Spain has
witnessed bustling real estate activity and price rises over the
last couple of years. Property Spainhas gained great importance and popularity because of its
reputation as a favorite tourist hub. This has also led to quick
profits and tidy incomes for most investors. However before you take
the plunge there are some things you need to know before investing.
5 essential
things you must know
It may seem
all hunky-dory to buy that dream home in Spain. However before
buying it is essential to understand what will ease the process.
Most property Spainhas is
along the coastal regions where prices are very high. Therefore it
makes sense to invest wisely so you don’t lose out in the process.
Learn the
language: If you’re
a foreigner wanting to invest in
property Spain, it is time you learnt Spanish. It
will help you negotiate prices better, realize if you’re being
conned and above all, even from a long term perspective, prepare
you for settling down in Spain.
Know the
health care facilities offered: Although
property Spainmay be
enticing, if you’re from a developed country, chances are you
might find the health care facilities offered in Spain a tad
backward. Therefore, at least initially you need to have the
basic medical supplies at hand so that you are prepared for any
eventuality.
Schools
and education: If you
intend to permanently move to Spain and invest in property Spainhas to offer,
consider exploring the schools and educational facilities in
your destination. This will help you be better prepared when you
land there. It will also prepare your children for their
education.
Seek a
real estate agent’s help: You will
find it much easier to evaluate the best properties if you hire
a real estate agent. They will guide you better and get you the
best deals in the market.
NIE
number: Did you
know that before you can invest in any property Spainyou will need
an NIE number? This is a unique tax identification number that
will enable you to complete formalities of any property
purchase. You can get this number through a solicitor.
The process of
buying property Spain
There are a
series of stages to buying property in Spain. After selecting the
suitable property, you need to sign what is known as a ’reservation
agreement’. This is a written agreement between you and the vendor
and it clearly lays down the roles, responsibilities, various
clauses etc. At this stage you will need to pay an upfront amount
or fee equaling one or two percentage of the value on the property.
After this the vendor will withdraw the property from the market to
disable any deals on it from other buyers. Your solicitor will then
perform ‘land registry checks’. This seeks to establish that the property Spain is clear without
any pending liabilities. After this a contract is drawn up which is
then signed by both concerned parties. Then the title deed gets
transferred in your name.
Get in touch with the industry experts at
www.buyspain.co.uk
for more details. Steve Magill has written several articles with
regard to the Spanish property business. As a Fellow in the British
Association of Entrepreneurs (FBAE) he is considered an expert
consultant when it comes to real estate in Spain.