You have three main choices once you’ve decided where you are going to buy and what type of property you are going to buy. The first option is to book a flight to the area in Spain you have decided on and then arrange viewing’s with local estate agents. The second option is to go on an “inspection trip” which are offered mainly by large agents who will show you around lots of houses usually on purpose built complexes. The final option is to do it yourself and completely cut out the middle man.

Local Agents
As you would expect their are advantages and disadvantages of both options. If you choose to use local agents you will have the hassle of arranging the flights and accommodation for your trip as well as all of the viewing’s. However you can do everything at your own pace and pick exactly the properties you want to see. Doing it this way will also mean you get more choice as you are not tied to one agent. If you choose agents that are popular with Spaniards you also know that you will be paying the going rate for the property rather than an inflated tourists rate. This can obviously save you a lot of money.

• Oranges and Lemons - A family run business that specialises in property on the Costa del Azahar.
• Casas y Cia - An estate agent covering the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar.
• Online Oliva - Based in the small town of Oliva covering much of the Costa del Azahar.
• Orange Blossom Homes - Located in the town of Gandia covering the Costa del Azahar and Costa Blanca.
• Gatehouse International - Based in the UK offering properties throughout the Costa Brava.
• Bay of Roses - Based in the Costa Brava with a wide selection of properties available.
• Delfin Immo - Properties in Costa Brava, particularly Puig Rom, Canyelles and Almadraba.
• Brava Casa International - Offering a wide range of services, with properties along the whole Costa Brava.

Inspection Trips
The main benifit of inspection trips are that they are very easy to arrange as you just book one and everything is take care of when you get there. The trip itself is very cheap as it will be subsidised by the agent offering it. They typically lasy a few days with every day spent looking at a different complex. This is a great way to see what is on offer in a particular area in terms of purpose built holiday homes. It is not very good though if you are more interested in traditional properties as you will only get to see new builds on these holiday complexes.

• Incredible Homes - Offers houses all over the souther coast of Spain.
• Golden Coast Estates - Specialises in property located on the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Almaria.
• Prestige Homes International - Properties throughout Spain, a very large selection.

Do it yourself
This is without doubt the hardest of the three options but offers the cheapest prices. With agent fees of up to 10% you can really get a bargain by going direct to the seller. To start your search you can browse through the local papers, look for adverts around your chosen area or just drive around looking for “for sale” signs. Without an agent doing the organising you will need longer find your house this way so it may be unsuitable for some.