Spain is a delightful mixture of the old and the new. In the urban areas, very narrow old alleys that are little more than footpaths suddenly break into very modernly designed buildings. Traditional bars run by families who serve homemade wine stand next to trendy discos.

Traveling to Spain is convenient, the amenities and accommodations are availablel, the climate is pleasant, and everyone is relaxed. You will love the beautiful beaches, the delicious cuisine and wine, and the cultural diversity. More than 50 million tourists flock to Spain every year, but the country has not lost its identity. People proudly continue to speak Spanish and hold on to traditions and customs, even in this very tourist-y and international environment.

The Climate

Spain is one of the most wonderful places to visit, regardless of the time of the year. However the perfect times to visit are on May, June and September (or April and October if you are going to the southern region). During these moments you are almost guaranteed to enjoy fine weather. In some of the other hotter months you may experience some discomfort, but you can always go to one of the cooler areas of Spain. In some regions the weather is beautiful throughout the year. The winters in the south and south western parts of the Mediterranean are not harsh, while during the most stifling days of summer you can find a pleasant refuge in the northwest. Of course the beaches or high mountains are great places to enjoy even the hot days. The best fiestas are usually held between Semana Santa or Holy week (the days leading up to Easter and September to October.

The Regions

If you visit the Meseta and Ebro basin you can enjoy a continental climate: very hot in summer, and cold during the winter. The capital Madrid can be very cold from the months of December to February, and incredibly hot in July and August (it may reach above 30°C (86F). Locals call it nueve meses de invierno y tres de infierno – nine months of winter and three of hell.

The driest parts of Spain are Valladolid in the north and Zaragoza in the Ebro basin. It has some of the most minimal rainfall in the world. The Guadalquivir basin located in Andalucia is slightly wetter and is like an oven in high summer. However the winters are not as cold.

The Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantabrica have the coldest winters in Spain and can get very rainy during the rest of the year (triple that of Madrid’s). Barcelona has milder weather but the humidity is slightly greater.

In Andalucia there is a lot of golden sunshine throughout the year even during winter. But the heat can be stifling during the summer months of July and August. This is true for any region that is in land (in which case you escape to the mountains!). You can expect snow falls around the month of October or even the whole year in some places.

But most of the time Spain has excellent climate and it’s just a matter of which part of the country you are in.

Overseeing & Managing

If you are planning to buy a house abroad or even planning to build a house on a lot, you have to find someone who will coordinate all the activities for you and act as your local representative. That person’s job is to supervise and manage the construction.

If you hire a person to act as your project coordinator you obviously want to be guaranteed of their expertise and experience. You should also be able to communicate so language differences and cultural gaps shouldn’t hinder the project’s success.

The trick is to ask for references and to look at their portfolio for any previous properties that they have handled. These qualifications can assure you they are competent.

Check their fluency in English and see how well they understand what you mean and whether they can interpret this to the people working on your project such as the builders.

Hiring the appropriate project coordinate is very very crucial and cannot be emphasized enough. You have to get this part of the process under control to prevent stress in the future.

Confirmation

If you’re getting into a pre-selling venture then you will definitely need a written contract that states the company’s commitments and what you will be paying for. Many agents try to fool you by showing the very best unit or lot but then neglect to tell you that you aren’t going to get that with the money paid. So do get written confirmation with all the details like the size and location of the plot, the size of the property (also ask for the sizes of each room aside from the total property), the floor plans and where you can find the windows, doors and key items (from air conditioners to kitchens). This list should also have the finish on doors, walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchens, external areas etc.

International mortgages

The ideal situation is that you have a mortgage agreed in principal before you fly off in search of your perfect Spain vacation home. Do finalize exactly how big a budget you have before finalizing the commitment to buy – even if you just make it verbal. In some countries giving one’s word is as legally binding as a written document! It is also important that a real estate agent you hire knows you are getting a mortgage to buy any property before setting out. Then, once you get a house you like do check to see if the purchase contract is on the condition that you are able to get the financing required.

Investment Potential

If you’re thinking of purchasing investment property in Spain you have to be sure to read up on the property market. Examine it on the criteria of stability, growth potential and the liquidity of the resale market.

Tax

Do research on both the local and overseas taxation liabilities that have anything to do wit foreign property purchase, rental, resale and gains. As taxation issues and liabilities vary per country you have to make sure you read up on it yourself and be informed. One thing is for sure. You will have to face purchase tax in the country where your property is located, gains tax if you sell within a given period and make a profit, and income tax in the country you live in especially if you rent it out.

Buying a house or a lot in Spain can help to make your dreams come true but the process can really be a nightmare without proper planning and precautions. Many people have only an idealized picture of buying a vacation home or even moving permanently to one Spain’s gorgeous cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Alicante, to name but a few.

However, buying the wrong kind of property (for example, one in a very noisy or inaccessible neighborhood) or a house that costs too much to maintain can quickly turn a dream home into a hell home. Its value deteriorates and you will lose your hard earned money. You can avoid this if you do your research, and find a local solicitor who is respectable and capable. You should also study the Spanish real estate process. This will help you prevent most of the problems that trap unwary buyers.

Fortunately despite the fact Spanish property is in high demand, there are still some affordable but beautiful places on the market. Quiant cottages, beach side homes, and peaceful farms can be available for much less than a London bedsit.

If you do choose to relocate to Spain (either to a bustling urban area like Madrid or a charming out of the way town like Cáceres) then you can enjoy the amazing culture, happy and welcoming communities, delicious food, and wonderful weather.

But keep your feet on the ground. The worst mistake you can make is to suddenly rush into the process of purchasing a property. It’s crucial for you to examine your options, consider the fees and the pros and the cons.

Important Tips and Suggestions

These are some excellent ideas for a hassle-free purchase of Spanish property:

Hire an attorney who is fluent in English to examine your purchase contract, and to translate all those Spanish documents. Even if you speak above average Spanish, a good attorney can help you navigate the local laws and customs.

Research before you start signing any checks. It’s a waste of time to buy a house without understanding the buying system. You may make a very expensive and time consuming mistake if you enter a contract blindly. Things to consider are the maximum amount you can borrow, what you have to spend, and whether you can have a mortgage agreed in principal.

It’s very important that you don’t buy the first property that you encounter! Even if it’s love at first sight, do check out other properties, survey your options, and weigh your options before you buy. It is also crucial to look at the house at night and in the morning for nightlife and traffic. Also, try to think about what the house will be like during the summer months, like whether it will be like an oven, or if it stands in direct sunlight.

You should also think about making your purchase during the Spring before July when the tourists come in droves, or wait until after the summer rush.