Ways to Purchase Property in Spain the Painless Way
Many residents of Britain and North Europe are finding the idea of buying foreign property a more desirable and realistic goal. With a drop in the cost of air fares, interest rates in Europe becoming lower, and the property itself offering capital growth, countries like Spain have become more alluring to potential buyers. Spain offers short air travel time, excellent sunshine and plenty of potential growth. If you’re willing to ignore bad press and follow some underlying rules it can be very safe to buy in Spain. Here is your basic buyers guide for purchasing real estate in Spain:
- A good rule of thumb is to make sure to have your finances arranged first when purchasing real estate in Spain.
Consider using a Spanish mortgage expert like Your Spanish Mortgage to guide you through the process. - It is important that you obtain professional help before venturing into any unfamiliar legal territory.
- Take care not to reach beyond your financial limits.
- Be ready in case deadlines are stretched.
- Wait until you have the funding in place before committing yourself to a private purchase contract.
- Be aware that the procedure for buying in Spain has its own idiosyncrasies and don’t assume that it will be the same as it is in other markets.
- Fully realize the way taxes are accrued based on the specific ownership structure that you choose.
Before you make any purchases, it would be wise for you to approach the situation with a list of questions that for your Spanish Lawver. Foreign buyers can run into trouble when engaging in local business transactions, finding that they do not get the results they expected or wanted. Misunderstandings arise because the buyers failed to do their homework, or at least to ask the correct preliminary questions. Before you sign on any dotted line, then, you should consider the following questions
- Is the property’s land pastoral or urban? What are possible consequences of purchasing on property that is listed as rural?
- What costs will need to be taken into account, such as typical attorney’s fees and taxes?
- Are licenses already in place, for instance property contracts or first liens of residency?
- If the building is less than ten years old, is there a 10year building warranty in place?
- Is this a result of a foreclosure or direct sale?
- In this specific purchase, will any be under declaration?
- Are you responsible for any additional costs such as, capital gains, inheritance, wealth or income taxes?
- Are there any unforeseen deposits to pay? At what point in the process are they considered nonrefundable?
- What other attorney fees and additional legal expenses will be incurred?


