017 to €13.5bn

27 February 2018 – Eje Prime

Investment in real estate continued to perform well last year but actually fell with respect to 2016. In total, €13.5 billion was invested in the domestic real estate market in 2017, which represents a decrease of 3.5% compared to the €14 billion that was registered during the previous year, according to data from the consultancy firm Forcadell.

Spain was the fourth-ranked country in Europe in terms of the most money received in the sector, behind only Germany, France and the United Kingdom, in that order. Moreover, Madrid and Barcelona were the two cities that received the most demand, accounting for 85% of the total capital invested in the domestic real estate market last year.

The office market was the sector that stood out the most in terms of investment volumes. And within that sector, Madrid and Barcelona, which together captured €2.455 billion of investment, were the main drivers of the segment, accounting for 95% of the total. In those two cities, prime rents reached 4.25% in Madrid and 5% in Barcelona.

On the other hand, the good performance of the housing sector also allowed an upturn in the residential sector, which saw investment of €3 billion in 2017, a level of activity not seen in that market since 2008, according to the consultancy firm. Besides the two major capitals, Valencia, Sevilla and Bilbao were the three cities that saw a significant increase in the field of residential development.

The logistics sector was the most profitable

One of the areas that is growing by the most at the moment in the Spanish real estate market is the logistics sector. Despite having the lowest rents per m2, the segment offers great returns from the point of view of real estate investment. The strong leasing figures and scarce supply close to large cities are generating interest from funds, primarily international players, who want to build new large industrial spaces measuring between 3,000 m2 and 50,000 m2, to rent them out.

Retail, on the other hand, continued its record figures from 2016 throughout last year with an investment volume that reached €4 billion. Moreover, land became very sought-after once again in the real estate sector, which had great demand, above all, in the residential market.

Looking ahead to 2018, Spain is expected to continue to represent a country of great interest for real estate investors, both domestic and international. Moreover, Forcadell forecasts that fundraising will increase significantly, both in terms of the number of players involved and the volume disbursed.

Original story: Eje Prime

Translation: Carmel Drake