This is especially important if the housing you like is located not in the center of a metropolis, but somewhere on a picturesque cliff surrounded by pristine landscapes. So, before making a decision to buy real estate, it's important not to rush, but to weigh and evaluate the following points.
What do we have in the area?
First of all, pay attention to the level of development of the local infrastructure. Does it meet your needs? Are there shopping centers, medical facilities, schools, green areas, etc., in the area, and do the utilities work well (water and electricity supply, telephone, garbage collection, sewage, etc.).
Then assess the convenience of movement and available transport options. Find out if there is public transport in the area and convenient access to the house, as well as the availability of parking, find out where the nearest "district center" is. Also, how long it will take to get to regular destinations – to work, for example.
It is advisable to inquire about plans for the development of the area that will positively affect the comfort of living in the future, and to ensure the environmental friendliness, namely: are there any sources of pollution or increased noise nearby? Is there enough greenery in the area, and is the proper level of living safety ensured?
Experts advise not to trust first impressions, but to try to visit the area at different times of the day to have the most realistic idea.
Inspecting the house
In order to properly assess the condition of the house, first of all, pay attention to possible defects of the building itself and its foundation: cracks, damp spots (though in new houses such an inspection makes sense only after some time after construction) and the quality of the house's finishing. Secondly, make sure that all elements that make up the usable area – terraces, patios, galleries, rooms, bathrooms, etc. – are convenient for you, that there are no problems with ventilation, and that natural lighting is not lacking.
By the way, the orientation of the future home relative to the cardinal points can significantly affect the temperature of the rooms, and the floor – not only the view from the window but also the intensity of natural lighting.
Thirdly, carefully examine the equipment of the house. If, for example, we are talking about an apartment building, find out if preventive inspections of equipment and elevators are carried out on time, whether a parabolic antenna for common use is installed on the building, whether there is a centralized garbage collection system, and whether repairs or modernization of equipment are planned.
For a private house, it is important to pay attention to the presence of an autonomous electric generator, the condition of electrical and telephone cables, heating and air conditioning systems, backup water tanks and water heaters. It is useful to find out the type of heat and sound insulation materials used in construction, as well as whether the gas supply system meets current standards, and whether everything is in order with ventilation and exhaust in the kitchen and bathrooms. In addition, check if doors, windows, and wardrobes close properly. It is also important to determine in advance whether it will be possible to carry out redevelopment and other construction work in the future.
If we are talking about buying an apartment, do not forget to find out whether the building is equipped with a security system and surveillance cameras, whether auxiliary services are provided (like a porter, for example), maintenance of the adjoining territory and common areas, and parking. Also inquire about all aspects related to the homeowners' association: the important factors in this case are the coefficient of horizontal property for this apartment and the amount of the monthly contribution for participation in the association.
Price of the house
The quality of equipment, location, and type of housing directly affect its cost. But at the same time, it is important to keep in mind that taxes and related expenses – notary, registration, and others – will be added to the net price one way or another. On average, the amount of additional expenses (depending on the province) will range from 7% to 8% of the cost of the purchased property.
Vigilance above all
So, when everything is thought out and weighed, and it seems that all that remains is to legalize the purchase, Spanish experts again return to the initial advice: do not rush! Because at this stage it is time to carry out a series of checks and make sure that the housing you have chosen meets all the necessary legal and administrative conditions. Namely: you need to find out if it has any encumbrances, whether it is subject to a mortgage, whether there is a ban on its sale, and also how accurate the information provided by the seller is.
As an additional safety net, it is also recommended to keep any publications related to the selected property until the transaction is completed. After all, "the pen is mightier than the sword" – remind the Spanish real estate consultants.
Check the documents
If we are talking about purchasing real estate on the primary market, the seller must present the buyer with the following information and documentation:
– name, address, and data of the seller's Trade Register;
– general plan of the house or apartment, including layout of all rooms, as well as a plan of utilities (water, gas, and electricity supply);
– data on the useful area of the building and dwelling;
– quality document (list of materials, equipment, etc. used in construction);
– instructions for use and conservation of equipment; – certificate of residential purpose of the property;
– data on the registration of this property in the Property Register;
– data determining the total cost and form of payment;
– insurance document for damage and hidden defects;
– copy of relevant licenses for construction and use of this dwelling;
– charter and norms of operation of the homeowners' association (if already established);
– information on upcoming payments for ownership or use of the dwelling;
– form of the future contract, containing general and special terms of the transaction;
– date of handover of the object and deadlines for completion of construction work;
– name and address of the architect and designer;
– copies of all warranty documents.
If the dwelling is purchased on the secondary market, it is necessary to obtain the following data:
– document confirming the ownership right of the previous owner of this property;
– data from the Property Register;
– receipt of payment of property tax for the last year;
– certificate from the homeowners' association confirming that the seller has paid the relevant fees on time.
Potential risk and real compensation
As practice shows, there is always some degree of risk that over time, even in a new, carefully «chosen and considered» house, hidden defects may appear, threatening to cause long-term trouble. For this case, Spain has a construction law that provides for the responsibility of «persons involved in the construction process» and establishes the right of the property owner to receive appropriate compensation. In particular, the Spanish developer is responsible:
– for structural elements responsible for the mechanical resistance and stability of the building (for 10 years);
– for elements or equipment ensuring normal living conditions (for 3 years);
– for the condition of the building's finishes (for 1 year).
Now, if you decide to purchase housing in Spain, you will already know what steps to take, what precautions to observe, how much it will cost you, and what you can reasonably expect. And that means you can be much more confident that everything will go smoothly, without unforeseen surprises.