I'm told this is extremely difficult! I've bought a book on the subject and that seems to confirm it!!
My partner and I would like to buy something
(not in an English enclave near the beach) but in the real Spain.

Can anyone offer any practical advice??

Thanks

Lynn

Lyn
I am a Realtor in the US but I have joined an international Real Estate Organization for that particular purpose of helping my clients buy and sell Real Estate In Europe and the US. I am currently working on my designation of becomming an CIPS (certified international property specialist). I am a native German speaker and also trying very hard to better my Spanish. I know there is property out there waiting for just the right person.

Lynn writes: I think a lot of Spain's archaic laws relating to property ownership by non Spanish-citizens went 'down the tubes' for European Union member country citizens (at least they had to be rewritten). Unless the book you bought is very recent, it may not be giving you current info ...

You may find that it's easier (less costly, anyway) to by a property in what you call "the real Spain" than in some 'Brit' enclave near the beach. But Spain has so much coastline, some of it must qualify as real Spain. What are you looking for, windmills?

Practical advice: Select the area where you are interested in buying property. Schedule several visits (different seasons, etc.)to see if that's really where want to be. If you see a property listing by a local realtor on your second or subsequent visit, contact the realtor.

Visit the town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda & sourroundings. It's real Spain, sea and beach, for the moment!!!
A web site about Sanlúcar: www.arrakis.es/~galpe

Regards

On the east edge of the largest national Park / Wildlife refuge in Europe (Donaña). Bonus: It's where Manzanilla comes from. But there are too many Americans there (from NavSta Rota).

I love Sanlucar de Barrameda. I did a family stay there and it was my favorite place in Spain. I could actualy see Donana from my host sisters window. That town was so awsome.

Lynn

Here is a link for Spanish properties for sale.
An auctioneer here in Limerick, Ireland called Remax, have sister typr company for buying property in Spain
http://www.espanishproperty.com/

If you do not find what you are looking for, then maybe the owner gerry Collopy might point you in the right direction
Also try the following links
www.overseasvillas.com/

www.century21.com/

Lynn,

Don't be scared. I don't live in the mainland, but I have now bought two properties in Spain, both on a mortgage. The process of buying a house here is no more difficult than in the UK. It just seems it perhaps if you don't speak the language. The process seems to be generally the same. The main thing I found was to check that the property is the sellers to sell, and that there are no outstanding debts on the house. A good estate agent will do that for you. Just make sure you have the documents to prove that! In my case, the house was the sellers to sell, however, because they had never changed the house into their name I have outstanding bills on services owed i.e. rates etc.

I have lots of other "interesting" titbits if you care to email me!!! But basically, I'd say go for it if you really want to. I came here ten years ago, single with two young kids, no Spanish whatsoever, no car and no money - and I wouldn't change a thing!!!

Beckham,
Forgive me, I have just clicked on your links and they do not seem to show properties on the "real" Spain that Lynn needs. Do you have any links to properties outside the "tourist areas"? I am also looking for properties on the peninsula
Thanks

Here are some links I had in my favorites. Some are better than others.

www.segundamano.es

http://www.casaspain.com/index.asp

http://www.alteainvest.com/esp_frame.htm

http://www.avenida.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/avenida.woa

http://www.c-avanzados.com/index.asp?l=1

http://www.select2001.com/casita-spain/home.htm

http://www.cb2000.net/links/pages/Javea/Estate_Agents/

http://www.andalucia-country-houses.com/...1015539771.html

(copy and paste the below web address into your browser)
http://www.idealista.com/busqueda/0_0_0....Wz2sytVWkD%20gz JfZ%20DXyZuLuMaw6RuBk3|-8263931232730252182/173015556/5/7001/7001/7002/7002/-1

http://www.insantiago.net/

http://www.javeainvest.com/

http://www.lfspain.com/

http://www.marybeker.com/

http://dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/Spain/Business_and_Economy/Real_Estate/

http://www.andalucia.com/property/home.htm

http://www.quasar-e.com/en/sales.html

http://www.solinmobiliaria.com/

http://www.spanishestate.com/results.asp...80000&cur=3

http://www.chiclana-casas.com/

http://www.top-villas.com/

http://www.eurosunspain.com/

http://busqueda.yupimsn.com/categorias/n...peas/index3.cfm

Hey Nevado - some really useful links. You can also try:
http://www.cortijo-alpujarra.com
http://www.spanishmedproperty.com
http://www.uk2spainonline.com
http://www.findafinca.com

If anyone needs any more, or specific info on particular types of property, especially in the south, mail me & I will see if I can dredge something up.

mecky
I don't mean to be rude, but I don't feel this message board is meant for advertising - which is what I felt when I received your private email. If you really are an estate agent you would not need my input. I was only trying to tell Lynn of my experience of moving to a different country.

Hello Madsue
I've certainly would not want to offend anybody, I have always considered first hand experience the best. Living where I do (South Carolina "Smiling faces-beautiful places) I have never had a problem to share what I know of my region, if it is about living, traveling investing etc. But again I am sorry to have given a wrong impression.

I agree, madsue. Most of our veteran members here know that advertising is a no-no on the message board. When I spot blatant advertising, it's removed immediately and a nice, simple email goes to them as to why I removed it and to please not do it again.

The ONLY place on the message board where ONLY PARTICULAR TYPES of advertising are allowed is in the "Classifieds & Personals" forum and that's only for people who are looking to buy something or have something to sell themselves. I don't think agents or salesman can "legally" fall into this category.

Saludos, MadridMan

Wonderful web sites above if you want to buy in Southern Spain. What if you would like to buy in the Basque Country? I am interested in a rural small house not necessarily on the coast. Anyone have a web site for property in this area? I am reading THE book but would like to look at a web site.
Thanks!!!