Buying a house in Spain - The buying process
We are an established, well known and reputable builder/agent. We have been building property for over 25 years and have an excellent track record, not only building quality properties but looking after our customers throughout the buying process.
This site will provide you with full information on the properties and introduce you to our unique buying process. Through us you will be treated politely and professionally. We will arrange for you to be shown properties within your budget and discuss the various options and locations for your Spanish home.
Read on to learn more about our buying process. This will also give you advice on:
• Budget
• Choosing the plot and property model
• Alterations to the design
• Internal choices
• Contract
• Re-sales
Our process below is based on buying a new property.
Budget
You should know your budget when you first start talking to a sales person. Most people opt to not quite tell the truth at this point. Thinking they are going to be shown something a lot more than they have asked for anyway. This is ok but if you have a sales person who sticks to your budget, you may not get to see your dream home that is only that €20’000 more. You will always have the option of looking at the paper work in the office before you go out to view. It would be a bit silly to have spent two days looking at cheaper property when you only have four days here. You can always ask to see details of the less expensive properties as well.
Prices are usually quoted exclusive of tax (IVA) notary fees and connection charges for services; if you allow 10% you will have some change.
Choosing a plot and a property model including alterations
If you are buying a “New Build” and you have found the location that suits you. You then have to choose the model; Bernadagolf have a large selection of model designs and many of these can be changed to suit you. As we are the builders the changing of the interior designs are not a problem and normally do not incur an extra charge.
You are also able to change the exterior but this may incur charges especially if you are making the house bigger. All of these properties come with most things as standard so be careful if you see a cheaper house as by the time you add on the all the extras it may well be a lot more expensive.
Internal Choices
You will be given the opportunity of choosing your wall and floor tiles, your kitchen colours and design and in some cases the external terrace tiles. However, occasionally the licence (Planning Consent) is granted on the understanding that the external colours are the same in a group of houses.
You will be given a choice from a vast range that we have as standard. If you decide that you wish to choose a different design or colour you will only have to pay the difference.
Contract
Once all you have designed your new home you will be given a signed final price; this is the price that will appear on the contract. You will need to leave a copy of your passport and a contract address, remembering that if you are selling your house in England we will need to be able to get in contact with you.
We will draw up the contract and send you two signed copies by recorded delivery. You will then need to sign one of the copies and return it to us. At this point you will need to transfer the required amount of deposit into the Bernadagolf bank account. You are only committed to buy at this point. Bernadagolf, unlike many Spanish developers do not insist you pay any money until you are happy with everything.
New build payment plans
10% deposit on contract
30% on commencement of work
30% when the roofing is complete (house is sealed)
30% approximately 2 weeks after moving into the property at the notary Yes you get to move into your property before you have fnished paying for it.
This process changes if you need a Spanish mortgage as this cannot be drawn down until the house is completed.
The payment plan can be discussed to suit your personal situation.
Re-sales
Re-sales this is where the process vairys quite drastically from the UK .
On agreeing to buy a property you will pay an initial deposit of approximately €2’000 this confirms that your offer has been accepted. This contract will have two more dates on it. The first will be the date you agree to pay the initial 10% of the purchase price (less the amount already paid.) Then a date that you must pay the final payment. You can, if required bring this date forward at a later stage, should you have everything in place to proceed. If you have a delay for any reason the vendor is within their rights to keep your 10% and in some cases ask for a further 10%. This however also works in your favour, because if the vendor decides to pull out you get your money back and 10% of the value as well.
You should always seek legal advice before you sign anything. We as a company will check everything for you but for your peace of mind it will be money well spent.
