All questions & answers.

The earlier, the better – ideally before you register with individual developers or agents.

In the initial consultation we clarify your goal, budget and timeframe. After that, I can make targeted suggestions instead of sending you through hundreds of listings, most of which wouldn't fit anyway.

Not much. It helps if you have a rough idea of intended use, region and budget range – nothing more.

I take care of the rest – market overview, developer comparison, property selection. Too much research on your own beforehand often just costs time, and can sometimes lead to expectations that don't match the realistic budget.

A good sign is roughly knowing which total budget is realistically available, and when you imagine using the property.

If both are still open, that's not a problem – then we simply talk about exactly that first, rather than about specific properties.

That happens more often than people think, and it isn't a setback. A search profile isn't a contract – it's a working document.

What matters is that we discuss changes early, so I can adjust the selection accordingly.

No. We clarify that question together during the conversation – and I'll point out early enough if a financing check makes sense, before you fall in love with a particular property.

First, something important: for the new-build projects we work with, the agency commission is paid by the developer – not by the buyer. So contacting the developer directly gives you no financial advantage.

What many buyers don't know: developers usually assign interested parties to a contact or sales partner on a first-come, first-served basis. If you've already registered for a project yourself, we may no longer be able to act as your point of contact there.

Feel free to research and look at everything that interests you. But before you leave your contact details or send a specific enquiry, have a quick word with us first. That way you keep your options open – and we can represent your interests with the developer.

No. The purchase price of the property is set by the developer. We receive our compensation from the developer.

So for you it isn't a question of "with an agent" versus "cheaper without an agent" – it's about who actually compares projects, asks the right questions and, where relevant, advises against a property.

For a new build, your contractual partner is the developer: it owes you the property as described in the contract and specification, the agreed date, protection of your deposits and the remedy of defects. Price, payments, extras and defect reports are therefore settled directly and in writing with the developer. We accompany you: we select with you, compare, ask, translate and keep an eye on deadlines. We are not a party to the contract.

All responsibilities at a glance: guide agent or developer →

These tasks are basically the buyer's matter. We are happy to take them on for you, from registrations with the town hall and utility companies to a fully furnished, move-in-ready home. As this goes beyond the purchase support, we agree scope, process and costs in writing in advance, separately from the purchase.

Many of my conversations begin with a dream. Someone sees a house in Spain on social media, discovers the idea of living under the sun, or becomes interested in a property as an investment. There's nothing wrong with that – quite the opposite: almost every good decision starts with an idea of what one's own life could look like.

To me, someone becomes a "dreamer" not through the dream itself, but when the wish and reality are never brought together. Some prospective buyers spend many hours with listings, contact numerous agents and developers, and enquire about properties worth 300,000 euros or more. At the decisive moment, though, there's no clarity about what total budget is actually available, how much equity can be committed, or whether financing has been realistically prepared.

Especially with financing in Spain, buyers – depending on their personal situation and the financing bank – often need to contribute a significant part of the purchase price themselves. With financing of up to around 70 percent of the property value, that regularly means at least around 30 percent equity for the purchase price; purchase-related costs come on top of that. The exact ratio and lending decision always depend on the individual case and the bank.

A "doer" therefore doesn't need to be particularly wealthy, nor buy immediately. A doer creates clarity: they know their realistic budget, check financing early, factor in purchase-related costs, make traceable decisions and consistently follow through on the agreed next steps.

My job isn't to talk a dream down. I want to find out as early as possible whether the wish, the budget and the timeline fit together – and turn that into a realistic path to your own property in Spain.

That depends on the bank, your personal situation and the property. As a rough guide: with financing of up to around 70 percent of the property value for non-residents, that often means at least around 30 percent equity for the purchase price – plus the purchase-related costs.

The exact ratio, interest rates and lending decision always depend on the individual case and the financing bank. I recommend clarifying this early on, rather than only dealing with it after you've chosen a property.

