7 Essential Steps to Buying Property in Spain
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| Buying property in Spain is probably the best decision on can make |
1.
Assume that everything you would have to do at
home is a necessary step in Spain too. It’s important that you keep a hold of
your wits and never take something for granted. Constantly ask questions until
you understand what people are telling you. You should also ask the same
question to different people to get a bigger perspective and a full understanding.
2.
Set aside a research budget. This is money that
is there to cover the costs of looking at property and getting advice about
what to buy. Consider buying the property and this money as an investment. This can potentially cost you
hundreds but, in the long run, can save you thousands.
3.
You need to actually go to Spain before
committing to purchasing anything. No amount of internet research will be
enough. It may show you everything but it’s only by going to Spain that you can
see the full picture, hear the noises and smell the smells. You should take a
few trips over the weekend to the places you’re interested in. Going back to a
place you’ve settled on can help you understand what it would be like to live
there.
4.
Remember that there are both good agents and bad
agents out there. It’s also important that you remember an agent doesn’t get a
fee until you purchase the property. If you don’t commit soon enough for their
liking they’ll move on to another client who will. You should also avoid
letting yourself be rushed into making a decision though. If you’re buying the
property in conjunction with a partner then ensure that both of you wish to
invest in the same property and are in agreement. If one partner isn’t happy
with the property it can cause real problems in the future.
5.
You need to find a good lawyer who is fluent in
your language and can understand you clearly. Ensure that they also have a
support network you can contact if they are too busy with other issues such as
a court cause. You shouldn’t allow yourself to be left without any assistance.
The lawyer doesn’t need to be in the local area but they should give you the
feeling that they will be able to emphasize with your problems and they have a
conscience. They should be able to provide you with answers to questions you
didn’t even know you needed to ask. Being an excellent communicator isn’t a
skill highly valued by lawyers so don’t let them cut contact with you. Always
ask them for more information if you want it. Sometimes you’ll find out that
even though things have progressed, no one felt the need to tell you.
6.
Always get the property inspected. Find yourself
a qualified surveyor who will have experience in the kind of problems you’re
likely to face and has experience working through any problem and finding
solutions. The surveyor, much like the lawyer, has to be able to speak clearly
with you and answer any question you have, and some you don’t. The surveyor is
one of the only professionals that will visit the property and look at the
paperwork for it. A lawyer will be able to give you the correct paperwork but
the paperwork isn’t worth much if it doesn’t cover the entire property or the
property is so damaged it could fall apart as soon as you sign the papers.
Taking a report from the surveyor to the negotiation phase will help you get
the property at a good price and can save you more than the cost of having the
report made.
7.
The final thing of importance is that you enjoy
the process and the country, while still keeping your wits about you and remember why your buying the costa del sol and moving to Spain to get a better life after all.
