| If you are planning to buy a holiday home, or to | | | | Most Spanish property buying problems are caused |
| permanently relocate to one of the northern Spanish | | | | by a DIY approach that can easily be avoided by |
| regions like Galicia or Asturias, there are a few | | | | taking legal advice from a specialist whose job it is to |
| regional property buying characteristics that you need | | | | look after the buyer's interests. To make this even |
| to be aware of. | | | | more attractive, solicitor's fees are far lower in Spain |
| The good news is that the "land grab" problems that | | | | than in the UK, Ireland or the USA and this makes |
| have seen so much bad publicity in the UK media and | | | | them an insurance policy that no buyer should be |
| beyond are not an issue in the northern Spanish | | | | without. |
| territories. Consequently, the illegitimate taking of land | | | | What will a solicitor do? |
| and property by co called "legitimate" means is not a | | | | In northern Spain many properties, especially rural |
| factor that any northern Spanish house buyer need | | | | houses, are unregistered. This means that, whilst |
| concern themselves over. | | | | there may be a deed of ownership, or a bequeathal |
| Even so, buying property in Spain can have its risks if | | | | in a Will, the property and land may not be legally |
| you do not understand the system, so the first thing | | | | registered in the eyes of the law. |
| that you need to do is find yourself an English | | | | When this is the case, formal ownership may not |
| speaking solicitor based in the area. This solicitor will | | | | have been established and it is essential that any |
| be your protection against the lack of legal formality | | | | purchaser buys from, and pays all of, the legal |
| and legislation in the Spanish real estate (realtor) | | | | owners. If this is not the case, then the ownership of |
| sector. | | | | the property may be a source for future legal action |
| Amazingly, this is something that many foreign | | | | and one that is taken against the buyer. |
| buyers decide against. So the important question to | | | | A solicitor will establish legal ownership, along with the |
| ask yourself is this: | | | | terms and conditions of the sale and the property |
| "Would you buy a house in your own country of | | | | including the dimensions of the plot, any rights of |
| origin where you are familiar with the language, legal | | | | way and any special conditions that a seller may wish |
| system and general property acquisition practices, | | | | (or try) to apply. |
| without legal assistance?" | | | | Many none Spanish buyers assume that a notary will |
| If the answer is "no", then do not think of "going it | | | | do this on their behalf, but they are wrong. A notary |
| alone" in a foreign country where you do not know | | | | is a government official whose job it is to establish |
| or understand any of the above! This is a recipe for | | | | the legitimacy of the contract and to collect tax on |
| disaster and those who do "go it alone" usually pay | | | | the property sale. |
| the price - and this is far more than a one-time | | | | Their role does not include protecting or offering |
| solicitor's fee. | | | | advice to the buyers, be they foreign or otherwise. |