Property prices can differ between areas, as can other factors like the types of accommodation available, and the airlines, which might be important in visiting family back home. You should also think of the public conveniences and tourist attractions in the nearby area; for instance, hospitals, schools, restaurants, beaches, and anything else you may be interested in.
Before you begin looking for property for sale in Spain, you should consider whether you wish to buy your Spanish property already built or off plan. Buying property off plan means buying it before it's fully built, and can work out cheaper than buying an already built property in Spain.
You should consider your purpose in buying property in Spain - buying as an investment might mean a different area is more desirable than if you were buying a personal home.
In some areas which cater more heavily to English visitors, little to no knowledge of the language is required, while if you choose a more out of the way property, you will need more advanced knowledge.
The fees and taxes involved in buying a property in Spain generally amount to around 10% of the purchase price. If you plan on adding anything to the property, you should try and include this in the original contract, as otherwise you will incur a 16% construction fee. Before confirming the terms of purchase, you will need to have proof that you have the funds available, either in a bank account or lodged with your lawyer.
A "foreigner's identification number" is a legal requirement before carrying out any purchase which has tax implications, including buying property in Spain. You can normally obtain one simply by visiting the foreigner's depart of a Spanish police station.
A reservation deposit will normally be paid to the agent or lawyer representing you and not to the vendor who is selling your property in Spain. The amount is normally between 3000-6000 euros, and holds the property until contracts are exchanged, after which 10% of the property price is required. If, at any point, you decide not to proceed with the sale, you will lose your reservation fee or your deposit, depending upon how far the sale has progressed.
Most contracts are fairly standard, but Spanish property law is complex, and an experienced lawyer is a great asset. They will normally charge around 1% of the final purchase price, and will be able to talk you through the process of buying property in Spain.
Having found your property, you may wish to consider opening a Spanish bank account. Opening a bank account is Spain is fairly easy, and many have English speaking staff to help you. All you need is a passport and a deposit, and many Spanish banks run fairly good mortgage deals which you may be interested in. You should always compare these with the offers made by British banks in order to find the best deal. Some British banks, such as Barclays, have branches in Spain, and these banks usually offer good deals on currency exchange.