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Every year, when the clocks change and the drizzle sets in, my phone starts buzzing. Friends and clients in London — often the same ones who swore last summer they were done with EasyJet and villa rentals — begin asking the same question: “Is now a good time to buy?” This autumn, that question feels louder than usual. Between tax jitters, election talk and the damp reality of the London market, many homeowners are wondering whether the sun — and a bit of sanity — lies elsewhere. Since August, the UK property market has been battling a constant swirl of rumour: whispered reforms to stamp duty, talk of a mansion tax, speculation over capital gains, even a possible overhaul of council tax. Each announcement or leak sends a tremor through confidence. Buyers and sellers alike are stuck in a holding pattern, waiting to see what the Chancellor’s red box might deliver. But this hesitation at home has had an unintended consequence. It’s pushed many would-be movers to think more globally — and to recognise that while the domestic market feels reactive, the international one has settled into a quieter rhythm. Spain has had its own headlines this year — proposed higher taxes for non-EU buyers, a crackdown on unlicensed rentals, even rumours of foreign-ownership limits. But on the ground, in places like Mallorca and Ibiza, the reality is far more measured. Regulation has brought structure rather than shock. Well-advised buyers are navigating the system with confidence; sellers understand the value of transparency. In the Balearics especially, supply remains tight, quality high, and sentiment surprisingly optimistic. It’s a market underpinned by lifestyle, not leverage — a far cry from the volatility that defined the post-pandemic years. The buyers we’re meeting now are more thoughtful than ever. They’re not chasing square footage or short-term returns. They’re asking about light, flow, community and year-round rhythm. They want to know if the cafés stay open in winter, if there are good schools nearby, if a home feels as welcoming in January as it does in July. This shift from speculation to permanence is what defines today’s second-home market. It’s about creating balance: a home that earns its keep but also restores its owners. Across southern Europe, a new equilibrium has emerged. In Portugal’s Algarve, France’s Côte d’Azur and Italy’s Amalfi Coast, pricing has steadied. Sellers have adjusted to reality; buyers are proceeding with purpose. Yet the Balearics continue to stand apart — accessible, well-regulated and deeply international. Government data shows that while the pace of growth has cooled, prices have held firm, supported by limited supply and sustained demand from British, Dutch and American buyers. It’s not a boom, but a confident market built on fundamentals: heritage, location and quality of life. The weeks ahead will bring more headlines, and the Budget may yet add a new layer of uncertainty to the domestic market. But if this year has proved anything, it’s that clarity doesn’t come from Westminster announcements. It comes from perspective - from seeing how people are actually buying, selling and living day to day. And from where I sit, that picture is becoming clearer. The Balearics — along with parts of the Algarve and the Côte d’Azur — have moved beyond the pandemic-era frenzy and into something healthier: a market led by genuine end-users rather than speculators. Other Mediterranean destinations have seen similar stabilisation, but the Balearics still stand apart for their access, regulation and lifestyle depth. Mallorca continues to draw families who want schools, hiking and heritage; Ibiza appeals to those who value design, community and light. Across both islands, the best properties — those with licences, views and authenticity — are still achieving strong interest, particularly from British and northern-European buyers who see them as long-term homes, not investments. If you’re chasing a deal, this isn’t a discount market. But if you’re seeking a home that will hold its value, offer year-round joy and weather whatever politics come next, then yes, this is a good moment to look. Sellers are realistic, buyers are thoughtful, and the market feels balanced in a way it hasn’t for years. For many of our clients, that’s the sweet spot: less about timing the market, more about timing their lives. Because while Westminster speculates and winter settles in, the Balearics — and much of southern Europe — keep offering what London can’t just now: light, rhythm and a sense of perspective. Tim Stacey is Ibiza Sales Director, Charles Marlow
