On verge of buying...need advice please

These are essential points.

Don't use the Solicitor advised by the agent. Very very important. Find your own

Don't make your offer until your are about to leave Spain.

Refuse point blank to give the agent any deposit. They will try everything to get this money. Just tell them your solicitor has said don't do it. That's what I did.

Change your money if your a cash buyer asap as the £ rate is so volatile the house could go up by 5% in between making your offer and formally paying for it

Budget about an 12% on top of your offer for stamp duty and fees and you'll be about right.

If accepted your solicitor does everything and you will work closely with them

Hi  , our family have bought 3 house recently with 3 different agents. We left a deposit with all as this is standard practice and we used the solicitor they use and they were power of attorney for the buyer. NO PROBLEMS, all very professional. Hope this helps

The post above by 271935 says it all. Follow that advice and all should go well.

Properties no matter what anyone says are not selling fast and you won't lose it by not giving a deposit.  There have been those who have lost their money by giving deposits when they or the seller has pulled out if the sale. The Estate agent does not need a deposit! 

Do not be tempted to use any solicitor 'recommended' by the Agent. The solicitor you choose will be working for you and that way there will be no conflict of interest.

When choosing solicitor , check out that they have a good clear informative website and are good at communicating by email in English. You will need this when you go back home to keep in regular touch with what's happening.  See how they communicate when you contact a few . While you are in the UK waiting for your property to go through you can also arrange your Spanish Wills with the solicitor (they will send you a translation ) and only need to sign when you go to sign for the house. 

The solicitor will also sort out NIE''s if you need them to. In fact a good solicitor (and most are good but check their name on Google to see what people say about them) will help you with everything including  getting Utilities set up and even bank accounts, if you need that too.

An Agent is good for finding a house and selling that house for their commission. They have a job to do but try not to be 'pushed' by  them into anything. They may have the 'gift of the gab' but check for yourself, anything they tell you.

Oh.. and a Solicitor (Abagado), who is working for you, will check for debts on the property and other legalities of course. You can't be absolutely sure that a solicitor working for or recommended by any Agent is not cutting corners to get the sale through quicker.

Good luck with your buying.

Jan

We have used Sangria properties in Villamartin, Rosa in La Florida and Comaskeys in La Zenia. ALL reputable and in business along time. 

Having purchased last year (through inmoinvestments in la zenia) we thoroughly enjoyed the whole exciting experience and just how straightforward and helpful everyone was.  Inmoinvestments are superb, yes we paid a deposit but didn't have any problem with that...it secured the house for us.  however, it is recommended to get an independent solicitor and I can't recommend carmen from Blau solicitors, she is young, high powered, very clued up on latest laws and cheap (for cash). I think if your not resident it is also important to give the (trusted) lawyer power of attorney, we did this to Carmen and she has gone over and above to sort things (property related and some not) in our absence.

Carmen has also sorted our will (which is important and not to presume your English will covers your Spanish property) also important to have a Spanish will done according to English law!

Carmens direct number is.....34 609 31 84 55

If you do call her kindly mention steve and cheryl turner..👍

Many thanks to you all for taking the time to reply and for your very valuable advice, we are most grateful.     

 The real estae and Lawyers are SOLER BERNÁ the Lawyer is SJOSÉ ANTONIO.  Wondered if any of you have heard of them. 

Again thank so much.