Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Buying Property in Spain - How to Avoid Paying over the Odds


Spain has a lot to offer Northern Europeans and until recently there was a marked difference between the price in their home country and a similar Spanish property. However many buyers have found to their cost that they paid way over the odds.

Why is this and how can you avoid falling into the same trap?

Being in a different country you are unsure of the process, don't have time to compare prices, so many agents take advantage of you - in fact sellers will even increase their price if they know it is a foreigner buying.

One of the biggest differences between the Spanish and the UK market is that Spanish sellers set their own prices and agents add their commissions to this. In the UK you get a valuation which includes the agents commission.

One problem with this is that buyers set their prices too high. This happens for a number of reasons.

1. They have more negotiating room
2. Typically foreigners will pay more because it is cheaper than a similar property at home.
3. Many people have unrealistic expectations about their property value

The second problem is that agents will add anything from 3% upto 25%+ if they think they can get away with it - and often do.

Most agents are reliable and honest, but a handful have given the business a bad name - and typically it is Foreign agents that rip off their own countrymen. A lot of this is down to there being no regulation of the Spanish Property Market, agents create contracts between themselves and the buyer and themselves and the seller - ensuring that the buyer never finds out how much has been charged.

It is especially true for agents who use persuasive subsidised trips (wine dine and sign on the line) that give the buyer little or no time to make comparisons with other property. But saying a property isn't worth the money is not the same as it won't sell - because they do - by preying on buyers that don't know the difference between a cheap property and a good value property.

The result is that buyers find they have bought a property and cannot sell it - even at break even - for at least 2-3 years because they have been caught out.

So how do you ensure you don't pay over the odds for your property in Spain?

1. Research the area. This is easy with the internet where many properties in the same area can be compared (and in fact the same property on with different agents)

2. Note important features and compare each property against features (i.e. number of bedrooms, property type etc). Although there is no proven formula you will at least have a better idea as to whether a property is worth the asking price.

3. Use a good agent. Most agents (regardless of what they tell you) act on behalf of the seller. If you can - find a buyers agent. But if not research which agents in your area are reliable, honest and don't overcharge. This can be done by asking around and asking the agent how they operate. A good agent will try and achieve a fair price for both seller and buyer and will be happy to disclose their commission

4. BEWARE of agents who charge both seller and buyer. Regardless of what they tell you THIS IS NOT acceptable nor common practice. They do it because they know they can get away with it and it means they get double their stated commissions. But the price you see is not the price you then pay.

5. Don't be afraid to negotiate. British buyers say very little about the price and will accept the price given. They are often told there is no room for negotiation - but there very much is. Remember if you walk away they have no sale - and likely have no body behind you either

Unless you push for a discount you wont get it - So negotiate hard - or get someone to do so on your behalf. Offer too low and you will get to where the seller wants to be - offer too high and you leave money on the table.

So in short if you wish to avoid paying over the odds for your dream Spanish home keep your eyes open, ask lots of questions - and don't accept anything you are being told without checking it out first, and remember that everyone is out for themselves - you wont go far wrong.

Vince Barnes is the owner of http://www.SpanishProperty-Direct.com - a website aimed at informing buyers about the process of buying in Spain and keeping up to date with news and regulations affecting the Spanish Property Market


MORE RESOURCES:

Real Estate - Google News

Local real-estate developer shares his love of Mardi Gras - Houma Courier


Local real-estate developer shares his love of Mardi Gras
Houma Courier
Local real-estate developer SP LaRussa walks through the Krewe of Hercules' den making sure that the krewe is ready to roll Friday night. By Eric Heisig Local business owner SP LaRussa, 70, is known to many as “Mr. Mardi Gras” around this time of year.

and more »

Houston-Based Real Estate Developer Closes More Than $75 Million in Healthcare ... - MarketWatch (press release)


Houston-Based Real Estate Developer Closes More Than $75 Million in Healthcare ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Medistar Corporation is a full-service real estate development company that specializes in the design, development, financing and construction of healthcare real estate. The company focuses on medical office buildings, integrated medical plazas and ...

