Of all the destinations for would be ex-patriots Spain is still the most popular and despite the recent problems with the plunging property market the pull of the sun remains irresistible for many.

Spain is the most Anglicised European country and tends to appeal to many because of the ex-pat population and sunshine alone. The British there tend to follow a British way of life and far fewer are there because they like the culture of the country.

Recently we have heard many disaster stories of families who have seen their properties lose value dramatically, so much so that they have sold up and returned to the UK.

Because of the large influx of British people into Spain over the last 25 years a large number of foreign estate agents have sprung up. They range from one man and a mobile phone to large companies and would be property buyers should beware the “shark” element which is worse than in any other country.

Many agents target which nationalities they plan to sell to, but, in spite of the large increase in foreign buyers the Spanish are still the largest buyers.

In Spain the agents are known as inmobiliarias for short. Despite the increase in foreign buyers they still tend to concentrate mainly on the Spanish market. It is therefore wise to have not only a native Spanish speaker with you but someone who knows the ins and outs of negotiation on property.

There are British run and owned estate agents in Spain but it has to be said that the Spanish agent is much better versed in the processes involved and have a higher level of training through their own professional associations.

On the most popular costas it is now common to find Spanish agents with English speaking staff, so you can have the best of both worlds.

It might be said that it is now too easy to set up as an estate agent in Spain due to deregulation. Many British people have set up with a modest outlay for there are large commissions, sometimes as much as 7.5%, to be earned. A handsome living can be made on just a few sales a year.

In rural Spain you will find corredores. They are local brokers who know the local community well. If country living is for you it is a good idea to seek one out for they will charge a commission of around 1% whereas foreign agents have been know to slap on as much as 35% commission.

Spain is probably the country where you can find the most pitfalls in property buying, so do your homework.

Spend time with British people who have bought there, they can teach you much. Visit the many Spanish property Internet forums and ask questions.

Over the coming months we will look in detail at the legal process of buying in Spain and at many of the diverse, beautiful regions of the country.

Graham Smith for Third Age.

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