Searching for a home has always been a daunting task. It takes time to research the market, size up the options and visit the most promising properties. However, this process has changed dramatically in recent years.

Nowadays, we have a powerful ally to make the task quicker and easier: technology, something our parents couldn’t rely on, forcing them to activate other channels to find their dream home.

So, at a time when renting is becoming increasingly popular in Spain, let’s compare how people used to search for a flat decades ago with how we do it in 2025.

From word of mouth and balcony signs to housing apps

The way we search for a home has radically evolved since the 1990s. If you ask the older generation how they found their first place, you’re likely to hear about the following methods:

• Word of mouth: finding out about available homes through family, friends or acquaintances.
• Signs on balconies: a technique that is less common today but still survives in rural or outlying areas. The orange “FOR RENT” signs are part of our property history.
• Noticeboards: it was common to spot property ads in supermarkets, health centres or at bus stops.
• Classified ads in newspapers: newspapers had large sections devoted to property listings with a phone number to call.

• Real estate agencies: turning to an agency was standard, especially in cities where people didn’t have local contacts.

Although the search could take longer, once you found a flat, setting up a viewing and reaching an agreement was relatively straightforward. Requirements were also less stringent: often, a stable employment contract was enough, with no need for guarantors or additional guarantees.

Today, technology has completely transformed the way we search:

• Property websites and apps: a multitude of sites and apps now offer extensive listings in nearly every city. Searches can be filtered by area, price, number of bedrooms or specific features.
• Social media: the new word of mouth. There are profiles and groups dedicated to posting property offers for specific areas.

• Real estate agencies: although more commonly used now for buying, they remain an option for those looking for safer rentals or tailored advice.

What’s more, many viewings have moved online. You can tour flats via video calls or 360° virtual tours, cutting down on unnecessary travel.

This digital shift has also brought a greater level of professionalisation to the sector. Although many rentals are still handled privately, an increasing number of companies now manage the full process, providing standardised services and more guarantees for both landlords and tenants.

That said, while finding options is now faster, securing a deal is often more difficult. There’s less supply, more competition and stricter requirements for signing a contract. Searches tend to take longer, especially in major urban areas.

So it’s clear that the housing market has changed dramatically in just a few decades. And with the pace of technological advancement, it’s likely that our current methods will soon feel just as outdated.

In fact, new trends are already emerging that could revolutionise the process even further: AI helping match you with the perfect home, fully immersive virtual reality viewings or even blockchain-based contracts for faster and more secure transactions.

Adapting to these changes will be key, not just to finding a house, but to finding a home that suits our lifestyle in an increasingly digitalised world.