10 questions to ask before buying an apartment in Spain
- Ewa Bochenko
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
Buying an apartment in Spain often starts very pleasantly.
Beautiful photos. Terrace. Pool. Sea in the distance. Sun. Coffee. A vision of life where Mondays look a little less like Mondays.
And that's very good. Dreams are important.
But before signing the contract, making a reservation, paying a deposit, or deciding "we'll take it," it's worth asking a few specific questions. Questions that protect the client from costly surprises.
Because in Spain, you can buy a great property. You can also buy a problem in a nice package, with a view of the pool.
Here are 10 questions to ask before buying an apartment in Spain.
1. Is the legal status of the property regulated?
This is one of the most important questions.
Before purchasing, you should check who owns the property, whether the apartment is not encumbered with any mortgages, debts or other encumbrances, and whether the data in the documents is consistent with the actual state.
In Spain, the basic document for such verification is the Nota Simple , information from the real estate registry. It shows, among other things, the owner, a description of the property, and any encumbrances.
This isn't a document "just for formality." It's one of the first security filters.
If someone is selling a property and the documents are unclear, incomplete, or the seller is avoiding answers, this isn't the time for a romantic "it'll work out somehow." It's time to put the brakes on.
2. What are the total purchase costs?
The price in the advertisement is not the full cost of the purchase.
The price of the property includes taxes, notary, registry, legal services, possible financing, translations, bank valuation and other transaction costs.
In Spain, tax rules depend, among other things, on whether you're buying a new property from a developer or from the secondary market. For new properties, the IVA (Spanish VAT) and the AJD are generally applied. For secondary markets, the ITP (ownership transfer tax) is usually used. In Andalusia, official information on taxes related to property purchases is published by the Junta de Andalucía.
Therefore, before making a decision, you need to know not only the question: "how much does the apartment cost?", but also: "how much money do I realistically need to prepare to safely buy it?"
It's a little less exciting than choosing a view from the terrace, but much more helpful for your wallet.
3. What are the monthly living costs?
The apartment does not stop costing money after purchase.
It's worth asking about:
community fee, IBI, i.e. local property tax, garbage collection fees, utilities, internet, insurance, costs of maintaining the swimming pool, garden, elevator, garage or security, and any rental management fees.
Sometimes a property may seem attractively priced, but the monthly costs are high. This is especially true in urbanizations with large swimming pools, gardens, a gym, security, and extensive infrastructure.
There is nothing wrong with this as long as the customer knows what he is paying for.
The problem begins when charges appear only after the purchase, like an unexpected guest with a bill in hand.
4. Does the apartment have any arrears to the community, office or utility providers?
This question is especially important in the secondary market.
It's important to check whether the seller has any outstanding community fees, local taxes, or utility bills. In practice, before purchasing, it's important to verify whether the property is free of such debts or how they will be settled before signing the deed.
This is important because the client should not be involved in other people's debts.
The buyer is buying an apartment, not a collection of old problems from the previous owner.
5. Does the community allow tourist rentals?
If a client is buying an apartment with the intention of renting it out, this is one of the key questions.
It's not enough to ask, "Is it available for rent?" You need to check:
whether local regulations allow tourist rentals, whether the property meets the requirements, whether it is possible to obtain a tourist number/license, whether the owners' association does not restrict such activities, whether there are no regulations in the building prohibiting or hindering short-term rentals.
In Andalusia, tourist rentals are subject to specific rules and formalities, and registration procedures are carried out electronically by the regional administration.
This is very important because an apartment may look like a perfect rental investment, but if the regulations or the housing association say "no," the calculations no longer add up.
And Excel, unlike the pool photos, is not so easily charmed.
6. Does the technical condition of the apartment correspond to what I see in the photos?
Photos can be very convincing.
A wide angle, good lighting, a clean interior, fresh pillows, and suddenly even a small living room looks like a space for yoga, dinner for twelve people, and a home office.
