Buying a house in Spain is not as complicated an experience as some would have you believe. With the right broker behind you, the house buying process is relatively straightforward and manageable within realistic timescales.

It is important to remember that if you make an offer on a house in Spain, even when it is accepted it is not a deal that is set in stone until certain processes have been followed. Until an initial contract is signed by both the vendor and the buyer, both parties can pull out of the sale.

Once the initial contract is signed and a 10% deposit paid by the buyer the contract cannot be cancelled by the seller unless they pay 20% of the agreed final sale value. You should always ensure that the person selling the house is indeed the legal owner. This can be checked via your broker who will do the necessary steps for you, as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in the UK, for example.

The initial contract includes details of the person(s) selling the house, your details, addresses, agreed payment dates and the house details. Once you have this, unless you already live in Spain, you will need to get a tax number, similar to a National Insurance number in the UK, a so called Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) which enables you to legally purchase a house in Spain. Acquiring this number and the card which shows it can take anywhere between one to six weeks, so it is best to start the process as soon as you have agreed the purchase and signed the initial contract. You also need to have a Spanish bank account which will need to have the funds available to purchase the house on the agreed final date of sale. The final purchase amount owed will need to be made via a banker's draft from your Spanish bank account so you need to ensure you have cleared funds at least 48 hours before you meet at the notary's office to sign the contract.

On the contract exchange day you and the seller will exchange contracts in person at a notary's office chosen by you, the buyer. The notary ensures once again on the date that the house is officially sold that there is no mortgage or debt linked to the house anymore (which you would otherwise take on). Our brokers can recommend notaries who perform legal work at a good level.

In addition to the cost of your new home in Spain, typical costs, depending on where you purchase and the final sale value of your new home, are normally around 11.5% for a house that is already built. Speak to our brokers for more information to buy a house in Spain and advice as to the best option for you and your new home in the sun.