InModerna GSI

Residential property related to buying a home

30 September, 2026

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU CHECK BEFORE BUYING A HOME?

Buying a home is one of the most important financial and personal decisions we can make. Location, layout, natural light or the feeling a property gives you during a viewing are all important factors, but they should not be the only ones taken into account.

Before signing a transaction, it is advisable to review the property documentation, its Land Registry status, the condition of the building and other aspects that may affect both the use of the property and future costs.

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A good purchasing decision begins long before reaching the notary. Properly analysing the property helps you understand exactly what you are buying and reduces the risk of later discovering costs, restrictions or situations that had not been anticipated.

1. The property's Land Registry status

One of the first things to check is who is registered as the owner of the property and whether there are any registered charges affecting it.

These may include mortgages, embargoes, easements, usufructs or other restrictions that can affect ownership.

A Land Registry extract can provide relevant information about ownership and certain registered charges affecting the property.

This does not necessarily mean that a property with a mortgage cannot be sold. It is a very common situation. What matters is understanding the situation and correctly establishing how the mortgage will be cancelled or managed as part of the transaction.

2. Property documentation

In addition to Land Registry information, it is advisable to check that the property has the documentation required for the transaction.

Depending on the property and the applicable regulations, relevant documents may include:

1) Certificate of occupancy.
2) Energy performance certificate.
3) Cadastral reference.
4) Land Registry details.
5) Certain technical documentation relating to the building, where applicable.

Reviewing these documents in advance can help avoid issues once the transaction has already reached a more advanced stage.

3. The homeowners' association

When buying an apartment, you are not only acquiring the space inside the property. You also become part of a homeowners' association and a building with its own expenses, maintenance requirements and collective decisions.

It is therefore advisable to understand matters such as:

1) The amount of regular community fees.
2) Whether any special assessments have been approved or are planned.
3) The general condition of the building.
4) Works recently carried out.
5) Any works that may still be pending.
6) The overall financial situation of the homeowners' association.

A home may be in very good condition internally while being part of a building that will soon require major work to the façade, roof, lift, installations or other common elements.

4. The actual condition of the property

Listing photographs are useful for forming an initial impression, but a viewing should involve a more detailed assessment.

It is advisable to check the condition of the installations, windows, possible damp, ventilation, insulation, layout, electrical system, plumbing and general state of repair.

In older properties, it may also be useful to know what renovation work has been carried out and whether certain features belong to the property's original configuration.

Not all defects have the same importance. Repainting a wall does not have the same impact as replacing an entire electrical installation or solving a structural or damp-related problem.

5. The building matters too

This is especially important in cities such as Barcelona, where the housing stock includes buildings from very different periods.

The age of the building, the condition of common areas, whether there is a lift, maintenance already carried out and any pending inspections or works can influence both everyday use of the property and future expenses.

A property should always be assessed together with the building it forms part of.

6. The surrounding area

The neighbourhood is also part of the purchase.

Before making a decision, it can be useful to visit the area at different times of day and assess factors such as noise, mobility, public transport, shops, services, the property's orientation and the general character of the street.

The experience of a neighbourhood can vary significantly from one street to another, and even between different sections of the same street.

Understanding the actual surroundings is therefore particularly important when the buyer does not know the area well.

7. Costs associated with the purchase

The advertised price of a property does not represent the full cost of the transaction.

In addition to the purchase price, buyers should take into account applicable taxes, notary fees, Land Registry fees, financing costs if there is a mortgage and other expenses associated with the transaction.

Preparing a complete budget in advance helps establish the total amount required and avoids making decisions based solely on the property's asking price.

8. Do not rely solely on first impressions

It is normal for a property to create an immediate impression. Natural light, a terrace, patio, views or a particular layout can make us connect with a home very quickly.

That feeling matters because we also need to like the home we buy, but the final decision should combine two dimensions: the emotional side and the technical side.

A good purchase is not simply about finding an attractive property. It is also about properly understanding what you are buying.

