It is undeniable that Marbella has amazing luxury properties, the best all-year-around climate in Europe, and great tropical beaches. Still, it also has serious pitfalls you must know before purchasing. We decided to create this guide to help safeguard your Spanish investment and ensure that your purchase is a safe and satisfying experience one could only dream of.
1. Many illegal properties
Perhaps the most dangerous pitfall in Spanish real estate is the presence of illegal properties. Despite their attractive appearance, many buildings lack proper permits or were constructed without legal authorization. This isn’t just a minor bureaucratic issue – it can prevent you from generating rental income and potentially lead to serious legal complications.
Starting in 2024, it is obligatory to have a tourist rental license, which you must obtain from your local authority. Properties without proper permits will face strict penalties.
Ask us about your area of interest, and we let you know if it’s still possible to rent properties out for tourists!
2. Quality can be disappointing
Harsh fact – Spanish construction standards mainly differ from what you might be accustomed to in your home. What appears beautiful in photos might hide serious quality issues that only become apparent after purchase.
Water issues, the noise of neighbors coming through the wall, or hazardous electricity lines are everyday issues in older properties. This can also be a reality in many older but charming townhouses. These issues can lead to expensive renovations and ongoing maintenance problems.
Let us structure your purchase legally correctly so you have maximum protection against hidden problems.
3. Wrong location will disappoint you
Many buyers, enchanted by beautiful properties, overlook the crucial aspect of neighborhood assessment. A stunning villa can lose its charm if it’s situated in an area that doesn’t match your lifestyle needs or lacks essential amenities, for example, – like-minded people, walkable amenities, road noise, never-ending parties, wrong lingual/cultural neighbors, etc. Virtual tours and photos can’t replace the experience of spending time in the area and understanding its character. We know our way around and can match you to the location best suited for you and your home culture.
4. You need just one, but a good broker
A common misconception is that working with multiple brokers increases your chances of finding the perfect property. It doesn’t. In reality, ALL brokers access the same property pool. But you must know a secret here – if your broker is well connected and has been in the business for a long time, he/she has a secret – not in the market – listings to show you. We certainly have them and are happy to share. Want to see the exclusive “pocket listings”? Contact us immediately because most of them sell before going public.
5. 6-figure savings from art of negotiation
Don’t just look for a broker – in Spain, you must seek a skilled negotiator. Many agents focus solely on closing deals rather than securing the best possible price for their clients. Yes, that means aggressively lowering the price when possible.
A passionate negotiator can often save buyers substantial amounts – sometimes hundreds of thousands of euros. Just last week, we closed a deal where we saved our client 300,000 EUR+ – an amount that can get you a lovely sea-view apartment.
Every week, we save six figures for our customers.
We are happy to use our experience for your benefit if getting the best deal is what you are looking to achieve.
6. Financial preparedness: your secret weapon
In Spain’s competitive property market, being financially prepared is crucial. Having your mortgage or financing arranged BEFORE entering negotiations puts you in a stronger position and can lead to significant savings.
Delays in securing funding can result in losing prime opportunities to more prepared buyers. We are happy to help you get the best mortgage deals on the market today amongst tens of mortgage providers.
7. It can be dangerous to buy straight from Idealista alone
Idealist can be a great place to get an overview of the market, but it hides many pitfalls that first-time users are unaware of. For example:
Price Manipulation
- Inflated Listings: Many properties on Idealista are deliberately overpriced, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of euros, to leave room for “negotiation”.
We know the price ranges of every area and often save hundreds of thousands of euros off Idealista prices – and the best part – using our services when buying is absolutely FREE
- Multiple Listings: The same property often appears at different prices through different agencies, creating confusion about true market price.
Deliberate Outdated Information
- Ghost Listings: Many properties shown as available are already sold, but still up to get your contact and sell you other properties.
- Price History Hidden: No transparency about how long properties have been listed or price changes.
We have direct access to the price history of any property and are happy to share it with you for free.
- Artificial Urgency: “Just listed” tags on properties that have been on the market for months.
“Too good to be true” issue
- Enhanced Photos: Professional photography can hide serious structural issues
- Limited Inspection: No way to verify construction quality or maintenance status and yu can not see that in professional photos
- Neighborhood Context: Photos don’t show noise levels, neighbor issues, or local challenges
Paying too much
Amateur Negotiations: Lack of professional representation will lead to costly mistakes because processes are often inflated, but you need to know the historical deal flow to estimate how much.
Investment Blind Spots
Rental Potential: No verified data about realistic rental yields
We have access to real rental yields – WhatsUpp us +34 624 67 35 49 your area or urbanization and we are more than happy to share this info with you!
Area Development: Missing information about future construction or zoning changes
Purchasing a home in Spain truly requires a row of educated decisions. Quintessentia will give you:
- Access to off-market properties
- Legal due diligence
- True market value assessment
- Professional proven negotiation power
- Protected transaction process
- Exclusive pocket listings
Want to dig deeper?
Let’s chat on WhatsApp at +34 624 67 35 49 (Edwin Hanssen)
It’s absolutely free, and I am happy to share my best knowledge with you as soon as you let me know what you are looking for.
