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Benefits of Using a Specialised Rural Property Agent in Spain

Benefits of Using a Specialised Rural Property Agent in Spain

Kelly Summerell Kelly Summerell
13 minute read

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Introduction

Specialised rural property real estate agents in Spain (such as Mediterranean Homes!) possess the expertise and experience to navigate the complex process of buying or selling a Spanish countryside properly. With their in-depth knowledge of the region, including the sought-after area of the Costa del Sol, they are well-versed in the best practices, local regulations, and the latest trends in regional properties and prices.

Their familiarity with the unique intricacies of inland country properties ensures that your choice will be a sound investment. By relying on their extensive network of professionals and understanding of the property market throughout the Guadalhorce Valley region of Spain, these agents can guide you through the entire process, from helping you identify your specific requirements to finding properties that meet your criteria. With their professional guidance, you can confidently make informed decisions about purchasing or selling your dream property in rural Spain, knowing you are in capable hands.

After that, it is evident that engaging with an estate agent specialising in inland country properties in Spain can provide numerous advantages when buying your dream home. By capitalising on their local knowledge, these agents can access exclusive properties, including stunning villas in out-of-the-way places, that may not be available through other agencies. This ensures that you have a wide range of options to choose from and can find the perfect location that suits your preferences.

In addition to property selection, these estate agents offer an all-inclusive service covering every buying aspect. From providing legal advice to sourcing fully furnished homes, they ensure a stress-free and efficient experience for their clients. By entrusting your search to these knowledgeable professionals, you can easily navigate the Spanish property market and secure your dream home.


Contents

The true value of your home

Investing in Country Properties

Anecdotes from a well-seasoned professional

What is an AFO?

About Mediterranean Homes

Conclusion

Quick Links


Know The True Value Of Your Home

When it comes to selling your property, it's important that you instruct an estate agent who has the expertise, experience and confidence to value your property realistically. This isn't just a matter of calculating the area of your inside and outside spaces and multiplying it by "X Euros". Many many factors contribute to the valuation of your property. Price it too high and you risk your property sticking on the market for too long. Price it too low and you could potentially miss out on thousands that you could invest in your next home!

Investing in Inland Country Properties in Spain: Tips for Success

Investing in inland country properties in Spain presents numerous advantages and can be a lucrative financial decision. To ensure you maximise the potential of your investment, it is highly recommended to seek the expertise of an experienced estate agent who specialises in country properties. These professionals possess invaluable insight and comprehensive knowledge about the rural property scene, enabling them to guide you toward making a well-informed decision. Whether you are looking for a charming villa in the countryside, a serene farmhouse, or a guest house, a specialised estate agent can provide a wide range of options and assist you in finding the ideal country property for sale that suits your preferences and budget. By tapping into their expertise, you can ensure a smooth and seamless purchasing process, as they will handle the necessary paperwork, negotiations, and legalities involved in buying property. By relying on an estate agent who specialises in inland country properties, you can have peace of mind knowing that your investment is built on expert advice and guidance.

When buying inland country properties in Spain, there are distinct advantages to working with an estate agent who specialises in this niche property market. With their extensive knowledge of the area and established connections, these agents can be invaluable in navigating the Spanish rural property market.



Anecdotes from a well-seasoned professional!

To make this blog post as exciting, "current", and informative as we could, Kelly Summerell, the CEO of Mediterranean Homes, has answered some key questions that will help you understand why it is SO important that you use a specialist real estate agent who specialises in Spanish rural properties.

1. Please describe the Advantages of buying through an estate agent specialising in rural properties.

"It will save you TIME and MONEY. 

We are highly familiar with the rules and regulations and can share much information with our clients. We know pretty much all the properties on the market in the area we cover, and if we don't, we will liaise with the listing agent and get as much information as possible that will help you decide which properties you wish to view. 

We have close contacts with banks, bank valuers, lawyers, architects, contacts from the town hall, and accountants, and we can obtain additional information if required for our clients. 

Depending on the property type of interest (and if you need a mortgage), we can let you know which bank is to deal with and which bank valuer. If you require a mortgage, you must make the right choice for both. 

Knowing as much information about each property before placing an offer and instructing a lawyer will save you money, too. You will incur costs once you instruct a lawyer, architect, etc. So, we try to share as much knowledge with our clients as possible before they decide to formalise an offer on a property.   

And remember, we are a real estate agent specialising in country properties; although we have a lot of knowledge regarding the rules and regulations, we aren't lawyers. We will ALWAYS advise our clients to use a lawyer when buying or selling. We are happy to recommend a handful of local lawyers who specialise in these types of properties, and we would also like to make it clear we do not get paid an introduction fee for recommending the services of a lawyer, architect, local builder, etc. We try to help our clients in a non-lucrative way and do not receive any fees for this. I think clients must be aware of this."

2. When have you avoided potentially severe problems due to your expertise? (Have you spotted something amis in any paperwork; have you advised clients to take action with something; suggested carrying out specific surveys, etc.)

"Yes, as country property specialists, we try to advise our sellers first and ensure we are aware of as many legal aspects of the property as possible. Hence, we have as much information as we can about each property. Once all the details are as straightforward as possible, we share this information with the buyers. There is no point in cutting corners or not being fully transparent with buyers or sellers; any issues will be highlighted later down the line when the buyers instruct a lawyer. So, being able to share this information from the very beginning helps all parties move forward more smoothly. 

Any issues with paperwork are explained to clients, not intending to make them nervous but to help them understand the situation. Country properties are generally very complex, but most issues can be resolved if you have the right team. It's all about knowing what we are dealing with, understanding the current rules and regulations, and making the right decision. 

