Anyone who has been dreaming of a house on the Costa Blanca for a while is probably asking themselves the same question: is this a good time to buy, or had I better wait a bit longer?
It is an understandable doubt. House prices in Spain have risen sharply in recent years, mortgage interest rates continue to fluctuate, and reports about a possible property bubble sometimes cause uncertainty.
But what do the figures actually say? And more importantly for our clients: what do the developments in the Spanish housing market mean for Marina Alta and towns like Dénia, Jávea, Moraira and Benissa?
Spanish house prices continue to rise
According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), house prices in the first quarter of 2026 12.9% higher than a year earlier.
Prices for existing homes rose by 13.5% and those for new-build homes by 9.1%.
It is striking that there was not a single autonomous region in Spain where prices fell.
The Comunidad Valenciana is also part of a housing market where demand remains high. However, national and regional figures only tell part of the story.
Anyone looking for a property in Marina Alta has to deal with a very specific local market.
Marina Alta is no average Spanish property market
Denia, Jávea (Xàbia), Moraira, Benissa and the surrounding villages each have their own dynamic.
The range on offer varies from apartments and townhouses to fincas, sea-view villas and properties a short distance from the coast. Moreover, the interest does not come solely from local buyers. The region also attracts people from other parts of Spain and international buyers who want to live here permanently, spend the winter months or look for a second home.
Therefore, a message like “the Spanish housing market is cooling down” on its own doesn't say all that much about the property you have in mind in Jávea, Moraira or Dénia.
Property is ultimately local.
Even within the Marina Alta, differences can be significant. The market for an apartment in the centre of Dénia is not the same as that for a villa in Moraira. An inland finca has a different buyer demographic to a modern villa with sea views in Benissa Costa.
That is why at DACASAS we do not just look at general Spanish market trends, but specifically at what is actually happening in the town, urbanisation and price bracket you are looking in.
Is there another property bubble?
An annual price rise of 12.9% sounds substantial. Understandably, it brings to mind the period before the 2008 property crisis.
Yet there are important differences.
In the years leading up to the financial crisis, Spanish banks were much more willing to grant mortgages. Loans amounting to 100% or even more of the property’s value were common, and checks on buyers’ financial capacity were considerably less stringent.
Today, that is different. Banks apply stricter conditions, assess buyers' financial situations more thoroughly, and generally finance only a portion of the appraised value.
An important cause of the current price trend also lies elsewhere: the limited housing supply against a persistent demand.
Why do houses keep getting more expensive?
Spain has for a long time been building fewer homes than are needed to meet demand.
At the same time, demand is increasing due to population growth, smaller households, and interest from foreign buyers, amongst other factors.
In an attractive coastal region like Marina Alta, location also plays an important role. Land and properties in sought-after locations are by definition in limited supply. After all, you cannot endlessly build new villas in the most stunning locations with views of the Mediterranean Sea.
That makes especially good homes in good locations scarce.
And precisely that combination — location, quality and scarcity - can ensure that attractive properties retain their value, even when the wider housing market becomes a bit quieter.
Waiting for lower prices: wise or not?
This is perhaps the most important question.
Nobody can predict with certainty what house prices will do next year. A correction is always possible and local markets can move differently from the Spanish average.
However, anyone waiting for a substantial general fall in prices must also take the opposite scenario into account.
Spanish house prices are now up for 44 consecutive quarters. That is more than eleven years without a national price drop.
So waiting is not automatically the safe choice.
Suppose you find a suitable property today for €400,000. A price rise of 5% would mean a difference of €20,000. At 10%, that would be €40,000.
Of course, this does not mean that every property will automatically be 5% or 10% more expensive next year. It does, however, show that also waiting can have financial consequences.
And what about the mortgage interest rate?
There are also interesting developments for buyers who want to partially finance a Spanish property.
The Euribor closed June 2026 at 2,798%. That is higher than the low recorded earlier this year, but still significantly lower than the 4.16% reached in October 2023.
In May 2026, 42,213 residential mortgages were taken out in Spain. The average interest rate on new mortgages was 2.98%.
Anyone who needs financing would obviously do well not to look solely at the interest rate. Their personal financial situation, term, the amount they can contribute themselves and the conditions set by different banks are at least as important.
Buying a house to enjoy yourself
For many of our clients, a property in Marina Alta is more than just an investment.
It is about a place to holiday, live for part of the year, or eventually move permanently to Spain.
In that case, predicting the perfect buying moment becomes less important.
When you buy a home for the long term, other questions are often much more relevant:
Does the property suit how you want to live here? Is the location good? Is the asking price realistic? And is the property legally and structurally sound?
A good purchase does not start with trying to predict the lowest point of the market, but with knowing what you are buying.
Denia, Javea, Moraira or Benissa: where should you look?
That depends entirely on what you are looking for.
For example, Dénia offers a combination of city, port, beaches and amenities. Jávea has several residential areas, each with its own very distinct character. Moraira is smaller in scale and popular with international home seekers, while Benissa stretches from the historic interior to the coast.
And then there are the smaller towns and villages of Marina Alta, where you sometimes get a very different living experience than right on the coast.
Therefore, there is no such thing as “the best place to buy a house on the Costa Blanca.”
There is mainly one place that best suits your wishes.
Do you want to be able to walk to restaurants and shops? Are you looking for peace and quiet and privacy? Do you want sea views? A large plot? A low-maintenance apartment? Do you want to live there permanently or use the property for only a few months a year?
Those answers ultimately matter much more than a general forecast about the Spanish property market.
So, is 2026 a good time to buy?
For someone who is financially ready to buy, has found a suitable property and wants to hold onto it for the long term, the current figures give little reason to drop out solely out of fear of a new property crash.
But that definitely does not mean that you every property at any asking price must buy.
Especially in a market where attractive homes are scarce, local knowledge is important. What is a realistic price for this property? How does it compare to similar homes? Are there any specific details regarding the plot or the buildings? And will the location remain attractive in the longer term?
That is ultimately where the difference lies between simply buying a house in Spain and buying the right property in Spain.
Looking for a property in Marina Alta?
DACASAS guides home seekers in Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Benissa and the surrounding towns in Marina Alta.
In doing so, we look not only at what is for sale, but especially at what suits you. From choosing the right location and property to assessing the price and guiding you through the purchasing process.
Curious to see what is possible within your requirements and budget in Marina Alta? Get in touch with us. We are always happy to help you brainstorm.
