Question 1

How far is the beach from La Cala Valley?

Accepted Answer

Playa de La Cala is 3.3 kilometres away, about six minutes by car. The development sits inland of the motorway on a hillside, so the beach is not within walking distance. You will drive there, which means you can choose your beach along this stretch of coast rather than being tied to the nearest one.

Question 2

What does the location near golf courses mean day to day?

Accepted Answer

Santana Golf and Country Club is 1.7 kilometres away, a six-minute drive, so if you play regularly the commute is short enough to fit rounds into weekday mornings or late afternoons. The golf setting also keeps the land around the development open, which protects the views. The trade-off is that you are not near shops or restaurants you can walk to.

Question 3

Why do plot sizes vary so much between villas?

Accepted Answer

Plots range from 43 to 106 square metres because the hillside site demanded different footprints. The smaller plots leave less outdoor space once the pool and terrace are laid, and neighbours are closer. The larger ones give room to add planting or a seating area that feels private. Check which plots remain before you commit.

Question 4

What is nearby for families with school-age children?

Accepted Answer

St Anthony's College is 2.7 kilometres away, about seven minutes by car. Urgencias Hospital Costa del Sol is 12 kilometres from the development, a 20-minute drive. Supermarkets are six minutes away, and Fuengirola, which has more choice for shopping and health services, is 17 minutes by car.

Question 5

Do the villas have private or shared pools?

Accepted Answer

Each villa has its own private pool on its plot. That means no sharing, no timetables and no walking across a communal garden in a towel, but you are responsible for cleaning, chemical balancing and any repairs. The terrace around the pool measures 67 or 68 square metres, enough for sun loungers and a dining table.

Question 6

How does buying off-plan work in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Buying off-plan in La Cala De Mijas 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 La Cala De Mijas?

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.

La Cala Valley

Overview

What this home includes

Specifications

La Cala de Mijas, Mijas

La Cala Valley: Frequently Asked Questions

How it sits in the market

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