The VII edition of Tribuna Immoscopia took place this week, one of the property sector’s benchmark events. It was organised by the Catalan Association of Property Agents (Asociación de Agentes Inmobiliarios de Catalunya, AIC) and Barcelona’s Official College of Property Agents (Colegio Oficial de Agentes de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria de Barcelona, COAPI Barcelona).
Vicenç Hernández Reche was present at said event, Tecnotramit’s CEO and AIC’s Chairman, who not only moderated several discussion panels about the sector’s future in 2022 but was also in charge of the event’s inaugural speech.
Vicenç Hernández acknowledged 2021 ended ‘leaving a bad taste in the mouth’ concerning the property market because of Omicron’s arrival and the return of lockdowns. On the whole, however, ‘it was a good year both regarding the number of deals as well as price development.’
‘The combination of low interest rates and the uncertainty created by the health crisis has drawn a very important number of investors to the property business. Not only do low interest rates benefit an increased trend or tendency towards inactivity, but together with high inflation rates, cause property investment to maintain to this day the best value between relativity, moderate volatility, and tangibility -quality greatly appreciated during times of uncertainty.’
With respect to last year’s negative aspects, Tecnotramit’s CEO regrets the political establishment continues ‘to be so cut off from pragmatic, political, and social reality.’ The expert criticised the lack of dialogue with the sector’s authorities and the Government’s perspective of employing ‘temporary solutions’ to solve ‘structural problems’.
Hernández also reflected briefly on the new Housing Law, which he considers expression of ‘our politicians detachment from reality’.
‘Our Housing Law almost disregards history. And conversely propels, among other things, price monitoring that tries to conceal the public sector’s inability to function in its social role. Responsibility is then redirected to the private sector and both owner and buyer are treated as guilty of all sins,’ concluded Tecnotramit’s CEO.