BUYING THE PLOT

Now that you have found your plot - agreed the price - and your Lawyer has ascertained that the villa of your choice can be built on it, then you will need to complete the purchase of the land.

Your Lawyer will draw up a Contract between yourself and the vendor of the land - more or less following the same procedures as detailed in the section concerning purchasing a re-sale property. If you are buying land and building a property, then you will need to make two Escrituras (Title Deeds). At the time of paying the balance of the land price your Lawyer will make the Escritura for the land. You will then return to the Notary’s Office to declare the new building on your land - once the property is completed.

THE ARCHITECT
Most will have ‘drawing board’ designs of standard villas. They may be able to show you ready built villas conforming to their standard designs, you can then see in advance what you are going to get. Most purchasers will want to make some changes to the existing design and layout to customise their property.

If you have specific ideas on design, you will be able to liaise with the Architect and design a purpose built property

Be prepared to pay somewhere in the region of £3,000 to £5,000 in Architects’ fees. When you start building your villa and the Architect presents his fees, you will only be paying 70% of the total cost at this time. The balance is due when the building is finished and the Certificate of the Termination of the Building and the Licence of First Occupation of the Property are required. Your Lawyer will need these two documents to be able to make the declaration of the new building at the Notary’s Office.

THE BUILDER

In most cases your Architect, or your Estate Agent, will recommend a builder who will be able to give you a specific quotation based on the Architect’s plan and specifications.

Your Lawyer will draw up a Contract (or check out the Builder’s Contract) which will give a complete specification.

The Contract will reflect the cost per square metre for tiles, the models and types of sanitary fittings, taps, doors, windows, etc. and a completion date should be fixed with a Penalty Clause for late completion.