Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:08am
Hi Nigella,
I don't know any lawyers specifically in Los Altos, but I've seen many recommendations on this forum for Sun Lawyers, who have offices in La Zenia, about 10 minutes away:
https://sun-lawyers.com
I suspect that the estate agent is trying to get you to pay a "reservation deposit" of anything between €3,000 and €6,000? You should never pay money to an agent - pay it to your independent lawyer. In fact, the only deposit that you are legally obliged to pay is 10% of the purchase price, once your lawyer has confirmed that the sales contract details are correct. This deposit is binding.
The agent may try to tell you that you'll lose the property if you don't pay the "reservation deposit" - don't be pressed into doing so. Tell them that, as an act of good faith, you will consider paying a small deposit to your lawyer, until such time that your lawyer confirms that it is OK to proceed to binding contracts. Ask the agent to convey this to the vendor.
I'm afraid that some agents will try all sorts of tactics to get you to give them money - but if the sale doesn't proceed, you may have great difficulty getting your deposit back.
(By the way, Spain isn't on the UK's Red List.)
Good luck!
Kind regards,
Kim