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The Big Decision: Villa Six and the Spanish Conveyancing Adventure

Hello again, everyone. Bryan here, reporting in as the dust settles on one of the biggest decisions of our lives. After much debate, spreadsheets (of course), and a second round of viewings, we’ve officially chosen our dream villa: Villa Six, the Cozy Dream.

Marta’s smile when we walked back in for the second visit sealed the deal, and even Anna and Luke gave it their begrudging approval. But as much as I’d love to wax lyrical about the citrus trees and the charming fireplace, it’s time to get down to business. This is where my conveyancing hat comes on—because buying property in Spain isn’t quite the same as back in the UK.

The Spanish Conveyancing Process

The first step in buying a property in Spain is finding a good solicitor who’s familiar with Spanish property law. Lucky for us, my years as a conveyancer have given me a decent network of contacts, and we quickly found a bilingual lawyer who came highly recommended. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved in purchasing our little slice of paradise:

  1. Reservation Agreement and Deposit Once we confirmed our interest, the seller’s agent provided a reservation agreement. This document took the property off the market while we sorted out the details. It required a small deposit (usually around 1% of the purchase price). This step is crucial for securing the property and avoiding bidding wars.
  2. Legal Checks Our solicitor conducted thorough checks on the property. This included confirming the legal ownership, ensuring there were no outstanding debts or mortgages on the villa, and verifying the property’s registration with the Land Registry. Spain operates a “buyer beware” system, so it’s really crucial to get this right. Thankfully, Villa Six’s paperwork was in order—a relief for everyone, especially me.
  3. The Private Purchase Contract Once the legal checks were complete, we moved on to the private purchase contract (“Contrato de Arras”). This is a binding agreement between the buyer and seller, outlining the purchase price, deposit amount (typically 10%), and completion date. At this point, if either party backs out, they face financial penalties. Marta insisted on celebrating this milestone with a round of tapas, and who am I to argue?
  4. Financing and Currency Exchange Here’s where things got interesting. Since we’re transferring funds from the UK, we had to navigate currency exchange rates. After some research, we used a specialist service to lock in a favourable rate, avoiding the fluctuating costs of traditional banks. It’s a little extra work, but the savings were worth it. We used Wise.
  5. Final Deed and Notary The final step involved signing the “Escritura de Compraventa” (deed of sale) in front of a notary. This is a legal requirement in Spain and serves as the official transfer of ownership. The notary ensures both parties understand the terms and confirms the property’s registration. Once signed, we became the proud owners of Villa Six!

A Few Surprises Along the Way

No property purchase is without its quirks, and Spain has a few of its own:

  • Additional Costs: The purchase price is just the beginning. Taxes, notary fees, and solicitor’s fees added about 10-15% to the total cost. It’s important to budget for these extras to avoid any nasty surprises.
  • Community Fees: Villa Six is part of a residential area with shared facilities, which means paying annual community fees. They’re not outrageous, but it’s something we hadn’t factored in initially.
  • The “Pace” of It All: Spanish bureaucracy moves at its own rhythm. Deadlines are more like suggestions, and patience quickly became our most valuable asset.

Moving Forward

Now that the paperwork is done, we’re turning our attention to making Villa Six our own. We’ve already started planning minor updates—new tiles around the pool, a fresh coat of paint in the bedrooms, and maybe a hammock or two in the garden. The kids are thrilled about decorating their rooms (Anna wants fairy lights; Luke’s campaigning for LED strips).

Marta, of course, is in her element, dreaming up endless family dinners on the terrace and envisioning the garden’s transformation into a Mediterranean oasis. As for me? I’m just happy knowing we’ve secured a beautiful, stable home for our family’s next chapter.

A Few Words of Advice

If you’re considering buying property in Spain, here’s what I’ve learned:

  • Hire a good solicitor. It’s tempting to cut corners, but a knowledgeable lawyer is worth their weight in gold.
  • Be patient. The process is slower than in the UK, and rushing things is a recipe for stress.
  • Do your research. From community fees to tax obligations, knowing what to expect will save you headaches later.
  • Enjoy the journey. Yes, it’s a big decision and often a stressful one, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

So, there you have it: the story of how we bought our dream villa in Denia. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions, paperwork, and (let’s be honest) more than a few arguments over spreadsheets. But now, as I look at the citrus trees swaying in the evening breeze, I know it was all worth it.

Stay tuned for our next update as we dive into life at Villa Six. We just have to give it a name now….

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