Question 1

How far is the beach from the villas?

Accepted Answer

The beach is two kilometres away, about seven minutes by car. The development sits inland on a hillside above the AP-7 motorway, so this is not a walking distance. You will drive to the coast for beach days, but the elevation gives you sea views from the terraces without the traffic and density of beachfront locations.

Question 2

Do the villas have private pools and gardens?

Accepted Answer

Each villa has its own private pool and landscaped garden on a plot of 405 to 440 square metres. You maintain your own outdoor space, which gives you control over planting, layout and privacy, but you are responsible for pool cleaning and garden upkeep. The terraces range from 192 to 212 square metres, so there is room to design separate zones for dining, lounging and sun.

Question 3

What are the views like?

Accepted Answer

Most villas look out over Azata Golf, the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountains. The hillside position lifts the development above the coastal plain, so views tend to stretch across open space rather than built-up areas. The exact outlook depends on which plot you choose and where neighbouring villas sit, so some terraces feel more private than others.

Question 4

What is within walking distance?

Accepted Answer

The nearest supermarket, Aldi, is 1.8 kilometres away, a 22-minute walk or six minutes by car. The hillside setting and the roads leading up to it make walking less practical for daily errands, so most buyers drive. Estepona town centre, beaches, schools and the marina are all close by car, but this is not a location where you step out of the front door and walk to shops or cafés.

Question 5

How far is Gibraltar Airport?

Accepted Answer

Gibraltar Airport is 33 kilometres away, about 48 minutes by car. That makes it manageable for lock-up-and-leave use, especially if you fly in and out frequently. The drive is straightforward, mostly on the AP-7 motorway, so the journey is predictable outside peak border queues at the Gibraltar frontier.

Question 6

How does buying off-plan work in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Buying off-plan in Estepona means reserving a property before or during construction. You pay a reservation deposit (typically €6,000 to €12,000), then sign a private purchase contract within 30 days and pay a further 10 to 20% of the purchase price. Staged payments follow the construction milestones. The final 60 to 70% is paid at notary completion when the keys are handed over.

Question 7

Are my deposits protected if the developer goes bust?

Accepted Answer

Under Spanish law (Law 57/1968 and its 2015 successor), all off-plan deposits must be covered by a bank guarantee or insurance policy. Your lawyer must verify this before you pay any money. If the developer fails to deliver, you can claim 100% of your deposit plus 6% annual interest. Never transfer funds without a confirmed guarantee in your name.

Question 8

What building guarantees come with a new-build?

Accepted Answer

Spanish law mandates three tiers: a 10-year structural guarantee (Seguro Decenal) for serious structural defects, a 3-year guarantee for habitability issues (waterproofing, insulation, installations), and a 1-year guarantee on finishes and fixtures. These run from the date the licence of first occupation (licencia de primera ocupación) is issued.

Question 9

What taxes apply to new-build property in Spain?

Accepted Answer

New-build purchases are subject to 10% IVA (VAT) on the purchase price, plus 1.2% AJD (stamp duty) in Andalucía. Parking spaces or storage sold separately may attract 21% IVA. Add notary, land registry and legal fees (1 to 2%), budget 12 to 15% on top of the purchase price in total acquisition costs.

Question 10

Can I customise finishes and layout before completion?

Accepted Answer

Most developers allow personalisation during the early construction phase, choices of floor tiles, kitchen units, bathroom fixtures, paint colours and sometimes layout tweaks. The window for changes is typically 3 to 6 months after signing the contract. Structural changes are rarely possible once work has started. Your sales representative will provide a customisation deadline and specification sheet.

Question 11

How long will construction take?

Accepted Answer

Typical build time in coastal Spain is 18 to 30 months from licence grant to completion. Delays of 3 to 6 months are common due to weather, supply-chain or permit issues. Your contract should specify a longstop completion date and the compensation you are owed for any overrun. Always check whether the building licence has already been granted before reserving.

Question 12

What should I check before signing an off-plan contract?

Accepted Answer

Key due-diligence points: (1) confirm the building licence is granted, not just applied for; (2) verify all deposits are bank-guaranteed in your name; (3) check the developer's track record and financial standing; (4) review the specification sheet and what is included in the price; (5) confirm the estimated completion date and longstop clause; (6) have an independent Spanish lawyer review the contract before you sign anything.

Question 13

Do I need a NIE and Spanish bank account to buy off-plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both are required before the final notary signing. You can reserve with a passport, but your Spanish NIE (foreigner tax number) is needed for the private purchase contract and your Spanish bank account for the staged transfers. Your lawyer can obtain your NIE with a power of attorney in 2 to 4 weeks. Open the bank account on your first trip to Spain or remotely via certain Spanish banks.

Question 14

Can non-residents get a Spanish mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spanish banks lend to non-residents at typical LTVs of 60 to 70% of the lower of purchase price or valuation (vs 80% for residents). Rates are competitive with the rest of the eurozone. You will need 6 months of bank statements, tax returns and proof of income, pre-approval takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Question 15

Should I get pre-approval before viewing?

Accepted Answer

Recommended for serious buyers. A mortgage in principle confirms your budget, signals credibility to sellers and shortens completion. We can introduce you to specialist non-resident mortgage brokers familiar with the local market.

Question 16

What taxes will I pay buying a property in Estepona?

Accepted Answer

Resale property in Andalucía: ITP (transfer tax) at 7%. New-build: 10% IVA + 1.2% AJD (stamp duty). Plus notary, land registry and legal fees of roughly 1 to 2%. Budget 10 to 13% on top of the asking price for total acquisition costs.

Question 17

What ongoing costs should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Annual IBI (council tax) is typically 0.4 to 1.1% of cadastral value. Community fees on apartments and gated villas range €100 to €600/month depending on amenities. Non-resident owners pay an annual income tax based on cadastral value, plus utilities and home insurance.

Question 18

Are agent fees paid by the buyer or seller?

Accepted Answer

In Spain the seller pays the agent commission (typically 3 to 6% + VAT), already baked into the asking price. Buyers do not pay agent fees on resale or new-build.

AMARIS

Overview

What this home includes

Specifications

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AMARIS: Frequently Asked Questions

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