Buyer's Guide
Accurate property valuations you can trust, backed by local market knowledge and experience.
Buying with confidence
As Spanish property specialists with a wealth of experience in the Costa del Sol real estate industry, we are primarily focused on helping customers find their perfect property.
We can recommend independent legal and financial advisors to help you feel comfortable at every phase of your property purchase in Spain, ensuring you work with long-established professionals who speak your language and understand the procedure every step of the way.
We understand that buying a property abroad is a major decision. That’s why we provide clear guidance and support throughout the entire buying process, from finding the right property to completing the purchase.
The Process From offer to completion From Offer to Ownership
1You've found your property — what next?
The Spanish system is simple, secure, transparent and efficient. Once you have found the property you wish to purchase, your offer is presented to the seller. If it’s accepted, the next step is for Omni Real Estate to draw up a Reservation Contract.
A reservation contract is used in Spain as a standard procedure to reserve a property for a specified period, while your lawyer conducts due diligence to confirm the legal status of the property and ensure there are no debts, liens or embargoes on it.
2What is a reservation contract?
It sets out the basic terms of the purchase and is signed by both buyer and vendor. This temporary document includes:
- Full name of seller and purchaser
- Address of the property
- Other special conditions (subject to finance)
- The agreed purchase price
- Date to sign a private purchase contract
Depending on the value of the property, a €3,000–€6,000 deposit secures it while due diligence takes place, paid by card, bank transfer or cash, and held in our client account or with a lawyer of your choice. If you need a mortgage, use this 4–6 week window to arrange it.
The deposit is fully refundable if your lawyer finds a legal reason not to proceed. If you continue after due diligence, it forms part of the purchase price.
3What happens next?
Once your lawyer has completed full and thorough due diligence, you’ll be informed of their findings and can discuss whether to proceed to a private purchase contract or go straight to completion.
4What is a private purchase contract?
legally binding contract between purchaser and seller, prepared by your lawyer, setting out the terms of the sale. It contains:
- A legal declaration that the vendor is entitled to sell
- The completion date and hand-over of keys
- A 10% non-refundable deposit, paid on signing
- The exact address, dimensions and features per the Referencia Catastral
Additional purchase costs
In Spain, costs vary from 10% to 13.5% of the purchase price, broken down as follows:
10%
VAT (IVA) on new properties
7–10%
VAT (IVA) on pre-owned property, by price
1%
Notary fee
1%
Legal fees (industry standard)