Practical, from first-hand experience, for international buyers.
The biggest risks in a renovation rarely arise during the build. They arise during contractor selection. What we check, what we have learned to look for, and what we have walked away from.
Financing a second home in Spain is not the same as your first mortgage. What banks actually assess, what buyers underestimate, and what makes the difference.
Spanish banks require an official property appraisal before approving a mortgage. What the report contains, how the valuation works, and what happens if the figure comes in just below what you need.
The escritura is the official property deed in a Spanish real estate transaction. What the document contains, who is present, and why the notary appointment is not the moment to solve problems.
Licencia menor, licencia mayor or comunicació prèvia? What Palafrugell's summer works ban means for your renovation timeline, and how to plan around it.
What does buying property in Spain actually cost beyond the purchase price? We paid €55,488 in taxes and costs on our own purchase in Baix Empordà — here's what surprised us.
Dutch income, Spanish mortgage. We went through the process ourselves. Here's exactly what Spanish banks ask for — and where applications stall.
Spanish banks lend less to non-residents. This article explains the usual LTV ranges, what moves the ceiling up or down, and what it means for a property at €450,000.
No NIE, no bank account. No bank account, no mortgage. What looks like one administrative task sits at the start of a chain. Start too late, and delays spread across the whole process.