Before signing, ask questions

Many questions can arise during a real estate transaction. Asking before signing is always preferable to discovering later a situation that could have been clarified from the beginning.

Documentation, homeowners' association matters, building condition, registered charges, renovations, costs and characteristics of the surrounding area are some of the issues that should be clear before proceeding.

At InModerna GSI, we support buyers and property owners throughout the different stages of a real estate transaction, helping them analyse the property and the necessary documentation so they can make decisions with greater confidence.

Buying a home is an important decision. Having clear information before signing allows you to make that decision with greater confidence and avoid unexpected surprises later.

Casa Fuster, modernist building located between Passeig de Gràcia and Gran de Gràcia, Barcelona

16 September, 2026

THE STORIES HIDDEN INSIDE BARCELONA'S CENTURY-OLD BUILDINGS

Barcelona can also be understood through its buildings. Behind many of the façades that form part of the everyday landscape in neighbourhoods such as Gràcia lie more than a hundred years of history, transformation and different ways of living in the city.

High ceilings, balconies, inner courtyards, wooden joinery, hydraulic tiles and traditional structures are some of the features that can still be found in many of Barcelona's older homes.

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These buildings are not all the same and do not belong to a single period. Barcelona's growth during the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century produced a wide variety of residential buildings, ranging from simple constructions linked to the former municipalities of the Barcelona plain to bourgeois apartment buildings and modernist architecture.

The Barcelona History Museum explains that, following the 1888 Exhibition, housing construction intensified and different residential typologies coexisted. In former municipalities such as Gràcia, simpler homes were also developed, many consisting of one or two floors, while the city continued to transform. (Source: Barcelona History Museum)

High ceilings and spaces that speak of another era

One of the most striking features when entering certain older properties is the height of the ceilings. These proportions completely change the perception of space and may reveal elements that are highly valued today, such as mouldings, exposed beams and traditional construction solutions.

Over the decades, many homes have been redistributed to meet new needs, although some still retain part of their original configuration.

Catalan vaulting: a technique that remains part of Barcelona

The Catalan vault, traditionally built using layers of thin brick, forms part of the architectural heritage of many buildings in the city. In some modern renovations it is recovered and left exposed, becoming one of the most distinctive features of the property.

Balconies, galleries and inner courtyards

Long before air conditioning and large glass enclosures, architecture already had to address essential issues such as natural light and ventilation.

Street-facing balconies, rear galleries and inner courtyards helped bring light and fresh air into homes that often had deep floor plans and layouts very different from those found today.

These spaces continue to play an important role in the experience of living in an older property.

Hydraulic tiles: from an everyday material to a feature with character

Many hydraulic tile floors that are now considered distinctive decorative elements originally emerged as a common solution in homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Their geometric designs and colour combinations mean that, when well preserved, they can become one of the most recognisable features of a Barcelona property.

Gràcia: history visible on every street

This diversity is particularly noticeable in Gràcia. Buildings from different periods coexist with simpler apartment blocks, houses with courtyards, modernist architecture and properties that have gone through several generations of renovation.

One notable example is Casa Fuster, located where Passeig de Gràcia meets Gran de Gràcia. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the building was constructed between 1908 and 1911 and forms part of the city's architectural heritage.

But Gràcia's value is not limited to monumental architecture. It is also found in the anonymous residential buildings that shape its streets and preserve small pieces of the neighbourhood's everyday history.

Renovating without erasing history

An older home may need updated installations, improved insulation, a new layout or modernised kitchens and bathrooms.

Renovation, however, does not necessarily mean removing everything that came before. When the condition of the property allows it, preserving certain original features can help retain its character while combining it with contemporary comfort.

Every property requires a different analysis. Some features are worth restoring, while others need to be replaced for technical, functional or safety reasons.

Understanding the building also means understanding the property

When viewing an apartment, we usually focus first on floor area, layout, natural light or the number of rooms. But in a city such as Barcelona, it is also important to understand the building that the property forms part of.

Its age, state of conservation, common areas, previous interventions and construction characteristics all help provide a fuller understanding of the property.

