Within a very short time frame, technology has become the centre point for how we connect, share and consume. It brings us an immediate solution to our needs, enabling us to connect with each other like never before. This way of buying and interacting has impacted the local property sector, which now sells property to overseas buyers thousands of miles away from Mallorca. Some of them are even buying their second homes without even visiting the island. This made sense in 2020 when travel restrictions were tight, but is this a trend that’s here to stay?
A confident sale
Buying a luxury second home in Mallorca is perhaps one of the biggest transactions most people will make in their lives. For a prime spot on the seafront, villas are at least a million euros with many reaching well above five million in areas like Port Andratx and Bendinat. It’s a big investment for most buyers and can take time to process. There is the location to consider, the quality of construction, the size of the rooms and what amenities there are nearby. Having this translated via a smartphone or camera is no easy task, but online viewings have become increasingly popular. Local agents, Sandberg Estates, who have sold several second homes 100% online, can see why the trend is catching on.
“It’s convenient and it saves our clients’ time. The videos are detailed, we’re always in communication and it’s not just limited to imagery. We’ll send detailed reports and floor plans too,” says the co-founder. “Our clients are confident in their decision to buy because they trust us – being transparent and open is key to a confident sale.”
Seen and sold in Mallorca
While some buyers were happy to buy online in 2020, there were others that decided to wait until they could visit the island. Technology has its benefits but an online purchase is seen by some as being too risky. It cuts the buyer off from feeling the property (smell and touch are blindfolded) and leaves our decision-making to purely what we see and hear on screen. There is also the investigative aspect too, which takes away the experience of exploring the island and considering the different areas to live in.
Mandy Fletling from Living Blue Mallorca has sold properties online, but says the majority of her clients prefer to be present in Mallorca. “We get a lot of buyers looking in the Serra de Tramuntana so visiting places like Alaró and Santa María is part of the experience – especially if Mallorca is completely new to you. Many of our buyers can’t be present, but in this case they’ll usually send a lawyer to work on their behalf. I don’t think face-to-face interaction will completely disappear,” she says.
Mandy and Piers both agree that those who have bought their second homes 100% online usually already know the island. They have visited on holiday and have fallen in love with a particular area meaning that the location is already decided. They also admit that the travel restrictions in 2020 had a big impact on online sales, meaning that although it’s a current trend, the possibility of it skyrocketing is slim. Online viewings are different since most buyers want to narrow down their search before visiting properties in person, but buying a property completely online? It seems unlikely in such a beautiful place like Mallorca. After all, visiting for the sea and sunshine must surely be the most enjoyable part.
