Valencia Property Blog

We got an email on Friday morning... "Can I visit this property today?" In virtually every case that we get this mail the answer is probably "No", because that's not how things work here. Arranging visits takes time and preparation with the selling agent, the owners, timetables (as we are usually booked up well in advance) and more. However, asking that question on the 15th August, a holiday in Valencia and Spain, then you can reliably surmise that the answer will be "there is not a snowball's chance in hell of getting in to see that property today". Apart from that you have to bear in mind one thing that's quite important... we are actually closed. August isn't for visiting houses as we have mentioned before on the blog, but it can be the perfect time for preparing for the Autumn rush.

Practical Advice

How to use August for thorough online research and shortlisting
Financial preparation: getting mortgages pre-approved, currency transfer planning
Document gathering while you have time (NIE applications, Visa Applications, paperwork organization)
Creating detailed requirement lists and priority rankings
Researching neighborhoods virtually using street view, local websites, expat forums

August isn't a time to be walking round a city in Spain trying to get things done. Between fiestas, holidays, heat and closures, life becomes more difficult if you want to get things done and more relaxed if you go with the flow. Your research in August should be online and through calls (And the calls need to be arranged in advance because if you expect a call to be answered when you haven't made an appointment to chat don't expect the phone to be picked up, nobody answers their phone in Spain to unknown numbers, especially foreign unknown numbers) Send whatsapps by all means as Spain runs on Whatsapp but allow time for answering and don't be disappointed when somebody tells you "Can we come back to this in the first week in September".

Equally, use the time to get your financial bits and bobs sorted. Get your mortgage pre approved if you are going to want one, speak to a currency broker about rates and expectations for the currency you are exchanging from and make sure you have your tax forms from the last two years and last three salary/income statements available.

If you are coming to live here and require a visa get your paperwork together and make sure you have the full list of what you may need and arrange an appointment to apply. Same with your NIE application, get everything ready as you will not get an appointment in August.

Regarding the property you might want fill in the form on our requirements page with as many details as you want. The more the merrier really but don't go so far as to put so many that nothing would match your requirements. Be prepared to compromise on a couple of points.

And as we said August isn't a time to be pounding the streets researching neighbourhoods, it's too hot for that. That research can be done using Google Maps, Street View and reading our blog posts. You might even want to venture into Expat/Immigrant forums but expect everyone to be angsty and heated because that's what happens in the forums. Simple questions can easily become battlegrounds. You'd be better asking us any questions via email really.

Market Analysis

August is a good time to do some market analysis but the truth is not much has changed since our mid year report you can see here.

However there are some things you should know:

Why September sees more properties coming onto the market
How properties that didn't sell before summer often return with "adjusted" prices
The "fresh start" mentality of sellers returning from holidays
Statistical patterns: how August planning leads to better September outcomes

September often sees a spike in new listings. This is because of two main factors; firstly, nothing is listed in August and secondly, people who haven't used their second home in the summer decide to sell it. There are also some supplementary factors such as "summer has been expensive so I need to sell something to get some money" or "summer has been so stressful that we have decided to get a divorce". There may be other factors at play too but it all adds up to September having more properties for sale.

Some properties may return to the market. It's often the case that things are taken off the market in July and August as they are rented out if they are in holiday hotspots and then they return with the same pictures and maybe, just maybe, an "adjusted" price. Don't get your hopes up though that adjusted price is often to the upside. When we spot it we know the prices are generally negotiable. We actually pointed this tendency out on our substack post recently. You can read about "The Strange Mindset of Some Spanish House Owners" here or by clicking on the image below.

Some people take a month off work and come back knowing now is the time for change. So they contact us to put their property up for sale. This is why September is the month that we do the most listings. However, don't expect a deluge. Lots of people are holding off on selling because they can't find exactly what they want to buy and the rental market looks difficult. They are right, the rental market is difficult.

And finally for this section, doing your research in August and laying the groundwork for your visit, including reserving time with one of us in the following month because we are going to be very busy, usually leads to a better outcome both in terms of options presented to you when you are here and also your eventual choice of property to buy. We always have a lot of signings in October and that's usually because of sales agreed in September. Fill in the form on our contact page to let us know not only what you want but also when you will be here.

