Question 1

How far is the beach from Palm Luxury Gardens?

Accepted Answer

Playa de Guadalmansa is 1.8 kilometres away, which is a 22-minute walk or nine minutes by car. The development is on the sea side of the motorway, so you have a direct route to the coast without crossing major roads. The beach here is quieter than the main Estepona strips and has parking if you prefer to drive.

Question 2

Do the homes have private pools or shared pools?

Accepted Answer

Each home has either a private pool on its plot or access to a communal pool shared with other residents. The distinction matters for maintenance: a private pool gives you control over when and how it is cleaned, but you organise and pay for that yourself. A communal pool is maintained by the community, which spreads the cost but means you follow shared rules on opening hours and use.

Question 3

What is within walking distance and what needs a car?

Accepted Answer

The beach at Guadalmansa is a 22-minute walk. Everything else needs a car: the nearest supermarket is 2.3 kilometres away, Estepona town centre is 1.8 kilometres, and schools are between three and 15 minutes by road. This is a residential area rather than a town centre, so daily errands mean driving or cycling rather than walking to a high street.

Question 4

How far is Gibraltar Airport?

Accepted Answer

Gibraltar Airport is 43 kilometres away, which takes about 52 minutes by car. That makes it the closer option for short trips compared to Málaga Airport, which is 80 kilometres and typically takes over an hour. Gibraltar handles fewer routes and smaller aircraft, so it suits direct flights from the UK but not connections through European hubs.

Question 5

What is nearby for families with children?

Accepted Answer

The International School of Estepona is 3.6 kilometres away, about 15 minutes by car. Hospital Hospiten de Estepona is 1.8 kilometres, which is six minutes by road. There is a state primary school at Cancelada eight minutes away, and local shops are close enough for quick errands. The beach and golf course are both short drives, which suits families who want outdoor activities without long journeys.

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.

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Specifications

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