Welcome to Che, who specialise in properties on the Costa de la Luz

We operate with a slightly different outlook to other real estate companies. We are very relaxed towards selling and prefer to look at our role as helping people to find the right property rather than one that suits the estate agent. We would not encourage anybody to buy anything that we are not happy with. We offer a direct no-nonsense approach with straightforward honest advice.

Your guide to purchasing a property in Spain

Before you have decided on a property in Spain it is important to be fully aware of the legal process and costs involved in your property purchase. We can take care of all aspects relating to your purchase, keeping you fully informed along the way.

Appointing a Fiscal representative, solicitor(abogado)

Whilst it is not necessary to have a solicitor to purchase a house in Spain, it is highly recommended. They will be able to check out any outstanding debts which exist on the property as well as help with contracts and NIE numbers. You are free to appoint a solicitor of your choice, or if you prefer we can recommend one.

NIE number (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjeros).

It is essential to have an NIE number for any financial dealings that you may have in Spain. You will obtain this number from the national police station.This is a simple process and you need to supply a photocopy of your passport. The NIE number takes 4 days to obtain and we strongly advise you to apply for one as soon as you arrive in Spain .

Applying for a Bank Account

It is necessary to have a Spanish Bank account to purchase a property in Spain . We can help you to open an account at the bank of your choice.

Applying for a Mortgage

You can choose to apply for a mortgage in Spain or from the UK. Mortgage rates in Spain tend to be lower than those in the UK and are currently around 3.5%. Applying for a mortgage in Spain is a straight forward process, as in the UK. You will need to prove that you have an income or sufficient funds to pay the mortgage. The level of mortgage offered is directly dependent on your financial status and also the declared value of the property that you wish to purchase. There are generally two levels of mortgage offered, one for residents and one for non-residents. For non-residents the mortgage offered is generally around 60% of the declared value, for residents it is usually around 80% of the declared value of the property.

Purchasing a Property

Step 1: Once you have decided on the property that you wish to purchase and the terms and conditions have been negotiated with the vendor, we will then carry out all necessary searches on the property in the land registry ; to ensure that it is owned by the vendor, it has planning permission, there are no outstanding debts or charges on the property and other legal encumbrances.

Step 2: A private contract has to be signed between both parties and a deposit of 10% of the purchase price is required to secure the property and as official confirmation of your intent to purchase that property. The remaining 90% is payable on the signing of the title deeds before the Notary.

Step 3: Once the searches on the property are satisfactorily completed and the deposit has been paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, the title deeds are signed by both the buyer and the seller before the Notary. The Notary (Notaria): This is a solicitor appointed by the Spanish government to witness the signing of all legal public documents. In this case the title deeds (escritura publica) of the property. He represents both the buyer and the seller. The original signed document is retained by the Notary who will apply for a formal change in the land registry. The purchaser will receive an initial legal copy of the title deed which is signed and stamped by the Notary. The official title deed can take a while to be processed and until then this is your official proof of ownership and must be kept in a secure place.

Purchase Costs

We recommend that you allow a sum of around 10% of the price of the property to cover payment of purchasing fees e.g. land registry fees, notary fees, legal fees and taxes.

1. Transfer Tax: This is paid by the purchaser and is a standard 7% tax applied to the declared value of the property. This tax must be paid within 30 days of signing the title deed.

2. Plus Valia (land/capital gains tax): This is generally paid by the owner when they sell the property.

3. Notary, Land Registry and Legal Fees: 2.8 % of the declared value of the property.

4. Real estate agent´s commission fee: Our commission fee is 2.5 % of the sale price from the buyer side.

Rates: This is like the old English rates system and is based on the declared value of the property. The average price paid is around 120 Euros per year.

Community Fees: These are payable yearly and the average price is 360 Euros per year. These are paid in respect of services, i.e. street lighting, refuse collection and police.

Water: If your property has a mains supply, there is a standard charge for water which is approximately 12 Euros payable every 3 months. The charges for consumption are in addition to this.

Electricity: This is very dependent on how much you consume. There is a standard charge of around 12 Euros payable every 2 months and then a charge for consumption in addition to this.

Telephone: The standard charge for a telephone line installation from Telephonica is around 180 Euros. The line rental and call charges are then payable every 2 months.

We are at your service right up until you have the key to your new property in your hand, providing the following services:

- legal proceedings

- bank and administrative transactions

- translation service English-Spanish

- introduce you to an English speaking legal solicitor, if required

- construction management for house renovations and new developments

I Home I Properties I Guide-Buying Property I Construction management I