and more »

Many Homeowners and Real Estate Agents Plead Guilty in $20 Million Mortgage ... - LoanSafe


Many Homeowners and Real Estate Agents Plead Guilty in $20 Million Mortgage ...
LoanSafe
by Alex Ferreras on February 8, 2012 in Scams OAKLAND (Source: Kristin J. Bender The Oakland Tribune, Calif.) – Four people last week pleaded guilty in federal court to charges relating to a far-reaching mortgage loan fraud scheme involving at least 20 ...

and more »

Tossed® Hires Real Estate Veteran A. Michael Toroyan as Chief Development Officer - Sacramento Bee


Tossed® Hires Real Estate Veteran A. Michael Toroyan as Chief Development Officer
Sacramento Bee
Toroyan, a 20-year veteran of the restaurant real estate, and franchising, will bring even greater momentum to Tossed's strong and growing franchise development efforts across the US Toroyan comes to Tossed Franchise Corporation from a previous post as ...

and more »

Seacoast real estate sales off to a robust 2012 start - Seacoastonline.com


Seacoast real estate sales off to a robust 2012 start
Seacoastonline.com
“Without a doubt, the favorable weather conditions are helping the Seacoast real estate market, especially compared to a year ago at this time,” said Lauren Kane, president of the Seacoast Board of Realtors. “The residential sales decline for January ...

and more »

Web Winners: Navigating real estate industry - News & Observer


Property Magazine

Web Winners: Navigating real estate industry
News & Observer
By REID KANALEY - The Philadelphia Inquirer Real estate is no easy game, as "underwater" homeowners have found in recent years. You need your wits about you, and these sites help you do that with plain language and suggestions. -The home-buying page at ...
The Real Estate Book Includes Free Agent Mobile Websites in Advertising PackagesPR Web (press release)
REALTOR(R) University Granted Approval to Offer Master of Real Estate Degree ...MarketWatch (press release)
Residential Real Estate Market Endures Dismal 2011Property Magazine
Destin Log
all 14 news articles »

Irish Real Estate: This Could Be the Time - TheStreet.com


TheStreet.com

Irish Real Estate: This Could Be the Time
TheStreet.com
By Jerold Leslie 02/08/12 - 07:00 AM EST BOSTON (MainStreet) -- Ireland's housing bust makes America's real estate downturn look like a St. Patrick's Day parade -- potentially creating great buying opportunities for Americans willing to test the ...

and more »

Cole Real Estate Investments Executes Nearly 640000 Square Feet in Retail ... - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)


Cole Real Estate Investments Executes Nearly 640000 Square Feet in Retail ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Cole Real Estate Investments (Cole), one of the nation's leading investors in high-quality, income-producing retail, office and industrial real estate assets, announced it signed leases totaling nearly 640000 square feet at Cole-related retail ...

and more »

John Waggoner column: REITs might be good investment to land - Appleton Post Crescent


John Waggoner column: REITs might be good investment to land
Appleton Post Crescent
Peculiarly, the commercial real estate market isn't quite as depressed. In fact, funds that invest in real estate investment trusts, or REITs, rose an average 7.5 percent last year, beating the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index's 2.1 percent gain.
NorthWest Healthcare Properties Real Estate Investment Trust announces ...DigitalJournal.com (press release)
Partners Real Estate Investment Trust closes public offeringCanada NewsWire (press release)
Best Performing REITs in 2012Seeking Alpha

all 14 news articles »

Real estate developer says he plans to make cash bid for Philadelphia's 2 ... - Washington Post


CBS Local

Real estate developer says he plans to make cash bid for Philadelphia's 2 ...
Washington Post
PHILADELPHIA — A wealthy real estate developer said Tuesday he and four partners plan to make an offer to buy the city's two largest newspapers, whose downtown offices he already owns. Bart Blatstein said he plans to pursue an acquisition of some or ...
Developer Blatstein seeking to buy Inquirer, Daily News companyBizjournals.com (blog)

all 168 news articles »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

List4Sale Domain Is For Sale - $10,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.List4Sale.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker