Whether you need a one bedroom flat in the city centre, a luxury penthouse in Eixample or a house in the hills, we know where to look, how to negotiate and how to look after our clients.
We specialise in finding property for clients in and around Barcelona. That can be an investment property or a place to live. We save you time and money when you buy in Barcelona.
You may already live in Barcelona or are planning to move here, either way we can help you source a flat or house, negotiate on price and take the stress out of the buying process.
We access the local Catalan market and many times avoid the higher prices of the international estate agencies. We know the market, have contacts with owners and developers and can be your feet on the ground.
How our finding service works when purchasing property
The first stage of the finding service is to meet you or to have a telephone or Skype conversation, and for me to take detailed notes on the type of property you’re looking for.
The search process then gets underway, looking across the market with international and local estate agents, as well as contacting owners and developers.
You will be sent details of any properties that match your criteria. A translation of the property details to English is provided, and you will be given links to view the properties online – or photographs if a property has not yet been marketed.
What you need in order to buy in Barcelona
Before the search process, it’s best to have the following things in place:
- Your NIE – you can’t purchase a property in Spain without one
- A mortgage agreement, if you need a mortgage.
- A local lawyer – one can be recommended
- A Spanish bank account with sufficient funds to pay 10% of the purchase price of the property
I can recommend a lawyer, someone to help you get your NIE, a bank where you can bank in English and a surveyor.
The viewing process
The next stage involves two options. Firstly, we can view those properties which interest you on your behalf. Following those viewings and assessments of each property, and if we both agree that’s it’s a good purchase option for you, you then come to Barcelona to view yourself.
Alternatively, once a number of suitable properties have been sourced that you’d like to view in person, we arrange a day of viewings for you. You come to Barcelona to see several properties, all arranged on a day to suit you. With this second option, we will not have viewed the properties beforehand, rather we accompany you to the viewings.
Once the right property has been located, we help you with the negotiation process. We regularly negotiate prices for both rentals and purchases – we’re accustomed to doing so and work to ensure that you achieve the best possible price and deal.
Once a verbal agreement is in place, the following steps are:
- A survey – I work with a local Catalan architect, but you’re free to appoint your own surveyor if you prefer
- Instructing your lawyer – I can recommend a Catalan English-speaking lawyer who regularly works with my clients
- Informing your mortgage company, who will probably want to do their own valuation
- Depending on the circumstances, usually a small reservation fee is paid until these processes can be completed.
Sometimes it’s possible to go straight to the ‘Arras’ stage, where both parties sign an agreement for the purchase, and the buyer pays 10% of the purchase price (less any reservation fee already paid). The Arras document needs to be approved by your lawyer. To reach this stage usually takes no more than two weeks.
If you fail to meet the terms of the purchase, including being able to sign the final title deeds by the agreed date, you lose your 10%. If the owner of the property fails to meet the agreements laid out in the Arras, they have to refund your money plus pay you 10%. (Those are the standard terms of an Arras document.)
The final exchange (Escritura) happens in front of a Notary and is arranged by your lawyer. This normally takes place within three months of your first verbal agreement.
If you’d like more information about our service or a quote, please get in touch with the basic details of what you’re looking for as well as your schedule, and we’ll be more than happy to give you a quote. You can also call on +34 662 481 859.