A debate is heating up in Barcelona over the future of the real estate market. Montserrat Junyent, the first woman to serve as president of the Barcelona Official College of Real Estate Agents (COAPI), states openly: without close cooperation between the government and the private sector, the housing issue cannot be solved. In an interview, she shares her perspective on the industry’s challenges, noting that the housing market is becoming increasingly strained.
According to Junyent, her appointment is the result of years of work and a desire to drive change. She emphasizes that today’s real estate market faces a series of challenges: from a shortage of supply to constant changes in legislation. Each day brings new difficulties, and professionals must not only keep up with regulatory updates but also master modern technologies to remain competitive.
Shortage and demand
One of the main problems is a severe shortage of housing. Demand consistently exceeds supply, making agents’ work more difficult and the market highly unstable. Junyent is convinced: without a national agreement between the government and private companies, the situation will not improve. She cites Catalonia’s plan to build 50,000 new apartments as an example, but notes that measures like these only yield results in the long term. Meanwhile, the private sector could help fill the gap temporarily—if it were given more opportunities.
The expert suggests considering tax incentives and compensation for landlords to help balance price disparities and boost the rental market. She also insists on the need to simplify bureaucratic procedures related to land allocation and building renovation. In her view, many resources remain unused due to excessive regulation.
Legal confusion
Junient describes the situation in Catalonia’s market as chaotic. The reason is confusion in the laws and a lack of a unified approach at both the national and regional levels. Legal uncertainty hinders both landlords and tenants, and professionals are forced to spend their time clarifying regulations instead of assisting clients. She notes that experts’ opinions are often disregarded when new laws are developed, with decisions made under pressure from powerful lobbies and unions.
According to her, real estate agents have unique insights into the actual situation on the ground, but their experience and expertise are overlooked. As a result, laws fail to take into account the interests of all market participants, and the problems only get worse.
Outlook and risks
Looking to the future, Junyent expresses cautious optimism about property transactions: low interest rates and government guarantees for young buyers are sustaining demand. However, the rental market is much less promising. Strict rent controls are shrinking supply, while property owners are losing the incentive to lease their homes due to rising costs and a growing tax burden.
She notes that tenant protection measures are often enacted without considering long-term consequences. As a result, there are fewer affordable apartments on the market, and property owners feel unprotected. Junyent is convinced that only a comprehensive approach and dialogue between the government and the private sector can bring about change.
Professional standards
The COAPI president places special emphasis on the role of professional associations. In her view, membership guarantees not only a high level of training but also transparency in transactions. Catalonia has operated a specialist registry for many years, allowing the market to be monitored and client interests protected. Junyent stresses that such measures do not affect housing prices, but they do ensure legal clarity in transactions and build trust in the industry.
In case you didn’t know, the Barcelona Official Association of Real Estate Agents (COAPI de Barcelona) is the largest professional organization of its kind in Spain, bringing together more than a thousand specialists. The association defends the interests of agents, sets industry standards, and helps advance members’ professional skills. Montserrat Junyent became the first woman to hold the position of president of COAPI Barcelona, marking a major milestone for the region’s real estate sector.
