AnnaDanishek

We are so in love with Spain that after the 9th trip my family has made a decision to buy a holiday home there. But what city should we choose? We have about €100K, that’s not a lot. According to https://tranio.com/traniopedia/tips/...golf_in_spain/ we can afford only a one-bedroom flat in Alicante, but we eager to live in a detached house! Could you advise us something?

sparkchaser

You better do your research before even considering buying a place. And when you decided you are serious, you're going to need a very good real estate agent and attorney that specializes in real estate to make sure you can actually own the property. The intertubes are full of horror stories of foreigners buying real estate in Spain.

kimhe

Plenty of possibilities in the beautiful Axarquia region, east of Malaga city (with a huge international airport).
http://www.rusticblue.com/andalucia_...a_axarquia.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xbWyNGEc7c

Properties in Axarquia:
http://www.axarquiaproperties.com/
http://www.sunsetproperties-spain.com/
http://www.simplyandalucia.com/prope...-axarquia.aspx

About Malaga city: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

AnnaDanishek

Thanks! I know that Spain is extremely popular with Britons, but I didn't know any bad stories...

Rubicund

There are lots of stories about people buying property, only to find that the original builder didn't apply for planning permission and the property was then demolished. You also need to understand that costs of purchase amount to about 10% of the purchase price, so €100,000 would need €110,000, legals fees etc.

Always get a legal representative who speaks your language and be very careful about from whom you buy. Don't buy a place from the guy in a bar who assures you that if you give him a deposit of 10% cash then he'll see his legal guy tomorrow.

The attorney is called an "Abogado" IIRC, "Abogada" if female.

Alec

Buy a book on Amazon about property purchase in Spain. Always appoint your own lawyer/gestor, not the one 'recommended' by the seller or working for a property company.

Bedar

We all love Spain, but we find it inadvisable to buy property there now. Not only are there crooked real estate agents, attorneys, and notarios but also you must investigate all the TAXES involved in owning property. Not a pretty picture. We have owned many properties over many, many years but now wouldn't take any for nothing, no matter where. Have a look at theolivepress.es and theentertaineronline.com. for more information. Also Google Leonard Prior Spain for info on a spectacular horror story which has been splashed over the newspapers and tv in Europe. That case began in 2008 and is ongoing. Better to rent.

ribeirasacra

***That case began in 2008 and is ongoing***
.....it has just finished.
http://www.lavozdealmeria.es/Noticia...ibo-de-su-casa
There could a few properties that will be deemed illegal, and the Spanish have also been taken in by this. However the amount deemed illegal is very small compared with the amount built. The Priors managed to shout the loudest.
Many purchase second homes, many choose to live in Spain. I have done. But you have to do your homework.
You should read some expat forums (or find Facebook pages) about purchasing property, things like, getting a fiscal number, local taxes you have to pay each year, an apartment will have charges for services each year, National taxes (yes income tax) on the property. The government like to think you rent it out when it is empty. And if you do you must know the laws regarding that too.
If you are not an EU citizen you will have to pay a slight increase in your taxes and in bank charges. If you are an EU citizen then you pay the same as a Spaniard. Maybe it would be better to employ a gestoria after you have purchased a property. They can do your tax returns and set up payments from your bank account. deal with things locally.
This is not every bit of advise I can give you but it is a start.
Read this.
https://www.angloinfo.com/costa-blanca
Here are some websites to find your "dream" vacation home.
http://www.fotocasa.es/es
http://www.idealista.com/
http://www.ventadepisos.com/
https://www.kyero.com/es/

Bedar

No, Ribeira, the ayuntamiento has just filed an appeal to lower the compensation. It will be at least another year before this is settled.

IMDonehere

This has been most edifying.