Why you shouldn’t give up your dream of buying in Spain...

If buying a property in Spain was one of your 2020 goals, then it’s completely understandable that you might be having second thoughts at the moment. There’s no getting away from all worry and uncertainty over COVID-19 just now, and who knows how long this situation will continue.

BUT… wherever in the world you’re based, while you can’t travel to Spain at the moment, there are still plenty of things you can do to make finding your dream home in the sun a future reality.

A guide to buying property in Spain

Before you start looking at properties, it’s helpful to have a step-by-step list of what’s involved. When you download our free Buyers guide, you’ll find a wealth of detail covering everything you need to know about a successful property purchase and move to Spain. We share the buying process, healthcare in Spain, finance & mortgages, buying a holiday home, retiring in Spain, schools in Spain, legal considerations, and building a home.

Take time to decide what you really want

It may sound obvious but before you start searching for your dream home in Spain you need to be clear about what you want. What elements are non-negotiable (e.g. a dedicated parking space or being within walking distance to local amenities) and what are ‘nice-to-haves’ (e.g. a private pool or granny annexe). It’s a good idea to sit down with whoever you’re buying with and agreeing on a list of wants, needs, nice-to-haves and non-negotiables, as well as working out your budget.

Where do you really want to live?

Once you’ve worked out what type of property you want, and your budget, it’s time to research which locations in Spain are a perfect match. That’s why we are here to help you. Whether you want to be by the sea or in the mountains, in the heart of an international city or a traditional village, our area managers will help you find the right location for your desires.

Start looking for your dream property

This is the exciting bit! Firstly, make sure you sign up for our newsletter and fill in the homes-abroad search agent so you don’t miss out on any new Spanish properties. Once you’re signed up, you can relax, sit back, and let us email you when new properties matching your criteria are listed. 

While you’re waiting, here are some other things you can do to get ready for your move to the sun.

Learn from other buyers’ experiences

Listen to the voice of our customers by looking into some of our recommendations on our site. Many positive people with great stories to share! You can listen to their first-hand experiences of how they purchased their sunshine homes, what they found helpful etc. 

Get started on the legal

You might not be able to book a viewing trip right now but there’s no time like the present to get your legal ducks in a row. Without an NIE number, Spanish bank account or independent solicitor (Abogado) you won’t be able to complete a property sale in Spain. An NIE is an all-purpose identification and tax number given to any non-native who wants to go through an official process in Spain. The application can take a while, so the sooner you start this process the better. A solicitor who isn’t affiliated with a property firm, a constructor or a money lender is vital. Plus, if they’re bilingual you’ll save on translation fees. We can recommend you to the best in the business.

Plan a research and viewing trip

Once you’ve whittled down your property choices to a few sensible prospects, we’d normally recommend getting on a plane and going to see them. And getting to know the area you’re considering moving to by organising a viewing trip with us. We help you ask all relevant questions and give you an area tour, so you get to know the area you are going to buy in.

So, although your plans for visiting Spain in person will have been put on hold for now, it’s still a good idea to start thinking about your viewing trip. Remember that when all this “Corona circus” is over then buyers will be heading south again… and the best properties are sold first!

So don’t put your dreams on hold – let our expertise and resources help you start mapping out your journey to enjoying your new property under the Spanish sun!