The latest Land Registry data for the western Costa del Sol pre-sents a market that remains funda-mentally healthy but has clearly shifted in pace. Prices continue to trend upward, yet transaction vol-umes have dropped noticeably com-pared with the same period last year. After two exceptional years of strong activity, this moderation suggests the market is returning to a more sus-tainable rhythm rather than entering a downturn. Serious buyers are still active, but they are increasingly se-lective and value-driven, focusing on properties that combine quality, loca-tion, and realistic pricing.
1. Sales volumes have fallen sharply, but prices remain resilient. Closed transactions decreased by around 20% in Marbella, Benahavís, and Mijas during Q2, while Estepona was the only area to post a modest gain of +3.6%. Despite these declines, prices have continued to rise across most municipalities. This resilience highlights the strength of the local market, sup-ported by limited supply of modern homes and con-sistent demand from both domestic and international buyers.
2. Price trends di-verge across areas. Marbella and Estepona recorded quarterly price gains of +2.8% and +5.9%, while Mijas led the region with an impres-sive +21.2% annual increase. Bena-havís was the only market to show a small quarterly de-crease (–0.8%), suggesting a temporary pause after several years of growth, particu-larly in the high-end segment where buyer caution is more evident.
3. The gap between asking and sell-ing prices continues to widen. Since mid-2024, asking prices have risen faster than achieved sale prices, reflecting a growing disconnect be-tween seller expectations and buyer sentiment. While this may lead to longer marketing times, well-priced listings continue to attract strong interest, confirming that confidence in the Costa del Sol remains solid and long-term fundamentals are intact.
For homeowners, this means:
Well-priced homes will stand out this autumn, as buyers grow more selective and mo-tivated — making now the ideal moment to attract seri-ous offers before year-end.
Article by
Alfonso Lacruz