I'm looking to by an apartment near the sea in Spain where I can escape to in winter, but provide some income as a summer rental. I have done some research but I figured that I should ask advice from people who have done this! Do you have any location recommendations for a viewing trip Is it better to buy a brand new property or existing one? What should I be wary of? Any advice, especially on location would really assist. Thanks
David

Read this thread Tenant Eviction Nightmare -Part 2

https://britishexpats.com/articles/s...operty-safely/1. Dispel the illusion that the overall operation of Spanish land law is the same as for your own country. Be more careful and more cautious than you would be in your country.

2. Appreciate that there are many illegal properties in Spain and many more that have very considerable potential liabilities often connected to a possible state infrastructure project – the costs of which you may have to pay. In fact, an infrastructure project around your property may even lead to you losing a proportion of your land.

3. Understand an outline of Spanish property law before you go “˜on the ground’ looking at properties. Vitally, know the meaning and relevance of Urbanizado, Fully Urbanizado and Rural and be able to recognise, in principle, where a given property would fall within these designations – as its legality and potential liabilities can sometimes be obvious (until proven definitely otherwise).

4. Find a good conveyancing lawyer before you start looking for property. Spend time and effort to find an excellent lawyer and never, ever allow any conveyancing to be done for you by anyone but your lawyer. Furthermore, always make sure that your lawyer has all of the following characteristics, namely that he/she is: completely independent (of the seller, developer and agent etc.), speaks your language fluently, a specialist conveyancing lawyer, and fully qualified with high public liability insurance (check this!). Finally, always get all advice and assurances from your lawyer as to your proposed property in writing.

5. Never sign anything whatsoever at any time, for anyone unless the document concerned has been fully and properly translated into your language and has been expressly approved by your lawyer.

6. Never fall into the mistake of thinking that your estate agent is your “˜friend’. He may become so in the future but his aim, whilst you are his client, is to earn a sales commission and so his advice is likely to be biased. Given that sales commissions in Spain can vary from 3%-18% (generally they are 5%-10%) the stakes for the agent are very high, with the sales commission from a single sale sometimes equating to the national salary of some Spaniards.

7. Always use a building surveyor to survey your Spanish property before you pay anything at all for it. However, make sure that your building surveyor is independent (of the seller and agent etc.), fully qualified, fully insured and speaks your language fluently. Ensure that your surveyor provides you with a full written report as to the property, its state and any potential breach of planning controls and that he checks to see that any relevant building licences or building guarantees are in place and valid.

8. Location, location, location – it is critical that you choose the right location for your intended Spanish property and never get so obsessed by looking at individual houses (however wonderful) at the expense of checking and analysing your desired location very carefully – and this should be done both during the day and night. Are all the amenities that you need really there and close enough to be convenient in the long term? Is the land in front of you really non-building land or could a new property be built there, thus obscuring your precious view? Take nothing for granted and, if possible, rent in the area and stay there for a few months before you commit to buying a property

9. Always buy with a view to reselling your intended property. At some stage you will do this, so imagine when assessing the property you want to buy what obstacles might exist to other buyers when you come to sell it. For example, are there many stairs up or down to the house entrance? (This will put off elderly people or those with small children) Are there only two rather than three bedrooms (most people want three), is there good, off-road parking (critical for most buyers), and so on? Compromise on the property you want to make sure that what you buy is easily resaleable to the biggest possible section of the marketplace.

10. Never be rushed (nor rush) to buy a property in Spain as there are plenty of bargains on the Spanish property market and it is always better to miss a fantastic bargain than buy into a disaster. To miss a bargain is a shame but buying into a disaster could change your life completely – for the worse.

Which sea are you referring to?

Valencia has the beach and a wonderful city center (both very well connected with a variety of transportation options -- tram, metro, bike system). Is 300+ days of sunshine and if you buy a property you can make the money back in 10-15 years by renting in the summer months. Beach neighbourhood that is becoming popular, is called Cabanyal, used to be old fisherman village that has a lot of restaurants and cafes popping up. Is 5 minutes from the beach and all two storey houses with little patios from late 1800s, very cute and special. Built to last, but need some renovation.