Across many markets, the typical profile of a digital mortgage applicant shows an average age around the late 30s, solid work experience, and a stable permanent job. In Spain, couples often join forces to share costs when exploring home financing through online mortgage comparison tools and digital advisory platforms like iAhorro.
One of the clearest barriers to homeownership is accumulating enough savings to cover the upfront costs. As explained by Simone Colombelli, director of Mortgages at iAhorro, lenders generally require a substantial down payment to approve a mortgage. For the average digital mortgage holder, monthly net income tends to be around 2,500 euros, and when a purchase involves two earners, the household income buffer expands accordingly. In practice, lenders look for a mortgage scenario that demonstrates serviceability and viability of the loan over time.
With rapid growth in property prices, especially in major cities, the typical property price sought in the iAhorro survey is around 265,300 euros, with the average mortgage just over 180,000 euros. Consequently, the digital borrower often contributes roughly 65,600 euros toward the down payment plus additional costs for the transaction to ensure the lender views the deal as viable.
Data shows that most users, about 62.75 percent, purchase in partnership, particularly in major urban centers like Madrid or Barcelona where housing supply and prices are more challenging. Sharing the purchase and closing costs, as well as the mortgage, helps reduce monthly payments. In two-earner households, the monthly obligation can be significantly more manageable than a single higher payment, highlighting the practical benefit of co-purchasing.
40% of mortgage holders previously rented before buying
When asked where respondents lived before signing their mortgage, the most common answer was a rental property. More than 37 percent reported living in someone else’s home as tenants, while about 20 percent lived in a family home prior to purchasing. Some respondents were seeking a mortgage for a second home or restructuring an existing loan, with around 30 percent currently living in a mortgaged property and a small share in an unencumbered personal home.
Age analysis shows average ages by living situation: roughly 37 years for those renting or living with family, around 41 years for those in mortgaged residences, and the mid-40s for those in their own fully paid homes. The data also reflect regional differences in first-time buyer activity and mortgage depth across the country.
Urban centers drive digital mortgage activity
In the surveyed group, Madrid and Barcelona emerge as the leading regions for online mortgage activity, reflecting higher demand in cities where housing markets are tight and processes are streamlined through digital tools. Users are drawn to the speed, ease, and reduced paperwork that digital platforms offer. The ability to compare offers online, often at no cost, further accelerates decision-making. Other regions also show active interest, with notable shares in Andalusia and Valencia, illustrating a broader national trend toward online mortgage solutions.
Age trends vary by region. In Castilla-La Mancha, the average first-time buyer age sits in the mid-thirties, with Albacete and nearby areas showing lower averages. Other regions follow a pattern of younger first-time buyers in some areas and slightly older profiles in others, reflecting local housing affordability and supply dynamics. Mortgage durations also vary: some regions prefer shorter repayment terms, while others show longer amortization, influenced by local lending practices and consumer preferences.