Buying property off-plan in Spain was, for a time, something to be very cautious about. You may have heard some of the horror stories from the so-called boom years in which people paid deposits for off-plan properties in Spain only to find that the property was never built, or the developer went into liquidation.
If you found yourself in that situation, you may find our article on the new rules for reclaiming deposits paid for unbuilt off-plan properties useful.
These days buyers of off-plan properties in Spain benefit from legal protection, but that does not mean that you can throw caution to the wind. As with any property purchase in Spain you should instruct an independent Spanish lawyer to advise you in relation to the transaction. Your independent Spanish lawyer will guide you through the following steps.
Buying an off-plan property in Spain - Stage One
Buying an off-plan property in Spain - Stage Two
Buying an off-plan property in Spain - Stage Three
The final stage is reached when the developer has completed the build and registered the property. You may find that the completion takes slightly longer than you anticipated. Developers of off-plan property in Spain will usually include a clause within the contract that you sign at the outset in which it is provided that the completion of construction can be extended by up to six months. This is not usually a negotiable term.
Prior to completion you should try to ensure that any snags in the construction are identified and rectified, as well as ensuring that the fixtures and fittings are as agreed and up to standard. It can be very difficult to rectify faults after completion. Your independent Spanish lawyer can assist you with this step.
It is important to note that within the terms of the contract the developer will reserve the right to mortgage the property. This is common practice used to ensure that the developer has sufficient cash flow to complete the build. Your independent Spanish lawyer should ensure that everything is in place for any mortgage to be removed from the register in respect of your property so that you take ownership of the property with a clear title.
Once the property has been registered you are able to complete the purchase and a completion meeting will be arranged. You will be obliged to make payment of the balance of the purchase funds at the completion meeting.
Buying an off-plan property in Spain - Stage Four
You may also find our page on the costs of buying property in Spain to be useful.