I wish I’d known That!

[simon63]

Hi all,
After many holidays in PP, We are just embarking on the project of buying our own place there. Exciting times!

However, having spoken to a couple of people who have bought elsewhere in Spain, there seem to be a few top tips that might save time, money or hassle in the process. For example, I had read that you get your NIE through the solicitor, but was told by someone else that it’s easier and cheaper to go to the Spanish Embassy and get one yourself for about €12!

Do any other forum items have any tips that they wished they’d known about the buying process that they are willing to share?
Thanks in advance.

Simon

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the forum Simon .

Lots of advice on this thread :- http://www.forum.puertopollensa.com...ea/13620-advice-process-buying-apartment.html and more on this section of the forum.

 

[Rockape]

I suppose the transferring of money is a hugely important aspect and it obviously makes a huge difference if you can catch the rate at a good time. I put orders in for mine to transfer when it hit a particular rate which worked ok. Don't be too greedy though as it can all go the wrong way very quickly and leave you in despair!

 

[simon63]

Thanks Sparky and Rockape. I'll check through that thread. And yes, currency management will be important - timing is everything!

Any other top tips, especially any recent changes, gratefully received!

 

[Deanscroft]

When changing large sums using the specialist dealers don't just accept the rate offered. Four weeks ago I changed £100.000. At the time the interbank rate was 113.6 euros to the £. I was offered 112. When I said that wasn't good enough it instantly went up to 113.

 

[Lorenzo]

Hi all,
After many holidays in PP, We are just embarking on the project of buying our own place there. Exciting times!

However, having spoken to a couple of people who have bought elsewhere in Spain, there seem to be a few top tips that might save time, money or hassle in the process. For example, I had read that you get your NIE through the solicitor, but was told by someone else that it’s easier and cheaper to go to the Spanish Embassy and get one yourself for about €12!

Do any other forum items have any tips that they wished they’d known about the buying process that they are willing to share?
Thanks in advance.

Simon

Depending on how much time you plan to spend in your new home in Mallorca and also depending on how much you understand about Spanish bureaucracy, it can be a good idea to employ your solicitor to act as your 'gestor'. Building a good relationship with your gestor can help you avoid all sorts of issues later on. Yes, there is an annual charge but you also get the peace of mind that if you do encounter a problem in Mallorca and don't have time to fly out to attend to this yourself, your 'gestor' will get it sorted for you. Our income tax returns are always completed by him on our behalf.

I recently tried to close a bank account in Puerto Pollensa. Staff there were not being very helpful and despite having had a copy of my NIE when I took out the account, refused to close the account until I presented my NIE again. One call to my solicitor/gestor and they had a certified copy of my NIE by email that morning. All sorted!

 

[simon63]

Some good information, thanks so far.
Lorenzo, how much should I expect to pay for the ‘gestor’?

 

[Deanscroft]

A solicitor and a gestor are two different things. If you employ a solicitor to act as a gestor you will pay solicitors rates. Better to find your own gestor at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Lorenzo]

Some good information, thanks so far.
Lorenzo, how much should I expect to pay for the ‘gestor’?

Our solicitor/gestor charged us 160 euros (incl IVA) for completing our tax returns and acting as our fiscal representative for the year.
You may well find cheaper as Deanscroft suggests.

Over the years, we've built up a good relationship with him and also previously with his father who used to run the office. He was able to assist with some very tricky probate matters and during that very difficult time, his father made no additional charges for answering endless enquiries from the solicitor in the UK. His father even visited Dad when he was in hospital.

 

[simon63]

Thanks again. Heading out next week to check out some properties, so will enquire about gestors.