The following are the steps to buying property in Spain.  It is worth keeping in mind that whether you purchase a new property or a resale property, you should allow an additional 10% to cover taxes and legal and professional fees.

Off Plan

1. Find the property that you want to buy
2. Reserve the property - most companies will hold a property for you for two or three days
3. Pay a reservation deposit of between € 3,000 and € 6,000  – this can be in cash, bankers' draft, bank transfer or by credit card whilst visiting the resort
4. At this stage you may wish to employ the services of a solicitor
5. You will be advised by the builder when you will be required to sign a purchase contract and pay the full deposit – normally within six to eight weeks of signing the reservation contract
6. Throughout the construction period you may be required to make staged payments. This varies from developer to developer
7. Several weeks before your property is due to be completed, your builder will notify you of the completion date
8. By this time you should have arranged your mortgage if you require one
9. Agree a date and time with the builder to come out and take possession of your property
10. Go to the notary's office at the agreed time with cash or bankers' draft to pay for the property and sign the deed
11. Organise insurances

Resale property

1. Find the property that you want to buy
2. Reserve the property - most agents will hold a property for you for a couple of days
3. You will probably be asked to pay a non-refundable deposit, often 10% of the purchase price
4. At this stage it is wise to employ the services of a solicitor as it is the buyer's responsibility to check that all bills and charges on the property are paid before completion
5. Organise a mortgage if you require one
6. Agree a date and time with the agent to attend the notary's office
7. At the agreed date and time, attend the notary's office with cash or bankers' draft to pay for the property and sign the deeds
8. Arrange for transfer of services into your name