Have you learned a valuable lesson while dealing with property in Spain which you'd like to pass on to other expats?

Do you have any tips which others might find useful? We'd like to improve our coverage of property issues in the Spain guide and are looking for up-to-date, accurate information and experiences.

Please post your tips and suggestions here!
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Advice is free, learning by experience can be costly.

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OK, here's a tip (though it's really more of an opinion).
Buying property in Spain is similar to buying a secondhand car in the UK - and you have just about the same level of safeguards. It's your responsibility to make sure that the house you're buying is as described before you hand over any money. After you've bought it you can't expect to go back to the vendor with a complaint and expect them to fix it, or compensate you. Just like if you buy a car from a "geezer" and later find a problem. While theoretically you might have some legal rights and protection, in practice it's CAVEAT EMPTOR.
Never forget that Spain is not Britain.  

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the tip, I have added to our list.

In the UK when the property is not new we always commission some sort of survey we are looking to buy, is this the same in Spain if so what is the correct name for it?

Come on peops there must be lots of information we can share here......,
please help

Many Thanks
Carole
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we always commission some sort of survey

So far as surveys go, I suppose it depends on the location. However, when I bought my place there was no possibility of getting a survey, as there were no accredited surveyors.
Even in England - (can't speak for the rest of the UK), I've found that a survey is a complete waste of money as it barely covers anything except the decor and makes huge exclusions: the last one I paid for did NOT include central heating, electrics, plumbing, drains, state of the flooring (as this would have involved taking up carpets!) or the gas appliances. It *did* note that the place needed redecorating - so that was £600 well spent (NOT). In addition all the comments in the report were qualified with "may" "could" "might" and recommendations to seek specialist advice - which is what I thought the surveyor was.
Anyway, back to Spain. You can probably get a builder to have a poke around and give you a "heads up" on anything they find. It'll cost and they won't be held liable for any faulty advice - or for missing anything, or for being related to the seller and therefore telling you everything's fine
So my recommendation would be that if you have any doubts about potential problems with a house, look elsewhere. There are so many houses for sale in Spain that it's just not worth the risk of picking a lemon.  

We have found that you need to be very pro-active with Lawyers - i.e. you tell them what needs doing rather than relying on them to do it automatically.

We have purchased 5 properties here in Spain since 1988 and, although all charming people, have yet to find a Lawyer with the kudos of one in the UK.

And, cynical though it sounds, don't believe anything you are told until you have proved it for yourselves.
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Hi Casaianda and Pete,

Thanks for your input - we really appreciate it.

Cheers
Carole
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Expat Focus Community Manager
Web: www.expatfocus.com
Blog: www.expatfocus.com/blog
Twitter: twitter.com/ExpatFocus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/expatfocus
E-book: www.expatfocus.com/moving-guide 

A really simple point but one that eluded us for a while. In a country where (in the south/med at least), buildings are designed to be cool in summer rather than cosy in winter, orientation really matters. A building that gets no sun on the roof in the winter will be cold and damp and miserable... and a south-facing terrace in a sheltered spot means Christmas dinner out of doors.

If you are on a buying trip with an agent remember they will build their schedule around these factors. If you see a beautiful sunny house on the north face of a hill in the late afternoon, that might be the only hour of sunlight it gets!

BDP x
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