Are property prices negotiable in Spain

When I bought mine last year I was only able to get 1500 euros reductions on a property priced at 87,000 euros.  You are entitled to make an offer to the vendor but there is not a lot of leeway particular for popular areas. This was in Costa Blanca South, Playa Flamenca.  I was in competition with another potential buyer who had put in a provisional offer so I did not wish to lose out on the purchase and I nearly did lose the purchase.  There were a lot of properties advertised which I was interested in and when I enquired a lot had already been sold.  If however a property has been on the market for a while there may be more room for negotiation with the vendor.  Alternatively, the vendor may be hanging out for the price they wish.  Apparently the more expensive homes are taking longer to sell (this was the agent telling me this last year) so there is probably a lot more room for negotiation there.  No harm in putting in your offer though I don't think there is a lot of room to put in a cheeky offer or you may put the vendor off selling to you.  Properties are a lot more expensive in Costa Blanca North and probably even more difficult to negotiate the price down I would think.  I looked at apartments in Cumbre del Sol and there were quite a few apartments which had been on the market for quite some time.  I could have maybe negotiated a bit lower on the price but the area was too isolated for me and some of the apartments needed quite a bit of work but there is always a bargain to be had if you look well enough. I think also that the housing market is picking up and more being sold.  If you are looking at properties online yourself you have the right to ask the agent to see them even if another agency has advertised them as they all work with one another.  I didnt go on a viewing trip though and came over to Spain and requested viewings from a few different agencies.  Some are not too pleased if you do this but you are buying not them.  Also take into consideration the exchange rate of the pound to euro.  I was able to transfer my money via a broker and it was at 1.37 last year it is way down now to 1.26 at the present.  Also take into consideration that you will pay between 12% and 15% for transfer fees, taxes and lawyer fees.  There will also be community fees too which are usually requested at the time of the sale.  Make sure via your lawyer that there are no debts on the property before giving any money away.  It is wise to get an independent lawyer from the one your agent probably tell you they can employ for you but they are probably working for the vendor so there could be a conflict of interests.  The agent is working for the vendor not you so keep that in mind.

Thank you for the advice, I am in probably a similar situation that you were in I will not be buying the high end properties and we too decided against cumbre del sol for the same reasons.

I was working on the assumption of looking at properties about 5 k above my budget and haggling down but this doesn't seem to be the case unless I suppose the agent says it's negotiable.

I have had one agent say that it's better to buy in Moraira than Denia for rental potential but it's seems to me that there is a lot of high end competition there, have you any experience of this?

Thanks once more

Charlotte

There are not a lot of properties at this price in Moraira.  This is where I stayed for a few days when I was viewing.  It is a lovely area and the beach is very nice but the area is small. it is at the high end of the market for properties.  I think Denia is more popular as a holiday resort and good access for other areas around.  You can even get a ferry to Ibiza from Denia.  I have also heard that Javea is very nice and looks lovely.  Moraira centre is made up of a lot of apartments. There are lovely villas around the outskirts too.   I stayed in one apartment in the centre and wasn't too impressed with it.  It was quite damp smelling of damp and very small and cramped.  I also found insects like silverfish crawling across the walls at night which was quite off putting.  I think you are paying for the area and this is why properties prices are so high.  If I were you I would stick with Denia and have a look at Javea.  They are all within 30-40 minute drive from each other.  

In relation to the agent having power to say its negotiable.  You can tell the agent the price you are prepared to pay and he really has to put this to the vendor unless the vendor has specifically said no offers.

Thanks for the info. it's as I suspected. I think I would prefer the value for money option and a town that had good amenities.

Kind regards

Charlotte

I moved to Sax in February and got 17,500 euros off the asking price of 149,000. It included furniture and an old but serviceable car for 500 euros on top. Although we need to upgrade the bathroom and kitchen we have six bedrooms, a pool, large grounds and a self contained flat, garage and garden storage. A friend in Velez Malaga advised me to start 30 per cent under the asking price and haggle. Another tip , if you have to do any repairs within six months of buying, the vendor is liable for the cost under Spanish law. I have money for electrical repairs on it's way to me.

When buying, find out how long the property has been on the market as the longer the better for you and make sure you have sound legal advice. I also checked out the estate agent in local bars with other ex pats who had used them. Does it have to be Denia? Sax is a nice place and you can use my estate agent and solicitor with confidence. There are bargains to be had here.

my lawyer arranged this for me when I bought the property.

Hi Charl,

I offer independent advice if it would interest you. The website link is below.

http://www.spanishpropertyadvice.uk/

I recently bought a property just outside Javea and negotiated a discount of 5000 off an asking price of 72.000 - around 7%

There are decent discounts to be had, but it depends on several factors. If I can help just get in touch.

Best regards, Steve

My estate agent took me to the local police station then we took a paper to the bank and paid around 9 euros odd for the fee. Then back to the police station to finalise paperwork. All done in about an hour. Get to the police station early as the queues get big and they only do so many each day. No need for attorneys or fees other than the 9 euros odd. If your solicitor is on a fixed fee he may do it too. The estate agent also took me to the town hall for my padron and to the assessoria to change car ownership details AND to the MOT station to MOT the car. All at no charge.