Worked example with own funds and monthly payment: financing guide →

Besides the purchase price, there are taxes, notary and land registry fees, and, where relevant, legal fees. New builds carry Spanish VAT (IVA); resale properties usually carry the regional transfer tax instead.

As a rule of thumb, buying costs add around 12 to 14 percent to the price for a new build and around 11 to 12 percent for a resale property – the exact amount depends on region, property type and the individual case. Every item with a calculator: guide to buying costs in Spain.

In principle, yes – many Spanish banks also finance non-residents, though usually with a lower loan-to-value ratio and stricter proof-of-income requirements than for residents.

How high the actual financing ratio turns out to be depends on the bank, your income situation and the property. I can put you in touch with independent financing specialists who assess your specific situation, if needed.

Loan-to-value, documents and process: guide to financing in Spain →

That's a very individual decision that depends on interest rate levels, your tax situation and your personal liquidity planning.

I recommend clarifying this together with an independent financing or tax adviser before making a reservation – not only afterwards.

That's exactly why I recommend starting the financing check as early as possible – ideally in parallel with the property search, not only after a reservation.

Reservation deadlines with developers are usually clearly defined. If it becomes apparent that more time is needed, I address that with the developer early on, so there are no unpleasant surprises.

Usually not from what's written in the listing. I look at who is actually building, which projects the developer has already completed, what those look like today, which materials were really used, and how reliably deadlines and commitments have been kept so far.

That's exactly where the differences arise that you can't see in a rendering.

When information only becomes specific after repeated follow-up questions – for example about the specification, completion date, communal facilities, or exactly what's included in the price.

If I don't get clear answers to simple questions, I become even more cautious about the harder topics.

Of course. An attractive price doesn't turn a problematic project into a good property.

If I have doubts about the developer, the quality, the micro-location or the project itself, I say so openly. CASA READY isn't meant to broker as many properties as possible, but to filter out the right ones.

I wouldn't just ask "When will it be finished?" but rather: "Which comparable development that you completed a few years ago can I go and view?"

A brand-new show apartment almost always looks good. I'm far more interested in how a development looks after a few years. I don't just want to see how a developer sells – I want to see how their properties age.

The floor plan shows how you'll actually live there: walking distances, privacy, storage, the ratio of indoor to outdoor space, how the rooms are oriented, and areas that look generous but are barely usable in practice.

A rendering sells emotion. The floor plan has to hold up to everyday life.

Because the purchase price is just one number. What matters is what you actually get for it: build quality, orientation, outdoor space, parking, communal facilities, ongoing costs and the quality of the developer.

A price difference of 20,000 euros can be completely irrelevant – or turn out very costly later.

That depends on your goal. A new build has slightly higher buying costs (around 12–14% instead of 11–12%) but offers statutory guarantees of up to 10 years, protected deposits and a very good energy class. A resale property can be used immediately, often in a central location and with room to negotiate, but with fewer guarantees and possible renovation needs.

All differences with a worked example: guide new build or resale →

Yes. Anyone selling or letting must provide a valid energy certificate, and the energy class must already appear in the advert. For the worst class G the certificate is only valid for 5 years. There is no ban today on selling poorly rated homes, but requirements are likely to rise under the EU buildings directive.

What applies today and what is coming: guide new build or resale →

That depends on the buyer. For someone living here permanently, a different location can be ideal than for someone who comes for six weeks a year or wants to rent it out at times.

Being close to the beach alone is therefore not a quality marker. I first want to understand how someone actually plans to use the property.

The first sea line initially sounds like the best location – but it isn't automatically the best property for every buyer.

Alongside the direct sea view, you should also consider wind, salty air, humidity, possible corrosion and the resulting maintenance effort. Depending on the micro-location, a busy promenade, road traffic, summer crowds or a lack of privacy can also affect everyday life more than it seems during a viewing.

