Six Houses a Minute: Inside Spain's Property Boom and the Rise of Cash Buyers

Spain is currently selling around six homes a minute — and nearly a third are bought in cash. So what's really driving Spain's property boom? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take a wry, clear-eyed look at the Spanish real estate market in 2026: foreign buyers, remote workers, coastal hotspots like the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, rising prices in Madrid and Barcelona, and the growing pressure on local communities. Why is Spain so attractive to international investors? Where are the most popular regions to buy property? And what should you watch out for before signing at the notary? From cash purchases and lifestyle migration to planning permissions and hidden buying costs, this episode explores the reality behind Spain's housing surge — with humour, perspective and a healthy respect for Spanish bureaucracy. If you're thinking about buying property in Spain, investing in a holiday home, or simply curious about why the market is moving so fast, this one's for you.