MADRID – The largest rise in house prices continues to be in Barcelona, according to a report published Thursday.

In the first quarter of 2004, the cost of homes increased  by  4.6 percent in the Catalan capital, compared with 2.2 percent in Madrid.

The rise in Barcelona is the same as it was in the same period in 2003.

But the increase in house prices in the Spanish capital is the lowest seen for the last four years.

The report, from the estate agents Idealista.com, was compiled from information about 14,888 houses across Spain.

The survey was of second-hand homes and did not consider the prices of new houses.

The report said those selling houses in Barcelona remained confident that the market will stay buoyant, said Idealista.

The price per square metre averages EUR 3,451.
 
In contrast, in Madrid, the average price per square metre for housing is put at EUR 3,603 – double the price it was four years ago.

 In 2000, the price was EUR 1,849 per square metre.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

 Subject: Spanish news