How to avoid the cowboys when buying property in Spain

Debbie and Andrew Pettingill

Homes, course and pool at Los Altos del Golf

Swimming pool at Los Altos del Golf

The Pettingill family

People looking to buy property in Spain are being urged to do their homework to make sure they purchase from a reputable company in order to avoid falling into a similar situation as the retired British couple who hit the headlines when they were forced to live in a garage after their luxury villa in Spain was bulldozed by the authorities in 2008.

Following the news reports of British couple Helen and Leonard Prior, who were left without electricity and water after their villa on the Costa Almeria was demolished since being declared illegal by the regional government of Andalusia, Taylor Woodrow de España, the UK house builder in Spain, is reassuring anyone thinking of purchasing property in Spain that the Spanish market is still safe, as long as buyers do their research.

"The shocking case of Leonard and Helen Prior strongly highlights the importance of letting your head rule your heart when it comes to buying a home in Spain. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and taking your time before making a decision," explains Victor Sagué, sales and marketing director for Taylor Woodrow de España.

"Buying abroad is a huge investment and no one wants to risk losing their hard-earned savings by purchasing a home that's likely to fall in value or that doesn't have the correct planning license in place. We've had many recent queries from our customers worried about whether buying in Spain is a sound investment. Last year's news of a potential property price crash coupled with the current horror stories of illegal building practices and homes being demolished, has understandably unsettled those looking to buy there.

"Despite the negative publicity we want to stress that demand for new homes from both Spaniards and foreign investors is still high, and although it's true that the boom period we have experienced over the last ten years has started to even off, there are still good and safe long term investment opportunities to be had if you do your homework."

Debbie and Andrew Pettingill are one couple who know only too well about the importance of purchasing from a reputable developer. After initially suffering at the hands of rogue traders, the couple are now the proud owners of an apartment in Spain, thanks to Taylor Woodrow de España.

"We researched various companies in Spain, picked one and bought a home from them off-plan. We began to worry when nothing seemed to be progressing. Every time we visited to see how our home was coming along we learned about more problems and we came away very worried about our investment," recalls Debbie.

"In the end it got to the point where we were so concerned we decided to cut our losses and pull out. We only wish we'd gone to Taylor Woodrow de España sooner as this would have saved us a lot of time and trouble."

Victor concludes: "Despite receiving a battering from the press this beautiful country has retained its number one spot as the most popular place for Brits to buy abroad. Smart people know that buying bricks and mortar is a sound investment and we have a fantastic selection of developments in various regions across Spain, with up to a quarter off prices."

Taylor Woodrow de España has some useful tips and suggestions to help purchasers make a wise investment and avoid the cowboys when buying property in Spain.

Do your research

Don't be fooled by beautiful photographs and bargain prices. Make sure you understand what you're purchasing and always buy from a good quality developer in a beautiful area which reflects Spain at its best.

Check for a good track record

Choose a well-known company with a good track record.

Check guarantees

Make sure that any property you choose has a structural guarantee and the correct building license.

Trust the experts

A competent and reliable team of professionals is a good indication of a quality company.

Check for customer loyalty

Knowing that other people have bought a property from the same company and that they have had a positive experience is very important.

For more information, visit www.taylorwoodrow.es

Information courtesy of Haslimann Taylor PR and Taylor Woodrow España

© PropertyIndex.com 2009 | Last Updated: 20th January 2009