rted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how t

Those buying a home in Spain are my clients. From all walks of life and for many differing reasons they start the process of finding a property. Light heartily over the months I have recalled some of the surprising actions of these people, but the other side of this is sad, depressing and soul destroying. Last month, the letters page carried a typical incident of a couple detailing their legal action against the person selling them a property. With increase frequency the “hard sell”, lies and extortionate fees resulting in dreams turning to nightmares are recalled to me. The common factors are the type of people they are dealing with and the lack of any independent advice when purchasing property.

Spain deregulated estate agents some years ago; unlike other European countries anybody can sell property. So why are so many people conned? In trying to understand this situation I have discovered the following:

The most important factor at first, is being able to communicate, and they do not question the services they are being offered. Next, they believe what they are told without question as they trust the people they are dealing with, after all they are English.

They do not seek independent advice.

They used the services of an estate agent that sorts out your flights, hotel and car hire for you.

They meet you at the hotel and take you out to houses then to lunch, that way your time is totally taken up to avoid you looking at properties with other agents. Retrospectively, the clients moan after they have parted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how th

legal action against the person selling them a property. With increase frequency the “hard sell”, lies and extortionate fees resulting in dreams turning to nightmares are recalled to me. The common factors are the type of people they are dealing with and the lack of any independent advice when purchasing property.

Spain deregulated estate agents some years ago; unlike other European countries anybody can sell property. So why are so many people conned? In trying to understand this situation I have discovered the following:

The most important factor at first, is being able to communicate, and they do not question the services they are being offered. Next, they believe what they are told without question as they trust the people they are dealing with, after all they are English.

They do not seek independent advice.

They used the services of an estate agent that sorts out your flights, hotel and car hire for you.

They meet you at the hotel and take you out to houses then to lunch, that way your time is totally taken up to avoid you looking at properties with other agents. Retrospectively, the clients moan after they have parted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how t

an countries anybody can sell property. So why are so many people conned? In trying to understand this situation I have discovered the following:

The most important factor at first, is being able to communicate, and they do not question the services they are being offered. Next, they believe what they are told without question as they trust the people they are dealing with, after all they are English.

They do not seek independent advice.

They used the services of an estate agent that sorts out your flights, hotel and car hire for you.

They meet you at the hotel and take you out to houses then to lunch, that way your time is totally taken up to avoid you looking at properties with other agents. Retrospectively, the clients moan after they have parted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how t

all they are English.

They do not seek independent advice.

They used the services of an estate agent that sorts out your flights, hotel and car hire for you.

They meet you at the hotel and take you out to houses then to lunch, that way your time is totally taken up to avoid you looking at properties with other agents. Retrospectively, the clients moan after they have parted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how t

rted with large sums of money, that they never had the opportunity to compare and see other areas or properties!

Increasingly a new ploy is false documents, planning consents along with undisclosed fees and contracts that do not bare close examination.

They offered to save us money, “No need to use a solicitor as we do everything for you.”

What is also alarming is how this situation is self perpetuating. Those who were conned seldom speak out about their experience partly to avoid their own embarrassment. Not knowing how they can address the wrongs done to them they “Put it behind them”.

Here are a few suggestions on how to avoid the pitfalls.

Become cynically. If you were employing someone to work for you would you not seek references? So ask to speak to other clients of theirs independently.

Beware of “saving money” it will no doubt cost you dearly. A solicitor of your choice is worth their weight in gold. Not one working for them or the seller. A list is available from the British Consulate covering the area you plan to live in. Just like buying property in the UK this person’s role is to protect you. They should be independent and with no interests in the property market.

Only deal with people that are trading from an office. That way you know where to find them in the future! This sounds ridiculous but one constant factor is that the buyer has no contact with the agent after the purchase! A website and telephone number is a one sided relationship……..

Quoted by a client some years ago to me. “Half the buyers of property in Spain use a solicitor the other half wished they had.” The same person also said “Supermarket car parks are for cars not places to meet estate agents” No matter where in the world you plan to purchase a property these two words are important.

BUYER BEWARE