It happens remarkably quickly.

You walk through the front door.

You see the terrace.

Then the pool.

Then the mountains.

Or the sea.

Or both, if you're having a particularly good day.

Five minutes later you're mentally rearranging the furniture and wondering whether your friends can visit in October.

This is the dangerous bit. 😂

Because falling in love with a property is wonderful.

But before you buy it, there are a few considerably less romantic questions worth asking.

Is Everything You're Looking At Actually Part of the Property?

It sounds obvious.

It isn't always.

Extensions, guest accommodation, pools, terraces, garages and other additions may have been created at different times during a property's life.

That's why buyers in Spain should use an independent lawyer to check the legal documentation and confirm the status of the property before purchasing.

Don't assume.

Check.

The view will still be beautiful afterwards.

What Are the Utilities?

Particularly with rural properties, ask how the house receives:

• Water
• Electricity
• Internet
• Wastewater/sewage

A countryside finca may operate very differently from a townhouse in the centre of Dénia.

Neither is necessarily better or worse.

You simply need to know what you're buying and whether it suits the way you want to live.

What Is the Property Like in Winter?

That gorgeous shaded terrace might be heaven in August.

In January, you may feel rather differently.

Ask about orientation and winter sun.

How is the house heated?

Is there air conditioning?

Double glazing?

A fireplace?

Where does the sun actually reach during the colder months?

We live in Spain, but contrary to certain property brochures, winter has not been abolished.

What's the Area Like When You're Not on Holiday?

This is a big one.

A location that feels wonderfully peaceful during a viewing might feel isolated when you're living there permanently.

Equally, somewhere bustling in August might become beautifully calm in November.

Visit the town.

Find the supermarket.

Have coffee.

Drive around.

If possible, see the area at different times of day.

You're not simply buying the building.

You're buying the Tuesday morning that comes with it.

How Far Away Is Everything — Really?

“Ten minutes from the beach” is one of property marketing's more elastic measurements. 😂

Ten minutes how?

Walking?

Driving?

In August?

With parking?

Think about the places that will matter in your actual life.

Shops. Doctors. Restaurants. Airports. Schools. Family. Golf. Beaches. Dog walks. Whatever matters to you.

Google Maps is useful.

Actually doing the journey is better.

What Will It Cost Beyond the Purchase Price?

The asking price isn't the entire buying budget.

There are taxes and purchasing costs to consider, and ongoing costs after completion.

Before committing to a purchase, speak to your independent lawyer and other appropriate professional advisers so you understand the costs relevant to your particular transaction.

That conversation is much nicer before you've mentally chosen the cushions.

What Comes With the Property?

Furniture?

Appliances?

Outdoor furniture?

That enormous ceramic pot you secretly love?

If something matters to you, ask whether it's included.

Don't assume that because something was there during the viewing it will still be there when you receive the keys.

And Finally: Does It Actually Suit Your Life?

This may be the most important question of all.

It's possible to fall completely in love with a house that makes absolutely no sense for you.

If you hate driving, the spectacular finca twenty minutes up a mountain may eventually lose some of its sparkle.

If you crave peace, the townhouse above the liveliest bar in the village may prove educational.

If you have twelve grandchildren, that beautiful one-bedroom apartment may require some difficult family negotiations.

A property doesn't need to be perfect.

It needs to be right for you.

Fall in Love. Then Ask Questions.

We don't want to remove the emotion from buying a home in Spain.

Quite the opposite.

Finding somewhere that makes you instantly imagine a different life is one of the loveliest parts of what we do.

Just give your head a chance to catch up with your heart.

Ask questions.

Use an independent lawyer.

Understand what you're buying.

And then go back onto the terrace and admire the view.

Preferably with coffee.

Or possibly cava.

Property. Lifestyle. Real conversations.

Welcome to The Renvida Way.