At InModerna GSI, we work every day with homes and residential buildings throughout Gràcia and Barcelona. Understanding their characteristics, surroundings and the reality of each building allows us to advise owners and buyers from a perspective that goes beyond square metres.

Because behind every home there is a building, and behind many of Barcelona's buildings there is more than a century of history.

Photo: Carles Paredes / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Image cropped for web adaptation.

3 September, 2026

GRÀCIA, FESTA MAJOR AND THE END OF SUMMER: THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT ALWAYS COMES TOGETHER AGAIN

There are moments of the year that explain a neighbourhood better than any guidebook.

In Gràcia, one of those moments arrives every August, when streets become more than just streets, squares fill with conversations and the neighbourhood is transformed by colour, music, lights and decorations that have taken shape over months thanks to the work of local residents.

The Festes de Gràcia are not simply a celebration. They are also a reminder of what makes this neighbourhood special.

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For a few days, Gràcia once again reveals one of its most recognisable sides: decorated streets, community activities, concerts, dinners, traditional culture and a level of street life that is difficult to find with the same intensity elsewhere in Barcelona.

But behind those days of celebration there is much more: associations, street committees, volunteers and local residents working for months so that, once again, the neighbourhood can be transformed.

A neighbourhood built by its residents

Perhaps this is one of the things that best defines Gràcia.

Despite being part of a major city such as Barcelona, the neighbourhood retains a strong identity of its own. Its squares, local shops, associations, markets, narrow streets and everyday relationships between people preserve a sense of neighbourhood that many cities have gradually lost.

During the Festa Major, this identity becomes even more visible.

The decorations do not appear overnight. They are the result of months of meetings, ideas, manual work and collaboration. Each street tells a small story and each decoration reflects, in some way, the collective effort of those who live there.

Perhaps that is the most beautiful part of the festival: seeing how a space normally used to go to work, buy bread or return home becomes, for a few days, a shared place.

When summer begins to say goodbye

The Festes de Gràcia also carry something of the end of summer.

They arrive at that point in August when the days are still long, Barcelona continues to live at a different pace and many people slowly begin returning from their holidays.

For a few days, however, it feels as though the calendar stops.

Terraces fill up, streets regain their energy and nights stretch a little longer. It is almost a final celebration before September returns with routines, schedules, new projects and that familiar feeling of beginning another stage.

Perhaps this is why the Festa Major also carries a small sense of nostalgia.

It reminds us that summer is ending, while at the same time bringing us back to the neighbourhood, its residents, familiar shops and the everyday life that is also part of what we call home.

Gràcia is much more than a location

In real estate, we often talk about square metres, orientation, layout, prices and the condition of a building.

These are important factors, of course.

But there is another part of a home's value that is much harder to express with a number: the place where it is located and the life that exists around it.

Living in Gràcia means shopping at local businesses, meeting familiar faces in a square, and having small restaurants, markets, schools, workshops and businesses only a few minutes from home.

It means walking through streets that still retain a human scale and, for one week in August, seeing those same streets completely transformed.

A home is not only what we find behind its front door.

It is also the street, the square, the neighbours and the history of the place where we choose to live.

InModerna is also part of this neighbourhood

For us, Gràcia is not simply the area where we work.

It is the neighbourhood where our office is located, where we speak every day with owners, buyers, tenants, shopkeepers and local residents. It is where we know the streets, the buildings and many of the stories behind each home.

That is why we like our blog to talk about more than prices, regulations or property transactions.

We also want to talk about the neighbourhood.

About the things that explain why so many people want to live here and why many long-term residents of Gràcia still feel that it is a small town within Barcelona.

Until next year

The decorations have now been removed, the streets have gradually returned to their usual appearance and September is already here.

What remains are the photographs, conversations, perhaps a night that lasted a little longer than expected and the memory of another Festa Major.

And the neighbourhood continues.

With its shops opening every morning, shutters going up again, squares filling with people, neighbours greeting one another and a new season beginning.

