Buying Property in Spain
Buying property in Spain should be enjoyable but can be very daunting when you don’t know the language, the culture or the legal process.
But buying a property in Spain need not be a worry if you know the process and have the right contacts to help you. Here are some of the basics to get you started.
Finding the best company to help you in buying your property in spain
First and foremost this is the most important part of buying your house in Spain. The biggest problem we come across is where clients have been let down by the companies that they have used previously or know someone who has been let down.
We don’t say we are the only company that looks after people well but there are companies whose only aim is to get your money.
We understand you have a choice and there is a very large choice out there.
Some of the points you need to bear in mind when choosing your company:
How established is the company?
Find out how established the developer/builder is. This gives you the opportunity to see what has been constructed already and gauge the quality of materials and construction processes used. It allows you talk to people in the existing houses and ask them if the company performed the way you would expect a company to do for example, has it rectified any after-sales problems. Remember it is very easy to put a coat of plaster over a badly built house.
Is the company the builder or an agent?
Not a problem buying from an agent but remembers they have to make money. In Spain they make their money/profit by simply adding it to the sale price. You are buying the same property but it will cost you more and all transactions are conducted through a third party. You will not be introduced to the builder so you will have to rely on the agent passing on your problems to the builder. If the agent already has your money will they bother?
Will the company let you talk to the existing clients who have brought one of its houses?
When we show you around we are very pleased to introduce you to existing clients. Most of them are happy to show you their house as they are very proud of them. Be very wary if they do not let you talk to anyone else.
Will the company guide you through the process or just take your money?
Unfortunately not something you will know until after you have parted with your money so check out the company with existing clients and local reputation.
Will the company let you stay in one of its houses or make you stay in a hotel away from the sites?
If you come over to look at our properties we will accommodate you in one of our customers’ houses. We have sold them the house and they are willing to allow the company to let the house on their behalf. This will give you a chance to have a look around when we are not with you, take your time to examine what you have been shown, and talk to the people in the area about us. We do not put you up in hotels away from the properties unless you request to stay in one naturally.
Is the company’s first question to you when you get to Spain to view properties “Have you got your deposit with you?”
Be very wary if one of the conditions of a viewing trip is that you take your deposit cheque, bankers draft or credit card details with you. A company acting in your best interest will allow you to reserve a property and return home to arrange the finances before proceeding with the sale. For the amount of money you are spending it is worth another set of flights and two or three day’s accommodation if necessary. Investigate whether it is possible to tailor a payment plan to your financial situation or is there a rigid plan set out.
How complete is the house when they say it is “Complete”?
A reputable builder will include; Fitted kitchens (except for white goods), bathrooms, light fittings, wiring for TV and telephone, blinds and bars on the windows. .
With our new properties: gardens are planted, have a timed irrigation system and are laid to gravel. The interiors are finished to a very high standard and the external walls are finished with long lasting weather proof coatings. Be careful if these things are not included in the price. Your final bill may end up quite a few thousand pounds more than you were expecting. Be aware some agents are on good commission for any extras they can sell to you.
Find out first how much any changes are going to cost you. If you buy direct from the builder, they will not mind moving walls, changing designs and building the house the way you want.
With a reputable builder you will be able to do all this and not be charged extra for it.
If you are buying a house that has already started you will have to check with the architect that it is not too late to make changes but normally not a problem.
Do not sign anything until you have a signed price including all notary fees and taxes. The odd one percent here and there can add up when the final bill arrives.
Is the company interested in getting you settled here or just getting you here?
What is the person showing you round interested in? Are they just after their commission or are they interested in how you will cope here. Will they tell you about schooling options or do they feel that is not their problem. If you have any special needs how do they help you with them or tell you how to deal with them in Spain? If they don’t know the answer do they find out for you or do they make it up? Ask a question to one of our sales persons and if they don’t know the answer they have over 100 people to call on.
Does the company let you view the area on your own or will the agent stay with you without giving you freedom to look on your own?
Will the sales person leave you alone to make your own choice? I bet the answer to this one is always no! We don’t have a problem if you want to go and look around as we have total faith in our products, we obviously cant take you but go and have a look.
We are the people that the others are trying to keep you away from.
