Buying a house remotely

Yes, we did that last year. 

We saw the property online around April last year, agent took some video around mid late May, we put and offer in late May which was accepted early June, we paid a deposit to our independent solicitor in June and exchanged contracts shortly thereafter. We travelled over late July and signed the papers 28th July after seeing the property physically for the first time on 26th July. 

It worked out well for us and we had seen video of the property and had sent an architect around to give it the once over.

So you were successful in buying a house you had not seen.

I hope you know the area well, but I would not risk a purchase of the value of property without seeing it myself, well before getting legals done on the property.  In the UK I would visit at different times of day, just to be on the safe side.

Only today I read a post where someone was saying about property, who's job is it to tell you about these things, (they are losing out financially when trying to sell after 13 years), it is not other peoples responsibility to protect you from yourself.

In the UK it is 'Caveat emptor ', it is always for you to satisfy yourself so 'buyer beware'

So the question is how do you ask the right questions, remotely this is impossible IMHO.

A Spanish buyer would know (we assume) what question to ask, and your legal advisors cannot answer questions that are not posed to them.  Buying Spanish property is easy and I understand very few immigrants after 10 to 15 years leave Spain with the money they invested.

"It seems in this modern age we buy everything from loo roll to cars online, so why not houses?".

Mostly I'd suggest because loo roll costs a few euros while houses typically a few hundred thousand euros. 

I was in the property business for thirty years and still take an interest here and there and I'd say anyone buying a house remotely, especially in Spain where the entire process is corrupt, is nuts. If you've put in a clause that the purchase is subject to a full inspection before signing with a refundable deposit into the deal, then OK, you have some safeguards, but otherwise, it's madness. Some, as the poster above, will be lucky, many many more won't.

I know there has been a lot of purchases completed in the last year with the buyers never yet having set foot in the house. I suspect there will be a lot of broken hearts in the next few months when new owners get to travel and discover their new dream isn't as described or viewed in the pictures and videos.

We did a lot of research online and narrowed it down to around 12 great looking properties. When we looked around them all at least half were terrible (orientation, damp, cold, overlooked, near bins/traffic, etc) that was not obvious from their listing. I wouldn't do it. Visit in the winter to really know what you are getting.

Thank you for your comments and experiences.

I know the area that I will be buying in very well having visited regularly and walked/biked/driven with my eyes wide open over the past 12 years. 

I cant think of anything that would stop me buying remotely, other than perhaps legal issues or having a survey done but I would have these things done regardless.

My thinking would be to have a clause in a pre-sale contract stipulating the purchase is subject to a full survey and my solicitor checking the full legality of the property, title deeds etc before any monies are handed over, again something I would do if viewing in person.

The kind of property I would be interested in would be on an established urbanisation with other similar properties around that sell and come onto the market frequently.

Maybe I am losing the plot to even think this is a good idea?

It seems like all you really want is for someone to tell you to do it, so do it. It'll be fine. 

I agree Bob.

I do wonder why bother asking, and then deciding that the advice is wrong.

You would not do it in the UK, why do it is Spain. (Oh they are less sharks in Spain)

Thank you again.

I dont recall saying I would not do it in the UK - And I have not said that any advice given so far is wrong!!

My question on the original post was to ask if anyone has experienced buying a property remotely and if so to kindly share their experience.  I am sorry if this question is something I should'nt bother with.

I fully appreciate the well informed comment from bobtastic as follows:

'I was in the property business for thirty years and still take an interest here and there and I'd say anyone buying a house remotely, especially in Spain where the entire process is corrupt, is nuts. If you've put in a clause that the purchase is subject to a full inspection before signing with a refundable deposit into the deal, then OK, you have some safeguards, but otherwise, it's madness. Some, as the poster above, will be lucky, many many more won't.'

Thanks again to anyone who can share their experience of buying a property remotely.

Hi Ian

I didn't buy a property remotely, however, I did buy a property in a place that many others thought was off the radar!

Twenty years ago, whilst on holiday there for the first time, we bought a holiday home in SA. When we returned to the U.K., without exception, all our friends and acquaintances thought we were mad! “you’re nuts”, “aren’t you scared” “it’s dangerous isn’t it” etc etc

We still own that property and have enjoyed many, many, happy times there.

Because others wouldn’t do it, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. It means you’re perhaps willing to take risks that others wouldn’t . You appear to know the area, having spent time there and having viewed it remotely. As for the survey, I’ve yet to meet anyone that had one done prior to purchasing in Spain. Before everyone starts jumping about, I said I’d never met anyone; not that people didn’t.

I don’t consider myself a risk taker, but ask myself “what’s the worse that could happen”. If that’s acceptable.........

If you feel that it’s right for you, then I say good luck and I hope it works out for you. Life is short, and sometimes, you just have to seize the day. 🤪🥂