WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A PROPERTY IN SPAIN?

There is a saying in Spain that almost everyone, who is looking for a property to buy is chasing the 3 Bs – Bueno , Barato, Bonito, which mean Good, Cheap and Beautiful. If all properties were in the category of 3 Bs, it would be a paradise for the buyers, however properties like this are hard to find and they never stay long on the market. That is why it is very important to be able to compromise when you are on your dream house hunt and it is very useful to have a checklist. The checklist will help you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the property and help you to compromise, if necessary.

Today we will give you some useful tips on what criteria to have on your checklist and what are the things you have to look out for when buying in Spain.

Location

Property location is probably the most important aspect to keep in mind, since it is one of things that is impossible to change about the property, once you decide to buy. If you are totally unfamiliar with particular area, we strongly recommend renting a flat for a couple of months to try out the area or even several locations to make sure you chose the one where you feel comfortable. Make sure to visit this location during high and low season, since some areas tend to be very quiet during the winter and overcrowded during summer. Also, make sure that all the crucial service that you might need are available in close proximity. Finally, make sure that the area does not get easily flooded during rainy weather.

Orientation

Due to hot climate and absence of central heating, it is very important to consider the orientation of the property. If you are planning to buy a vacation home and come only during hot season, probably North, Northeast or East orientations would be most suitable, since you will get only morning sun and the property will stay cool during the rest of the day. If you like evening sun, then need to choose a West facing property. However, keep in mind that evening sun is ruthless in Spain and will significantly increase the temperature inside of the property.

If your intention is to live in the property all year, Southeast or South facing properties would be a perfect option for you. You will get a lot of sunlight in winter months, which will keep your home warm and bright, and during summer months the house will remain cool with no direct sunlight, hence will help you to save lots of money on electricity bills. This rule also applies for those, who are buying a property for spending winter season in Spain. Remember, North and East facing properties tend to get very cold and humid during winter months.

Humidity

The closer the property is located to the sea, the more possibility there is that it can have higher humidity levels, thus cause formation of fungus, especially in old houses. That is why it is of paramount importance to check for fungus especially in the corners near the windows as well as inside of the built-in wardrobes. If you feel damp smell in the property and see grey, black or green stains on the walls, these are all signs of fungus problem and will need serious and thorough treatment. If the property remained closed and poorly ventilated for a long time, fungus problem can be inevitable, so it is important to keep in mind that there will be additional costs for removing fungus, if any.

Neighbours

It is advisable to find out about the neighbors as much as possible, especially if the property has common walls. In certain cases, it can even be possible to rent the property you are interested in and spend a couple of days there. If not, ask your agent to find out about the neighbors and if the neighboring properties are being rented out short-term.

Communal area

The communal area with a beautiful garden, swimming pool and sometimes even tennis court, concierge service and SPA area can be the most attractive feature of the property. However, do not forget that this does not come for free. Always ask for the receipts of community fees to understand what would be your annual costs for such bonuses. If having a swimming pool and gated community is not a priority, give preference to individual houses that do not belong to any community or apartment building with no swimming pool, since this way you will be able to save quite a significant amount of money in long-term.

However, if the property is located far away from the beach, it is recommended to choose a property with a swimming pool as long as community fees are adequate.

So, these are the points that are recommended to have on your checklist. Remember, that it is very hard to have it all in one property, so it is important to choose at least 3 criteria you are not willing to compromise on and adjust the rest.

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