From InModerna GSI, all we can say is:

thank you, Gràcia, for another summer full of life.

See you at the next Festes.

Photo: Pere López Brosa / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image cropped for web adaptation.

Professional analysis of contracts, documentation and real estate management

13 July, 2026

SEASONAL AND ROOM RENTALS: WHY IS THE MARKET ENTERING A PERIOD OF GREATER CONTROL?

The rental market is changing. In recent years, many property owners have looked for alternatives to standard residential leases: seasonal contracts, room rentals and stays linked to studies, employment, professional relocation, medical treatment or other temporary circumstances.

This change has not happened by chance. Demand pressure, rent restrictions in stressed market areas, regulatory uncertainty and the need for greater flexibility have led many properties to be assessed from a more strategic and asset-management perspective.

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However, the current environment leaves less room for improvisation. Seasonal rentals and room rentals have entered a period of greater oversight, greater justification requirements and stricter documentation standards. For owners, this means that profitability can no longer be analysed separately from legal risk and the practical management of the property.

Seasonality does not depend only on the length of the contract

A common mistake is to assume that a 6, 9 or 11-month contract automatically qualifies as a seasonal rental. The main issue is not just the duration, but the purpose of the contract.

Spain's Urban Leasing Act distinguishes between residential leases and leases for purposes other than permanent residential use. (Source: BOE - Urban Leasing Act)

For a rental to genuinely qualify as seasonal, there should be a specific and coherent temporary reason: studies, fixed-term employment, professional relocation, medical treatment, renovation work at the tenant's usual residence or another temporary need.

Room rentals also require greater analysis

Room rentals have become increasingly common in cities with high residential demand. For some owners they may appear to offer higher monthly income, but they also involve more management, greater tenant turnover, more shared-living issues and increased attention to regulatory compliance.

Law 11/2025 on housing and urban-planning measures in Catalonia strengthens the regulatory framework governing different forms of residential use. (Source: Legal Portal of Catalonia - Law 11/2025)

Profitability and risk: two variables that should be analysed together

When an owner decides to rent out a property, it is normal to ask which option could generate the highest income. But the professional question should not simply be “how much can I charge?” It should also be “what level of risk am I taking and how much management will this require?”

Before making a decision, it is therefore advisable to compare different scenarios:

1) Estimated monthly income.
2) Length and stability of occupancy.
3) Risk of non-payment or tenant turnover.
4) Wear and tear on the property.
5) Management and follow-up requirements.
6) Applicable regulations.
7) Tenant or occupant profile.
8) The owner's long-term asset strategy.

Documentation becomes a key element

In an increasingly regulated environment, documentation becomes essential. Before placing a home on the market, it is advisable to review the property's legal status, certificate of occupancy where applicable, energy certificate, building condition, contract terms and justification for the chosen type of rental.

Which strategy might make sense for an owner?

There is no single answer. The decision depends on the type of property, its location, its condition, the owner's personal circumstances and their long-term objectives.

Conclusion

Seasonal rentals and room rentals are part of today's housing market, but they can no longer be approached as an improvised solution. The current environment requires greater judgement, stronger documentation and a more professional approach to each transaction.

At InModerna GSI, we help owners assess their property from both a real estate and asset-management perspective, considering different options such as standard residential rental, seasonal rental, room rental, sale, renovation or long-term property ownership.

If you own a property in Barcelona and would like to analyse which strategy may suit you best, contact InModerna GSI and we will advise you with no obligation.

Bright and energy-efficient home prepared for sale or rental

6 July, 2026

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENOVATION: WHY DO THEY MATTER MORE AND MORE WHEN SELLING OR RENTING A HOME?

When an owner considers selling or renting a property, the first question is often the price. But the value of a home does not depend solely on its size, location or current market conditions.

Other factors are becoming increasingly important, including the state of repair, natural light, insulation, layout, comfort, energy consumption and the first impression a prospective buyer or tenant receives during a viewing.

