Buying a house in Spain

Do you dream of buying a house in Spain? We understand you. Imagine having your own place to travel to with a lush Mediterranean garden and perhaps a swimming pool, just a few hours' flight away. Keep reading and we'll tell you how to find the best place to buy a house in Spain, how the buying process usually works and go through the tips and rules to make sure your house purchase in Spain is without pitfalls.

Finding the best place to buy a house in Spain

Do you prefer to live in a city, with modern infrastructure and all the services you need, or are you looking for a quieter life in the countryside? Is your dream home in a traditional "whitewashed village" in the mountains, or do you want a townhouse near the golf course, or a modern villa in a private residential area? There is no obvious answer if you ask us, each option has its own particular advantages and charm. But it's important to find out what your preferences and desires are to make the picture of your dream home as clear as possible. Start by answering these questions:

• Do you want to live in a central location close to restaurants, services and healthcare?
• Is it most important to live close to the coast and beach?
• Do you want to live on the outskirts of the city, or in a small village if you are looking for peace and quiet?
• Do you want to live in an area with the local population or would you rather have neighbors of your own nationality?
• Do you dream of a sea view?
• Is it important to live near a golf course or other leisure activity?
• Do you want to do without a car?
• Will you be staying on a yearly basis or just for short periods?
• Do you plan to rent out your house?
• How big property do you need? What are your intentions for the apartment/house?

Where to buy your house in Spain

If you prefer a slightly cooler climate, it's probably best to look for houses in the northern parts of the country. Further inland, you have the capital city of Madrid and beautiful scenery with lots of high mountains and plateaus. The heat here can be oppressive in the summer but cooler in the winter. If you are looking for houses in these regions of Spain, you need to look at how the house is constructed, whether it is adapted for the cold and damp of the winter months or just designed to keep the house cool during the hottest time of the year. More often than not, houses are built to keep them cool in the summer, so it's a good idea to check out different heating options so you're well prepared when the cold comes.

But most likely you are looking for the Spain that is most representative of us Swedes - a Mediterranean climate with warm temperatures and mild winters. And then it is probably in one of these two areas that you should look for: Costa del Sol, the Spanish sunshine coast, or Costa Blanca. With its 300 days of sunshine and miles of coastline, it's no wonder you want to buy a house here. If you choose to buy a house in Torrevieja, Fuengirola or Marbella, you are both close to city life with a wide range of restaurants and cafes, but at the same time close to natural areas, golf course and beach. If you are instead looking for an area with a quieter pace, Nerja and Estepona are nice options. Whether you want to buy a villa or a townhouse in Spain, always start by contacting us. Tell us about your wishes and we will return shortly and start the journey together towards your dream home.

Good advice and tips for buying a house

You have decided that it is a house you want. It's tempting to have your own garden, perhaps with orange and lemon trees, fresh figs and beautiful plants. Or that you need the extra space to accommodate family and friends. Maybe you will be working from your house in Spain and will spend most of the year here. You probably find a house more peaceful and private than living in an apartment. Whatever the reason for buying a house in Spain, there are a few things to consider as a prospective homeowner.

A house usually means more to take care of than an apartment, as you also have a facade, roof and a garden to consider. And in many cases, the house also has a pool. A great luxury to have, of course, but it is an additional cost and requires work, usually several times a week to keep it clean and fresh.

A house should also not be left empty for long periods. If you are only going to use it for certain parts of the year, it may be worth checking the rules for renting in your region. It can also be good to have a local contact who can assist and keep an eye on the house and who may have keys in case something happens. A regular gardener can also be useful to make the house look cared for to those passing by. Installing lights that come on at certain times of the day is also a good investment so that the house doesn't look unoccupied.

If you are going to use your house in Spain as a holiday home and still be registered in Sweden, you can carry out renovations on site in Spain and use your Swedish root deduction. The hourly rate for craftsmen in Spain is considerably cheaper than the hourly rate in Sweden, and this may be worth bearing in mind if you buy a house in slightly poorer condition that will require some renovation.

If you are newly retired or are a family with children who want to change environment for a year or two and are thinking of moving to Spain permanently, then our guides moving to Spain and living in Spain can give you good advice.

Spanish house buying rules - how it works

Buying a house in Spain differs in several ways from buying a house in Sweden. Be well prepared for what applies before you start looking for the right house. Read up on the actual buying process, but also make sure that you know what financial resources you have and need before buying a house in Spain. The step-by-step process, from financing to taking possession, can be found under Buying a home in Spain.

It is good to know that you cannot take out a mortgage in Sweden with your new house in Spain as security. If you need to take out a mortgage, you do so in Spain, in euros, and you normally borrow up to 50-70% of the price of the property. This means that when you buy an apartment in Spain, you must have at least 30% of the sales price in cash deposit. We can help you with mediation of bank contact and of course answer other financial questions you may have.

Upon taking possession, it is the seller's responsibility to leave the property in the condition and with the installations and licenses specified in the purchase agreement. Often furniture, appliances and fittings are included when you buy a second-hand house in Spain, but if you buy a new build, it may be completely empty and lacking in appliances. Also, keep in mind that there is no requirement for removal cleaning in Spain, which can be a big surprise for some buyers.