From first orientation to the keys. We take the lead and watch the details; you keep the overview and make the choices. Independent advice, with consultants on the ground.
In Spain the notary does far less than in other countries. The notary asks no questions, checks no debts and verifies no permits. As a buyer you are expected to know what you are getting into.
The Spanish property register is not watertight: the cadastral records regularly differ from the actual situation. Illegal extensions, outstanding taxes or a right of way stay invisible until it is too late.
And the market runs on relationships. Part of the supply first circulates within local networks before it goes online. Anyone who only follows the property portals does not see everything.
In Spain the notary checks no debts, no permits and no building condition. That check is up to the buyer. So we carry it out for you.
We believe our approach serves most buyers best, but we compare honestly. Below are the four routes side by side, without running the other three down.
This assessment is meant honestly. For some buyers searching on their own works fine, and some Spanish agents are excellent. It differs per situation.
A good purchase starts with an honest conversation about what you are really looking for. Not just the number of bedrooms, but also how often you want to be there, whether family is coming along and whether your work back home continues. Only once we know that can we search for you.
“We came into contact with Costa Select through word of mouth, after good experiences from friends. July 2023 was our first meeting at the office in the Netherlands, and we immediately had a positive click.”
Ellen Bosman
We view many homes every week; you only see what truly meets your profile, with an honest pro and con per home. No mailings with fifty options, but a calm shortlist you can seriously consider.
“Working with Denise during the search was pleasant and useful. She discovered, for instance, that one of my favourite houses on Kyero could not be sold at all. See, that is something you do not spot from behind your PC.”
Anneke Mulder
Negotiating at a distance is hard; in a foreign language harder still. We do it on your behalf, with data and with patience. You set the ceiling, we set the tactics and the timing.
“From the very start of our contact it went smoothly. We were lucky to find our lovely house after 12 viewings. Suddenly there was a click. Jasmijn negotiated well and we were fully aware of all the costs.”
SJM de Vries-Mulderink
In Spain, as a buyer you are responsible for knowing whether the property carries debts, whether the extension is legal and whether a right of way applies. An independent lawyer checks that before you sign. If we find something, we negotiate it out or we walk away.
“The lawyer who, together with Marc, rescued us from some tricky situations. You deserve real credit. It is all behind us now, and we enjoy it while renting it out nicely in between.”
Menno Luiten
At the notary we translate every line and arrange the NIE (the Spanish identification number), the bank account and the utility connections. After that we stay available, as standard in the first year and on call thereafter.
“We are very pleased with the guidance, the purchase support and the aftercare. We are now fully enjoying the lovely weather in Spain, and thanks to Sara we also found a good house painter and had the curtains made. Thank you, Costa Select.”
Karin Verschaeren
The five phases in sequence. In practice they partly overlap, and we make sure you are involved at the right moments. The average timeline runs from 6 to 12 months.
Three moments when we need you, on site or via a video call. The rest we do for you.
The search does not stop the moment negotiation begins. We keep other candidates in view until the deed is signed.
The handover of the keys is your starting point, not our finish line. In the first year we stand beside you as standard.
In a Spanish purchase you are expected to know what you are buying. The notary does not check debts and gives no declaration that an extension is legal. That research is up to the buyer.
We carry out that research before you complete on the property. Fixed checks, with an independent lawyer and a local technical surveyor.
“We regularly encounter that the viewed home is larger than the registration in the cadastre. Then it is a matter of obliging the selling party to legalise this. That can be included as a condition.”
Marbella, Jávea and Valencia are completely different markets. Different prices, different supply, different building styles. A consultant who only knows Marbella knows little about Dénia.
That is why you work with a dedicated consultant per region, who knows the local network of notaries, lawyers and builders.
Your consultant is from your region, knows several homes in the same neighbourhood and shares their knowledge of the immediate surroundings.
We work best with clients for whom we truly make a difference. Below, honestly, when that is the case, and when another route may make more sense.
An introduction is always free and without obligation. After one conversation we both know whether we are a match.
“After fifteen years of searching on the Costa Blanca we knew what was for sale. Thanks to the listening ear of Marc Stam and Jasmijn we could search with focus: houses every day, honest advice every time about what did and did not suit us. We found our dream home and were helped with everything, from the negotiation to the entire renovation.”
“Expert guidance during the purchase, with quick and good support for all our questions and uncertainties. Tight planning for the viewings and consistently honest, well-founded feedback. That is how, at Costa Select, they keep you as a buyer with both feet on the ground. For us it was a very good choice to engage them.”
“The first contact with Marc was informative, efficient and pleasant, and gave us confidence straight away. After that we continued exclusively with Costa Select and explored the market in Jávea with Danielle. She has an eye for detail and for our wishes, is approachable, knowledgeable and responds quickly. We found a beautiful house and could not have wished for a better buyer’s agent.”
The questions we hear most during the introduction. Missing something? Ask us directly.
The property is first taken off the market with a reservation contract. Then follows a preliminary purchase contract in which the agreements and the deposit are recorded. Finally we book an appointment at the notary for the definitive transfer and handover of the keys. Between reservation and transfer is on average two to three months, depending on whether a mortgage is involved.
We listen first, then we advise. A conversation about your wishes and how we work, without any obligation. Afterwards we both know whether we are a match.
