Buying a house on the Costa del Sol
Buying a house is a major event. Buying a house in Spain naturally makes it extra exciting. Probably you know the country only from vacations, you are not familiar with local customs and legislation. We give you some tips to consider when buying a house.
1. Choose the right location
If you ask a real estate agent what is most important when buying a house, he or she will always say: the location is number 1. And also number 2 and 3. In the Netherlands the location is already very important, but in Spain it is even more so. The closer to the beach, the more expensive the houses become. Differences in altitude can also make a big difference. A higher house with a nice view and orientation to the south is generally more expensive.
Before you start looking, it is important to have a good idea of what you really need in terms of location. Put the pros and cons of different places side by side and consider what is important to you. Being close to the beach sounds very attractive, of course, but it is comparatively very expensive. Accessibility can also be less and in the summer months it can be crowded with tourists.
2. Explore the area
Before you begin your search, it is wise to explore the area first. If you have never been to the Costa del Sol before, then it is advisable to first book a B&B/hotel in some totally different locations or travel around a bit. It makes a huge difference in your search if you can narrow down your search area to a few places.
3. Know what you have to spend
There is nothing more frustrating than looking at houses and then finding out that you still have to apply for a mortgage loan. Or that your accountant still has to calculate how much money you could free up for a vacation home. Make sure that you have made an inventory of your budget and financing needs before you start viewing. You'll only just come across your dream home and won't be able to make an offer until a month later.
4. Make a realistic wish list for your budget
It is unfortunately very common that the search requests we receive as real estate agents are very unrealistic: 3 bedrooms, first line beach, private parking and that for 200,000 euros. These people we unfortunately have to disappoint very much. Apartments and houses in Spain are often more expensive than people have estimated beforehand. What does not help are TV programs where people buy cheap refurbishments in villages far inland for next to nothing. There are also many websites where houses are supposedly for sale, but these are advertisements from years ago. So these houses are long gone from the market at those prices.
When making your wish list, take a good look through our property listings first so you know what is realistic given your budget.
5. Consider concessions
Even with a realistic wish list, it's good to think about any concessions. No house is perfect. What if we can't find anything after a long search? For example, if little comes up for sale within your search criteria. Are you willing to think about other places? Possibly one less room? Or still give up a little more view.
6. Be quick about it
On our website you can draw your own search area and specify criteria such as the number of bedrooms, parking, swimming pool. You can then save this search. We will send you an e-mail when new properties are added. Also in Spain: the right house for the right price will be sold quickly. So make sure you are the first to know!
7. Don't expect too much from negotiations
It is a tall tale that you can haggle a lot on the asking prices for properties in Spain. Don't expect to be able to get more than a few thousand euros off the price. With new construction, there may be even less to negotiate.
8. Hire a lawyer
If you are going to buy a house, it is always wise to hire a lawyer. It is important to have the property situation figured out before you buy a house. You want the house to be delivered empty, free of tenants and obligations. However, this cannot be taken for granted. Also, unlike in the Netherlands, drafting the purchase agreement is the purview of the lawyers and not the notary or real estate agents.
Use a buying broker
A buying agent is recommended as an extra pair of eyes in your search. He or she is familiar with local conditions and knows what to look for when buying a house. Always choose one broker and make sure that he or she is fully informed about your wishes. A good buying broker will help you appreciate the wonderful stories of the selling brokers. Remember that the selling realtor only has one house to sell to you and will be more motivated to make the positive points stand out.
Hiring a buying broker is generally free. They share in the selling broker's commission, regardless of which house it becomes. So this works a little different than in the Netherlands. Of course we are happy to help you with this. Feel free to contact us.
10. Plan your viewings smartly
Your estate agent will help you make a list of houses to visit and schedule the appointments. We do this about a week before the viewings. Much earlier makes no sense because the home may be sold before you get here. Much later makes it difficult to get an appointment in time. Especially if we are going to schedule several viewings in one day, it is quite a puzzle. Also keep in mind that in high season (July/August) many houses will be rented out.
Have you seen a house online that you really want to view, but you are not able to get here quickly, we can also arrange a video viewing for you. Then you can watch the viewing with a video connection and we make razor-sharp 4K recordings that you can watch back after your visit.
