DonPiso has over 40 years of experience in the property market, established in 1984 in Barcelona. A sound and established company currently in expansion mode, in 2022 it had 110 offices across Spain with around a third of them owner managed. Currently it has over 260 franchises. The Spanish property market is not well regulated and fraught with frustrations by customers and dubious levels of transparency, but DonPiso rises above a sea of complaints with a significantly higher rate of satisfaction and positive feedback from customers, making it notable as one worth considering.

⚡ At a Glance

DonPiso is a breath of fresh air for its high quality of service and positive customer feedback in a market limited in regulations and a subsequent plethora of agencies with challenges for prospective property clients. A strong growth rate of 20-25% is being reflected by expansion of offices, with 35 new ones planning to be opened annually. Of the 79 franchised offices in operations in 2022, there are now more than 260, indicating that progress is well above that anticipated. This is reflective of a healthy and stable service which manages to maintain consistency and quality, further supported by an exceptionally high level of positive feedback.

A takeover by Frerrovial for an unheard of €210 million reflects a confidence in the company and a viability in its finances and operations. Representing properties in Madrid, Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia, it also now has offices in the Canary and Balearic Islands. The issues and complaints seem to be minimal in reflected feedback, making DonPiso a gem within an industry full of problems.

▶ Operations in Detail

Network and Organisation – DonPiso is a well-established organization reporting 110 offices across Spain in 2022, with plans to increase by 35 new ones per year. Nearly one third of these offices were company owned and run, with the rest being run by franchises.

Launched in Barcelona in 1984 and with over four decades of business indicates a sound business framework. Markets include Madrid, Valencia, Catalonia, Andalusia, and more recently the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Franchises – DonPiso started operating through an extensive network of franchises in 1996, now numbering in excess of 260 – showing a massive expansion over the past few years. Franchises are set up with training through EI, the Real Estate School, promoting consistency and providing technology. Support and follow-up to maintain quality control and nurture fledgling offices, no franchises appear to have been closed down for several years, reflecting major stability and success.   

Listings – DonPiso runs around 1,200 sales properties and rental listings across its agencies, advertised conitinuously on Idealista. This reflects a significant increase over the past few years. With new offices opening up extending the representation across Spain, areas like Guadalajara, and the Canary and Balearic Islands are being added to the more traditional locations such as Madrid, Seville and Barcelona, Valencia and in Andalusia. Properties for sale dominate, with rentals being a minor part of their market.

Commissions and Transparency – DonPiso has an excellent record for being clear and concise upfront about fees, commissions and the process. They have a guarantee on services commissioned and refunds of reservations and deposits. Their contracts are credited with being above standard for reliability and protecting client interests. Independent organization HelpMyCash has particularly commended clarity in how the fees structure, deposits and services has been set out.

Diversification and Affiliated Companies – The agency, like fotocasa, is well integrated with the range of real estate and affiliated services. These include liability insurance services ensuring the protection of clients, financial and mortgaging advice, and legal advice with contracts being above average for fairness within the Spanish property market which typically has very questionable and unbalanced sales and rental contracts.

These services go well beyond the business backbone of property sales and rentals, offering viable and convenient solutions and a wholistic approach to their clients.

Post Transaction Support – DonPiso also offers the full range of integrated post-sales services, including renovations and building support, and property management for those wishing to rent their properties or who may want maintenance during extended absences. They also offer management options for commercial properties. Such services aren’t always offered. There has been some minor dissatisfaction with the screening of tenants for rentals, which may be connected with some franchises and may be rectified by being specific about requirements.

This real estate agency aims to cover all client needs at the one stop, which can be extremely convenient. A good experience through the sales process means a familiarity with the company and how they operate. As always, shop around and compare, but in this case the in-house services may well offer competitive options.

Marketing and Advertising – DonPiso has a unique technology system which it employs across its agencies, including their franchises. It actively markets through a complementary system of both online and traditional offline marketing resources , maintaining a high visibility profile to the advantage of customers and their client reach on digital platforms across social media platforms.

Over four decades it has focused on specific markets and consolidated a strong business foundation, primarily targeting areas such as Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona and Catalonia, Basque country and the Balearic and Canary Islands. In the past few years it has shifted to an extensive expansion program supporting the opening of new franchise office across the country. Their plan was as many as 35 a year, but the numbers indicate a success level which far exceeds this. 

Franchises – In 2022 DonPiso had 110 offices of which 79 were franchises. Its plan for expansion at a rate of 35 new offices a year has been extremely successful. They now have 259 franchises, on top of their own offices – a number far in excess of the anticipated growth indicating that DonPiso is leaping from strength to strength.

Their program is not ad hoc, but rather a fully supported development of their company with training and support. The franchises have access to the same technology, and their agents are trained through EI – Real Estate School – to ensure quality staff and a uniform service, with continued professional development.

