Before viewing our property for sale in Spain please consider some facts about the country and the Spanish way of life.

Some of us have only ever dreamed of owning a place in the sun but the reality of owning a Spanish retreat whether for weekends or the longer term is happening for a growing number of people.

Holidays can be wonderful relaxing experiences but for most people they are only a couple of times a year and since they are often in locations or accommodation not visited before, they can be rather a gamble. Buying a home for overseas holidays ensures that you know the location and accommodation and can do what you want with the house to make it a real "home from home", but you may still only be able to stay there a few times a year because work or other commitments in the UK prevent you from spending long periods abroad. However, transport within Europe has now become so swift, frequent and inexpensive that it is possible to have a holiday home in a wonderful location (and climate) which is near enough to visit for weekends. Once there you can simply relax, or use it as a base for exploring the surrounding areas. You'll be surprised at how much you can fit into a weekend and still feel relaxed at the end of it.

With Europe's ageing population more and more people are coming up to retirement age at a younger and younger age. Often their children have flown the nest and many are now selling their homes and opting for something smaller whilst investing the monetary difference in an overseas property.

Then there are younger couples, probably with two good incomes and a taste for foreign travel. Investing in a home in the sun makes an interesting alternative to squirreling it away in a pension fund. Chosen carefully, an overseas property should gain in value and provide a reasonable return from rentals while providing idyllic holidays whenever you want them. It could even be an eventual retirement home.

Of course, there's no shortage of people willing to make an even more substantial commitment by moving lock, stock and barrel to Spain. Now we have faxes, mobile phones and the internet an increasing number of people are no longer working nine to five anymore from a fixed location but are able to relocate their business overseas.

So for all these and many more reasons escaping cold, grey and expensive Northern Europe may be the best move yet.

The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria are richly diverse regions, ranging from fertile mountains and valleys surrounded by acres of orange, lemon and olive groves to cosmopolitan towns and cities full of history and alive with atmosphere. There are numerous golf courses, excellent marinas and clean, beautiful beaches with the EEC blue flag flying high

The Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria provide consistent investment opportunities where property prices have risen dramatically in recent years. Often the best investment opportunities for capital growth are achieved in buying 'off-plan'. We are happy to keep you advised of all new releases where this is likely.

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Although property, particularly rural houses in Spain, are generally cheaper than in the UK the cost of buying is higher.

The main reason for this is the purchase tax of 7% on all property sales, this is known as IVA and is the Spanish equivalent of VAT. You will also have charges for land registry fees, legal costs and notary charges. These will take the buying costs up to a around 10% of the purchase price.

Once purchased the annual taxes on a Spanish property obviously vary with the property in question. In general they are not too penal, a typical two-bedroomed apartment will usually have total annual costs of between £1,000 and £1,500.

This includes charges for water, electricity, waste disposal, community charges, insurance and annual property tax. It also includes a payment to a Spanish representative to account for these payments (a Spanish Accountant).

The first big decision that needs to be made is whether you want your child to go to a Spanish school or an International school. Contact The Department of Education to discover where they are situated and to enquire about the standard of teaching. Sending your child to a Spanish state school allows them to intergrate fully and immediately with Spanish life and young children normally become fluent in the language within a year. Older children tend to find it more difficult and may find been thrown in to schooling taught entirely in Spanish very daunting.

Spanish schooling is also available to expatriate children. It can take some time to enrol your child at a Spanish state school. Registration takes place at your local Town Hall. To enrol you need proof of convalidation - the official record of your child's education. It is best to do this before you move to Spain, having obtained the appropriate forms from the Department of Education. Enrolment takes place in May with a view to starting in September.

Spain has amongst the longest school holidays of anywhere in Europe. Although there are no half terms, the summer vacation break lasts from the end of June until the middle of September and there are plenty of days off throughout the year for festivals.

Children are required to start school at the age of five and enter in to primary education. At the age of twelve they enter in to their four years of compulsory education at the end of which they receive a certificate and then they can either leave or go on to study for their bachillerato, the Spanish equivalent of A-levels.

Spain’s public schooling has improved over recent years and the qualifications gained by children are recognised by universities elsewhere, including the UK.

With the lifting of almost all exchange controls, both residents (in Spain) and non-residents may now obtain loans and mortgages against their Spanish property in any currency from any bank in the world - if they can find a bank willing to lend against property in another country.

The good news is that the inflation and interest rates are lower than the UK, with a prime lending rate of around 4%. Spanish bank mortgages are now being offered at rates between 4.5% and 5%, amongst the lowest in Europe.

Similar low rates are also being offered for the purchase of Spanish properties from Gibraltar based subsidiaries of major UK building societies.

At the moment it looks an attractive proposition to take out a mortgage in Spain. The downside is that if the euro begins to recover in value against the pound, although your property will be worth more, your monthly mortgage payments would increase.

Normally the maximum term for a Spanish mortgage is up to 25 years on 75% of the valuation of the property. There are so many different packages available that we suggest you use the services of an experienced international mortgage broker who will explain the pros and cons as well as providing you with the mortgage they feel would suit you best at the most favourable rates.

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Buying a property in Spain offers a lot more than just bricks and mortar in the sunshine. The Spanish lifestyle is second to none, offering a great variety of activities to suit all ages, tastes and abilities. Sporting facilities are in abundance. There are many world-class golf courses and purpose built leisure facilities offering football, tennis, squash and swimming.

Spain has on average 325 days of sunshine a year. The weather lends itself well to outdoor pursuits such as hiking, horse riding and water sports and encourages a healthier, active lifestyle.

Spanish towns and cities boast wonderful architecture, a great mix of fascinating old builds including churches and cathedrals and new contemporary builds. A country of much history and with such a diverse culture, there is much to be seen.

