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Buying Property in Spain

Common Pitfalls When Buying a Property

Invest in Property in Spain

Common Pitfalls When Buying a Property in Spain (and How to Easily Avoid Them)

Dreaming of sun, sea, and owning your own home in Spain? For many, buying a property in Spain is a long-cherished ambition. But what starts as a dream can quickly become unnecessarily complicated without proper preparation. The Spanish real estate market works differently from what you may be used to — and that’s exactly why buyers often make costly mistakes.

The good news? With the right guidance, these pitfalls are easy to avoid. At Costavilla, we have been guiding international buyers for over 20 years in purchasing and managing property in Spain. We know exactly where things often go wrong — and more importantly, how to prevent it. That’s how we turn your Spanish property dream into a smooth and worry-free reality.

Why Invest in Property on the Costa Brava?

The Costa Brava has been one of Spain’s most sought-after regions for international buyers for many years. Its pleasant climate, beautiful beaches, stunning nature, and proximity to cities such as Girona and Barcelona make this region truly unique. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, culture, or an active lifestyle — the Costa Brava offers it all.

Attractive Property with Long-Term Value

Compared to Northern Europe, the Costa Brava still offers excellent value for money. While property markets in the Netherlands and Belgium have risen significantly, prices in Spain have remained more balanced. This creates great opportunities for those looking to invest in a second home, rental property, or long-term capital growth.

Trying to Handle Everything Yourself

Buying a property in Spain is exciting, but it’s not a process you should try to handle entirely on your own. In Spain, it is very common to hire an independent lawyer — and for good reason.

The selling agent typically represents the seller’s interests. Without your own legal support, no one is specifically looking after your interests. This can lead to important issues being overlooked, such as outstanding debts, missing permits, or unclear ownership rights.

A specialized lawyer carefully checks all documents, contracts, and property registers. This helps you avoid unpleasant surprises later on.Important: always choose a lawyer who is fully independent from the agent or seller.

Skipping a Structural Survey

A property may look perfect at first glance, but hidden defects are more common than you might think. Many buyers skip a technical inspection and only discover issues after completion, such as:

Damp and mold problems -Structural subsidence -Electrical faults -Leaking swimming pools -Wood damage or termites

Especially with older properties or traditional Catalan masías, a structural survey is not a luxury — it’s essential. An inspection helps prevent unexpected costs and gives you a realistic understanding of the property’s condition.

Not Verifying Whether the Property Is Legal

In some regions of Spain, properties have been built without the proper or complete permits, especially in rural areas. While this may seem appealing, it comes with risk. Always check whether the property:

Has been built legally
Is correctly registered in the Property Registry (Registro de la Propiedad)
Matches the records in the Cadastre (Catastro)

Without this verification, you may face issues with local authorities or even receive fines.

Thinking the Purchase Is Only Binding at the Notary

A common misconception: in Spain, the purchase is often already binding before the notarial transfer. When signing a preliminary purchase agreement (contrato de arras), you usually pay around 10% of the purchase price.

If you later decide to withdraw from the purchase, you will generally lose this deposit. Therefore, never sign anything until all legal and technical checks have been completed and you are fully confident in your decision.

Not Including Additional Costs in Your Budget

The asking price is not the final amount. In addition to the purchase price, you will need to consider extra costs such as:

Taxes
Notary fees
Legal assistance
Registration costs

On average, you should allow for an additional 10–14% in costs, depending on the region and type of property. Factoring this into your budget in advance will help you avoid financial surprises.

Conclusion: Buying a Property in Spain with Confidence

Buying a property in Spain is a wonderful adventure — as long as you are well prepared. With the right knowledge and guidance, you can avoid stress, unexpected costs, and disappointments. At Costavilla, we personally guide you through every step of the purchasing process — from the first viewing all the way to the final handover of the keys.

This way, you can be sure everything is taken care of and enjoy your new home under the Spanish sun without worries. Want to know how we can help you? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation — we’re happy to think along with you.

Invest with Vision and Confidence

Invest with a focus on returns. Successfully investing in real estate on the Costa Brava goes beyond simply choosing a beautiful location. It’s about strong rental yields, stable income, and long-term value retention. With the right acquisition strategy, local market knowledge, and sharp negotiation, you ensure your investment performs in a solid and responsible way.

At Costavilla, I personally guide you through every step. I think along with you, maintain a clear overview, and help you make well-informed decisions. This way, you invest with confidence in a property that delivers returns today and retains its value for the future.

An investment that performs today and holds its value tomorrow — with certainty, vision, and personal guidance for the long term.

Buying Property in Spain, Handled Together

Buying a home in Spain is not an everyday decision — and you don’t have to do it alone. I personally guide you through every step of the purchasing process, think along with you, and pay attention to the details that make all the difference.You can trust your instincts, while I ensure clarity, structure, and peace of mind. Together, we’ll find and secure a property you can truly enjoy — now and in the future.

Buying Property in Spain

Invest in Property in Spain

Why Invest in Property on the Costa Brava?

Trying to Handle Everything Yourself

Skipping a Structural Survey

Not Verifying Whether the Property Is Legal

Thinking the Purchase Is Only Binding at the Notary

Not Including Additional Costs in Your Budget

Conclusion: Buying a Property in Spain with Confidence

This way, you can be sure everything is taken care of and enjoy your new home under the Spanish sun without worries. Want to know how we can help you? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation — we’re happy to think along with you.

Invest with Vision and Confidence

Buying Property in Spain, Handled Together

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Questions? We're happy to help.

+34 651 75 77 44

Closes daily at 8pm

carla@costavilla.nl

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