Help! Please it’s all so daunting.. holiday homes in Torrevieja 😱

Ref the NIEs, you can get them yourselves but it can be a daunting experience if you don't speak Spanish, so it's easier to go to London or Edinburgh if you're able to:

https://www.costablancaforum.com/area/almorad%C3%AD-spain-11/taxes-suma-nie-tax-advice-in-almorad%C3%AD-25/jims-guide-the-nie-39463/

However, if an estate agent is willing to help you through the process without charging for their assistance then you could take advantage of that.

Hopefully others will contribute re the actual buying process. All I'd say about that is that when viewing a property, if possible have a quiet word with the owner and ask how much they want. It's the norm for estate agents to ask for several thousand euros above the owner's asking price, and knowing what the seller wants gives you scope to negotiate.

Thank you Jim, that’s very helpful x

Thank you Jim, that’s very helpful x

Hello Sharon, an NIE is just like an NI number in UK, you need it to buy anything of any value; car, house, fridge, phone contract etc, links you to the tax system and it doesn't matter who gets it for you and it doesn't commit you to anything. You could get one, decide not to buy anything and that will be that. Ask them how much they are going to charge for getting it but, having been through it myself, I would contact Uma at getlegalinspain.com, she really is a lovely Spanish lady who speaks perfect English and can cut through the cr*p for you. Have a look at her website to see what she can help you with.
The estate agent will also recommend a solicitor (abogado), possibly telling you that everything will go much smoother, quicker and easier if you use them, DON'T! Get your own independent one who will be looking out for your best interests, not the estate agent's.
Estate agents are not regulated here (apart from voluntary regulation) and their methods can be questionable at times. They are consummate sales people, not your friends, and they are being paid handsomely by the vendor to sell their property and are therefore not very likely to tell you anything which is likely to put you off buying.
If there is any likelihood that you will be wanting to rent your property out when you are not here, there are very strict laws regarding Tourist Licences and you will need one even if just renting to friends and family for a minimal fee. The main bathroom will have to be 4.5 m2 minimum, it will not get a licence in what the Town Hall considers to be residential areas and never take the word of the estate agent that "Next door has got one and it is exactly the same" as the Town Hall may have decided that there are enough tourist lets in that area and will no longer issue them. It is taking a minimum of 8 months to get a licence.
What you see in summer could be totally different in winter, and vice versa, but if you only really want to use it in summer, that won't be a problem butlLike any resort in the UK, things can get very quiet and bars and restaurants can close down out of season.
If you search this site for Jim's Guides under Everywhere, you will find some very helpful guides from Jim, and others, including a very helpful guide for hiring a car from UKHandyMan4Hire and tourist lets from DaveBev1.
The Costa Blanca suffers from flash flooding. Most of the entire annual rainfall arrives on just a handful of days a year, the soil is slow draining and roads become torrents as the water finds its way downhill to the sea or the lakes. It won't last long but it can be very damaging to property. Have a google!
There are hundreds of all types of property for sale all the time so don't believe the urgency the estate agent will use as pressure for you to put down a deposit, usually €3,000, as this is non-refundable. I, personally, would never consider buying off plan as there is no guarantee the builder won't go bust and even if your property is finished, it doesn't mean that the infrastructure will be completed.
If you don't want to hire a car every time you visit, familiarize yourself with bus timetables and routes and again, don't accept what the agent tells you.
If you find a property you like, visit it at different times of day. Are the neighbouring properties guarded by dogs who bark non-stop, at midnight is there music pumping out from local bars, is the property secure with grilles on all the windows? Don't be lulled into a false sense of security with gated communities as yes, there may be gates at the entrances but then low walls all around the perimeter and the type of things they are after don't need a removal lorry.
If you decide to use a key-holder make sure they are registered and legal (Fincas Inland have a very good reputation) otherwise you risk being fined heavily if caught using cash in hand operators, spurious repair bills and even having them rent your property out when they know you will not be there.
As non-residents you will have to pay non-resident's tax on your property and ongoing costs will include IBI (Council tax), rubbish charges,  standing monthly charges for water, electric and bank charges and holiday home insurance but you can get pay as you go deals for internet and TV.
You may want to consider giving your Abogado Power of Attorney to deal with things when you are in UK as this is very common and I haven't heard anything negative connected with this practice.
Please don't think I am trying to put you off because this is a beautiful place to have a holiday home or live full-time but if I was just starting the process myself, my first port of call would be Uma at getlegalinspain.
Enjoy your trip but keep your wits about you. All the very best.

Hi Sharon

It feels like a very big mountain to climb when you first plan your journey and planning is the key!

It is actually just as difficult for agents too. Ideally, they have no preconceived idea about you and your needs and possibly even your budget!

So my advice to you is to do what I did. Write it all down... what do I want and what do I need - two very different things!

Start with your budget, your upper budget too! Think about how much space you need, what is the property for (I mean permanent living or holiday let?) you need to factor in the 'outdoor living lifestyle' that I actually missed through my considerations!

Location? Views? Pool? Bars and Restaurants? English or Spanish speaking? Campo (countryside) Urbanisation, Town or City? School?

Having done all my brain dumping I then wrote about me and my family, it made me think about our needs.

Then I revisited my original list and modified it to the real world situation.

Then I wrote it all down, like a CV about my family, budget (ish!) and my desires both MUST haves (non-negotiable) and my Likes (Nice to haves)

From my 4 bed villa with infinity pool by the sea, on a plot of 10,000sqM close to a school, with mains electricity and water and amenities close by, all for 200K....  I ended up in the mountains!!! Ha Ha

In all seriousness, write it all down and then its easier to send to agents. It helps you and it guides them. With something more specific you are also able to work out if the agent has listened to your needs and done you a good service.

Hope it helps!

With regards to obtaining your NIE, tell each estate agent that you use that you do not have the NIE yet, if you choose a property to buy through them then the estate agent will move heaven and earth to obtain the NIE for you, otherwise they will lose the sale!

I’d advise you tell them this when you first meet them, that’s way they will know that if they want to sell to you, they will need to arrange the NIE. We did exactly this whenever purchasing our home, they took us down to the issuing office and fast tracked us through, even translating for us when needed!

Cheryl, thank you this is really great info.. feel sick lol x

Thank you handy man x

Thank you Steve, x