The bathroom, an essential room when looking for a home

Since the health crisis caused by Covid 19 burst into our lives, many things have changed around us: our habits, our concerns, our goals... In the real estate market, the impact has been remarkable and many people have decided to change their homes. Both the buying and selling sector and the rental sector are more alive than ever, and we have talked to the following people about all this María Matos, Director of Research and spokesperson for Fotocasa..

Q.- What are the main changes that people who are considering a new home are looking for nowadays?

A.- Now the search requirements are natural light and large, open spaces. That it has access to the outside through a terrace or balcony, which have shot up 40% in our search engine, and that it has landscaped areas, common spaces and swimming pool.

Q.- Does the bathroom occupy a prominent place among the search criteria?

A.- One of the most important aspects when looking for a house is the bathroom. What we are detecting now is that we are looking for spaciousness, with an exit to the outside, that is to say, with a window, with natural light and fully equipped. And if possible, this is a preference that we are noticing, that there is more than one in the house.

Q.- How has the search for the perfect home evolved, with Spaniards opting for digital platforms to make their selection?

A.- The truth is that yes, and we are seeing more and more citizens choosing Fotocasa to accompany them in the process of searching for one of the most important aspects of their lives: housing, either for renting or buying. In fact, we have never had so many citizens interested in changing their home.

Q.- How do you think digitalization has affected the purchase and rental process, do you think that quality photos are now essential, well cared for decorations...?

A.- Absolutely. In fact, a few months ago we launched Visita expres. transforming the way in which properties are visited due to the incorporation of video calls on a 3D virtual tour. We needed to provide a quick and agile solution to people who wanted to see the property in person, and in this way we solve all the most common problems that the user usually encounters in a first appointment. We provide immediacy, ease of logistics.

Q.- In the case of bathrooms it is not an easy task, since it is a room of vital importance in daily life but difficult to illustrate in an attractive way, do you think that opting for furniture that takes care of the design can influence the decision making process?

A.- Completely. The bathroom is an essential part of the house. In fact, a very high percentage of purchase processes are frustrated by the situation, condition or location of the bathroom. We have also noticed a demand for larger bathrooms, since, after confinement, being cooped up at home for so long, and sharing the bathroom with several family members or roommates has become a complicated task. Therefore we detect that privacy has taken on a very relevant space after the pandemic.

Q.- Buying or renting, has the trend changed in the last year?

A.- The truth is that the pandemic has altered both markets, precisely at the time of the impact of covid, rental demand fell and purchase demand rose, but they have now returned to their usual levels.

«We have launched Express Visit, transforming the way real estate is visited with the addition of video calls over a 3D Virtual Tour.»

P.- What are the future prospects for the market, will it stabilize in the short term, will it continue to rise?

A.- In terms of prices, we believe that we will enter a cycle of moderation in which prices will show downward trends and stabilize. We will probably start to see slight decreases, but not very pronounced since we are 36% below the maximum prices reached in this market.