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In an increasingly demanding property market, preparing a home properly before selling or renting it can make a real difference.

Why is energy efficiency becoming more important?

In recent years, the European Union has strengthened policies related to the energy performance of buildings. (Source: MITECO)

Factors such as insulation, windows, heating and cooling systems, ventilation and energy consumption are likely to play an increasingly important role in how the value of a home is perceived.

The energy certificate: more than just a document

An energy performance certificate is compulsory in many property sales and rental transactions. (Source: MITECO - Energy Certification)

A better energy rating can suggest lower consumption, greater comfort and better overall property maintenance.

What do buyers and tenants look at today?

1) Natural light.
2) Property orientation.
3) The condition of the kitchen and bathroom.
4) Window quality.
5) Thermal and acoustic insulation.
6) Layout of the spaces.
7) Condition of the building and common areas.
8) Whether immediate renovation work is required.

Renovating before selling: is it always necessary?

Not always. Some owners believe that a major renovation is necessary before selling, but a large investment does not always translate into an equivalent increase in the final sale price.

In some cases, repainting, decluttering, improving lighting, repairing visible defects or preparing the property more carefully for photographs and viewings may be enough.

Grants and rehabilitation

The State Housing Plan 2026-2030 includes measures aimed at rehabilitation, accessibility and improvements in energy efficiency. (Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda)

How can InModerna GSI help?

At InModerna GSI, we understand that every property requires a different strategy. We can advise on whether it makes sense to sell the property as it is, make minor improvements, consider a partial renovation or prepare a visual proposal to show the property's potential.

Contact InModerna GSI and we will advise you with no obligation.

Rental contract and legal documents related to changes in Spain's Urban Leasing Act

1 July, 2026

THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING NEW RENTAL CHANGES: WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE URBAN LEASING ACT?

The rental market is once again at the centre of political and legal debate. After months of regulatory uncertainty, the Government has announced that it is preparing a new package of housing measures.

For property owners and tenants, this raises a very clear question: what could actually change, and how might it affect rental contracts?

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Before going into detail, it is important to clarify that not all announced measures have been finally approved.

What does the Urban Leasing Act currently regulate?

Spain's Urban Leasing Act is the main legislation governing urban property rentals. (Source: BOE - Urban Leasing Act)

What happened to the March 2026 decree?

The Government approved Royal Decree-Law 8/2026 of 20 March. (Source: BOE)

The decree was not ratified by Congress and was subsequently repealed. (Source: BOE - repeal)

What is the Government preparing now?

Measures announced include possible changes relating to lease extensions, rent updates, seasonal contracts, room rentals and documentation requirements.

Why does this matter to property owners?

Any regulatory change can affect how a property should be managed. Before renting out a home, it is important to understand which type of contract genuinely fits the transaction.

What do we recommend at InModerna GSI?

In this environment, our main recommendation is to proceed cautiously and not make decisions based solely on headlines.

Contact InModerna GSI and we will help you assess your situation.

Barcelona cityscape related to the real estate market

25 June, 2026

HOUSING PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROPERTY OWNERS IN BARCELONA?

The real estate market continues to show strong activity in Spain, Catalonia and, especially, Barcelona.

At a time when housing prices continue to increase, many owners are asking a very common question: is this a good time to have my property valued?

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The answer is yes. Not necessarily because a property needs to be sold immediately, but because understanding its real value allows owners to make decisions with greater confidence.

According to Spain's National Statistics Institute, the Housing Price Index recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.9% in Spain during the first quarter of 2026. (Source: INE)

In the city of Barcelona, asking-price data published by Idealista placed the average sale price at €5,243/m² in May 2026. (Source: Idealista - Barcelona)

In Gràcia, the average asking price stood at €5,643/m². (Source: Idealista - Gràcia)

What does this situation mean for a property owner?

Pricing a property above its true market value can cause the listing to lose momentum. On the other hand, setting the price too low can mean missing an economic opportunity.

Online valuations can be useful, but they are not always enough

A property's price depends on its exact location, condition, natural light, layout, floor level, lift, building, demand and comparable properties.

