Buy A Vacation Home In Spain
by Johnathan Bakers on 2007-09-22
It is becoming more common for people to buy property in Spain, especially those living in Europe. They generally use the property as vacation homes and some rent the property when the property is not in use. The real estate market has been quite favorable in many areas, especially the Costa Blanca region which is one of Spain’s most popular vacation areas.
The first thing you should do when searching for a home in Spain is to find a reputable real estate agent. You want someone who is registered and experienced. Unfortunately, dishonest agents have been known to take advantage of foreign purchasers who may now understand the law in Spain. Learning the Spanish language is a good way to improve communication and avoid such a situation.
It is also a good idea to hire a lawyer to assist you during the process. The attorney will review the contract, mortgage information and generally help protect you and your interests. The greatest benefit of hiring an attorney is that he or she should be familiar with Spain’s real estate law. Though a real estate agent may recommend a lawyer to you, it is probably a better decision to find and hire your own lawyer to ensure that he or she is protecting only your interests and not working with the other side also. A friend or someone who has purchased property in Spain before may be able to recommend a good lawyer to use.
There are a variety of mortgage types you can obtain. Be sure to do your research and find the best deal for you. A good place to start is with a lender in your home country who may be able to assist you in finding an international mortgage. Many larger companies offer international mortgages, and generally offer them on property anticipated to be used as a second home. Taking out a second mortgage on you existing home is another popular method for purchasing a vacation home. This is a good option if the equity is available in your primary home, but since the home is considered the collateral, be sure you can afford to make the payments and relaxed taxes. Once you have decided on the finance method you will use, the internet is a good place to start researching and comparing loans. However, as mentioned earlier, you may also want to speak with your local lender or another lender in your home country. They may, at least, be able to give you some useful information.
The first thing you should do when searching for a home in Spain is to find a reputable real estate agent. You want someone who is registered and experienced. Unfortunately, dishonest agents have been known to take advantage of foreign purchasers who may now understand the law in Spain. Learning the Spanish language is a good way to improve communication and avoid such a situation.
It is also a good idea to hire a lawyer to assist you during the process. The attorney will review the contract, mortgage information and generally help protect you and your interests. The greatest benefit of hiring an attorney is that he or she should be familiar with Spain’s real estate law. Though a real estate agent may recommend a lawyer to you, it is probably a better decision to find and hire your own lawyer to ensure that he or she is protecting only your interests and not working with the other side also. A friend or someone who has purchased property in Spain before may be able to recommend a good lawyer to use.
There are a variety of mortgage types you can obtain. Be sure to do your research and find the best deal for you. A good place to start is with a lender in your home country who may be able to assist you in finding an international mortgage. Many larger companies offer international mortgages, and generally offer them on property anticipated to be used as a second home. Taking out a second mortgage on you existing home is another popular method for purchasing a vacation home. This is a good option if the equity is available in your primary home, but since the home is considered the collateral, be sure you can afford to make the payments and relaxed taxes. Once you have decided on the finance method you will use, the internet is a good place to start researching and comparing loans. However, as mentioned earlier, you may also want to speak with your local lender or another lender in your home country. They may, at least, be able to give you some useful information.
About The Author: Johnathan Bakers usually writes publications on themes dealing with Spain and spanish culture. You might discover his comments on buy property in Spain over at www.alicante-spain.com .