Marbella & Benahavis Real Estate: Rising prices, but are sellers overestimating the market?

According to the latest data published, the real estate mar­kets in Marbella and Benahavis continue to show strong performance, with property prices experiencing a steady upward trend. The data confirms the resilience of these sought-after destinations, making them attractive for both buyers and investors. However, an important trend to note is the increasing gap between asking prices and actual closing prices, which reflects the fast selling pace of mar­ket priced properties. Here's an overview of the key trends based on the most recent figures:

1. Consistent Price Growth Over the Years, but a Widen­ing Gap. Property prices in both Marbella and Benahavis have been on a steady rise over the past decade. The charts illustrate a clear appreciation in price per square meter, reflecting sustained demand and market conf1-dence. However, while asking prices (Idealista data) have consistently remained above actual closed sale prices (Land Registry data), the gap between them has widened. This suggests that sellers are setting increasingly ambi­tious prices, requiring buyers to go for market priced prop­erties which are selling fast or to negotiate more aggres­sively to reach final sale agreements.

2. Marbella: A Strong and Expanding Market with Seller Optimism. Marbella continues to demonstrate robust price growth, with both asking and closed transaction pric­es rising significantly over time. The latest figures indicate a sharp increase, particularly since 2020, as demand surged post-pandemic. However, the increasing difference between listing and closing prices suggests that while sellers remain confident in the market's strength, buyers are exercising more caution, leading to extended negotia­tion periods. The interest for Marbella's properties as a preferred luxury destination is still there despite the com­plicated geopolitical situation but pricing expectations may need to adjust to maintain transaction momentum.

«As prices continue to rise, strategic pricing and rea­listic expectations will be key to maintaining a healthy transaction flowª

 

3. Benahavis: Exclusive and Resilient, but Facing Pricing Challenges. Benahavis maintains its position as a premi­um market, characterized by exclusivity and luxury. While it has a lower transaction volume compared to Marbella, the price per square meter remains high, reflecting the area's appeal among affiuent buyers. However, the grow­ing gap between asking and closing prices suggests that even in this high-end market, buyers are more cautious in their purchasing decisions. The area's limited supply of high-end properties contributes to price stability, but sellers may need to realign their expectations to market realities to keep transactions fluid.

The latest real estate data confirms that both Marbella and Benahavis remain highly attractive markets, with sus­tained price growth and strong buyer interest. However, the increasing divergence between asking and closing prices shows a more complex negotiation process, requir­ing both sellers and buyers to adjust their expectations. As prices continue to rise, strategic pricing and realistic ex­pectations will be key to maintaining a healthy transaction flow in these sought-after destinations.