Then there's the price: the first sea line often carries a considerable premium. That's why I check whether that extra cost really offers a corresponding benefit to the buyer – or whether a property a few minutes from the sea offers more peace, space, privacy and quality of life for the same budget.

I recommend the first sea line when it fits the desired use, lifestyle and budget. What matters isn't buying as close to the sea as possible, but choosing the property you'll genuinely feel at home in over the long term.

Because three bedrooms alone don't make a suitable property.

Does someone want to walk to get a coffee in the morning? Are they looking for peace, a sea view, proximity to the airport, or restaurants and shops open all year round? Will a lot of time be spent on the terrace? Only from that does a search profile emerge that I can use to make a sensible selection.

When I can't find a plausible reason for the price difference. Then I want to know whether it's due to the position within the development, the orientation, the construction phase, the fittings or the surroundings.

To me, a price is only truly attractive once I understand why it is what it is.

Yes. If my experience or the available information speaks against a project, I say so.

Good advice shows not only in what you recommend, but just as much in what you advise against.

Because what matters is whether the sea view will remain permanently. I don't just look at the view today, but also at the plots in front of it and possible future development.

A sea view that looks fantastic today can lose value if another building later rises in front of it.

Sales patterns can reveal a lot about a project: which units sell quickly, which stay available for a long time – and why?

That often makes it possible to spot early which positions within a development are especially in demand, and which apartments deserve a closer look.

Because everyday practicality starts exactly where the rendering usually stops: parking space width, columns, tight bends, distance to the lift, and possible preparation for a wallbox.

That sounds like a minor detail – until you live with it every day.

Not just because of the view. Light, privacy, street noise, sightlines from neighbouring buildings, and even how usable the terrace is can differ noticeably within the same building.

That's why knowing only the apartment type isn't enough. What matters is exactly where the apartment sits within the building.

Above all, orientation, depth, privacy and actual usability.

Thirty square metres sounds excellent. If the terrace offers barely any shade in high summer, is constantly overlooked, or is hard to furnish, the size alone doesn't help much.

Everything that makes a development attractive has to be maintained later. Large pools, elaborate gardens, several lifts, gyms or spa areas all affect the ongoing community charges.

I want to know whether my client will actually use those facilities, or will be permanently paying for something they don't need.

Many properties on the Costa Blanca function wonderfully in summer. What's more interesting is how the area feels in January: which restaurants and shops are open, how lively the surroundings are, and whether there's year-round infrastructure.

For anyone planning to be there more often or for longer, that can matter more than the high season.

A great deal: morning sun or evening sun, heat in high summer, light in winter, and the terrace's usability all depend strongly on orientation.

Even "south-facing" isn't automatically the best answer. What matters is how the buyer intends to use the property.

Because you're not just buying an apartment, but also its future surroundings. I check which plots are still undeveloped, what's planned there, and how access, views, noise or infrastructure might develop.

The surroundings you see at a viewing are always only a snapshot in time.

They decide very quickly and emotionally whether they like a property, and then unconsciously look for arguments to confirm that decision. That's entirely human.

My job is to look again at the position within the development, orientation, quality, ongoing costs, surroundings and possible drawbacks. Enthusiasm matters, but it shouldn't replace due diligence.

A sea view is beautiful, but it has its price. Apartments on the first sea line or with a pronounced sea view are usually significantly more expensive than comparable properties a few kilometres further inland.

So I ask: how important is it really to see the sea from your own terrace? For the same budget, a detached villa with more living space, a plot and a private pool may already be possible further inland.

Neither option is fundamentally better. It's about whether you'd rather put your budget toward a premium location and sea view, or toward more space, privacy and a pool of your own. Only a direct comparison shows what the same budget can buy in different locations.

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the Spanish foreigner identification number. It's required for practically every legal and financial process in Spain – from the purchase contract to the bank account to registering electricity and water.

We coordinate when and how it's applied for early on, so it's already available at the notary appointment.

