New Developments in Mijas

When you buy a new development in Mijas off-plan, you typically pay a reservation deposit to hold the property, then a larger deposit on signing the initial contract, followed by staged payments tied to construction milestones. The final payment comes when the developer hands over the keys. Spanish law requires every staged payment made before completion to be backed by a bank guarantee or insurance policy, so if the developer fails to deliver, you recover what you paid. Ask to see proof of the guarantee before you transfer any money.

A new build in Mijas carries VAT rather than the transfer tax you would pay on a resale. You also owe stamp duty on the purchase deed. Both rates depend on the region and should be confirmed with your lawyer, but the combined cost is a separate line in your budget on top of the purchase price. Transfer tax does not apply when you buy from a developer.

The town hall must sign the building off as fit to live in before the developer can hand over keys. That sign-off is the usual reason a completion date moves: the developer may finish building on time but still be waiting for the council's approval. Factor a buffer into your own planning if you need to give notice on a rental or book removals around a fixed date.

You should arrange a final inspection shortly before handover. Walk through the property with the developer's representative and make a list of any unfinished work or defects, from missing door handles to paint marks. The developer is obliged to put these right. Spanish law then holds the builder liable for one year on finishes, three years on things that affect living in the home such as damp or insulation, and ten years on structural defects.

Mijas spreads from the coast up into the hills, and new developments reflect that geography. Schemes around La Cala de Mijas and the golf resorts at Calanova, Mijas Golf and La Cala Golf sit a few kilometres inland, often with sea views from higher plots. Closer to the shore, Riviera del Sol and El Chaparral offer beachside settings. Las Lagunas is the commercial heart, close to shops and schools. Some frontline golf schemes put the course on your doorstep, while others back onto forest. Where you choose depends on whether you want a short walk to the beach, a golf-course view, or quick access to supermarkets and infrastructure.

A developer's identity is public record. Every scheme must name the company behind it in the sales contract, and you can look that company up at the Registro Mercantil to see its balance sheet and the names of its directors. A builder with a track record of delivered projects in the area is a safer bet than one with no history. But the bank guarantee is more important than the brand: even a reputable developer can run into trouble, and the guarantee is what protects your deposits if that happens.

Buying off-plan in Mijas gives you a choice of layouts and often lets you pick finishes before construction reaches your unit. You also buy at the launch price, which is usually lower than what the same property fetches closer to handover. The trade-off is the wait: depending on when you reserve, completion may be a year or more away, and you cannot move in or rent the property out until the keys are handed over and the town hall has given its approval.