e-casas.net

Why?

As with all major investments in the property market, it is better to have clarified from the start exactly what you are buying, what you can and cannot do with your house or land, and of course what it is likely to cost at the end. You certainly wouldn't hand over large sums of money to a person in a bar in the U.K on the promise that you own a verbally described property without the relevent paperwork and assurances, so why do it in Spain. The mechanism here in Spain for buying a property may seem a little slow sometimes, but it works, and can save you money and lots of heartache if you are prepared to do things correctly.

When?

There are two ways of approaching the question of when should I consult a solicitor, both of which can work equally as well.

For the novice house-hunter, it may be advisable to consult a solicitor prior to coming to Spain so that you are aware of what questions to ask and allay any uncertainties that you may have.

Those customers that have previously purchased abroad or who have friends that have done so, may be more aware of what to ask and are happy to conduct viewings and consult a solicitor once they have decided on which property to purchase.

Either way, providing you follow these simple rules you can be assured you will not make a mistake.

1) Do not hand over any money to an 'agent' prior to viewing properties in order to 'ensure you are a genuine buyer', this is very un-professional and frowned upon by the legitimate agents.

2) Do not allow somebody to pressurise you into making a 'snap' decision. Invariably, the house will still be for sale after you have seen your solicitor.

3) Do NOT sign anything until you are certain your solicitor has approved the paperwork as it may well be a binding contract to which you may not wish to be a part of.

4) Do not place a deposit on a property unless you to are able to complte the purchase, or unless you are prepared to lose all of your money if you decide to pull out of the purchase.

Although these points may sound a little daunting, they are designed to give you peace of mind and security in your search for a new home here in Spain.

Who?

If you do not already have a solicitor here in Spain, I would suggest visiting several solicitors offices in the area you are looking to purchase in to get quotes for their work and a timescale they work to.

Non e-casas clients

If you have already purchased from another agent or constructor and have encountered problems where you need a good solicitor who will fully represent your interests, please contact me via e-mail and I will send you details on how to contact the solicitor direct. All contacts are confidential but please do not include personal details in your e-mail to this company as it is better to speak directly to the solicitor.

Thank you.