Buying a holiday home!
Jul 20th 2018, 12:17 pm
#1
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1
Buying a holiday home!
Hi,
looking for help, we are flying out to Alicante and looking in the Torrevieja area for a holiday home, anyone recommend estate agents to deal with? Do I contact before we arrive? Or when we are there? We’re coming to look around areas but I would like to view some properties if possible!!
Thank you
looking for help, we are flying out to Alicante and looking in the Torrevieja area for a holiday home, anyone recommend estate agents to deal with? Do I contact before we arrive? Or when we are there? We’re coming to look around areas but I would like to view some properties if possible!!
Thank you
Jul 20th 2018, 12:47 pm
#2
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Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 213
Re: Buying a holiday home!
Sadly estate agents in Spain have a poor reputation. This is mainly because they are unregulated which allows them to do and say whatever they like. Many are British expatiates. I am sure there are good ones, but I have never heard of one. Be careful, never give a penny deposit to an estate agent even if he/she says you must or you cannot have the property you want to buy.
Jul 20th 2018, 2:29 pm
#3
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 3,143
Re: Buying a holiday home!
There is a national registry of Spanish estate agencies -- Agente de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria (API) -- but agencies are not legally required to become members.
Please use an independent, qualified professional solicitor (preferably not one recommended by the agent) I would recommend Pellicer and Heredia who can do everything you will need to be done legally and look after your interests in the long term with tax payments etc
Conveyancing Solicitors ✸ Buying property in Spain
Please use an independent, qualified professional solicitor (preferably not one recommended by the agent) I would recommend Pellicer and Heredia who can do everything you will need to be done legally and look after your interests in the long term with tax payments etc
Conveyancing Solicitors ✸ Buying property in Spain
Jul 20th 2018, 2:51 pm
#4
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Joined: Jul 2018
Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 213
Re: Buying a holiday home!
I would not recommend Pellicer and Heredia. They will treat you as a meal ticket as they did to me.
Jul 20th 2018, 4:46 pm
#5
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 264
Re: Buying a holiday home!
You can do a lot of beneficial work for yourself before you leave for your holiday in Spain.
1. Use the internet and scroll through for sale properties in your budget range.
2. Contact the Spanish estate agents well in advance and arrange appointments.
3. Be knowledgeable of your preferred properties. Note that the pictures of properties on the website may not be of the property you are interested in purchasing. They might be similar though (similar being the important word).
4. Visit properties only that are really for sale. Many just put theirs on the market to assess real value.Avoid time wasters.
5. Decide on nothing on the spot. Take everything in and if you are in no doubt that one takes your fancy a deposit later will likely secure it for you.
6. Don't part with your deposit only through your gestor (solicitor). Remember an abogado is just a conveyancing officer. If you have any sense your gestor will represent you only and do not share the vendor's or real estate agents gestor.
7. Can you afford to buy? Will your life savings be compromised? Are you sure an off season holiday in the area you wish to buy of about 5 weeks won't pay dividends?
Do not (repeat Do Not) leave your brains behind you when you arrive at the Spanish Airport.
1. Use the internet and scroll through for sale properties in your budget range.
2. Contact the Spanish estate agents well in advance and arrange appointments.
3. Be knowledgeable of your preferred properties. Note that the pictures of properties on the website may not be of the property you are interested in purchasing. They might be similar though (similar being the important word).
4. Visit properties only that are really for sale. Many just put theirs on the market to assess real value.Avoid time wasters.
5. Decide on nothing on the spot. Take everything in and if you are in no doubt that one takes your fancy a deposit later will likely secure it for you.
6. Don't part with your deposit only through your gestor (solicitor). Remember an abogado is just a conveyancing officer. If you have any sense your gestor will represent you only and do not share the vendor's or real estate agents gestor.
7. Can you afford to buy? Will your life savings be compromised? Are you sure an off season holiday in the area you wish to buy of about 5 weeks won't pay dividends?
Do not (repeat Do Not) leave your brains behind you when you arrive at the Spanish Airport.
Jul 20th 2018, 7:44 pm
#6
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: london/gandia
Posts: 1,163
Re: Buying a holiday home!
Only put down a deposit if you are sure to buy as if you withdraw from the sale your deposit (often 5% or more) will not usually be returned! That is why you will need any contract you are given, translated to english and explained to you by a competent and impartial person prior to being signed, not after.
Jul 20th 2018, 11:16 pm
#7
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,946
Re: Buying a holiday home!
A gestor is not a licensed professional. In reality, he is just a clerk with experience and good contacts.
Jul 22nd 2018, 3:08 pm
#8
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Location: Costa Blanca
Posts: 213
Re: Buying a holiday home!
Only put down a deposit if you are sure to buy as if you withdraw from the sale your deposit (often 5% or more) will not usually be returned! That is why you will need any contract you are given, translated to english and explained to you by a competent and impartial person prior to being signed, not after.
