Many people daydream about buying a villa or a seaside condo in Spain. It seems idyllic and almost heavenly—how wonderful to wake up to all that sun, natural beauty, and opportunity for adventure. However you may have an altogether different kind of “adventure” if you don’t take proper planning and precautions.

Like there’s the problem if you buy the wrong kind of property (for example, one in a very noisy or inaccessible neighborhood) or a house that is too expensive to maintain. Here are some tips so you can really have a dream home without encountering any nightmarish setbacks.

• Hire a lawyer who is fluent in English to really look at the fine print in your purchase contract, and to translate all those Spanish documents. Even if you speak above average Spanish, ou can still benefit from having a good attorney who can take into consideration local laws and customs.

• Research before you start signing any checks: You can make a lot of costly mistakes if you don’t understand the buying system. Things to consider are whether there’s a limit to how much you can borrow, what you have to spend, and whether you can have a mortgage agreed in principal.

• We can’t stress this enough: never first property that you are offered! Even if you think that “it’s the one” it won’t hurt to check out other properties, find your other options, and weigh your alternatives before you buy. It is also crucial to look at the house at night and in the morning for nightlife and traffic. Also, try to think about what the house will be like during the summer months, like whether it will be like an oven, or if it stands in direct sunlight.

You should also think about making your purchase during the spring before July when the tourists come in droves, or wait until after the summer rush.

• Keep your feet on the ground: The worst mistake you can make is to suddenly rush into the process of purchasing a property. It’s crucial for you to examine your options, consider the fees and the pros and the cons. You should sleep on your decision and not just jump at the first offer. And always look at your finances to see if you can afford it. If it’s beautiful but beyond your budget then don’t just throw your common sense out the window. Do your best to find other mortgage options and work with a financial consultant. Your dream is possible, just be smart about it, and remember, you’re worth the extra precautions.

Initial Costs

It’s true that Spain is the perfect place for buying property, but be prepared for number of fees involved.

When buying property in Spain it’s advisable to plan to pay about 10% of the purchase price in extra taxes and fees, about the same you’d expect from buying in the United States.

One example is the transfer tax now valued at seven percent 7% for both new and second hand property. You can also expect a fee charged by the registration office for the service of shifting the deeds into your name, and this normally reaches about 300€. Also, some banks ask for an opening commission for mortgage loans.

Benefits

This may appear to be a lot of hassle just to buy a property, however the advantages far outweigh any of the time and energy it will take to work through the documents, etc.

If you’ve never had the chance to visit Spain you should arrange to have your next vacation to discover what it has to offer. Enjoy the vibrant night-life, Walk on the pristine beaches, and discover for yourself why Spain is an ideal destination for buying property.

If you’re thinking of buying a property in Spain for a personal residence, think of the opportunity to take long strolls on the beach, or take a long siesta (or a “nap”) during the afternoon. This is considered a valid business break! But Spain isn’t just the perfect place for catching sun and sand – its also a good place to raise kids. Spain has high standard educational systems and one example is the British School of Barcelona.

When you meet with a real estate agent the first thing he or she will ask is what you want in a home. Giving a set of criteria and naming what’s most important to you will help narrow down the options to what will suit your budget and your preferences. It will prevent wasting time on seeing homes that you can’t afford or simply don’t fit your lifestyle or needs.

One consideration is access. Do you need short travel times between the house and major airports or highways, important if you plan to have friends and family over regularly or want to visit other areas in Spain? Will you need a car to go around? Do you have medical conditions that require you to be near a hospital?

You can’t have everything. If you want an exciting night life you can’t live in a village even if it does have a good view of the mountains. If you want to be near a shopping center or by the beach than you have to live wit the fact that your neighborhood will be overrun by tourists come the summer and winter. It really depends then on what is important to you. You should also check the neighborhood of the place you’re about to buy, for the quality of their hospitals, schools, malls, and what kind of recreational activities you will get. Your travel agent can help give you a clearer idea of how to weigh those concerns.

You should also look at future needs. Time passes fairly quickly and if you are thinking of buyinga property and living there for the long term, then do consider if it will be able to meet your needs in the future. As we have been saying, it’s important to hire a very efficient travel agent who can give recommendations on this concern.

OF course you should also look at the cost of maintaining the property or how much upkeep it will require. If you have a large garden than think about how you will need to water it in the summer and whether or not you are willing to hire someone to look after it when you are away. You should also remember that large houses will also need to be cleaned and maintained so the value of the property doesn’t decrease. Smaller apartments are easier to care for but also remember that you will be paying maintenance costs to the building administration.