Define what does your family need ?

Generally speaking, if you have young or teenage kids, your life will be a lot easier if you a buy property that allows them to have fun without you having to drive them everywhere. Residential estates that attract families are ideal, as both parents and kids are happy.

What sort of maintenance budget do you have ?

You need to be clear about the maintenance costs that different properties involve, and budget for them before you purchase. Otherwise you may find yourself owning a property that is too expensive for you to maintain. A good agent will give you a guide to the maintenance costs of different properties. For more detail on the sorts of costs you will face see the ‘Owning a property’ section of this guide.

How much effort do you want to put into maintaining the property ?

Essentially it is just the end of the beginning when you complete the purchase. Property in Spain, as anywhere, doesn’t look after itself, and maintaining property in a foreign country can be more of a challenge than at home. Depending upon what you buy, you may find yourself having to deal with local government, local builders, cleaners, plumbers, gardeners, and what have you, and all in Spanish.

Is investment a primary or secondary concern ?

Many people have bought Spanish property in recent years primarily as an investment, both in terms of rental income and capital gains. If you are buying as an investment then you have to focus on the type of property with the greatest potential in these terms. A good property agent will be able to advise you on the factors that drive property investment returns, along with the tools to help you analyse them. If you are buying primarily as property for living in and enjoying, then you will find you have a wider choice of properties.

Will this be a holiday home for a few weeks a year, or will it be a main residence for spending all or part of the year ?

A holiday home means you probably will not be there for large parts of the year. Therefore you will need a property that doesn’t require a great deal of attention on a regular basis. The last thing you want is for your holiday home to become a burden that interferes with your life. Apartments or villas on urbanisations (urbanizaciones in Spanish) are the best option in this respect as security and maintenance tend to be easier for these types of properties. Perhaps look for something with good rental potential to earn income and avoid leaving the property empty most of the year.

A more permanent home requires greater thought. You plan to spend large parts of the year living there, so you need to be somewhere that offers you the best quality of life. This means considering the local infrastructure and facilities, community, security, accessibility, and so on.