Hi have posted before but now will be looking at property in the Alicante area coming over on the 25th and staying in Almoradi to view a few properties in that area, any advice would be great and recommendations of good solicitors as presume it is better to get a independent one rather that a estate agent one ? just incase we do find what we are after and need to put a deposit down.

Can really only suggest that you do NOT buy in an area until you are sure it's the right one for you. I would suggest that you rent a property in an area and live there a while before committing yourself, make sure the area is right for you. If it's a holiday property, then I would not buy unless you are certain the area has everything you want, including the right lifestyle.

Thanks for the advice we would be staying in the area so hope to get a feel for it and looking for a holiday rental to invest in for the future i know it maybe a while for the market to pickup but it would be something we would hang on to as gives us options when we retire which is unfortunately still a good few years off.

I would recommend Pellicer and Heredia, based in Alicante but they have many offices including Rojales, Quesada (nearby) talk to Charlotte Engelsen 965 480 737. Definitely independent is best and safest. They will check everything is legitimate.

You do not NEED a solicitor to make an offer / buy a property, but it would be sensible to employ one who is local and knows the area. I would recommend > [email protected] 965 725 410.

Thanks for the info

Thanks for info about solicitors...hopefully will need one soon!

Sycamores, tread carefully, you are seeking a good investment (like most of us). Things have changed rapidly in Spain over the past seven years. Remember another name for investing is gambling. Don't believe everything you hear and most of what you see.

You will have no difficulty in renting out property in a good resort from June to September. It is the other months that are the challenge. You will walk into a myriad of Spanish utility bills and Spanish taxes. It is likely you will have community fees also. I haven't mentioned maintenance costs and cleaning expenses. Know what you are doing and hope twelve months after buying you are getting some return on your gambling/investing.

The most important aspect if buying is to employ a gestor who will act for you solely. Forget about a gestor who is working for the vendor or real estate agent. Do not underestimate this. Don't even think about employing an abogado.

Now for the bit you don't want to hear:- Would you not be better off buying a property in the UK to rent out where you can get 12 months per year rental and use this money to rent in Spain? Food for Thought and this is only free advice.

Hi thanks for the reply, we have already bought a apartment and it all went well, have got it on holiday lettings and we already have a few booking as we have kept prices low and we will be happy just to cover the running costs which are not too bad. As you say yes it's a risk but all we can do is hope it all goes well.

Hi Leper.Sorry for my ignorance. We are looking to buy (holiday home and retirement in a few years) and were looking at independent abogados, I thought you needed a gestor and an abogado? Why is it better to just use a gestor and does that work out cheaper. Any recommendations (looking Algorfa/Almoradi/Daya Nueva)?

Sycamores- who did you use and would you recommend them?

Thanks both

Hi we used Natasha from Professional business support Professional Business Support really good and our agent we bought through was Berna Diego could not wish to find a better agent that did exactly as they said and everything i asked about was dealt with quickly, as did pro business support

Thanks for that

It's maybe correct to say that you dont need a solicitor to buy a property in Spain, but I would also say it would be absolute stupidity to attempt to buy one without a solicitors involvement.

Would you buy a house in the UK without a solicitor? Well, yes you might be able to as the information is all there, but why risk it.

As is always said, use one that is independent from the seller or estate agent. If you use a solicitor you dont need a gestor as well, unless you choose to use one for sorting out all your utilities, residencia etc etc

You dont have to look far to discover what happened to many in the past that bought without solicitors and paid the price.

Your choice I guess as to what level of risk you want to set yourself at

Well, actually, YES. I have always employed the services of a specialist conveyancer.

However, in UK they are normally part of a firm of solicitors and so can call upon their services if required.

The gestor I use in Spain is exactly the same - associated with a very good abogado who always oversees what is being done.

As I said, his choice
The risk factor in Spain is far far greater than in the UK.
When I use a siolicitor in the UK I am backed by his reputation and insurance, although in reality its a conveyancer I am using under their umbrella

In Spain, many new buyers are working in a system they dont know properly in a language they may not fully understand and in an area of property which often seems inherently corrupt.

I've heard so many stories over the years about people who tried to go it alone, or used a gestor that didnt do the job. It's not always the case, true ... you have a good arrangement it seems. However it seems common sense to me to close any loopholes and risks you can when dealing with property in Spain. It's your hard earned savings at risk, and many people coming to Spain have lost them!