The Seven Secrets to Buying Property in Spain

Decide where you want it.

Sounds stupid I know but Spain is not really a country, it is a series of experiences. Living in Valencia is very different from living on the Costas, which is different to life in other Spanish cities which is hugely different to living in inland, more rustic areas. If you have an airy-fairy image of property and what you want then you wonʼt get what you are looking for. In order to firm up your ideas of what your Spanish property is or should be keep looking at www.valencia-property.com/new

Decide what your budget is and stick to it.

Obviously houses and flats above your budget are going to be nicer than the ones you are shown at a lower budget but most people get lost in the process and happily spend the money that should be feeding them when they settle in and look for work or an occupation by getting that extra bedroom or larger plot of land and thinking it may come in useful one day.

Know what the costs are.

Many agents are not clear about pricing. They donʼt spell out the 10% tax, the commissions, the notary and registry fees, the costs of mortgages and the legal fees too, I could go on. Ask, ask and ask again what the costs are going to be and investigate whether all of those costs are fixed, many are but some are negotiable

Realise that most things are negotiable (Sometimes)

Whatever the seller may tell you. If you see a place you like then offer a decent amount. However donʼt overpay because the seller says they will not come down. Once your money is notionally on the table their attitude may change

Keep an eye on the market before you come over.

Make sure that you are really up to date about what is going on in the national, regional and local market before coming over so that you can make a decision based on knowledge and there is no ignorance in
that decision. Again the best way to avoid ignorance is make sure to read the ebook that is coming your way and all of the other information that you get from us. Some days it is light hearted and others it is serious but it all has a point

Have an out position.

If you overstretch yourself you will suffer in the future as you will make decisions based on need rather than knowledge. Make sure to have two or three years money in the background and that you live frugally until you are earning a good amount. The best way to do this is to have a roadmap of what you want to do here and how you are going to achieve that.

Have everything ready to move on the perfect property

What does that mean? Well make sure you have an international money transfer account set up. We recommend Currencies Direct as they are superb at the one on one communication and getting you the best rates. On your first visit set up the process for getting NIE numbers. This process is different in each autonomous community of Spain, I said it was a series of experiences not a country remember. The NIE number is essential now for buying a property and it can take up to 60 days depending on the
region so it is best to start it off even if you are not yet ready to buy. Then when you are
ready you are good to go.

There are loads of other tips many of which are covered in the emails that will follow this one,
the ebook and our blog. These are the essential ones which you cannot be without. Follow these steps and you are well on your way towards a successful and much cheaper move to Spain than if you do not do them. Forget them and you may well suffer.