Idealista, one of Europe’s leading real estate platforms, has become a household name for anyone looking to buy, rent, or sell property in countries across the Ibreian Peninsular. Whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned investor, you’ve likely come across this platform in your property search. However, beneath its user-friendly interface and massive property listings, there are aspects of Idealista that remain lesser-known but are key to understanding its operations and influence in the real estate market.
1. Humble Beginnings and Vision
Idealista was founded in 2000 by three friends—Jesús Encinar, his brother Fernando Encinar, and César Oteiza—who saw a gap in the real estate market. At the time, searching for property in Spain was cumbersome, fragmented, and often required flipping through newspapers or relying on outdated websites. The trio’s vision was to create a centralized, transparent platform where people could easily browse property listings with reliable and updated information.
Jesús Encinar, who is now the company’s chairman, had a clear mission to modernize the real estate sector in Spain. His emphasis on user experience and accessibility allowed Idealista to quickly gain traction. In its early days, Idealista’s website was simple but revolutionary, offering features like high-quality photos, detailed property descriptions, and tools to filter listings based on user preferences—something that was not the norm at the time.
Today, Idealista is not just a real estate platform but a symbol of digital transformation in the property sector. It has expanded to other countries, including Portugal and Italy, and boasts millions of listings across its markets. Despite its growth, the company has remained committed to its core mission: making property searches easy and stress-free.
2. Google Mapping
Idealista is the ONLY property search portal covering Gibraltar that allows users to search via accurate mapping. Each property on Idealista is assigned coordinates on Google Maps giving prospective buyers and tenants the ability to pinpoint properties exactly where they want them to be. The Gibraltar pages of Zoopla, Primelocation et al can't offer this facility and even our own local PropertyGibraltar.com uses a rudimentary system where a few 'named' developments have an accurate pin, but all other "Upper Town" / "South District" etc properties are all clumped together under the same pin. For example, all properties listed in South District are inexplicable pinned to North Pavillion on North Pavillion Road, when in reality it could be almost 2km away.
Idealista allows you to see at a glance exactly where a property is located allowing you to rule out properties in the wrong location.
As 50% of a buyer's decision is based on location alone, are you missing people who DON'T want to live directly on North Pavillion Road...?
To see an example, take a look at Idealista's Gibraltar listings on the map here
3. Focus on Technology and Innovation
One of the key reasons Idealista has maintained its competitive edge is its continuous investment in technology and innovation. The company employs advanced algorithms to match users with properties that best meet their needs. Beyond basic filtering options like location, price, and size, Idealista’s platform incorporates machine learning to analyze user behavior and recommend properties based on past searches and preferences.
In addition to its recommendation engine, Idealista has developed tools to make the property search more interactive and engaging. For instance, the platform includes virtual tours, 3D floor plans, and augmented reality features that allow users to visualize properties from the comfort of their homes. These tools are particularly useful for international buyers who may not be able to visit properties in person.
Idealista also keeps an eye on emerging trends in the real estate tech space. It has partnered with startups and tech companies to integrate new features into its platform. For example, its collaboration with artificial intelligence firms has enabled it to automate tasks like property valuation and market analysis. This not only saves time for users but also provides them with accurate and up-to-date information to make informed decisions.
4. A Leading Source of Market Data
While most users know Idealista as a platform for property listings, it is also a valuable source of real estate market data. The company regularly publishes reports on housing trends, rental prices, and market conditions in the regions it operates. These reports are widely regarded as reliable and are often cited by media outlets, government agencies, and industry professionals.
Idealista’s data is collected from its vast database of property listings, which gives it a unique advantage in terms of accuracy and comprehensiveness. For example, its rental price index is one of the most trusted indicators of rental market trends in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. The company also provides insights into emerging trends, such as the growing demand for co-living spaces or the impact of remote work on housing preferences.
In recent years, Idealista has expanded its data offerings to include detailed analytics for real estate professionals. These tools allow agents and property managers to track market performance, compare prices across different neighborhoods, and identify investment opportunities. By positioning itself as both a marketplace and a data provider, Idealista has become an indispensable resource for anyone involved in the real estate sector.
5. Targetting Eyeballs
Idealista is the Iberian Peninsular's number 1 property portal with over a million listings across Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar, and gets almost half a million unique users per day from around the globe. There is also Idealista Italy which links back to the original Idealista, pushing that marketing further.
Combined with portals from other important markets for Gibraltar such as Zoopla (UK), PrimeLocation (London specific), FTproperties (High end global) etc, Idealista can form part of an Estate Agents arsenal for effectively selling property on Gibraltar.
Conclusion
Idealista is more than just a real estate platform; it is a trailblazer in the digital transformation of the property market. From its humble beginnings in 2000 to its current status as a market leader in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, the company has consistently prioritized innovation, transparency, and user experience. Whether through its advanced technology, market data insights, or community-focused initiatives, Idealista continues to shape the way people buy, sell, and rent property in Southern Europe.
To see all available Gibraltar listings arranged easily via Google Maps, click here
To see how this extra marketing reach can help you and your property sale, contact our Sales Team: