Guide to renovating in spain

As less people seek homes on Spain's large developments, many are turning to well-priced renovation projects...

More and more people are now looking for a renovation project in Spain, which has plenty of scope for personalisation and transformation.

There is currently a decline in the number of people buying houses on large developments in Spain but it seems that people's passion for taking on a property renovation project has in fact increased.

As well as being able to control the development of the property another benefit is the financial aspect as ruins are much more affordable and you can also plan the work in stages as and when funds become available.

This suits those who cannot raise the funds to purchase in any other way, those who like the thought of buying cheaply in a weak market and adding real value, and those who no longer feel good about spending money they don't have in the form of a mortgage.

If it is your dream to find the perfect renovation property in Spain then here are some tips to consider:

Think about why you are buying the property and let this guide you. If you're buying a property to live in, the practical aspects of everyday life will be more important to you than whether the home has room for a pool, which is essential if you a buying a holiday home or rental property. You also need to think about the accessibility of the property, its proximity to essential amenities and services such as electricity and water supplies. Ultimately you need to do research to make sure you have planning permission granted to enable the renovation to take place.

Get a reputable lawyer on board to help you find the right kind of vendor. They will also check whether the property is being sold free of any debts or claims against it. The land title needs to be carefully investigated to ensure you're buying what you think you are, that land boundaries are identified and that there's no chance anyone can impound the property or lay claims to it in the future, or prevent you from developing it.
        
Look realistically at your finances before you proceed. You will need to be able to afford to buy the property in the first place and pay for the renovation work. Get quotes from builders that include professional fees, final finish and any money you'll have to pay for planning permission, building regulations etc, then have a healthy contingency budget ready, just in case.

Be realistic about how long the entire project will take - and remember it could take months to get the permissions you need to start and secure the services of a builder you  want to do the work.  Anything from the weather to public holidays can and will affect build time, so don't set unrealistic time goals.

Once you've transformed your Spanish ruin into the palace you've always dreamed of, what are you going to do with it? If you want to let it out you'll need to market it. If you want to live there permanently have you sold your UK property? If you want to resell it for profit can you afford to potentially ride out any period of economic downturn that Spain may still be experiencing?

Source: www.casasdelorca.net