Posted: Wed Feb 2, 2022 6:29pm
Hi Ali73
I am not a professional in conveyancing or qualified to offer legal advise, I do however have direct personal experience in relation to your post.
1 / Good indépendant legal advise from a solicitor in Spain is essential.
2 / Never rush a decision or feel pressured by agents who will tell you there's another dozen people queuing at your back to buy the property (I had this before on a house that had been for sale for 3.5 years but suddenly there was a panic) so take your time, take a step back even when it feels right and breathe - what's for you won't go by you.
3 / Make sure your armed with a complete list of costs and fees, not only checking accurately things like community fees for your new property but associated costs in the process of buying.
4 / Be cautious when contacting owners directly, some may not wish that contact hence using an agent and at other times it may alienate you from the agent and getting the best work from them on your behalf (some agents can automatically assume your trying to deal with the owner directly and doing them out their commission).
5 / A good agent can be worth their weight in gold, imagine all the experience and contacts they'll have amassed locally and your going to need some help and advice when you land in a new country with nothing but suitcases and flip-flops, so if this agent is already questionable - I would exercise caution
6 / Commissions are huge and it's very expensive for a vendor to sell their property in Spain. Agents are fiercely protective over their potential buyers and if you have already contacted one agent the others who also have the listing won't be interested in helping you - well I say not interested - only half interested as the commissions are now shared.
That is just some of my thoughts and experience in the process itself. The fact that you found the place you love I assume your comfortable with the pitfalls in picking the right place to start with.
Don't let anything put you off - just be careful - and start living that dream !