Residential Information on Buying Abroad

1. The Company
2. Choosing A Property
3. Using An Agent
4. Viewing
5. Making An Offer
6. Appointing A Solicitor
7. Holding Deposit
8. Option to Buy
9. Completion
10. The Costs
11. Who Pays
12. Areas Covered

From the first enquiry to the purchase of your home and indeed beyond, we are here to walk you through the normal problems and red tape you will encounter when buying a property in a foreign country. We understand buying a property abroad can be a pretty nerve racking experience and needs careful preparation and planning. With this in mind please feel free to contact us at any time regarding any questions or queries you may have about any aspect of living in Spain or buying a property here.

Goulbourn Associates is jointly managed by Lynette Goulbourn and Bill Peterkin, who between them have a wealth of experience in the ever changing real estate market on the Costa del Sol. We feel confident that the services we provide are all you will need to achieve a smooth and uneventful relocation to Spain.
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2. Choosing a property

It may seem tempting to buy privately, but in every circumstance we would recommend the use of an agent, who can be extremely useful to the purchaser. The agent is in a position to offer the potential purchaser a wide choice of properties and can often provide "The Perfect Solution". If he does not directly have the client's requirements, he is often able to "Network" with other agents.

3. Using an Agent

Choose your agent carefully. Make sure they are fully registered and have the necessary experience to help you through the process of acquiring your property in Spain. Please remember a "Bonafide" agent will not charge the purchaser for his services, his fees being paid as a commission by the vendor.
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4. Viewing

Discuss with your agent the properties that he considers may interest you. Make a short list and arrange to view. Depending on the number we would recommend that you do this over a number of days. Take a camera with you, or even better a video camera and paper and pen to make any notes or comments. Be frank with your agent, tell him if you don't like what he is showing you. If there is a property you particularly like, go back and take another look. Unlike the UK it is unusual to have a structural survey carried out, so have a very good look around. At this stage for you there may be a language barrier in that you are unable to talk directly to the vendor. If you have any questions about the property make sure you get a satisfactory answer from your agent.

5. Making an offer

If you decide to purchase a property, the first step is to make a verbal offer. We would advise you to do this through your agent. The offer may often be below the asking price, and it is normal for negotiations to take place before an agreement is reached.

6. Appointing a solicitor

To formalise your offer you will need to appoint a solicitor. He should be fluent in your language. We are directly associated with a company of solicitors who we have no hesitation in recommending. Your solicitor will make all the necessary checks to ensure that all is in order with the property that you intend to purchase and that it is free of debt.
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7. The holding deposit

After the price is agreed and all the necessary checks have been carried out by your solicitor, you may be asked to pay a small holding deposit to take the property off the market. This deposit is normally refundable if the purchase is not completed.

8. Option to buy(reservation contract)

The signing of the option to buy would normally take place anytime up to 10 days after the formal offer of acceptance has been made. This gives the solicitor the opportunity to carry out a complete search of the property. This contract would set out all agreed terms and conditions of the purchase, and state a date for completion. At this stage you will be required to pay a 10% deposit which is NON REFUNDABLE if you do not complete by the agreed date.

9. Completion.

On the agreed date, both parties (the buyer and seller or their appointed agents) will attend the office of the notary public. Your solicitor will be present to explain in detail the procedure. You will sign the "Escritura de Compraventa" (the title deed), which will state that the property is sold free of debt and with vacant possession. Note that the Notary Public does not check the details of the purchase but only confirms that each party has agreed them. Payment in full is made at this stage normally via a banker's draft or guaranteed bank cheque and at this stage possession of the property passes to the purchaser.
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10. The Costs

There are 3 fees to pay: Solicitors fees, Notary fees and Property registration fees.

Additionally there are 2 taxes to pay: Transfer tax(ITP) and "Plus Valia"

Solicitors Fees - Normally around 1% of the purchase price plus I.V.A.(Spanish equivalent of V.A.T.)

Notary Fees - Fixed by law. Normally in the range €300.00 to €900.00

Registry Fees - Normally around 40% of the Notary fees

Plus Valia - Local Authority tax on the increased value of the land that the property stands on

Transfer Tax - 7% of the purchase price or 7% IVA +0.5% Stamp Duty when purchasing a new property from a developer.

