Buying a property in Spain is a straightforward process providing that you adhere to the following steps:

1. Decide what you are looking for

Establish as far as possible exactly what you are looking for. Is it a holiday apartment, a detached villa, a link house, a new property or a second hand property? Will you be living in the property permanently or will you letting it out? Do you need a swimming pool? How many bedrooms do you need?

2. Choose your location – coastal or inland

Do you want to live on the coast where you will be with an international community and near towns or villages with a good infrastructure of facilities or would you prefer to live inland in more peaceful mountain villages and small towns like those in and around in the Jalon valley? Take into account in the size of your budget that coastal properties (and particularly those with sea views) come at a much higher premium than those inland.

3. Decide your budget

You will need to know how much you have to spend and how much you can afford, taking into account the extra purchasing costs of buying a property in Spain. Are you intending to finance part of the purchase via a Euro mortgage or a UK second mortgage or even a combination of the two? If letting out your property (and the income you derive) is a factor in your financial calculations, we can provide a spreadsheet for you showing the achievable and realistic rental returns for any type of property in any area.

4. Visit in person

Before making a decision about buying a property, you need to visit for at least a week to look not only at properties which match your criteria and budget but also to assess what the area is like. This is particularly important if you are looking to make a permanent move to the Costa Blanca – rent both in and out of season to ensure that you will be happy away from family and friends. Avoid the “pressure” property inspection trips offered at low cost by many agencies. If required, through our sister company Style Lettings, we can provide a villa or apartment in your chosen area at reasonable rates.

5. Find a lawyer

After you inspect, but before you decide to buy or pay anything, we will introduce you to an English-speaking lawyer locally who will explain all of the legal implications of your purchase. This advice will be free and there are no charges unless or until any purchase process begins. Check out the purchasing process detailed on the separate Legal and Financial web page.