Buying a property is never easy. It is especially more complicated if you are attempting to buy a property in Spain, and you are unfamiliar with its property laws and language.
That is why it is important to enlist the help of an independent Spanish property lawyer to ensure that you are aware of the pitfalls and obligations associated with purchasing a property in Spain. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for you and your family.
What should you think about before buying a property in Spain?
As well as the obvious - budget, location, facilities, you also need to take into consideration the fact that buying a property in Spain comes with its own peculiarities as a result of the Spanish legal system.
Steve Haddrell was looking to buy a property in Spain and was in need of a Spanish property law expert to assist with his transaction.
“My family and I were interested in purchasing a property in Spain,” says Steve. “We all know that buying a house is stressful at the best of times, but nothing compares to the stresses that come along with dealing with a different legal system. So it was essential for us to have solicitors who have offices in Spain and understand the complexities of Spanish property law, as well as being able to communicate with us in English.”
With the assistance of E&G Solicitors in Spain, Steve and his family were guided through Spain’s complicated property laws and were able to successfully proceed with the property purchase when he experienced some difficulties negotiating with the seller.
What problems can you encounter when buying a property in Spain?
A common problem is discrepancies between what is registered at the property registry in Spain and what is registered at the catastro registry in Spain. In addition, it is not unusual to find that while the property itself is registered, some aspect of it, such as the swimming pool, may have been added at a later date and not registered at the time. Such issues are not insurmountable, but they can be daunting to the uninitiated. It is vital to seek expert advice in relation to Spanish planning when buying a property in Spain.
“We had issues with our purchase and there were times when I just wanted to pull out of the deal because I didn’t want to buy a property with any uncertainties with regards to the legalities,” says Steve. “However, Jonathan Eshkeri and Josep Grau were able to really ease us through the bureaucratic property system that exists in Spain. E&G Solicitors in Spain were able to deal with the seller on our behalf and help us with the relevant paperwork, which allowed me and my family to purchase the property with confidence.”
For Steve, it was imperative to work with a firm he could rely on because it offered him certainty and good service.
“Buying a property is a massive financial investment so being kept in the loop by people you trust is vital,” says Steve. “E&G Solicitors in Spain absolutely looked after our interests by letting us know all the pitfalls at all stages of our transaction. I know some people who have used Gestors instead of solicitors while buying in Spain but for us, using a solicitor was important. During our matter, E&G Solicitors in Spain offered us a personalised experience and were efficient, thorough and friendly.”
Buying a property in Spain - next steps
You can find more information about buying a property in Spain here. You can also download our free guide to buying property in Spain here.
If you are considering buying a property in Spain it is essential that you seek independent legal advice at an early stage.