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11. Who pays?

Apart from the Plus Valia the purchaser is responsible for the above fees and taxes. In some cases the vendor may wish the purchaser to pay the Plus Valia as well, so make sure you understand what you are paying for. As a rule of thumb, if you allow 10% of the purchase price for fees and taxes you wont be far wrong. In any event we will provide you with a comprehensive estimate of the costs before you proceed.

12. Areas covered

The Costa Del Sol stretches from Nerja in the north down to the border with Gibraltar in the South. a distance of some 200 miles. For obvious reasons we are not able to directly specialise in the entire coastline, but we do network with other agents the entire length of the Costa. Our expertise lies in the area around Benalmádena Costa and Benalmádena Pueblo and includes Torremolinos, Arroyo de la Miel, Mijas, Mijas Costa and Fuengirola. For country properties we operate in and around the following towns: Churriana, Alhaurin de la Torre, Alhaurin el Grande, Coin, Estacion de Cartama, Cartama Pueblo, Pizzara and Alora. Most of the properties in these areas are within 30 minutes of the coast and Malaga International Airport.

Torremolinos

		The original little fishing village turned into one of the most well known resorts in the world. Only 5 minutes drive from Malaga airport, this is a sleepy town during the day with miles of un-spoit beaches like "Bajondillo". There is a very good shopping centre and a tremendous number of bars and restaurants serving an entire range of international cuisine. One area in particular, the "Carihuela" is famous for its fish restaurants.
On the outskirts of the town is the "Aquapark" with all kinds of fun water rides together with the compulsory bars and restaurants. This makes an excellent family day out. At night Torremolinos comes alive with its never-ending nightlife. All in all a resort that caters for all tastes.

Benalmádena Costa

		Just a few minutes down the coast is the charming town of Benalmádena Costa, the jewel of this part of the coast. Like Torremolinos there are miles of unspoilt beaches but there the similarity ends. This is an entirely different resort. It features a splendid purpose built marina with all the necessary support and infrastructure. i.e. International bars, restaurants, discos and music bars. A very sheek and upmarket area. Away from the bustle of the coast the town is more tranquil and relaxed.
There are many quiet residential areas and this older part of town is a mixture of new developments alongside tastefully refurbished commercial and residential properties. There has been an enormous investment in raising the standard of the town with miles of new pavements, extensive tree planting programs, and a beautiful new park. There is something for everybody here in this truly cosmopolitan town.

Arroyo de la Miel
This bustling but unspoiled little town lies about a mile back from the coast behind Benalmádena Costa although you would think they are one place as one runs into the other. Known locally as "Little England" this area boasts a huge ex-pat population. There is an old feel about the town with a good selection of shops stretching along the high street. There are many bars and restaurants and residents and tourists alike enjoy dining "alfresco" in the evenings whilst watching the world go by. There is a small amusement park called "Tivoli World" and a breath taking cable car ride to the nearby mountains. Again there has been much investment by the Local Authority in improving infrastructure and local amenities. There is a very good local market every Friday morning. The housing here is varied, with a very good selection of apartments, town-houses, semis and detached properties in and out of town.

Benalmádena Pueblo
Nestling in the foothills of the coastal mountains, this is the typical "white" Spanish village, there are no high rise blocks here. This totally unspoiled sleepy village enjoys stunning views over the nearby coastline. With its quaint cobbled streets and excellent restaurants this is the place to be if you are looking for the quiet life. Around the area are many quiet urbanisation's where you can find a complete range of properties from the smallest apartment to the largest villa.

Fuengirola
There has been tremendous growth in this coastal town over the past 20 years. It is a complete mixture from the small back streets to the busy promenade that runs the entire length of the resort. The area boasts a local zoo, an aqua park, several world class golf courses, excellent hotels and many top quality bars and restaurants. There is a small picturesque marina and excellent beaches. In town there are many high rise apartment blocks, the area being very developed. In the surrounding districts there are many small developments with a full range of new and pre-owned property being available.
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