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 Get Financing after Filing Bankruptcy

If you're thinking about buying a home but have declared... Read More

Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

A big debate these days is whether or not to... Read More

Directionals Move Properties

One of the most effective and frequently overlooked methods of... Read More

How to Get the Best Price for Your House

The best price to sell your home is always determined... Read More

The Benefits of Fractional Ownership in Private Residence Clubs

A New Way to Own a Vacation Home - For... Read More

Successful Property Letting And Management

Successful Property Letting And Management is not something that just... Read More

Investing In Commercial Property

Investing in commercial property is well beyond the financial means... Read More

Oh No! Something has Happened in Florida

The Florida housing market has attracted many foreigners to invest... Read More

Protective Covenants ? Buying A Home

In addition to zoning, some properties have covenants recorded at... Read More

Planning for Real Estate with Estate Planning

One of the most important considerations you will need to... Read More

Should Sellers Order a Pre-sale Home Inspection?

One of the main reasons home sale transactions fall apart... Read More

Real Estate Value: Knowing yours is Key to Mortgage Success

The value of the real estate you own, whether it... Read More

Investor Banned From Offering Property For Rent

Do you realize that you might be prevented from renting... Read More

Buying Land For Development Requires Careful Planning and Execution

From the desk of Colm Dillon ... Author "Residential Development... Read More

Flat Fee MLS Listings - Is This The Future Of Real Estate

Realtors are all a buzz about this new form of... Read More

What is a Home Inspection?

Any Sally and Sam Homebuyer can look at a home... Read More

Investment Property Part I: How Not to Become a Slumlord

After riding the ups and downs of the stock market... Read More

Big Discounts With Property Investment Clubs?

A stagnant stock market, low interest rates and booming property... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 2

Leverage: With real estate, people and companies will lend you... Read More

Lease Purchasing Is The Perfect Home-Based Business

Some call it the 30 second commute. We call it... Read More

Renting Versus Buying A Home

Renters are often in a quandary as to whether it... Read More

11 Different Ways to Participate in The New Millennium Real State Boom

Many parts of the country are going through a real... Read More

Purchase Your First Home with Confidence

If you are making the transition from renter to homeowner,... Read More

Maximizing Curb Appeal and First Impressions to Sell your Home

We all know that a home or property of any... Read More

Real Estate Investing ? ?The Neighborhood Factor?

Real estate investing can be a dream career when the... Read More

High Profit Real Estate Investing--Make a Good Deal Every Time!

Knowing what a Good Deal is ? Is the Key... Read More

Selling Your Home ? What Can Go Wrong With Title and Lenders

If you're selling your home, there are going to be... Read More

Buying Your First Investment Property

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

If You Move Yourself

You'll want to take some items in your own car... Read More

Property Investment - What Future For the Biggest Bubble of All Time?

The Economist magazine published a special report in this months... Read More

Let the Broker Show the House

Of course you're curious, and you'd like to see what... Read More

On the Crossing of Continents

Cyprus is situated in the north-east Mediterranean on the crossing... Read More

FSBO - Selling Your Home FSBO (for sale by owner) ? Is It Worth It?

FSBO, what is it? FSBO means For Sale by Owner,... Read More