Spain is also a popular shopping destination, and many of the world most well known designer labels can be found there. Madrid, Palmer and Barcelona are ranked amongst the top retail cities in the world. Markets still operate regularly in most towns and are a popular place to shop, offering a great variety of local produce and traditional items, making for a very interesting shopping experience.

The Spanish love to party and throughout the year there are many Fiestas. Celebrations can be cultural, solemn or packed full of fun. Celebrations can take the form of processions, concerts, street parties, religious services, firework displays and some even incorporate bull fighting.

The vast tourist market in Spain has led to an increase in attractions such as water parks, theme parks, and museums, popular entertainment for families and children.

The itinerary of attractions in Spain is exhausting; there is always something new to be discovered and another adventure pursue.

There are differences between buying a property in the UK and in Spain. The following brief guide explains in simple terms the process of purchasing your Spanish property - hopefully enabling you to proceed with confidence and peace of mind.

It does not cover all aspects of Spanish property law and is not a substitute for professional advice and representation. It is advisable that you have your financial arrangements more or less in place so you are ready to proceed quickly (refer to finance section).

Once you have settled on your chosen property you will need to appoint an independent lawyer who is experienced in Spanish property law and has a good knowledge of the area you are buying into. In the case of resale the lawyer will check that the property belongs to the seller and has the necessary building permissions. An important part of the lawyer's responsibility is to check the seller is free of debt because under Spanish law any debts will pass to the new owner. For new construction the same checks will be made on the land along with a background and financial check on the builder.

When your lawyer is satisfied you provide a signed contract with a non refundable 10% deposit which will then be matched at the same time by the seller. This is to stop the practice of gazumping, which because there is now too much to lose, does not happen in Spain. If you cannot be present in person to sign the contract or indeed the final completion contract you can grant your lawyer (a poder) power of attorney so he can complete on your behalf.

The contract will state the dates for subsequent payment of the balance due, which needs to be carefully observed. You will of course be provided with a copy. Your lawyer can also arrange your NIE (foreigner's identity number), residency application and Spanish bank account as appropriate. On completion day both parties or their representatives with power of attorney will appear before the Notary, who is a government official responsible for the execution of public documents and to ensure compliance with Spanish law. The Notary acts for neither party and does not replace the need for your own lawyer but witnesses the signing of the Escritura de Compraventa (the transfer deed). At this time the balance of the purchase money will be paid to the seller and any remaining purchase tax and fees will be paid. You will then have the keys to your new property and a copy (Copia Simple) of the title deed until the formal deed comes to you from the land registry.

At this point you can instruct you lawyer to set up accounts for utility services such as water and electricity and Spanish resident taxes which he can arrange payment of through your Spanish bank. (See also Buying Costs section).

On a final note it is worth considering that the inheritance laws in Spain are different than in the UK. In the event of death your property may be divided up equally between your partner and children. In the UK unless you have made preparations otherwise it would all revert to your partner. It is therefore advised that you instruct your lawyer to make a local will to suit your wishes.

Escritura Publica:  This is the vendors´ title deeds which holds information on the description of the property and also confirms the name of the property owner.

Nota Simple: Certificate of Registration and current details on debts and charges as held by the relevant Land Registry Office.

Registro de la Propiedad: The land registry office, this is localised, each town adhering to the regional office.

Referencia Catastral: A second form of property registration which must be mentioned in all property sales.

Certificado Catastral: Catastral certificate which gives the buyer more detailed information relative to the property, such as the physical description, boundaries, location, and square meterage of the area.  All of this information should coincide with the date given in the contract of purchase.

Valor Catastral: This assesses the value of the property for tax purposes.

Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI): This is an important document relating to the municipal real estate tax and it is essential that the buyer be given the latest fully paid IBI receipt. When buying second hand property, this will show the previously mentioned valor catastral indicating the property value.  Most taxes are based on this valuation which is usually less than the real market value.

When buying a property within an urbanisation or an apartment there will be an annual community fee.  In an apartment block these fees cover the maintenance costs of lifts, gardens, pools and porter.  In an urbanisation the community own the roads, street lighting, public areas etc, and as a property owner you would be responsible for a percentage of maintenance costs. 

Contract Terms: Once the terms and price have been agreed between a purchaser and vendor, it is usual to make a private contract.  Upon signing this contract, the purchaser will pay a non-refundable deposit which will be lost if the buyer fails to complete the purchase.  However, should the vendor fail to complete the sale, the purchaser can legally claim twice the value of the deposit paid.

Fees: The following fees will be incurred when purchasing a property:

Notary Fees: This will be a fixed price dependent on price, amount of land and property size.

Property Registry: A fixed amount for the inscription of the property in the name of the purchaser.

Impuesto de Transmissiones (Transfer Tax): This is 7% of the declared value if the property is resale.  If the purchase is a new property 7% IVA (VAT) is payable directly to the constructor and a further 1% transfer tax.

Plus Valia: This is a tax on the official land value increase, and is advised by the local tax office.

NIE: (Numero de Identificación de Extranjeros) Foreignors ID and tax number.

Escritura de Compraventa: This must be signed by the purchaser and the vendor in the presence of a Notary.  The Notary (notario) is a state official who is authorised to certify that the contract has been signed, and the money paid.

Certificado de deudas de la comunidad: This is a certificate provided by the management company of a community showing that the property owners have paid (or not) the comunal fees and charles to date.

Tarjeta Sanitaria (SIP): Spanish health card which can be temporarily obtained with a valid E1-11 (card form) and a Padron from the local town hall, if only in Spain as a non-resident otherwise you will need a Social Security card or other poof of entitlement.