SIZE

How much space do you really need? Do be practical and honest, and think long term. For example even if you have a big family, they may not want to all live there, and you will have a very large and very empty home. Do consider your lifestyle as well. Do you want to own a dog? Do you love gardening?

TYPE

There are many real estate options to pick from: from new builds to resales, to apartments to villas. They each will have their own pros and cons, so do weigh these carefully before you make the big purchase.

LOCATION

Spain is a very beautiful country and one of its strengths is that its regions and cultures are so diverse. Even climate can change depending on where in Spain you prefer to live. Again, weigh the pros and cons, against your needs and personality. Because of this you need to research on the region you plan to move into. Research on culture, weather, population, and even things like the kind of jobs available there. You will find all of this on the web and you can also ask your real estate agent. Choose ones that know a lot about the area and interview them.

ACCESSIBILITY

When you travel regularly then you will definitely need a convenient transportation system that gives you easy access. This is also important if you plan to have friends and family over regularly or want to visit other areas in Spain. How long does it take to reach the international airports? How many airports are there in the area? How are the roads? How are the trains? Will you need a car to go around?

ENVIRONMENT

One place can’t have everything. If you choose one area for its provincial charm, then you can’t expect a wild night life and exciting party scene from it as well.
Some properties offer rural charm whilst others offer urban glamour. For example if you buy a country cottage to get away from it all you will also have to remember that you will be miles away from shopping malls, movie theaters, and possibly even a reliable post office. It really depends then on where you are in your life right now and what is important to you. You should also check around the property you’re about to buy, for the quality of their hospitals, schools, malls, and what kind of recreational activities you will get. An efficient travel agent can give you the advice you need on all those concerns.

COMMUNITY

If you are the type that prefers introspection and privacy, then you will love a house in the middle of a forest. Others however thrive in environments where there’s a lot of opportunity to meet new people; they will be happier if the home is located right smack in the middle of an international community. So think about what you expect form your social life when you move in Spain.

FUTURE NEEDS

Sad but true: the years will roll quickly by and if you are thinking of purchasing a property and keeping it over the long term, then do consider if it will be able to meet your needs in the future. As we have been saying, it’s important to hire a very efficient travel agent who can give recommendations on this concern.

There are many people raving about how exciting and beautiful Spain is. It’s hot property, and one reason for this (aside from how it’s really an amazing place) is that buying has never been easier.

But we don’t know how long before the popularity of Spain’s properties pushes market prices up so high that you can’t afford to buy it. The prices of buying houses in Spain will definitely increase in the next decade. So today is the best time to buy your property before it gets too hot—hot enough to “burn”. Plus other people are beating you to the best places. By the time you jump in you may not have many options left.

Right now property in Spain is relatively affordable when you look at the prices of property in the rest of Europe, especially in the north. And there are other factors. The euro also makes it easy to assess the value of a place and doesn’t put you at risk for currency fluctuations. You also see how Spain’s communication and transportation system has improved. Commuting has never been easier and you have the Internet infrastructure to work from home or run a global business from your villa. But here are some things to remember.

First of all there are coastal areas (Volunteer vacation in New Zealand) that seem cheaper than the others, such as Denia in Costa Blanca or Neja Coasta del Sol. Many Germans live here and there is a feel of an international community. Do make the most of any offers to buy from these areas as they are definitely more affordable while offering similar advantages found in other places.

But look outside the well known areas, too. There are also new hot communities, which have a lot of growth potential, such as the coastal areas in the region around Murcia, and the Northern Atlantic coastal areas. Also, because they’re new, the prices aren’t as high. That’s another great deal!

Spain’s famous cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia (Car hire Alicante) are often favorite areas for people who want to buy a home. These are stable cities and prices won’t change much in the next few years, so there’s no rush to buy a property here. So good advice is to try renting first to see if you really like it there before taking the plunge.

Another important thing to look at is the hidden costs that aren’t on the price tag of the house. This includes how much you will spend on maintenance and renovation, residential fees, etc. Ask these questions, as well as any other questions you have. Don’t worry about looking stupid. It’s better to be curious and very vocal about your concerns than to feel cheated once you’ve bought the property and realized that you had wrong assumptions. better to know before you put your money down than to buy a property in ignorance. Besides these are what you pay your consultants for…to let you consult! Ask away and don’t be shy, and never stop asking till you know exactly what you are getting for yor money.

Have you finally found the house of your dreams? Are you ready to make a purchase and sign the official contract?

But wait! You have to check some things first. Are you absolutely certain the house and land you are purchasing is legal? Are you sure the person who is selling it is really the owner of the property? And have you made sure that you can get your money returned if you realize something is fishy?

Buying a house, even if it is just a vacation retreat (but more especially if it will be your permanent home after retirement) is a major financial decision. And yes it has happened that people have preyed on buyers. Or that even a respectable deal.falls through because there was an unexpected hitch in the process. So how do you prevent this from happening?

Locating a Real Estate Agent you can Really Trust

You can find many excellent real estate agents in Spain. Choose that you trust. It is crucial to get a trustworthy agent before you get caught in the details of finding a house. Otherwise you will end up with no one to represent you. This is even more crucial if you’re going to purchase the property off plan. An off plan is a property which hasn’t been constructed yet, or is not yet completed. There may be chance that place will never be completed or that they don’t have the right permits to build a property there.

Before searching for a possible home in Spain, kick off the process by looking at your mortgage prospects. You should contact a very good mortgage lender or mortgage broker and then secure approval for a loan. With an approved loan, you have a much higher chance of being able to make a really strong offer for the property you like.

Finding a Solicitor

Aside from finding a mortgage broker do consider getting a good solicitor to act as your legal representative. You will need someone with a legal background when you start working on the documents needed to buy a home. Legal wording in contracts is very important. For example when you and the seller have finally settled on a final price, the normal practice is to make an initial deposit. Your lawyer will make sure that this deposit is appropriately recorded and that there will be no last minute changes in the price. If you decide not to get a lawyer right away it is advisable that you include the terms “subject to mortgage and valuation” in the purchase contract.

If you are trying to get financing for the property, the bank will have requirements and in the process of doing that you will often discover faults such local council issues or whether or not the construction is legal. You should be able to back out without losing your deposit.

It’s always important to get these experts on your team or you may forfeit your deposit if you suddenly decide to stop in the middle of the proceedings.