Spain - A perfect destination?

[DirectEstates]

Did you know that Spain is the ‘hottest' place for buying property in the world today? Everything about Spain is beautiful; the people, the culture, the heritage buildings, the gorgeous beaches, stunning vistas and almost 340 days of uninterrupted sunshine! So it's not really hard to figure out why Brits voted for Spain as one of their favorite property buying destinations and not to mention that buying affordable Spanish property is not limited to the rich and famous anymore.

With 30% lower cost of living than in Britain, buying affordable Spanish property is now a reality. What's more, with the interest rates in Europe at an all time low, there is no better time to invest in buying your dream home in the land of Dali and Gaudi, than now!

However, before you jump on the next flight out to Spain on a hunt for your property remember that like in Britain the property laws are not without their twist and turns. Moreover, if you do not have good knowledge about the geography of the country and are unfamiliar with the language, don't let this slow you down. Buying affordable Spanish property is easy when you have Spanish property experts helping you locate the best property that meets all your requirements. By working with a highly experienced property agent in Spain you will save both, your time and money.

Some of you may be anxious to know if buying affordable Spanish property is a tough task !! The good news is that with the right guidance and some research, buying your dream home in Spain is quite easy. Due to the booming real estate market, thanks to many Brits who have relocated to Spain, there are many ready or ‘under construction' properties available for new homebuyers. On the flip side, just like in UK, you need to be prepared for any hiccups in the buying process. In order to better protect yourself, it's vital that you gather as much information as possible thereby preventing yourself from being taken for a ride or getting involved in any legal tangle.

But there is no real reason to worry. Buying affordable Spanish property is not a difficult proposition. The whole process is just a little different than in UK. Two things which may slow down the buying or investment process are – the different legal terms and names and the fact that all the paperwork is in Spanish. Don't press the panic button just yet, because you can have all the contracts and other important documents translated into English and/or hire the services of established and reputable property dealing agents so that you are totally aware of what you have signed for. After all it's your hard earned money!

Another thing which you should be aware of is that you may not get floor plans along with defined room sizes for the property you may buy. Giving out floor plans and room sizes is not a norm in Spanish real estate market, unless of course you are purchasing a new and developing property.

Though all this may lead you to believe that buying affordable Spanish property is a difficult prospect, remember that the benefits of your investment will definitely outweigh any such issues.

Moreover, if you are considering buying affordable Spanish property for your personal use, then you have much to look forward to. Visualize waking up to the gentle music of the ocean waves lapping the shore, and going to sleep after watching a brilliant sunset as it disappears behind the horizon. Also imagine walking with your partner on the beach, hand-in-hand and enjoy the sea breeze as it takes away all your troubles.

Direct Estates Calahonda

[Goldberg Global]

Give a balanced picture

1. Spain is great place to live and retire.
2. Spain is not a good place to work and earn for many people with families. You can earn double triple the money in the uk.

[Magellan]

You also forget to mention that most locations foreign buyers would be interested in are hardly that affordable anymore, at least for your average retiree. And any foreigner who needs to work will have a very tough time.

[Goldberg Global]

Mag, you forget Timbuktoo, it is very affordable and the coconuts that come off the trees are free.

Shark soup for lunch and locust and catapiller pie for dinner.

Hey things overseas are a damn site cheaper than England or certainly London and the SE.

Spain still cheaper, actually most places are.

[DirectEstates]

I have lived here for 10 years and I have not found life hard at all, there is plenty of work out there for people prepared to actually work, nothing is for free, we all have to work for a living..........

[Magellan]

Shark soup is actually quite good but I think you would have a hard time getting it in Timbuktu, which happens to be in Mali - a landlocked country

Indeed, most places are cheaper than the UK, but quite frankly I think Spain is way overpriced for property at the moment. And, yes you can find work (I have worked there before) but from my experience a large number of expats - who don't speak the language and are not sitting on a pile of cash or a large pension - struggle to make ends meet.

That said, Spain is a great country to live in. I just don't think the picture is quite as rosy as DirectEstates claims.

[Aegean]

Who are trying to kid? Ask yourself why they are selling - if they can't make a living they are just cutting and running and expecting some thick idiot to come along and buy in the hope that in the years to come everything will pick up.

The market has a long way to go down before it goes up.

Good luck - you never know you may find a gullible person who will buy into you nonsense.

[Vicens_Ash]

It's as rosey as you want to make it, really. If you think you can earn what you could in England, then you've got another thing coming - unless you set up your own business. In my opinion there is still a lot of business opportunity in Spain, as I know many people who still go back to the UK on shopping sprees to get what they can't here.

Yes, the language is a barrier, if you don't give it a go but there are always people on hand to help or if you've got a pair of your own - you get on with it and see that the necessary vocabulary that you need for your line of work, will come with time and use.

I have seen a lot of young family's who have come here and got themselves a mortgage, basing the payments on their old 'UK' wages. They have not pulled out the stops to make the effort (by keeping themselves within the English communities) and later have come unstuck and are having to sell. But that's only one category / type of people.

Then you get those who have come out here and taken the bull by the horns and are on a nice little number.

At the end of the day it's their choice how they want to handle the situation on arrival. If the sun and cheap alcohol gets to them first, usually they fall into category 'abandon ship'.

Magellan is right in saying that (a lot of) property is overpriced for today's Spanish market but on the other hand, people / sellers are just getting used to the idea that foreigners are'nt as green anymore (thanks to internet) and won't pay demanded prices AND now there is a lot more / choice on the market than there was between 1999 - 2004. So, if it's harder to get a mortgage and if there is more selection, prices are going to come down because competition between sellers is becoming more fierce.