A verbal commitment usually doesn't bindingly reserve anything. Before any payment or signature, the contract documents should be reviewed – for new-build projects, especially the specification, payment schedule and completion date.

We recommend involving an independent lawyer specialised in Spanish property law at the latest before the first payment.

The reservation contract secures the property for you short-term, usually against a smaller deposit. The private purchase contract settles the details between the parties before the notary appointment. The escritura is the notarial deed that makes the transfer of ownership official and registrable in the land registry.

Each of these steps has its own legal consequences. We accompany the timeline and make sure the necessary specialists are involved at the right moment.

Not necessarily. With a notarised power of attorney (poder notarial), the appointment can also be attended by an authorised representative – we clarify this in advance with the relevant notary or lawyer.

Many buyers still like to travel in person, to experience the moment of receiving the keys directly.

For new builds, payments on account made during construction must legally be secured in Spain, among other things through a bank guarantee or insurance from the developer.

Before any reservation, we check whether and how the developer in question specifically demonstrates this security – that's one of the points I never skip.

What you settle directly with the developer: guide agent or developer →

No. That possibility depends on the location, municipal requirements, the rules of the owners' association and the evidence required, among other factors.

That's why we check the requirements before any reservation, and involve appropriately qualified, independent specialists where needed.

The three approvals and licensing in 16 towns: holiday rental licence guide →

Active holiday rentals on the Costa Blanca reach around 61 to 70% market occupancy depending on the town. For a newly launched property we plan more cautiously with around 175 to 205 nights let in the first year. Location, finishes, price and licensing are decisive.

All 16 towns with seasonality and licensing traffic light: occupancy guide →

Existing statements and permits shouldn't simply be taken over without checking them.

We coordinate the current review of which declarations, registrations or approvals are required for the specific case.

For your own home, long-term quality of life and personal fit matter most. For an investment, rentability, demand, bed capacity, management and costs are equally central.

That's why the same budget data can lead to two quite different search profiles.

We coordinate the interior concept, budget, procurement, deliveries, installation, furnishing and final inspection.

The goal is a property that's prepared for your arrival or intended use – not an apartment full of unopened boxes and pending deliveries.

Move-in-ready furnishing is an extra service: scope, budget and costs are agreed in writing in advance, separately from the purchase. What is part of the purchase support and what is agreed separately: guide agent or developer →

Not quite yet. After signing, the typical next steps are transferring electricity, water and internet, registering with the owners' association, and, if you wish, organising the furnishing.

These are exactly the steps that are rarely discussed in the sales conversation, and we coordinate them for you.

We handle this coordination as an extra service; scope and costs are agreed with you in writing in advance.

This is the Spanish owners' association, comparable to a German "WEG". It sets, among other things, the monthly community charges, house rules and maintenance of communal areas.

We recommend reviewing the statutes and current resolutions before the purchase – especially regarding any upcoming major renovations that could lead to special levies.

That depends on the region and provider – for new builds, the initial connection can take longer than a simple transfer for an existing property.

We initiate the necessary registrations early and accompany the process, so that as much as possible works by the time you arrive.

These registrations are basically the buyer's matter. We are happy to take them on as an extra service agreed in writing in advance.

No. That's exactly what ongoing care is for: from organising cleaning and maintenance to having a point of contact on site when you're not there yourself.

How much support you need varies a lot – some owners want to handle everything themselves, others don't want to deal with anything at all.

Ongoing care is agreed separately and in writing, so that scope and costs are clear from the start.

For new builds there are statutory warranty periods that vary depending on the type of defect. We accompany the handover inspection on site and document any defects, so they can be raised with the developer within the deadline.

A careful inspection before receiving the keys saves a lot of effort afterwards.

When renting out, EU citizens pay 19% income tax on the profit, i.e. after deducting costs and depreciation. With own use only, a small flat-rate tax applies, usually €100 to €200 a year. On top comes the municipal property tax. From 2027 one return a year is enough for rental income.

Worked example, deadlines and home country: tax guide →