Gràcia: a neighbourhood where every street matters

Valuing a property in Gràcia requires local knowledge. Two homes with a similar floor area can have very different values depending on their precise location and characteristics.

At InModerna GSI, we help you value your property

If you own a property in Gràcia or Barcelona and would like to know what it may be worth, we can advise you with no obligation.

Contact InModerna GSI and request a professional valuation of your property.

21 November, 2020

FROM TOURISM REJECTION TO NOSTALGIA

Covid has changed our lives in an extreme way.

They say that from now on everything will be different. Allow me to have my doubts.

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Now that tourism has disappeared, we have realised that tourism was in fact necessary for the city of Barcelona. (link)

But as the saying goes, neither too much nor too little. The uncontrolled growth we previously had was not good for the city, particularly without clear planning of the type of tourism we wanted.

Focusing on our own sector, real estate has been one of the sectors most affected in the city.

On the one hand, rentals.

1) Covid.
2) New regulations introduced by the Catalan Government concerning stressed market areas.

The wheel will gradually begin turning again. Tourism's multiplier effect will start producing results.

Sales: although property transactions have fallen, prices remain relatively stable.

In summary, the market will progressively recover over the medium term.

José Cazorla - InModerna GSI

12 January, 2024

RENT CONTROL IN CATALONIA COMES INTO FORCE IN FEBRUARY

At InModerna GSI, we would summarise the introduction of these regulations as follows: a failure by the State to meet its constitutional obligation to provide decent and affordable housing, with the burden instead being placed on small property owners.

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It is not fair that small savers who have invested in their future and retirement income should put their property at risk while facing still-high inflation, very high interest rates and now rent restrictions.

Owners who cannot absorb these pressures may decide to sell, removing those properties from the rental market.

International investors may stop investing in Spain due to a lack of legal certainty and profitability.

We do not understand why a measure like this is being introduced for a second time, especially when it has already been shown not to work.

If you would like more information, here is a link:

Catalonia, the first autonomous community to apply rental limits — idealista/news

21 December, 2023

MORTGAGE RATES BEGIN THEIR SLOW PATH DOWNWARDS

Interest rates are finally beginning a slow decline. Inflation is starting to moderate, standing at around 3.2% year-on-year in November, while annual core inflation was 4.5%.

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Growth forecasts for Spain in 2024 are only 1.6%, while Germany is expected to record 0.6%.

At present, Euribor stands at 3.60%. Only a few weeks ago it was at 4.12%.

At InModerna GSI, we believe that if the ECB lowers rates, this could accelerate the decline in interest costs. However, it is important to remember that these are only forecasts.

Our recommendation is to negotiate a mortgage novation, in other words, renegotiate the terms with your bank. If that is not possible, we recommend consulting a mortgage broker to explore other options.

We favour a mixed-rate formula: a fixed rate for the first year, followed by a variable rate, with the aim of benefiting from any subsequent reduction in interest rates.

José Cazorla - InModerna GSI

BLOG

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU CHECK BEFORE BUYING A HOME?

THE STORIES HIDDEN INSIDE BARCELONA'S CENTURY-OLD BUILDINGS

GRÀCIA, FESTA MAJOR AND THE END OF SUMMER: THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT ALWAYS COMES TOGETHER AGAIN

SEASONAL AND ROOM RENTALS: WHY IS THE MARKET ENTERING A PERIOD OF GREATER CONTROL?

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENOVATION: WHY DO THEY MATTER MORE AND MORE WHEN SELLING OR RENTING A HOME?

THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING NEW RENTAL CHANGES: WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE URBAN LEASING ACT?

HOUSING PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PROPERTY OWNERS IN BARCELONA?

FROM TOURISM REJECTION TO NOSTALGIA

RENT CONTROL IN CATALONIA COMES INTO FORCE IN FEBRUARY

MORTGAGE RATES BEGIN THEIR SLOW PATH DOWNWARDS

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