Therefore, you need to check the actual condition of the apartment:
moisture, ventilation, air conditioning, windows, installations, condition of bathrooms and kitchens, quality of finishing, layout of rooms, sunlight, noise, condition of the building and common areas.
On the Costa del Sol, it is worth paying special attention to humidity, the quality of ventilation, the exposure of the apartment and the costs of air conditioning.
The apartment must look good in photos, but above all, it must function well in everyday use.
7. What exactly is included in the price?
This question seems simple, but it can change the entire offer comparison.
You need to check whether the price includes:
furniture, household appliances, air conditioning, parking space, storage unit, terrace equipment, lighting, built-ins, decorative elements.
When buying a new home, it's important to carefully check the standard of finishing. What does "finished" mean? Is the kitchen included in the price? Is air conditioning installed? Are the bathrooms finished? Is parking included or charged separately?
On the secondary market, it is necessary to determine which elements remain in the apartment and which the owner takes away.
Because a "furnished apartment" sometimes means fully equipped, and sometimes just a sofa, two chairs and a lamp that remembers the previous three decades.
8. What is the actual location, not just the description in the ad?
“Close to the beach” is a very broad term.
For one person, it means a 5-minute walk. For another, it means a 20-minute walk, downhill to the sea and uphill back. And for an ad, it sometimes means "in the same province." A joke, but only a little.
Before buying, it is worth checking: distance to the beach, access to shops, restaurants and services, public transport, noise, neighborhood, parking, access from the airport, whether the area is lively all year round, and nearby development plans.
This is especially important if the client is planning not only a vacation, but also longer stays, a move or a rental.
Location isn't just an address. It's an everyday occurrence.
9. Is the apartment suitable for my purpose?
This question should be asked before the client falls in love with the first terrace.
A person who wants to spend their winters in Spain needs a different property. A rental-oriented investor needs a different one. A family with children needs a different one. Someone planning a permanent move needs a different one.
So it's worth asking:
Am I buying for myself, to rent out, or both? Do I need an elevator, a garage, a swimming pool, security? Do I want silence or proximity to the city center? Should the property be easy to maintain? Do I want to use it all year round? Is the view, location, standard, or price more important?
Not every good property is good for every client.
Sometimes an apartment is beautiful, but it doesn't fit your lifestyle, budget, or purpose. In those cases, it's better to acknowledge this before purchasing rather than pretend that everything can be solved with Zara Home cushions.
10. Who represents my interests during the purchasing process?
This question is very important, especially for foreign clients.
The purchasing process involves the seller, the seller's agent, the developer, a lawyer, a notary, a bank, the administration, the community, and sometimes a rental manager.
The buyer should know who is really on his side, who checks the documents, who explains the risks, who keeps an eye on deadlines and who says: "let's stop, this requires explanation."
A good agent is not just a person who shows the apartment.
A good agent helps the client understand what they are buying, what the costs are, what the risks are, what is worth checking out, and whether the property is truly fit for purpose.
At Home4You Costa del Sol, we don't just show you attractive offers. We help our clients navigate the process with confidence, peace of mind, and without unnecessary surprises.
Why are these questions so important?
Because buying a property in Spain should be pleasant, but it should not be accidental.
An apartment on the Costa del Sol can be a great place to live, relax, or invest. But a good decision requires more than just pretty photos and a quick booking.
It requires questions.
Specific, practical and sometimes uncomfortable.
Because these are the questions that protect the client from making mistakes.
Are you planning to buy an apartment in Spain?
Before making a decision, inspect the property thoroughly.
At Home4You Costa del Sol, we help clients analyze offers, locations, documents, costs and the real potential of a property.
If you want to buy an apartment in Spain without the chaos, stress and guesswork, contact us.
We'll help you ask the right questions before you sign important documents.
Because in real estate, the most expensive question is often the one no one asks.
Don't buy with your eyes alone. Inspect the property consciously.
Download the free Home4You Costa del Sol checklist and see what you should check before buying an apartment in Spain.
👉 Download the checklist before purchasing
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