Estate Agents on the Costa Blanca Spain

Properties for sale or to rent on the Costa Blanca

As a general rule of thumb, newly built properties on the Costa Blanca are generally cheaper than existing or re-sale properties - cheaper still if you buy 'off plan' (before the house has been started). Property prices have rocketed here over the last five - ten years and many fortunate people have found that their properties have grown in value enormously even before they had moved in! Even though the market is now leveling out, a property in Spain is still an extremely good investment. Visit www.villa-angels.com for the latest properties on offer all over the Costa Blanca from Mar Menor to Valencia.

If you prefer a more traditional Spanish style country house called a 'finca', or one of the quaint village houses, the first thing you need to do is check the wiring. Spain has the highest percentage of unsafe wiring in Europe with over 78% of all installations over ten years old in a near lethal state of repair. There are good electricians to be found - as well as some bad ones. Ask to see their qualifications and check to see if they have the appropriate testing equipment. You may have to pay a little extra, but better that than the alternative.

Not many houses are built to include a damp proof course and people often find that after the first winter - and we do have winters here - the paintwork starts peeling and bubbling along the bottom of internal walls. Check with the builder that it is included and if not ask that it be included as an extra. Older houses will not have one, so you may have problems that need to be rectified by a competent builder.

There is no such thing on the Costa Blanca as mains gas. You will need to set up a contract with the local Butane gas company to have it delivered to you. A lorry will then pass by your house once or twice a week to bring you full bottles and collect the empties to be re-filled. You will need to supply the company with a copy of your escritura (deeds) or rental contract plus a copy of your N.I.E. certificate.

Obviously, it should go without saying, when buying a property DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING BEFORE YOU FIRST CHECK IT WITH A LAWYER. So many people have been fleeced by sharks acting as 'estate agents' who have demanded a deposit on a property that either was never for sale in the first place or has so many debts outstanding on it to make it worthless. In Spain all credit is guaranteed against property so if the debt is not paid, a charge is put against the property not the owner. In other words, the owner can disappear with your money and leave all the debts waiting to be settled by the you as the new owner of the property. Ask to see a copy of the 'nota simple', this will tell you if there any large debts lodged against the property as well as the legal size of the dwelling if any illegal extensions have been made to it. It's also a good idea to visit the local town hall (ayuntamiento) to ask if there are any taxes outstanding on the property.

Almost half of all business in Spain is conducted 'under the table' so don't be surprised to find that the amount you are paying for a property is not the amount written in the escritura (title deeds). This is nothing to be concerned about as it is done to save you and the seller significant tax bills. Duty on property sales currently stands at 7% which can add a large chunk to your investment, so it makes sense to declare a smaller amount on all the legal paperwork. Everyone does it and the authorities turn a blind eye as they would rather have some money than none at all if the whole deal were done in cash.

In any case, you need to budget for 10% above the property price to cover you for taxes, legal fees and paperwork.

Happy hunting!

If you would like more information on this topic or any other related to the Costa Blanca visit Costa Blanca World.

Karen Milacic is a graphic and web designer living as a British expat on the Costa Blanca for the past five years. Visit her other web sites at: http://www.villa-angels.com; http://www.thedesignbusiness.co.uk; http://www.costablanca-webhosting.com

---

How to Sell Your Own Home and Save Thousands of Dollars

Most people take the easy way out when selling their... Read More

High Tension for the Buyer and Seller of Real Estate Can Be Reduced

Tensions can run high in both the selling and buying... Read More

How To Build A Million Pound Property Portfolio

Looking to quickly build a million pound property portfolio? You... Read More

Creative Real Estate Investing

With a job that paid $3.40 an hour, I saved... Read More

The Secret to Maximum Real Estate Profits: Lighting

Lighting is the most important detail of interior Design Psychology... Read More

How to Calculate Real Estate Rehab Profits

If you are investing in real estate you will face... Read More

Buying Your First Investment Property

"Begin With The End In Mind"I first heard the phrase... Read More

Take A Shotgun Approach

An effective real estate advertising strategy entails a 'shotgun' approach.... Read More

Find the Right Apartment Quickly and Easily Using an Apartment Locator Service

You've probably seen the ads or heard about apartment locators.... Read More

Investment Real Estate: An Inexpensive Way To Get Started

If you are considering getting involved in investment real estate,... Read More

Home Equity ? Don?t Spend It on Risky Investments

The housing market has exploded in the last five years,... Read More

Escalation Clauses ? A Home Buyers Secret Weapon

Today we discuss escalation clauses because much of the country... Read More

Investing In Commercial Property

Why commercial property?Compared to residential property investments, commercial property offers... Read More

Real Estate Investing: Infomercial and Mentoring Scams

Flipping through late-night infomercials recently, I saw two real estate... Read More

Many Ways To Make Money In Real Estate!

Real Estate is a multi-faceted investment arena - there are... Read More

Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home

In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying... Read More

Appraisal or Home Inspection?

People sometimes confuse a home inspection and an appraisal when... Read More

Investing in Real Estate Profitably: Eliminating the Need for Mortgage Insurance

In an earlier article, we presented various options for ensuring... Read More

Five Ps of Selling Houses

1. Planning:Know Your Target BuyersThink about your neighborhood and the... Read More

Homes For Sell By Owner ? FSBOs and Buyer Brokers

You're selling your home as a FSBO (for sale by... Read More

Lock In Big Profits By Offering Rent To Own Deals

Why would anyone accept a lease option, rent to own... Read More

Hiring A Contractor - 10 Mistakes To Avoid

A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a... Read More

Buying A Home ? Rain, Sun, and Weather Issues

When buying a home, it can be easy to overlook... Read More

Selling Your Home In The Winter

In many parts of the country, selling a home during... Read More

How to Prequalify a Buyer When You Sell Your Home By Owner

One questions many "for sale by owner" sellers... Read More

Title Insurance Protects Your Financial Investment

You purchase homeowners insurance to protect yourself financially in case... Read More

San Diego Real Estate

San Diego is home to millions of beautiful apartments, condominiums,... Read More

Safe, Scenic & Secure Sussex County Delaware

As I write this, there is a considerable concern about... Read More

Finding a Great Listing Agent for Your Home: 8 Tips

If you've decided to list your home, you'll be paying... Read More

Prepare Your Property Like A Pro And Boost Profits

The housing market is hot, and you've decided to list... Read More

Checklist for Buying a Home

I had a client who called saying that his bath... Read More

Buying A Home ? Zoning and Architectural Review Board Restrictions

When you buy a home, you need to be aware... Read More

Regarding Real Estate On Leased Land

1.Why are there so many properties on leased land?There are... Read More