Question 1

How much does it cost to use Legado?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. Legado's fee is paid entirely by the developer and is already included in the property's commercial price — whether you use a buyer's agent or not. Every new-build price contains a sales commission. Without Legado, that money goes to the developer's team. With Legado, it pays for someone working exclusively on your side.

Question 2

Does Legado work for the buyer or the developer?

Accepted Answer

Exclusively for the buyer. Legado is a Personal Shopper Inmobiliario — our only job is to find the right property for you, negotiate the best terms and protect your interests throughout the process. We are not the developer's sales agent. We are not the developer's partner. We work for you.

Question 3

What exactly does Legado do?

Accepted Answer

We identify properties that match your profile across 850+ active new developments in Alicante province. We visit and assess them on your behalf. We negotiate the price and conditions. We coordinate the inspection trip, the reservation, the mortgage process if needed, the legal team and the completion timeline. We are your single point of contact from first enquiry to key handover.

Question 4

Why use Legado if I can go directly to the developer?

Accepted Answer

The developer's sales team represents the developer. Their job is to sell at the best price for the developer, not to find you the best deal. With Legado, you have a specialist on your side — at the same price. There is no rational reason not to use us.

Question 5

Can I buy a new-build in Spain without visiting?

Accepted Answer

You can reserve and even sign contracts remotely using a power of attorney. However, we strongly recommend at least one in-person inspection visit before committing. We organise and accompany all visits. The trip is designed to be efficient — you see the right properties, in the right order, with the right context.

Question 6

Do I need a lawyer to buy a property in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and the lawyer must be independent. Not the developer's lawyer, not an in-house service provided by the agency. A qualified property lawyer (abogado) whose only professional obligation is to you. They review contracts, verify ownership, manage taxes and protect your legal interests at every stage. Their fee is paid by you, separately — typically around 1% of the purchase price.

Question 7

Can I use the developer's recommended lawyer?

Accepted Answer

No. The developer's lawyer works for the developer. That is a direct conflict of interest. In Spain it is common for developers to recommend 'independent' lawyers who are in practice closely connected to them. Always instruct your own lawyer — one you have chosen independently.

Question 8

Does Legado provide legal services?

Accepted Answer

No. We are real estate specialists, not lawyers. The legal work requires a qualified, licensed abogado with professional indemnity insurance. We coordinate with the legal team and manage the timeline — but the legal protection comes from your lawyer, not from us. Some agencies offer to handle everything in-house. They are not law firms. That distinction matters when your money is at stake.

Question 9

How much does the lawyer cost?

Accepted Answer

Typically around 1% of the purchase price, with a minimum of approximately €1,500. On a €300,000 property, that is €3,000. It is paid directly by you to the lawyer, separately from our service. It is not optional — it is the most important €3,000 in the transaction.

Question 10

Can Legado recommend a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work closely with a specialist independent law firm experienced in non-resident new-build purchases in Alicante province. We recommend them because we know their quality, their timelines and their results from many completed transactions. You are free to use any qualified lawyer you choose — but if you use our firm of reference, we can coordinate timelines and quality directly. With other professionals, we cannot make that guarantee.

Question 11

What is the RAICV and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The RAICV (Registro de Agentes Inmobiliarios de la Comunitat Valenciana) is the official register of licensed real estate agents in the Valencian Community. Registration is legally mandatory in the region. It requires meeting formal requirements, holding professional indemnity insurance and adhering to a code of conduct. Always ask any agent — regardless of who they are or where they come from — for their RAICV number before signing anything or handing over any money. Without it, there is no insurance, no code of conduct and no official body to complain to.

Question 12

Many agents in the Costa Blanca are from my own country — is that a problem?

Accepted Answer

Shared language creates trust before there is any reason for it — and that is exactly when you need to ask the right questions. The question is never 'do you speak my language?' The right question is: 'how many years have you been operating in this specific market, and what is your RAICV number?' Language is useful. Local expertise, knowledge of local developers and professional accountability are what protect your money.

Question 13

What are the new-build guarantees under Spanish law?

Accepted Answer

Spanish building law (LOE, 1999) requires the developer to guarantee the property for three periods: 1 year for finishing defects; 3 years for habitability defects; and 10 years for structural defects. For structural defects, the developer must hold a ten-year insurance policy (seguro decenal) before transferring the property. Always request a copy before signing the completion deed.

Question 14

What happens to my advance payments if the developer goes insolvent?

Accepted Answer

Spanish law requires developers to secure all advance payments with a bank guarantee (aval bancario) or insurance policy. This means you can recover your money if the developer fails to complete. However, this only works if the guarantee has actually been issued and is valid. Before making any advance payment, ask the developer for the bank guarantee documentation. Legado guides you through this check.

Question 15

What is the Licencia de Primera Ocupación (LPO)?

Accepted Answer

The LPO is a mandatory municipal permit that the developer must obtain once construction is complete. Without it, the property cannot be legally occupied, registered at the Land Registry or transferred by notarial deed. Delivery dates given by developers are estimates — actual completion depends on the LPO being granted. Delays are common. Legado monitors this and keeps you informed.

Question 16

What taxes do I pay when buying a new-build in Spain?

Accepted Answer

For new-build purchases in the Valencian Community: VAT (IVA) at 10% of the purchase price, plus Stamp Duty (AJD) at 1.4% on the mortgage deed if you finance. These apply in addition to the base price. Use the cost calculator on any property page for a personalised breakdown.

Question 17

How much should I budget on top of the purchase price?

Accepted Answer

For new-build purchases, budget approximately 12–13% on top of the base price to cover all taxes, notary, land registry and legal fees. On a €300,000 property, the all-in cost is approximately €338,000–€340,000. The cost calculator on each property page shows this in real time for any price.

Question 18

Are there ongoing costs after buying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Annual costs include: IBI (council tax, typically 0.4–1.3% of cadastral value); community fees (cuota de comunidad, from €50 to €400+/month depending on development); non-resident income tax (Modelo 210, a few hundred euros per year even if the property is not rented); and home insurance and utility standing charges.

Question 19

Can non-residents get a mortgage in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spanish banks lend to non-residents, typically up to 60–70% of the appraised value. The process takes 4–8 weeks and requires documentation of income, assets and existing liabilities. We work with specialist mortgage brokers who know which lenders are currently active for non-resident profiles.

Question 20

Should I finance if I can buy in cash?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Many buyers use financing even when they could pay cash — to preserve liquidity, avoid concentrating too much capital in a single asset, or to maintain flexibility for other investments. The decision depends on your financial position and plans. We can discuss the options with you.

Question 21

How does the variable mortgage rate work?

Accepted Answer

Spanish variable mortgages are typically priced at Euribor 12M plus a bank spread (usually 1–2%). The Euribor rate changes monthly — when it rises, your monthly payment rises. The mortgage estimator on each property page shows the current Euribor rate and lets you calculate your monthly payment at different spread and term scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Legado — how it works

The independent lawyer

Legal protection and guarantees

Purchase costs and taxes

Mortgages for non-residents