How to buy in Spain: step-by-step

If you are considering buying a property in Spain then it’s wise to do your research. In this guide we take you through the buying process from start to finish and explain each stage and what you can expect. 

We will be expanding on some sections of this article too in future. Even though it’s a comprehensive guide we are keen to hear of any questions we don’t answer. Let us know if you would like more information about any aspect of this mini handbook. 

Buying in Spain

Are you thinking of taking out a mortgage?

If you are then you should read this article to check on what questions you should ask of the mortgage lender. Taking out a mortgage is now  easier than it was a few years ago, but you still need to be aware.

Clarify your mortgage clauses

Solar energy – its rise and fall in Spain

We’ve had a few queries from readers about the status of solar energy in Spain. It’s not particularly a specialism of Ábaco’s but we have pooled our ideas and done some research. Hopefully you’ll find this interesting:

The rise and fall of solar energy in Spain

Camino de Santiago

Following our last newsletter  one of our readers suggested that we write about the Camino de Santiago. This famous and well-trodden route is very popular and accessible whether you want to commit to the full trek or just a section of it. Caroline Clinton, who works in our customer care department, has walked along the route and writes in Spain Explained about her experience:

The Camino de Santiago

Understanding insurance in Spain

Finding yourself the best insurance deal can be a bit of a minefield. Brokers aren’t always what they seem and there are differences to the way in which insurance is handled here.

In this article from Money Saver Spain, there are some good tips linked to different types of insurance:

Insurance Do’s and Don’ts in Spain

In our article from Spain Explained, we cover some general points that you should be aware of:

Understanding insurance in Spain

Is this the most luxurious villa in the Costa del Sol?

We’ve no doubt that there’s plenty of competition, but at the moment this would seem to be taking the lead with its 12 bedrooms and front line beach position. Apparently this villa featured too in the X factor:

12 bedroom villa for sale - rightmove.co.uk

A bar on every corner...

...and on every straight stretch of road it seems. In this article in Think Spain we’re reminded just how extensive Spain’s café/bar culture is.

Spain has more bars per inhabitant than any other EU country, study shows

It’s also worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with Think Spain’s new layout. This website has always published a large number of news items, but the format was not particularly attractive. Now, they have spruced it up and the articles are much more accessible and organised into different categories. 

Improving the IKEA experience

The fact remains that it has some good furniture at a reasonable price – even if you have to assemble it yourself. However, buying there is not always the most relaxing or enjoyable of experiences. There are ways you can make it all just a little easier. Money Saver Spain share a few of their ideas:

Top Tips to Save Time and Money at Ikea

Of particular interest is this website ‘yo voy por ti’ in which you can pay for a service that includes going to IKEA picking up your order, delivering it to your home and even assembling it, if you like. It sounds a very good alternative to the rather expensive online service that IKEA offer:

www.yovoyporti.com

How much trouble can an ant cause?

Quite a lot when an ant got into the case of The Lady of Elche statue. The Lady of Elche is a fifth century sculpture that has been controversially housed in a Madrid Museum. 

Now the ant has made an appearance inside the apparently airtight case and Valencia, and Elche in particular, are asking that the historic treasure be returned to where it was first discovered. Could this be the most infamous ant in the world? 

Why the Lady and the ant is no joke for Spain’s Valencia region

Good advice on dining out and keeping cool

It’s The Local  who have published this good advice about how not to upset your hosts when dining out:

Ten things NEVER to do when dining in Spain

In this Top Ten they share ideas for Spanish food and drinks to help keep your cool:

Top Spanish treats to keep you cool this summer

Have you ever taken part in a food fight?

Most people have at some point in their lives, but chances are that it is no way as big as this one. The Tomatina is a relatively new fiesta that has become extremely popular, particularly with foreigners. Rolling around in tonnes of ripe tomatoes might not be to everyone’s taste but it certainly makes interesting viewing:

IN PICS: This is what the world's biggest food fight looks like

To watch a short video:

Revellers hurl tomatoes in Spanish 'Tomatina' festival

A long haul traveller

Making the journey from Spain to Sweden is a regular occurrence for many of our readers. However, just imagine making that journey if you were a willow warbler weighing only 8 grams!

These are apparently the statistics belonging to a frequent flyer who managed to complete a journey of 2,400 kilometres in 10 days.  The Local tells us more about this bird’s extraordinary journey:

This tiny bird just flew 2,400 km from southern Spain to Sweden at a 'spectacular' speed

A park to explore

Of the many visitors to Madrid how many stop by one of its lesser known treasures - the Retiro park? It’s actually a beautiful park for strolling around with many features to snap and its an oasis of cool and calm in the centre of Spain’s capital.

El País provides some of the background to this stunning summer retreat which, of course, is just as beautiful all year round:

Madrid’s Retiro: the place to beat a slow retreat from the August heat

Transplants – Spain innovates

Transplant surgery continues to be a feather in Spain’s cap. Organ donation in Spain at the point of death is 85% - a high figure that has led to other countries studying Spanish practice.

Now it looks as though Spain are innovating again with a predictive tool for compatibility:

Transplant donor compatibility predictive tool invented in Córdoba

A unique office view

Well, how about this for office space? I really wouldn’t fancy this personally but there are no doubt advantages. No casual callers, junk post, in fact it’s unlikely you’d get any post at all! Apparently this is called parasite architecture and it’s come to Valencia:

Parasite architecture: inside the self-built studio hanging under a bridge in Valencia

What interests you?

We would welcome any suggestions for future themes you would like us to cover either in the newsletter or in an article on Spain Explained.

Please let us know by email at newsletter@abacoadvisers.com.

Thank you!