How summer browsers become autumn and winter buyers

Many international buyers use the warmer months to explore different parts of Spain. Whether they are relocating, investing or planning for future retirement, summer provides a good opportunity to travel, evaluate lifestyle options, and explore properties on the market. It’s relaxed research, but it subconsciously plants the seeds for serious decisions later.

Why consistent visibility matters

International buyers do not browse to purchase instantly. They research locations, compare prices, and plan their move over several months.

A recent survey on our website revealed that:

• Over 80% of respondents browsing on thinkSPAIN intended to buy a Spanish property, though not immediately.
• One third planned to decide within six months, during autumn and winter.
• Over a third expected to purchase between six months and the start of next summer.

Transactions in late spring often stem from early-year interest, as foreigners plan ahead to have a property ready by summer. Likewise, this summer’s browsing sets the stage for autumn and winter results. It's a continuous cycle, and it’s important for agents to stay active and maintain momentum.

Staying active now drives autumn and winter sales

Seasonal peaks amplify this ongoing buyer journey, introducing new leads who may convert months later.

Last year, over 40 million overseas visitors arrived between June and September, and this figure is expected to rise by 3.2% YoY this summer. This creates prime opportunities for properties on the market to reach high-value international purchasers who spend over 30% more per m² than domestic ones.

As overseas visits continue to increase, so do property sales in autumn and winter. In the final quarter of 2024, international activity reached record heights:

• Nearly 25,000 properties were bought by foreigners.
• It marked a 27% YoY increase, and almost 50% above the decade’s average.
• It was the strongest Q4 ever recorded for international transactions.

This correlation highlights the importance of early visibility turning interest into results. Agents that capitalise on this are the ones remaining active and keeping their sales pipeline consistent.

Set your properties up for more enquiries later in the year

Staying visible and maintaining a strong, consistent sales flow is key, delivering the following benefits:

• Access to millions of international visitors: With millions visiting Spain each summer, your listings will reach high-value buyers exploring in person while browsing online for more information.
• Capturing undecided buyers: Many are still open to different areas or property types, so appearing early puts your listings into consideration before decisions narrow.
• Greater sales potential: Buyers form connections with places and properties they discovered in the early stages. Listings browsed and saved now are often the ones enquired about later on.

From reach through consideration to results, each stage builds on the last and strengthens your autumn sales pipeline.

Turn summer browsers into autumn and winter buyers on thinkSPAIN

thinkSPAIN is the Spanish property portal of choice for international buyers, attracting over 2 million each month. As browsers enquire about listings on our portal, agents capture valuable leads that drive autumn and winter results.

We support agents with powerful tools and features that keep listings visible and leads engaged throughout their decision-making cycles:

• Comprehensive property filters: Buyers can refine listings by broad features like property type or size, to specific details such as having a pool, sea views, or golf-front locations.
• Lifestyle-based searches: Buyers can also search properties in municipalities by proximity to specific amenities, such as beaches, golf courses, airports, and more.
• Saved searches and favourites: Users can easily save properties, areas or agencies to revisit later and make enquiries.
• Personalised email alerts: With over 450,000 email subscribers, thinkSPAIN delivers customised property and price alerts, and weekly hand-picked property suggestions.
• Automatic translations: Your property descriptions are instantly available in 12 languages, expanding your reach and saving you time.

Now is a key time to capture international buyers’ attention, setting your properties up for more enquiries later in the year.