To some this can be a very stressful time but I found my experience easy and uncomplicated.

When I first bought my apartment in Spain I read lots of articles about what needs to be done and how to do things, which helped me understand the buying laws in Spain

I met up with a wonderful lady who has lived over in Spain for the past 8 years and she helped me with everything from getting my NIE number to answering any questions and reassuring me about anything to do with the whole buying process which not only saved me time but money also.

First step is to work out how much you want to spend or can borrow on a property it is usually 70% or in some cases 80%. If you need a mortgage then shop around - if you need some help on this email me at enquiry@lafincaholidays.com

Look for a property yourself - first look mainly at the areas you like and then see what is for sale in the area.

 Step two you will need an NIE number and a Spanish bank account to buy a property in Spain, or in fact anything in Spain so this should be the next thing on your list. For more information on how to get this please email me at enquiry@lafincaholidays.com

Once you have your NIE number you can then buy and set up a Spanish bank account. If you are getting a mortgage then the bank will need to get a valuation of the property. This should cost you no more than 300 Euro and is done very quickly, unlike England.

There will be fees and taxes to pay when purchasing a property - these are normally 10% of the purchase price. If you want more information about these then email me at enquiry@lafincaholidays.com

Step three once you have found your property it is usual in Spain to sign a private agreement with the selling party, to assure the sale, and to pay a small deposit up front. This agreement ensures that the selling party can only sell to you and you are tied to this property so be absolutely sure before you sign anything as you will loose this if you decide at a later date you no longer want it.

Both parties are free to agree on any clauses i.e time and date of full payment, if the furniture is included in the sale, or subject to being accepted for a mortgage.

Step four signing of the title deeds. The Public Notary is the person who has to certify that the official sale contract has been signed. S/he is an independent in whose presence the title deed will be granted. S/he would oversee both parts of the agreement and can also advise you in any legal circumstances regarding your property. The property deed (Escritura) is your real title deed and it shows the description of the property, the identity of both parties, the purchase price and the general conditions and clauses of the sale agreement. After the deed completion, your lawyer can pay all the expenses and taxes in your name. You should receive the title deeds within 2-3 months.

If you require any advice or help on buying a property in Spain please email me at enquiry@lafincaholidays.com

I will be more than happy to help you with any worries or concerns you may have.