Faq

Is buying a house in Spain as buying a house at home?

Buying property in Spain is different from what you are used to in the U.K. Therefore it is important for you to have an experienced broker at your side. The brochure Five steps to your dream home will inform you extensively about the procedures.

Once I have made my deposit for my purchased house, will I be at risk for any financial problems?

No, all our promoters provide a bank guarantee on your deposit, so you are not at risk for any kind of financial problems.

Why buy through Spanish Total Services?

Why buy through Spanish Total Services? On buying a new home or resale property in Spain many aspects are involved. At first you can choose from a wide range of housing and furthermore Spanish legal registration is a very important issue. Knowledge is required and therefore a reliable partner regarding your interests is needed. These are the advantages of buying at Spanish Total Services one by one.

1. The Spanish agreement will be translated in English and explained, in order for you to know what you put your signature for.
2. Irrefutable clauses protecting you during the buying process.
3. Spanish Total Services has knowledge of the local housing market and offers you an extensive supply of housing at very affordable and competitive prices.
4. Spanish Total Services works together with local law and accounting firms to arrange all the necessary paperwork.
5. Total Services only has Spanish houses and dwellings for which planning permission is granted for sale, an important and reassuring security.
6. Spanish Total Services provides the interior for your home at a certain budget, free of charge.
7. After your home is completed, after sales services are in safe hands at Spanish Total Services.

Can I get a mortgage in Spain?

To obtain a mortgage is not particularly difficult. Several Spanish banks are willing to provide a mortgage. Please keep in mind that currently Spanish banks only provide mortgages covering 60% of the purchase price. Therefore you should have a considerable amount of own money.

What are the Buyers Costs in Spain?

Generally you can estimate 10% of the purchase costs. These 10% include the 7% transfer tax (known in Spain as ITP, Impuesto Trans Patrimoniales), notary and registry costs and the cadastral costs.

I was informed the VAT on houses in Spain was reduced, what does this mean?

Indeed the reduced VAT, for newbuild houses only, has decrased from 8% to 4%, a very nice advantage. The property must be paid for, notarized and transferred to you before December 31, 2011. In case the house is still under construction the payments made before December 31, 2011 are also taxed at the reduced VAT rate of 4%.

Can I negotiate on the price of a house?

The price of an existing house is definitily negotiable. The asking price always has a margin included to negotiate. Spanish Total Services is well up to date with the local market and current price levels, giving Spanish Total Services the possibility to negotiate the lowest purchase price for your house. New homes however, the supervisor maintains fixed prices which are not negotiable. However, due to current market conditions, the promotor needs to apply competitive selling prices determined by the market for selling houses. On the other hand payment terms can be considered negotiable. Being a real buyers market today, as since 2007 sales reduced by 30% to 40%, gives you a benefit. The reduced VAT on new homes, 4%, is an additional incentive to buy now. Spanish Total Services is happy to help you realize your dream house.

Having bought a house, do I need to go to the notary?

Yes, you need to go to a notary. Spanish Total Services not only guides you through the entire purchase process but also assists you in the notarial\'s transfer. At the notarial\'s transfer an attorney always is present to confirm the mortgage deed, to check your personal data and cadastral details of your home. The attorney also checks at the Land Registry if the property is free of encumbrances, debts and objections on the day the house transfers and thus can be transferred correctly to you. The money transfer regarding the notary isn\'t being transferred through the notary\'s office in Spain. The purchase price generally is paid for by a bank cheque directly to the seller. The attorney takes care for the payments regarding the notary, tax authorities and other agencies. Once the deed is processed correctly, the notary verifies if all payments are made accurately and signs the deed. Spanish Total Services is your contact for all questions and follows the transfer closely, a reassuring thought.

What is needed to buy a car?

Your Social Security number, or NIE, is required. Also you should have a Spanish bank account for paying the annual roadtax. In Spain the costs of road taxes is significantly lower than in the U.K., an estimated EUR 50 per year, depending on the type of your car.

How can I get a gas, water and light connection?

New home situation:

Situation existing house:

Do I need to pay commision on the services provided by Spanish Total Services?

Our services involved throughout the purchase process of your home are free of charge!

What about Spanish medical care?

Spanish medical care is at a excellent level. If you wish so English doctors are also available. In case of an emergency, the dentist is also present. Medical centres in all villages are open 24 hours a day. Various hospitals are located in the direct surroundings. Spanish Total Services will always stand by you if necessary. A reassuring thought.

Do I need to open a Spanish bankaccount?

You need to open a Spanish bank account. At first to pay the purchase of your property and later to be able to pay for the electricity bill, local taxes and more. To open a Spanish bank account isn\'t difficult and ofcourse Spanish Total Services is there to assist you in applying and/or choosing a suitable bank for you.

What do I need to open a Spanish bankaccount?

Bank accounts can be opened at all Spanish banks. The banks need to have an insight into your revenues, due to new guidelines ordered by the Spanish governement, in order to be able to have an insight into your solvency. In shortz: you need to make clear you have an income in England / at your country of origin. Furthermore the bank makes a copy of your passport and your signature is registered.

Are there nice beaches nearby?

Several golden beaches are in the vicinity. The most well-known beaches are near to La Zenia, Punta Prima and Dehesa de Campoamor. Also many lovely bays are nearby. All beaches are easily accesible and have excellent parking facilities.

To play golf, do I need to drive far?

Absolutely not. The beautifull and extensive golfcourts of Villa Martin, Campoamor and Las Colinas are in a radius of approximately 5 kilometres. All golf courses have 18 holes and are completly different to each other. This area is the cream of the crop for the real Golf lovers. The Las Ramblas and Las Colinas club houses all have magnificent terraces, along with wonderful restaurants and overviewing the court. From Campoamor\'s big terrace you could even see La Manga. Las Colinas golfcourse has a 18 holes Championship course as well as their own beach club, only allowed to the residents of las Colinas. You can drive there yourself or use the shuttlebus.

Where to find the shoppingcentres?

At the moment Centro Commercial Playas at La Zenia is being build. This shoppingcentre will be opened in 2012 and will definitely bring a positive upgrade to the vicinity. This gigantic shoppingcentre will house 150 shops. All well-known brands will be here which means that it will offer an enormous variety and choice for consumers. Hotel and catering industry will be there too. Furthermore the extended shopping centre Habaneres, located nearby the city of Torrevieja, houses all brand stores. At walking distance Carrefour can be found with 35 check outs. For those who want to take a little gamble a casino is there. For your daily groceries in all nearby villages wellknown supermarkets as Consum, Mercadone, Lidl and Mas y Mas are there. At walking distance banks, butchers, bakers, restaurants, bars and pharmacies, as well as clothing and shoe shops and stores where you can buy your Dutch newspaper are to be found.

Are Spanish restaurants culinary?

Various culinary restaurants in the direct vicinity offer you a pleasant atmosphere where you can enjoy lovely Spanish food. Of course the excellent Spanish wines are present too. At the same time lovely Italian, Thai and Indian restaurants are also nearby. Spanish Total Services will not fail to introduce you to the best restaurants based on your preferences and will advice and inform you about all relevant issues, while enjoying a delicious glass of wine,