Buying A Rural Property in Spain?
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If you love the idea of sampling the simplicity of life in a rural property in Spain, or are looking for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of the coast... If you picture yourself purchasing property in deepest Andalusia and living in a charming whitewashed farmhouse, windowsills overflowing with scarlet geraniums, surrounded by orange groves and lush vineyards, then rural Malaga just might be the place for you!
But… when purchasing property in the country you will definitely need to proceed with extreme caution. There are land mines everywhere!
Before you start your property search please be aware that unless you get the right local and legal advice you could end up with a bunch of problems... ... instead of an idyllic, rustic retreat!
So, now that I’ve got your attention! First and most important, you’ll need to make allies of a couple of people. For purchasing property in the country you’ll first need a capable real estate agent., a rural property expert who will ease your property search and guide you to a home that will suit you and your pocket. He will be bilingual and will be able to advise on any necessary refurbishment your property might need. He’ll know local tradesmen and will also have a good idea about costing. And if the property lacks water or electricity then he’ll find out for you how close are the nearest supplies, and how much you’ll need to spend on installations.
Apart from his local knowledge the real estate agent will have asked all the right questions and will know the complete story about the seller and the rural property that interests you … and he should have already seen the Title Deeds. When purchasing property, especially rural property, there is one golden rule: if the property has no Title Deeds, walk away.
It doesn’t matter that you absolutely love it, that it has views to die for, that it has just the right vibes. If it has no Title Deeds … please just walk away!
If the property has Title Deeds then this is where your lawyer comes in to…
a) Make a Land Registry search against the Title Deeds to confirm who owns the rural property.
Now this could be the seller. It could be the seller, his brother and his three sisters (a little more tricky) or it could be his father who is long dead and buried. This is not the end of the world (well, it is for his father) but it just means the inheritance has not been completed and the appropriate taxes paid. This can take time but it is sortable.
b) He will also call in at the ´catastro` office in the Town Hall to check on the boundaries of the land in question.
c) Plus, in the Town Hall he’ll check with the planning office as to what can be built on the land if that is applicable. Usually, if there is any type of building on the land, even a dilapidated ruin, building permission will be granted.
If the land is zoned as ´rustic` (not urban) then to build you’ll need between 10.000 m˛ and 25.000m˛. Different municipalities can vary on this ruling, so it needs confirming.
It might take some time to find that country home at a decent price now. Property values have risen a lot in country areas close to the coast in recent years. So, the further away from the coast you go the lower are the prices and there are still some bargains to be had.
One other thing to consider before purchasing rural property is that although country people are as warm as the climate you’ll need to be prepared for them being more reserved than their neighbours on the coast. What is acceptable in dress and behaviour in Marbella may not be in a small inland village.
Well, now, if you still feel that this is where your journey should take you and if in your heart you are a true country bumpkin then go for it! By now you know the script: competent real estate and legal advice are absolutely essential.
So, good luck. Hope you find that perfect rural retreat and enjoy many happy years in your dream home in the ´campo`!
From rural properties on to rental properties.
