How to make a good deal on the Costa Brava?

The Costa Brava seduces with its natural landscapes and legendary calm. Located close to the French border, this corner of paradise attracts more and more property investors every year, especially the French. In this region where demand is strong and constant, it is important to set up a relevant and solid acquisition project in order to get a good deal. How to proceed? In this guide, we show you how to acquire the house of your dreams at low cost on the Costa Brava.

A real estate agency: the best way to find the rare pearl on the Costa Brava

The best way to find a cheap flat on the Costa Brava is to use a real estate agency that is fully conversant with the Spanish property market. In this way, you will benefit from the services of an experienced and multidisciplinary team of brokers, building tradesmen and architects. These professionals have a well-stocked address book that allows them to quickly find out about good deals on the Costa Brava and find exceptional properties at very affordable prices.

The purchase of properties on the Costa Brava (Rosas, Playa de ajos, Empuriabrava...) by a foreigner is governed by very specific rules. With the help of a competent estate agency, you will receive legal assistance which will be of great help in carrying out your administrative procedures. The notary's fees, taxes and all other expenses you will have to pay will be presented to you transparently by the agency.

To protect you against possible legal disputes, it will check for hidden or apparent defects in the process of selling the property you wish to buy. This will prevent you from becoming the owner of a property that has large unpaid debts.

You will also no longer have to worry about the language barrier, one of the biggest obstacles that foreigners who wish to invest in real estate in Spain encounter.

In addition, a real estate agency can also help you in the early stages of drawing up your financing plan. This will enable you to have a relevant and viable project in hand.

Buying between individuals, interesting but risky

The purchase of properties from one individual to another is an advantageous practice. The main advantage of buying property between individuals is economic. There is no agency commission to pay. You also have the possibility of negotiating the amount of the transaction directly with the seller without any intermediary. If you have negotiating skills, you will be able to make a very good deal with this type of purchase.

However, even if they appear to be less expensive and more profitable, real estate transactions between individuals present significant risks. One of these is related to the estimation of the surface area of the dwelling. Since the calculation of the habitable square metre is different in Spain (compared to France), an unsophisticated private individual can acquire a property that will end up being too small for his or her needs. This can lead to great disappointment.

In addition, it can happen that a seller plays the dishonest card and hides certain technical and legal details of the property from the buyer (the private individual). This can lead to significant problems after the property has been sold. It is also possible that the seller disappears into thin air after the irregular sale has been completed, leaving a legal uncertainty as to the validity of the sale contract.

Finally, a transaction between individuals can take a long time to conclude, especially if communication between the two parties is not fluid. This can sometimes be a source of stress.

Bank foreclosures: real opportunities to buy cheap properties

Property foreclosures are a very interesting offer that you can take advantage of to acquire a property on the Costa Brava. Indeed, since the economic crisis of 2008, Spanish banks have seized many properties due to unpaid debts. This has led to discounts of up to 40% of the value of the properties for sale. The banks have therefore set up partnerships with real estate agencies for the sale of these types of property.

If you're looking for a low-cost property that is the result of foreclosures, consider using a company that specialises in the field of real estate and is familiar with all the workings of the Spanish system. They will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you buy the property at the lowest possible price.

Purchasing through an agent

The real estate agent is a self-employed person who works from home with a microentrepreneur status. He plays the same role as a real estate agency and carries out similar missions. For the purchase of a property, the agent accompanies you from the visit of the premises to the completion of administrative formalities. He or she will also help you negotiate the price of the property. Unlike an agency, this professional receives reduced commissions. It also allows you to have a single point of contact.

Like buying between private individuals, using a real estate agent to buy a property on the Costa Brava has its disadvantages. Even though the agent may be in partnership with a real estate agency, he or she never works on behalf of that agency. Similarly, he is not authorised to draw up a provisional sales agreement. This right is only granted to employees of estate agencies who hold a professional card. As soon as the agent receives his commission, he is free to enter into any commitment with you. In the event of problems, it may be difficult to find him since he does not have a formal place of work.

The advantages of buying property on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava property market offers many opportunities for foreign investors. Most of the houses, villas and flats on the Costa Brava have been recently built and are available at very affordable prices. There are also some luxury properties (with stunning sea views) on this coast that are popular with people with very high incomes.

The idyllic landscape of the Costa Brava also enhances its appeal. It is the most beautiful coastline of the Mediterranean Sea with rich and diverse relief. Deserted sandy beaches, high rocky cliffs and unspoilt marine parks attract many visitors every year. Due to the large number of tourists that the region welcomes, rental real estate is very profitable here. The villages along the coast provide a relaxing living environment.

What to remember? It is possible to acquire a property at a lower cost on the Costa Brava. You just have to be very careful and put together your file with a real estate agency that knows the region well. The support of a lawyer can also be very useful.