Why it’s best to buy property in Spain through a reputable real-estate agency vs privately

Intro

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If you’re thinking about buying real estate in Spain, one of the key decisions you’ll have to make is whether to buy through an agency or privately. Trust me – this will be one of the most important choices that will affect both your purchasing experience and the quality of your investment. 

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For me, working with a reputable real estate company in Spain is a no-brainer. Not because I am a realtor myself, but because I understand how stressful and complicated it is to purchase properties in a foreign market.  Cooperating with a local agent will cost you nothing but your time – I promise it will be worth it. 

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With that in mind, here are a few reasons why it’s worth working with a real estate agent in Spain. 

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10 reasons for buying your real estate in Spain through a reputable agency
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1. They know where to buy 

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Whether you want to buy a quiet villa deep in the mountains or a seafront apartment in a vibrant city, Costa del Sol truly has it all. Each town has its own charm, so you just need to know where to look to find a place that fits your goals. This can be quite overwhelming if you don’t know the region well.

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When working with a local realtor, all you have to do is tell them what your must-haves and budget are, and they’ll shortlist the best areas (and properties) for you.

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For example, if you asked me to find a quiet area in Costa del Sol, I’d suggest La Cala de Mijas. And if you wanted a high-end, luxurious property close to the sea, I’d definitely suggest The Golden Mile. Working with a local expert is, by far, the best thing you can do to find the right place quickly.
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2. They have access to properties you might not be aware of

In Poland, if you’re interested in buying a house from an owner directly, i.e., without a realtor’s involvement, it’s certainly do-able. It will just take you more time and effort. In Spain, however, it’s not as easy to be a lone wolf, because many (if not most) listings aren’t available on sites like Poland’s Otodom or OLX. They can only be accessed by realtors.

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Also, the real estate market here is quite unique, in that most realtors are part of multi-listing systems. This means that a real estate company in Spain can see properties listed by other agencies and sellers, display them on their own sites – and if someone is interested in them – they share the commission. This is good news for you as a buyer. How so?

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You can work with just one agency, without worrying that you’ll need to collaborate with a few to see all available properties. To give you a sense of just how wide of a choice you get with one, trusted realtor, at Hometailor, we have access to nearly 200 new developments. And many resale homes, too, of course!

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3. They can organise a tour of recommended areas and properties

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This is what we do for our clients at Hometailor, so they can see a few recommended, verified places before they decide to buy. We:

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• Discuss your goals and budget for the property
• We shortlist a few properties and agree on the ones you’d like to view
• We agree on the date of your visit 
• We tour the properties together, where, as your realtor, I can share my opinion and advise you on the best choice.
  
  

This cuts the time needed to find the perfect place for you. It’s also a safer investment decision, because the realtor knows quickly if there are any potential traps – I will share more on that later.
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4. They’re familiar with the Spanish law

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If you want to buy real estate in Spain, without getting scammed, you’ll have to know quite a bit about the Spanish property laws. Before buying, you should understand the roles that key people (and organisations) play in the process. Two of the most important ones are the Notary (el notario) and the Spanish Land Registry. They help make sure that the property sale is legal and properly recorded. 

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On top of that, you’ll need to know about the requirements to get a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE number) – you won’t be able to finalise the sale without it.  To most foreigners, it’s black magic, so they often decide to work with a local realtor to avoid any unwelcome surprises, and it’s a good decision. 
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5. They’re often in the position to negotiate prices

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Sometimes, sellers will try to inflate their price if they see that they’re selling to a foreigner who hasn’t purchased real estate in Spain before. This wouldn’t happen if they knew you were working with a realtor, who knows which prices are ‘average’ per area and property type, and when they’re potentially trying to exploit you.

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Plus, negotiating rates on properties is a realtor’s daily bread. When you work with a reputable real estate agent in Spain, they’ll come into the buying process with their bargaining abilities – and connections. 

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They’re skilled in presenting counteroffers and negotiating terms of the sale in a way that you’d never be able to.

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6. They can guarantee a smooth transaction process

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Buying property in your home country is stressful, so imagine how nerve wracking it is to buy in a place you know little about. If you work with a real estate company in Spain, they’ll manage the whole process for you. From handling bureaucratic details, and securing permits to coordinating with notaries – all the while making sure you follow Spanish property laws.

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The agency can even give you a hand with opening a bank account, securing a mortgage, and transferring your funds (sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?). One of the biggest benefits of collaborating with a real estate agent in Spain is clear communication and lack of delays as they’ll work directly with sellers, lawyers, and government offices. 
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7. They can advise on properties with the best-expected ROI

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Even if you don’t see yourself ever selling or renting out your property, I still advise making sure that it keeps its market value. Or, even more importantly, that it doesn’t drain your resources in the future with costs like renovation or high utility and community fees.

The good news is that Costa del Sol is one of the safest areas to invest in in the entire country, as its popularity among tourists and expats has been soaring these last few years. Prices have been rising fast, especially in coastal towns, with eight municipalities in the Malaga province seeing a year-over-year increase of over 6%. 

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By working with a real estate agent, you can boost the chances of your property generating profit in the future – whether in vacation rentals or from a resale sometime in the future. 
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8. They’ll spot potential problems easily

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Experienced realtors have visited hundreds of properties, so they can spot a potential problem within minutes of entering an apartment. These might include:

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• Neighbourhoods suffering from okupas 
• Attempts to hide structural issues, like repainting over cracked walls
• Areas affected by mould, etc. 

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Real estate agents can also advise you on places that aren’t expecting any massive construction sites in the coming years (something that might be hidden in a listing promising tranquil, pristine nature). If you want to learn more about how to buy property in Spain, take a look at our detailed article. 
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9. They’ll conduct due diligence and property verification

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Sometimes when you see something you really like you ignore the red flags. This also applies to property purchases. Failing to take off your rose-coloured glasses could cost you dearly. If you work with a reputable real estate agency, they’ll conduct thorough due diligence. They will check the legal status of the property to ensure there are no hidden issues that could affect the sale or ownership, including any debts, liens, or mortgages attached to the property. 

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You might not be aware of it, but Spanish properties might have unpaid debts linked to them. If liabilities aren’t properly addressed, the new owner might end up inheriting them. This is especially important while buying property directly from an owner.

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Here are a few other “trifles” that realtors can help you with: 

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• Ensuring that the real estate has all the necessary licences and permits. This is crucial especially while buying a house/apartment on a coast 
• Checking if all renovations or extensions have been done legally and are properly registered 
• Investigating property’s ownership history to prevent any potential legal conflicts.

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All of the above will increase the safety of your investment. 

10. They’ll offer after-sale support 

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No matter if you’re buying a property to live in year-round or for rental purposes, there will be a few formalities you’ll have to take care of, such as setting up utilities. By working with a reputable real estate agency, you can count on ongoing support. 

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Not only can they manage your home while you are away – such as finding tenants and maintaining the property – but also assist with various formalities. These include navigating tax obligations and legal requirements after purchase. Cooperating with a local real estate agent will take much off your plate and turn property purchasing into a stress-free experience. 

Work with an agent no matter if you’re buying a house from an owner, or a new development 

Buying a property is a serious investment, irrespective of whether you plan to live there or rent out. It costs a lot of money so you’ll want to make sure it’s well spent. By working with a local real estate company, like Hometailor, we’ll not only help you find property in your dream location but also assist with all necessary formalities. 

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We offer a wide selection of luxurious properties, including new developments – so be sure to take a look. And if you find something you love, give us a call.