If you are thinking of buying an Andalucian property in Spain, it pays to do some careful forward financial planning. The first thing to consider is how you are going to finance your purchase. For most buyers, this will entail taking out a mortgage. It is recommended that you arrange your mortgage finance “in principle” before agreeing to buy an Andalucian property in Spain, or before signing any contracts or paying a deposit. This will give you peace of mind and a specified amount of purchasing power. Arranging your mortgage in good time will also reduce the risk of you losing a property you really want and avoid having to getting a mortgage in a hurry which might not suit your particular financial circumstances.

A mortgage on an Andalucian property in Spain can be arranged through a broker in Spain (many advertise on the Internet) or directly through a Spanish bank. Mortgage facilities may also be available at some British banks, or you could remortgage in the UK and purchase your Andalucian property in Spain with cash.

If you intend to purchase an Andalucian property in Spain, you will need an NIE number (Foreign Identification Number/Numero de identificacion de extranjero), which is required for all fiscal and legal matters in Spain. Although not obligatory, it is strongly recommended that you use a qualified Solicitor when purchasing your Andalucian property in Spain. If your Spanish speaking skills are poor or non-existent, make sure your Solicitor can communicate in English. It is essential that independent checks are carried out on the title deeds and also to verify that there are no outstanding debts on the property as, under Spanish law, such debts would become yours once you have purchased the property.

When searching for an Andalucian property, you will probably purchase your property through an agent. In Spain, the price is normally determined by the seller and not the agent, who will add a commission on top of that price. You will often find the same property offered for sale at a different price by different agents, so it pays to shop around. Many Spanish agents do not speak English, which can create a language barrier for British buyers. However, it is now becoming more common to find local Spanish estate agents with English-speaking staff, especially in the more popular areas. Some UK based estate agents have also started offering Spanish property for sale.

It is also common to find foreign owned estate agents, who tend to focus on buyers from their own countries. Obviously there are no language barriers in this case, but deregulation now means that no qualifications are required to set up as an agent. Many ex-pats have set themselves up in the house buying business and unfortunately some of these agencies fall below expectations. Do not, however, be put off from buying an Andalucian property in Spain, as there are also many excellent and trustworthy estate agents offering a highly professional service. Just ensure you do your homework and ask for personal recommendations.

If you are seeking a peaceful spot for your new Andalucia property in Spain, you could buy a plot of land and have an individual architect-designed house built espevcailly for you.  However, undertaking such a project is not a casual reponsibility. Red tape and the ways of doing business in Spain makes building a nightmare and fraught with problems.

Land cost varies depending on the area, e.g. from 35 - 120 Euro per square metre. Building costs start from about 300 to 700 Euro per square metre in tourist areas. The cost of land and labour have both fallen in recent years in many areas and it is now  possible to buy land and build a bigger villa for less than the cost of a secondhand property. Today, you can design your own home and at the same time ensure that the quality of materials and workmanship are top rate.

At the planning stage, take into account all the costs including extended services such as water, electricity and telephone to the property. Most Andalucia property in Spain quotes are estimates only and the cost can rise wildly due to contract clauses and changes made during your bFor the best results you will need to personally supervise it every step of the way or employ a technical architect or engineer to do it for you.