Buying a property in Pilar de la Horadada

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 8:55am

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Barbara1951

Posts: 43

5 helpful points

Location: Pilar de la Horadada

Joined: 20 Jun 2019

Hi! My husband and I are just starting the process of buying a house in Pilar. We have had our offer accepted, and that is about as far as we have gone officially. The agent wants us to forward 6,000 euros to her, and has sent us a Reserved contract in Spanish. I have heard it would be better to get our own independent lawyer to deal with all the conveyancing matters, rather than the Agent. Could someone advise the best way forward? And could we have recommendations of English-speaking lawyers in the area who are competent and trustworthy?

Also, I know we need an NIe number each.... can we get this through the Spanish Embassy in the UK? The agent has said she can set up an appointment in Spain in September, when we are visiting, at a local police station.

And finally, could somebody recommend a Bank in Spain as we need to set up an international account, but do not yet have an address in Spain? I read about Banco Sabadell but my husband read in a forum somewhere that their charges were high!

Many thanks for your help.

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 9:43am

Dazz

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Location: Pinar De Campoverde

Joined: 10 Sep 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 9:43am

Hi Barbara,

Definitely use your own lawyer, you need someone on your side, not on the agents. We used : Manuel Sánchez Pardines, Tel. (0034) 965-711-947, [email protected] Lin is a lovely English lady who has lived here for a very long time & can arrange anything you need, she was fantastic with us.

If you give your lawyer power of attorney they can arrange for your NIE without needing you to be present, they can also open a bank account for you.

Regarding the bank, we first went with Santander but the charges were quite high so we moved to Sabadell & have never had a problem. You will be charged for your bank account as non residents whoever you go with unless you have a certain amount paid in every month, I believe it's around 750€, you can send the money back to the UK once it's been in your Spanish account for a few days. If you use a money transfer company (we use HIFX but there are plenty of others) you will get a much better exchange rate than transferring directly through your bank.

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 10:53am

Cheryl

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Location: Albatera

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 10:53am

getlegalinspain are fantastic. Don't pay the non refundable deposit until your independent solicitor tells you it is ok and we only paid €3,000 deposit.

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:19am

Barbara1951

Original Poster

Posts: 43

5 helpful points

Location: Pilar de la Horadada

Joined: 20 Jun 2019

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:19am

Thank you, Dazz and Cheryl. We are finding all this info very helpful! Can get the whole process started now.

Best wishes.

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:33am

Dazz

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Posts: 590

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Location: Pinar De Campoverde

Joined: 10 Sep 2018

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:33am

I forgot about the deposit, yes 3000€ is normal, but as Cheryl said, only after your solicitor has told you to. It's a fairly straight forward process, as long as you get the right people behind you.

If you give your solicitor power of attorney you'll only have to come back to sign the paperwork, we didn't and had to come over several times, if we were to do it again from the beginning I would have given P-O-A.

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:39am

Cheryl

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 11:39am

The deposit is paid to your solicitor, never pay it to the estate agent.

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Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 4:05pm

271935

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Joined: 30 Apr 2016

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 4:05pm

Everything covered well here.

Two golden rules when buying.

1. The agent doesn't see a penny of your money all moves via your solicitor

2. Find your own solicitor. Not one recommended by the agent

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 7:52pm

Barbara1951

Original Poster

Posts: 43

5 helpful points

Location: Pilar de la Horadada

Joined: 20 Jun 2019

Posted: Wed Jul 3, 2019 7:52pm

Thank you all so much.... the mists are clearing.

We have decided to appoint Sunlawyers with POA and feel much happier!

Any more tips gratefully received.

Best wishes.

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Posted: Thu Jul 4, 2019 6:36am

Barbara1951

Original Poster

Posts: 43

5 helpful points

Location: Pilar de la Horadada

Joined: 20 Jun 2019

Posted: Thu Jul 4, 2019 6:36am

Thank you, Kim, that is interesting info. I love the fact that the ex pats on this site take the time to help a newbie! Looking forward to joining you all soon.

Best wishes,

Barbara

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Posted: Thu Jul 4, 2019 2:50pm

Davebev1

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Location: Playa Flamenca

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Posted: Thu Jul 4, 2019 2:50pm

Just to back-up what everyone else has said - use your own INDEPENDENT solicitor. Never pay anything to the agent, just to your own lawyer. Talk to two or three before settling on your lawyer.

Yes, you can do your NIE yourself through the Spanish Consulate in the UK but you will need to start the process asap and travel to either London or Edinburgh https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/faq/nie-application-uk-spanish-consulate-london-edinburgh/ (click your preferred location for full details).

Bev