For example, I bought a property that wasn't fully registered, but I did all the research through my architect/lawyer and knew exactly what I was getting myself into. There was no need for any concern. However, I had all the information to decide how I wanted to move forward with purchasing the property."

 

3. Have you ever heard of any horror stories from other agents or clients of when things haven't been done correctly?

"Yes, some! Again, this is mainly when buyers don't use the proper legal representatives. The person who represents you must be familiar with the rules and regulations in the area where you wish to purchase. For example, if I were to buy a property on the coast, I wouldn't use an inland lawyer but a coastal lawyer. Well, the same rule applies up here in the countryside. 

A few years ago, I met a British couple who bought a property in the countryside and was very poorly advised by an architect and lawyer. It cost them thousands of problems with the property and court cases, and they contacted us to sell their property. We did all the research required to get the paperwork up to date and sold the house a few weeks later. Of course, the buyer was fully aware of everything. It's all about being HONEST AND TRANSPARENT with both parties involved.

To help you understand the Spanish terminology regarding words associated with buying or selling property in Spain, we have written a blog post to help you, "Common Spanish Property Terms, Translated to English" We trust you find the post really helpful!

4. Can you explain what an AFO is? 

AFO stands for "Asimilado al régimen de Fuera de Ordenación". AFO in English is "Assimilated into the regime of being outside planning regulations".

Following different regularisations on the subject, it was approved by the Junta de Andalucía the Spanish Decree 3/2019 dated 24 September 2019

Note! 

When proeprty buyers start doing their research online and looking for country properties, many buyers believe that they must buy a country property with an AFO, which isn't correct. It's not a compulsory document that the sellers must apply for when selling their property; the Notary doesn't request it, nor do you require one to obtain a mortgage against the property. Again, here is a clear example of knowing which bank to approach. Always remember your lawyer will do all the due diligence for you on the property you wish to buy; we will share our local knowledge with you to try and help you understand the whole process from start to finish.

For further detailed information regarding an AFO, you can read our other posts: "
What is an AFO?" and "Can I get a mortgage on a country property? And what if it doesn’t have an AFO?"


Mediterranean Homes Logo

About Mediterranean Homes

We are experts in inland country properties. If you are looking to sell or buy a property in the Guadalhorce Valley region we are your estate agents. 

Here at Mediterranean Homes in Coin, we sell properties quickly with over 30 years of combined experience in the industry and hundreds of properties sold throughout the Guadalhorce Valley region of Andalucia. We pride ourselves on specialising in difficult-to-sell, unique country properties with complex or incomplete paperwork.

Our experience comes from decades of conversations with people like you, giving us the knowledge and expertise to sell any property, no matter your circumstances.

We know how to reach motivated buyers through the latest technology and marketing techniques and have the right contacts to ensure you get the best possible price for your property, buying or selling, with as little stress as possible. But don't take our word for it; read our Google Reviews from buyers and sellers alike. Here's one from a most recent buyer and one from a seller.

I spotted my dream home on the Mediterranean Homes website. It was exclusive to them, and since then, Kelly has gone above and beyond to enable the purchase and sale processes to go as smoothly as possible (not always easy around these parts). Due to the mortgage, massive bank delays could quickly have scuppered the deal, but Kelly brokered a way forward for me and the sellers. This enabled completion, and I cannot wait to move in. I recommend Mediterranean Homes to anyone and cannot praise them highly enough. - David Iain Russell (Buyer)


I cannot praise Kelly and her team highly enough - they are super professional, efficient, and the genuinely most likeable people you could wish to meet. They have a great network of contacts such as our marvellous gestora, who they recommended. We sold our property with them, and I wouldn't go to anyone else, so a big thanks to Kelly, Sylvia, and the other superwomen who work there! - Sarah O'Brien (Seller) 


Conclusion

After considering the advantages of buying or selling property through an estate agent specialising in inland country properties throughout the Guadalhorce Valley, Costa del Sol - It is important to highlight their valuable role as a point of contact and guiding hand for the buyer and all other stakeholders involved in the sale and purchase. This becomes crucial when purchasing countryside properties in famous regions like the Guadalhorce Valley.

With their knowledge and expertise, a good estate agent ensures that the buying process runs smoothly by liaising with lawyers, banks, and other parties. By entrusting the guidance of a reputable estate agent, buyers can navigate through the intricacies of purchasing inland country properties with confidence, ultimately leading to a successful and satisfying investment experience.

As you can see, expertise in countryside properties allows real estate agents to provide valuable market insights, ensuring you make informed decisions based on current trends and developments. Furthermore, their understanding of countryside properties in Spain enables them to identify options that match your specific needs and budget. By tapping into their expertise, you can confidently explore the Spanish countryside and find a property fulfilling your desires. With an estate agent specialising in inland country properties by your side, you can rest assured that you are making an informed investment in the beauty and tranquillity of Spain's rural landscapes.

Remember, a property is most people's biggest financial asset in life. So, why would you NOT turn to a specialist to ensure the most secure transaction of such an important asset?

Partnering with a specialised country property real estate agent is essential when embarking on a rural property transaction. These professionals have an unparalleled understanding of the intricacies of buying or selling properties in rural areas. Specialised agents can easily navigate these transactions ' complexities with their in-depth knowledge of zoning regulations, land use restrictions, water rights, and agricultural considerations.

By choosing a specialised country property real estate agent in Spain, you make an intelligent choice that ensures a smooth and successful rural property transaction.

If you require more detailed information on buying property in Spain, we encourage you to look at our page, "Guide to Buying a Property in Spain".

Quick Links

Countryside Villas and Fincas For Sale in Spain

Properties for sale on the Costa del Sol for over 1 million Euros

Towns located in the Guadalhorce Valley

Check out our office and meet the team!

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