If you’re looking to buy a property in Spain it is recommended that you start to plan how you wish to go about it before you jet off from your home country to view properties. The Association of Registrars has a checklist of things to consider before you even book your plane tickets.

Location, location, location
Carefully consider where you wish to have your Spanish holiday home or even your permanent new home in Spain. What amenities do you want to have nearby? Do you want a new home that is near to people who speak your native language or do you want to be fully immersed in the local culture?

Mortgages and Loans
Consider the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates when you set your budget. If you are taking out a mortgage on the property, consider the effect of a small change in exchange rates on an amount such as €100,000, €200,000 and so on. What seems like a small amount over €10 or €20 soon multiplies when you are talking about six-figure numbers. If you plan to apply for a loan whilst you are in the country you will need some key information, including your passport, tax returns for the past two years, payroll or other income proof for the past six months, details of mortgages held (current or past) and details of your financial liabilities and assets.

Surface area
When you arrange to view a property via an in-country estate agent, make sure you know how the property is measured. The gross surface area may be the measurement given or it could be the useful surface area (the actual living space itself).

Appoint a lawyer
Having a lawyer is not always necessary but it is a good option. Just like if you were buying in your home country you might want to work with someone who understands what you need from the sale, the processes that drive it and also the law of the land. Remember that even if your transaction is done in your native language, or English, the law in Spain is interpreted in Spanish and all documents will be issued and legally binding through Spanish-language arbitration.

The viewings
Speak to your international estate agent to line up viewings before you get on the plane so that your journey is not wasted if you can’t see the properties you like. This also ensures that there is no last-minute stress to try to see properties, it helps to ensure that you see properties that are within your budget, and most importantly of all, to ensure you work with an estate agent who is working to find you your dream home in the sun.

You can find property for sale in Spain by visiting the numerous websites of individual real estate agencies of course. Much easier however is to make use of our international online portal ImmoVario, with thousands of property listings. So, just take the first step and start your search overhere on ImmoVario.