Steps 1 and 2 - SELECTION AND VIEWING

Step 1 - SELECTION

To make your best selection you will need to carrying out some research. Some questions for you to think about:

- What climate to I want?
- Nearest airport or ferry?
- Do I want beaches, skiing, rolling countryside, mountain views?
- Do I want to be in a town, village or rural?
- Am I looking to live in Spain permanently, looking for a holiday home or somewhere to produce an income?
- Land - Am I looking for lots of land or a small garden?
- Am I looking for a "move in" property or a restoration project?
- Am I looking for a personal use property or space for villas? (The average villa can make '5,500 per year.)

Two methods of selecting your property:

Method 1 - Specific

Our database of properties is automatically updated instantly as soon as we are informed of changes, making our list of properties for sale much more accurate and up to date than any of the Spanish magazines listing properties (these all have at least a minimum of 8 week lead times due to printing and distribution).

Method 2 - Type

By the time you have carried out your research, you will have a general idea of the type of property that would be ideal for you. We maintain over 1500 properties on our constantly updated website and our agents offices have more than 50,000 more on their books, so there will always be a vast selection of the type of property perfect for you.

Step 2 - VIEWING

Two methods:

Method 1 - Organised itinerary

Once you have let us know the type of property you are seeking and the amount of time you will be in Spain, we will brief the agents in your chosen area(s). They will then confirm the availability of a number of suitable properties and we will book the amount of time necessary for you to view the selection. This can range from half a day to 2 full days, depending on the number of properties you wish to see.

We can then arrange your whole itinerary program into the most efficient travel, with reasonable journeys and good "value for money" accommodation waiting for you each night. We would then ask you to confirm that you are free to accept the appointments and, finally, firmly confirm your appointments with the agents concerned. In order to organise the smoothest trip for you, please bear in mind that we need to know from the start if there are any days that you are not available for viewing properties due to other commitments or "rest" days.

Method 2 - Organising the trip yourself

You can, of course organise your trip yourself. However, do bear in mind that we have years of expertise in organising many successful visits to Spain: we know the Agents and we know the travelling times. Few Spanish Agencies can handle "walk-in" appointments, so you would need to pre-book appointments. Trying to squeeze in 3 or 4 appointments a day, an hour late here, a missed appointment there might seem like the best way to cover ground - but mostly, that's exactly what you'll achieve - covering ground (Spain is a big country) skidding up and down the country exhausting yourself and you won't endear yourself to the Spanish agencies. Having numerous agencies tripping over each other, producing double bookings and cancellations, might seem like the best way of organising your trip but you really are reducing your chances of success and when you need to return to Spain for a second time, you may find you're not treated as seriously as you'd like.

Visiting Properties

1 - Keep your itinerary, phone numbers, mobile phone and map with you. Then you shouldn't get lost. However, if you loose your way or get delayed or find your ideal Spanish home before you finish the itinerary, you'll have all the relevant directions and phone numbers with you so you'll be able to advise all the agents accordingly.

2 - Equip yourself for the task. Wear suitable clothes and take a pair of shoes.

Things to take:

- Torch
- Tape measure
- Compass
- Camera plus sufficient film (digital or video camera - for instant results)
- Camera chargers or spare batteries
- Mobile phone and charger
- Pen
- Notebook
- Refreshments

This will enable you to really investigate the properties, crawl into those haylofts, explore the land, climb any hills to check the views, peer into those dark corners, measure rooms and areas, note where the sun rises and sets, photograph those unusual features and make sufficient notes to help aid your decision later. It is wise to take refreshments with you to make the most of your viewing time - shop opening hours vary from area to area.

3 - Prepare a list of general questions beforehand, pertinent to all the properties you will see.

For example:

- How old is the property?
- How old is the roof?
- Is there a septic tank?
- Are services connected (water, electricity etc)?
- Is there a good plumber, carpenter, electrician etc nearby?
- How much are the local taxes?
- How long will the sale process take (is it a straightforward single owner sale or a multiple owner inheritance sale)?
- Where is the nearest village/town and how far away is it?

4 - Be honest with the agent. Tell them what you like and dislike about each property you view. That way, if you don't manage to find a property, the agent can fine tune your viewing list to you specific requirements.