In an interview with Lusa, Ricardo Sousa assured that “the demand has remained very constant over time, even during imprisonment.”
However, “we were surprised that 45% of Portuguese today show a desire to relocate. Today they have a different view of housing, ”he said.
The company decided to conduct this survey, reaching 450 people in two phases, in October 2020 and January 2021, to understand “what were the new needs, new perspectives that people from home had,” according to the CEO.
“What we did was generally very similar to what we did before, and in all our speeches we pointed to new trends,” he added.
According to the information sent by the company, “almost all respondents (95%) were imprisoned in their usual place of residence, and the average satisfaction with the home in which they spent the mandatory collection period established by the pandemic is 8.3 out of 10”.
However, “65% of respondents identified new needs for their housing during imprisonment” and “after giving birth, 45% of Portuguese thought they would like to move,” the group stressed.
However, he said: “29% admitted that they would like to move, but do not have economic opportunities, 11% already planned to move into a house before imprisonment, 3% did not plan, but considered a change after giving birth. housing, while 2% of respondents said they would like to change, but are disappointed with the buying and selling process and the very concept of change. “
The reasons why they want to move are based primarily on “the size of the house and, moreover, on the optimization of space,” as they want to have a place for work and for children, said Ricardo Sousa.
Century 21 also stresses that “43% of respondents are satisfied with the home they live in.”
Ricardo Sousa warned “about the disposable income of the Portuguese” because “the vast majority cannot pay more than 500 euros a month.”
Thus, according to the results of the study, “the amounts that most people are willing to pay for a mortgage or rent are from 301 to 400 euros (25%) and from 201 to 300 euros per month (22%)”. Already 17% “can pay up to 500 euros per month, while only 11% of respondents have the financial availability to reach 600 euros,” the consultant said.
According to Century 21, “The survey results also show that nearly nine out of 10 families choose to own a home, 59% believe it is an investment for the future, and 21% even assume that the home is a legacy they intend to leave behind. to my children “.
On the other hand, “out of 11% who choose rental housing, 57% justify that at the moment they do not have the financial opportunity to invest in buying a house, 19% have not yet decided on the area where they want to live, and only 11 % prefer to rent housing in order to have greater mobility. “
According to Ricardo Sousa, “the housing market is extremely dynamic” thanks to “very low interest rates and affordable mortgages to buy a home.”
Nevertheless, he emphasizes, “for more than ten years, the sector and the state have not been able to adjust housing solutions where most of the demand is concentrated, that is, in the middle class.”
“This problem continues to be a limiting factor for further market growth and a justification for price stability,” he said.
