One of the best places in Europe to buy a property is without a doubt, Spain. The weather is great and the lifestyle is better than most places in this region. But for those people that are into property investments the road can be troublesome at best.
As you know there are three important words that you should remember in buying a property – location, location and location. Yes we all know this but it is sometimes quite amusing that most people who are buying property in Spain miss this fundamental point.
Carried away by the views and a pushy sales pitch from a local property seller, foreigners usually falls into buying there dream home only to find out later that it is in a very badly chosen location.
The number one law in real state buying is; never close a deal after your first viewing of a property. Take down notes and photographs if possible and go away and think about it hard but with a cool head, after all that excitement is flushed out.
However much you want the property, don’t rush into it, real estate is a long term property that also needs long term thinking. Think about whether there are any drawbacks, Will you be able to have a phone line installed? Is it near to shops, bars, restaurants and other facilities you may regard as essential? Does it have letting potential? What’s the area like out of season?
Take note of all the questions that you have in mind and go back to visit the property. Put your questions to the estate agent, the owner and preferably someone completely independent.
You can also find a friendly local bar where some of the regulars might be able to give you a better picture of what it’s like to live in the area.
Ideally you should make two or three visits to your chosen area at different times of the year. Some Spanish “urbanizaciones”, where large numbers of foreigners have their holiday homes, become virtual ghost towns in the winter months.
If you’re planning to live there all year, you may find yourself feeling a bit isolated from October to April.
If you’re buying a Spanish property as an investment, rather than as a permanent home, you’ll probably be looking for a villa or apartment with good letting potential.
After all, you may as well enjoy the income from it while you sit back and watch your capital grow.
Spain is a big place. Consider the location first and foremost. Decide on a particular town, village, development or hillside where you’ll want to spend a lot of your time, or even live permanently.
This involves a whole series of individual choices. Research the area to find out what it is like in different seasons, what facilitates are available and the travel times to different places. And ask yourself, would you be happy living there? Look at estate agents in the region and find out the prices that you would expect to pay.
Think about the kind of property you are looking for – The area, size, and number of rooms. But keep an open mind. It could be worth looking at different types of properties in different residential areas. By looking at a variety of homes you’ll build up your knowledge of the present market values in the area you are looking.
Research all legal issues and costs involved. Find a Solicitor or abogado to advise and assist you – Before you have decided on a property in Spain it is important to be fully aware of the legal process and costs involved in your property purchase.
Obtain professional. Advice and check your finances take account of these additional costs. Whatever housing option you choose, your experienced solicitor should anticipate all contingencies
The solicitor will take care and assist you in all the different steps involved in the transaction. There are many excellent English-speaking solicitors in Spain.
Choosing the right solicitor is your guarantee that Spanish legal requirements are met, the property is registered in the vendor’s name and that it is free of any mortgages, charges, encumbrances, debts or other liabilities. Clear everything with your solicitor.
Do not sign any contract or agreements with an agent, get them sent to your solicitor. They will negotiate and discuss the purchase terms with the seller’s solicitor. The terms should not be limited solely to price but should cover in detail all your requirements like the completion date, the form of payment, etc.