Lifestyle Elements

Planning your September viewing trip logistics
Understanding Valencia's post-summer rhythm and energy
How locals return refreshed and re-energized for business*

In terms of getting ready for September in terms of the lifestyle elements that matter you should know a few things. Firstly, it's easier to get a hotel room or apartment rental at a decent price the further we get away from August. In many parts of Spain secondary school kids and university students don't return to studies until the second half of the month and therefore many people choose to take their holidays when it's cheaper, and cooler, in the first half of September.

Valencia is back and ready for you from the first of the month but expect a slow return to work as people trickle back that week, especially those with small kids who will only start at school this year on the 8th September. The second week things start to get back to normal and by the week of the 15th things are fully back to the norm, at least until we have some holidays in October ;-). Rest is needed you know.

*Locals come back from the summer holidays determined to work fast and hard... Hahahaha. No, this is not the States. They come back longing to return to the long summer days spent by the beach and doing everything they can to avoid burnout by working an absolute minimum if they can. They may come back refreshed and reenergized but you wouldn't know it from the attitude of civil servants and recalcitrant waiters (The waiters will have just gone through a tourist led hell for three months).

What you need is a reliable partner in your property search. We will be refreshed, we will be reenergized and we will hope to find you your ideal property. We look forward to seeing you in Valencia and working with you both beforehand and while you are here. Just don't send us a mail on a holiday asking to see a property that day. Even outside of the summer that won't happen. This is how you can work best with us.

Stepping Stones Rental of the Week

Book it ahead of time before the high season starts and it's gone available from September 1st.

Bright 1-Bedroom + 1 office/spare bedroom Apartment Near Ruzafa – Ideal dream home for remote workers & professionals. No kids, No pets. Silence. Close to the City Center.

Looking for a smooth landing in the city? This bright, practical, and modern 1-bedroom apartment is just a short walk south from Ruzafa, one of Valencia’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Set on the third floor of a quiet residential building (no elevator), it’s a quiet and fully furnished space that makes settling in effortless.

Inside, you’ll find a sunlit living area with a private balcony, a double bedroom with built-in storage, and a separate room that works well as a home office or guest room. This apartment's new renovation combines a touch of sleek modern with convenience and functionality and amenities such as, Fast Wi-Fi and air conditioning in both the living room and bedroom ensure comfort year-round.

Step outside and you’re close to local cafés, supermarkets, and public transport, with the rest of the city just a bike ride or bus ride away. Whether you're staying for a few months or just in transition, this place is set up to support easy day-to-day living.

Available for mid-term stay of 3-months.

Property of the Week

Godelleta Good Life 265k

A large house on beautiful gardens between the towns of Godelleta and Chiva, about a half an hour from Valencia city, and less to the airport. The entire plot is 9000m2, it was previously a palm plantation and currently out of use but ready to be replanted with whatever you fancy. Olives, grapes, avocadoes, Carolina reapers…

The house has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms including one master. This is a separate kitchen and living area, as well as an extra sunroom and wraparound shaded terrace. There are 2 air-conditioning units as well as plenty of ceiling fans, and for the cooler winter months there is central heating by radiators, and an open fire in the living room. The house is perfect for year round living, paved roads to the door and a short drive (10 mins) to the closest town.

The gardens are well looked after, as is the pool which is bigger than the usual size. The views from the pool deck are amazing, you can see for miles across the valley. Also on the grounds are a garage, a potting shed, a chicken coop and what a previous owner called a stable, although we are talking about a Shetland pony if it is.

Tremendous potential here in this property, if you really want a touch of the Good Life in Spanish countryside this is perfect.

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Close enough to the life and soul of El Carmen but not directly above the action it is also conveniently close (100 Metres or 9,58 Seconds) to the Turia Gardens or “Riverbed” as the locals call it. buff.ly/4sZaQWr

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— Graham Hunt (@grahunt.bsky.social) August 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM

New on the blog. Introducing the "Definitive Guide to Buying Property in Valencia" You can get it for free now. www.valencia-property.com/new/2025/08/...

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— Graham Hunt (@grahunt.bsky.social) August 11, 2025 at 9:06 AM