The franchise arrangement means that there can be variations in details between offices, but the variations are slight and with very few offices. It is clearly not a significant issue since there have been no recent franchise contract cancellations. Within the context of an expansion rate of over 300% over the last few years, this is an exemplary record and reflective of a much higher quality than the real estate norms in Spain, and a commitment to both their clients and their franchise staff.

Customer Service – On the whole, feedback from clients reflects a much higher than average satisfaction rate. On TrustPilot – the largest feedback platform – DonPiso maintains a rating of 4.8 stars. Comments report customer service as being professional and courteous. Staff are upfront about property information, the process, and are transparent about costs.

There is a 76% response rate to negative reviews within a week of being posted, showing that the agency takes responsibility over its quality of service, and there are even commendations of specific agents whose names are regularly noted for exemplary service. Praise notes that staff are informed about the properties, and punctual and professional at all points of the process, that their response time is fast and communications reflecting realistic property values, and are efficient and effective, with

Professional Development – The feedback and exceptional service reflects that the parent company looks after its staff, including training and professional development, ongoing education and refresher courses, through the prime agency educator in Spain – the Real Estate School (EI) since 1997. DonPiso also promotes procedures for quality control and monitors customer service relationships and the satisfactory conclusion of transactions. 

Documentation – Documentation is generally timely and accurate, and complete by the time of closing. Some shortfalls have been reported, but these are very limited based on the size of their business and the positive feedback on these and other facets of the agency.

Strength and Stability – DonPiso’s existence alone is a reflection of a company which is strong and stable. Add to this the recent expansion rate which far exceeds expectations, through franchises which has every indication of maintaining the company standards.

Based on the continued positive responses of clients, this growth rate seems to be in every way sustainable Annual transactions are 3,000 and rising, generating annual revenue in the region of €50-75 million. Positive responses and professional recognition by affiliated institutions such as financial, mortgaging and legal services and valuation societies is a further endorsement of the legitimacy of agency.

Takeover – DonPiso was bought by the multinational Ferrovial in 2002. At the time, its sale value of over €210 million was the largest acquisition in the industry. At that time the change of ownership was a reflection of the market confidence in the business, its finances, and in its operations, which has been borne out even up to the present time. Currently it is expanding massively via new franchise sales, which are fully supported with training and ongoing professional development by the parent company. The level of positive feedback remains unchanged, indicating a successful expansion program on every front.

🤑 The Property Market in Spain in Context

There are may features of the property market which are unique to Spain. Investing in another country – and culture – needs proper research into the norms of the market, and the unique legal details. Not doing so will likely lead to extra and unanticipated financial costs which can potentially rise into the millions of euros, and disappointment from inaccurate expectations.  

Regulations

The Spanish property market has minimal government regulations, allowing agencies to nurture attitudes both slack and unethical, and taking advantage of unsuspecting buyers and renters. DonPiso rises above this. It prides itself in being reliable, and responsive to its clients. It is still important to ask about all details of the property and the process to be sure exactly what is included in fees and services, and what is normal with the property.

Property Responsibilities – In Spain, all unpaid debts transfer with the title and become yours on purchase. This includes utility bills, taxes, and any community obligations attached to the property. Anything outstanding becomes yours to pay. These can potentially add up significantly, so it is extremely important to ask, and to request legal searches to insure you are aware of all the costs. This includes a complete history of ownership. DonPiso appears to be helpful in offering clients the avenues and information.

Financial and Legal Checks – It is only sensible to seek an independent opinion. DonPiso has integrated services. Compare prices with other financial and legal experts to choose the one which suits. Make no assumptions, since many things are likely to be different to the familiar property market, including with verbal promises which may not be honoured and are not legally binding. However DonPiso staff will be helpful in answering questions and recommending advice services.

⭐ Our Verdict

DonPiso stands up to our scrutiny, as well as that of its clients, based on their feedback on sites like TrustPilot of 4.8 stars. They are competitive within the market and provide a comprehensive service with an all-encompassing range of affiliated services and companies. In business for more than 40 years, founded in 1984, the company has been extensively expanding in recent years via a franchise network which now numbers over 260 office franchises (from 79 franchises in 2022). Its professional development and ongoing training and support is reflected by its excellent record being maintained.

It has an active marketing campaign through online and offline resources, and includes all client needs including financial, legal, and post-transactions support services. Besides some minor issues with some franchise consistency, such as efficiency of documentation, DonPiso seems to be going from strength to strength, reflecting a trustworthy, reliable, efficient and professional agency which is transparent, serviced by excellent and reliable staff.

Within the context of the Spanish property market, we consider DonPiso a definite recommendation.

FAQs – DonPiso