Buying your second home in Spain.
Buying a house in Spain is very different from buying a house in the UK. The legal system and the steps you have to take differ from the UK and many homeowners in Spain currently have had problems because they weren’t aware of certain factors before purchasing their home. Follow some of our advice below when you begin the process of buying your second home in Spain and feel confident that you are aware of all the information you need to make the wisest decisions when dealing with the Spanish policies and rules.
Buying a home in Spain is a dream come true for anyone looking for a second home in a warmer climate. It is important that you do everything you can now to avoid any problems later with your Spanish Home. Here is some simple advice on how to begin looking for your second home in Spain.
Research
Your first stop is your computer. There are many helpful guides and forums where people have discussed issues along their own journey buying a property in Spain. The rules and regulations for buying a home in Spain are very different from the UK so it is important that you understand the different documentation you need to buy your home securely.
Lawyer
It is a very good idea to employ a lawyer who is an expert in Spanish Land Law. Among the many different systems in Spain is the Spanish property conveyancing system and you will need a qualified professional to help you understand the system.
Estate Agent
You can choose between a British and Spanish estate agent and in both cases you need to make sure they are qualified, reliable and have Spanish experience with property. More specifically, the UK agent should be registered with the Law Society and specialize in International transactions. The Spanish agent should be registered and practicing with the local Colegio de Abogados.
Be very, very wary of estate agents or lawyers that advise you to cut corners to save time or money. You do not want to risk losing out later because you were not thorough at the beginning.
Translator
Even if you think you have a good understanding of Spanish, it is still a good idea to have any contracts or documents translated by an independent translator. You do not want to miss a vital piece of information in a contract and sign without realizing the consequences.
Chartered Surveyor
You can select a chartered surveyor to review your property before you purchase via the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). There are around 40 surveyors available in Spain and each one is qualified to give you impartial, independent advice.
Coastal properties
Some properties on the coast of Spain were affected by the 1988 Coastal Law and you need to make sure your property is not included in that list. You can contact the Coastal Demarcation office to get a certificate to prove that the property was not affected. Do not rely on online lists to help you here because they are not always accurate.
Timeshare properties
Timeshares are huge business in Spain and a great option for many people seeking to get a second home in Spain. Practice extreme caution when choosing the company to work with as some as reputable and others are the exact opposite. There is fraud advice online and simply searching for reviews online will help you sort the good from the bad and ugly.
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