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When we went to buy a house in Spain, we were warned on all sides. Beware. You always have to pay a deposit and you don’t get the money back. The information is not correct. Many estate agents know nothing about the property, they drive the wrong way to the property and they only go along because they want to make money. Dad pressed us, pay attention. And at the same time he said, ‘Okay, you guys are realtors yourselves and you know what you’re doing.’ We made sure we gathered the right people around us. People we knew from the Netherlands and whom we trust. We looked up all the necessary information. And bought a house. Quite impulsively. That is. So quickly that we couldn’t even issue a power of attorney. The Dutch real estate agent we had assured us that we could also issue that power of attorney in the Netherlands. Alas, that meant another trip back to Spain.
We had read up well, as realtors know quite a bit about construction. Have good insight into yield calculations and into possible remodeling and styling options. We arranged the right people around us and with our Dutch speed we bought a house within a day.
Buying a house on the Costa Blanca is an exciting adventure, but also a process full of pitfalls. Here at Gusto Casa Spain, we want to make this process as smooth as possible for you. As a boutique estate agency with a wealth of experience in the Netherlands, we bring the same personal attention and expertise to Spain. But why would you actually hire a buying agent? Let us take you through our approach and the benefits we offer.
Personal guidance from start to finish
At Gusto Casa Spain, we believe in a personalized approach. We are not just an estate agency; we are your guide through the Spanish housing market. Together with us you will explore the most beautiful places on the Costa Blanca, from the charming old town of Javea to the luxurious villas in Moraira. We’ll help you taste and feel the region, so you can make an informed decision. Which regions are already very good and where are there still opportunities. If you are buying a property as an investment. What are the activities required to rent out a property properly? We give you this information.
Financing and investing
Many of our clients want to know how much they can finance and whether their purchase is a good investment. In Spain you can usually finance 60-70% of the property value. In addition, in Spain you can only finance 35% of your net income. So they also look at the mortgage you already have, other debts and possibly alimony. For the remaining part you can consider increasing your Dutch mortgage or for the entire purchase of a house. So if you want to emigrate, you need savings or surplus value. Do you want to buy a property as an investment? We make return calculations for each property, so you know exactly what to expect.
What does a buying agent cost?
A buying agent is free for you, the buying customer. That doesn’t mean the buying broker doesn’t get paid. It means that the selling broker shares his commission with the buying broker. This does not affect the purchase price of the home. The selling broker agrees on a brokerage fee with the seller in advance. This commission is already fixed whether or not there is a buying broker involved. Because one home is often for sale with several real estate agents, the selling broker is willing to share the commission in order to guarantee a successful sale. We charge a small fee for an entire accompaniment in which we provide guidance from A to Z with return calculations, a tour of the region and an overnight stay. This only applies to homes with a purchase price up to € 250,000. We then charge a purchase fee of € 2,000 for the entire search process and guidance up to the notary.
The process in your favor
Preparation and NIE number: Make sure you have a NIE number before you buy a house. We recommend that you arrange this in advance when you are in Spain and immediately authorize your gestor at the notary. This way you can move quickly. A gestor is really your lifesaver in a bureaucratic country like Spain. We Dutch are not made for waiting around and we don’t know the right entrances. You authorize your gestor and they make sure everything is taken care of. From paying your taxes to arranging a rental license. In Spain, bureaucracy can be a challenge, especially since administrative, legal and tax matters are usually not handled in English. Fortunately, there is the gestor who can help you with that. A gestor works out of a “gestoría” and acts as the link between you and the various Spanish agencies. This takes a lot of red tape, frustration and waiting time out of your hands. The average Spaniard almost always hires a gestor for things like permit applications or tax returns, because they know how complex the Spanish bureaucratic system is.
Research and advice: The attorneys and gestors conduct thorough research on the property. They check ownership papers, outstanding debts and other legal issues. They guide you in opening a Spanish bank account and obtaining all necessary documents.
Negotiation and reservation contract: When you have found your dream home, we start the negotiations. We know the market value and provide a strategic approach. Upon agreement, we draw up a reservation contract and you pay a reservation fee, usually around €5,000 – €6,000. This ensures that the seller removes the property from sale. We will also always have it included in the contract, that if the legal status is not good. The reservation fee will be refunded.
Purchase contract and transfer: The purchase contract is usually signed within 2-3 weeks after the reservation contract, including a 10% deposit. On the day of transfer, we accompany you to the notary and make sure all payments and documents are in order.
Additional services for your convenience
In addition to standard services, we offer additional services. Want an interior design plan? We can arrange it. Need handymen for renovations? We know the best professionals. With our extensive network and local knowledge, we are ready to help you with everything from legal advice to decorating your new home.
At Gusto Casa Spain, buying a home on the Costa Blanca is not just a transaction, but a total experience. We are here to help you find and buy your dream home, stress-free and with full support. Please contact us for a no-obligation consultation. We look forward to working with you to discover the perfect home on the Costa Blanca!
