ANNOUNCEMENT 17 January 2023 After months of preparation, I launched The Spanish Property Expert on UA-cam at the beginning of 2020, unaware of the impending global pandemic. Despite the challenges presented by lockdowns, I persevered with the channel. However, as the pandemic progressed, I had to redirect my energy towards more immediate sources of income and could no longer devote my time and energy to the channel. I left existing videos live on UA-cam as they were still receiving positive feedback and seemed useful to viewers. As a result, over the past couple of years, the traffic to these videos has remained steady and the feedback consistently positive. Given the clear demand for such a channel, I am excited to announce the launch of "Spain Unfiltered" in 2023. This new channel will continue to provide quality, honest advice about Spanish property, while also expanding the scope to include a wider range of topics, such as locations in Spain, relocation, and visas, as well as insights into Spanish history and culture. My goal is to provide an unfiltered look at Spain, giving viewers an authentic and well-rounded understanding of the country, its culture, and its property market. I am committed to providing valuable and informative content that will help viewers make informed decisions about purchasing or relocating to Spain. Be sure to subscribe to my channel to stay updated on the relaunch and new content. You can also register on the new website to be notified when it goes live, so you'll be the first to know when new content is released. www.spainunfiltered.com Thank you for your support, and I can't wait to share my new and exciting content with you!
Thank you Ian! I am currently on day 4 of editing a video that I thought would take a day so your words or encouragement couldn't have come at a better time! Very much appreciated!
Hi James Great video and very helpful. Not sure when you posted this and if anything has changed since but tried doing the valuation exercise on the Trovimap website and was blocked from the start. Do I need to register first and if so what am I signing up to ? Putting in personal details seems to indicate you’re taking on a personal shopper ?? We’re looking at a property at the moment and to get the information you’ve outlined on the video would be very helpful. Thanks Philip
Hi Philip. You were right to ask. This video is about 12 months old and it looks like Trovimap have changed their offer. I just ran a property through it and it gave a very basic valuation (which seemed high but as it was my own house I'd be happy to accept it!). To get the full report as I showed in the video you now need to pay €4.99. It looks like you are signed up to a mailing list but nothing else. I'd say that that's a price worth paying. If you are looking at properties at the moment then you might want to take a look at the free guide to costs on my website here: www.thespanishpropertyexpert.com/ultimate-guide-to-spanish-property-costs/
WAIT!... scrub what I just said... I have received an email with the report attached so the report is still free. I'm not sure what extra information you get for the €4.99 but everything I mentioned in the video is in the free report.
@@Spainunfiltered Just tried it again and it worked for me (almost). Not quite the property I’m looking at but gave me a valuation on a property nearby. Thanks for all the help.
Apologies Deb, I think I made a mistake in my notifications as I only just saw this. For private Sales look for the Spanish word, "Particular". I don't think that Idealista allows for specific searches of private sales ( I guess they don't want to rock the boat with the agent's too much) but in the results pages look for listings with no logo and typically a mobile phone number (starts with a 6 of a 7). On the details page the right sidebar with the contact details will say " particular/private seller" Some classified ads sites like milanuncios will let you search for private sales.
Hey James, great video thanks. Trying to get some extra info from your site but I see that it is down. I know this video is over 2 years old so not sure if you've moved on to other things.
Hi Frank. Apologies. I launched this channel just as Covid and lockdowns hit and like so many others I was forced to change tack. I'm glad you liked the video and I am currently planning a reboot and a new series of videos. There will be a new website and rebrand, but the same honest advice about buying in Spain. Please subscribe to the channel and you will be informed when the new videos launch (in the new year). Thanks
Thanks DeeBee. Honestly, I don't know. I focus on buying for lifestyle not investment, but obviously the whole world's economy is looking pretty precarious at the moment. If you are looking to buy a property and flip for profit then I would suggest, based on the costs of buying and selling property in Spain, that there are better countries to look at. If you are looking for the long term then take a look at the steps I set out in this video: ua-cam.com/video/VJQ3FE21SF4/v-deo.html Especially the point I make about having an exit strategy. The best properties, in prime positions, will always sell more easily than those that are just one of hundreds of similar properties especially when the market is weak.
Hi Lino... Apologies. You can guarantee that if something goes wrong with your website it will be while you're having a week off... It's back online now.
Also, if they are private vendors, is there a way of checking they actually own the property, ie what is the Spanish equivalent of our Land Registry. Thanks
Yes, first check the deed (escritura) the agent or seller should be able to give you this in the form of a "Copia Simple". This will only show the ownership at the point that it was signed, but it contains the details you need to check the "Registro" and get a "Nota Simple" which will show current ownership, charges on the property etc (bear in mind that debt fixed against a property will pass to the new owners if it is not cleared). Again, the "Nota Simple" will only show the propeties status on the date it was issued. It is normal practice to order another 'Nota Simple" when at the notary signing the new ownership deed to ensure that nothing has changed in the meantime. I recommend that you use a qualified Spanish Solicitor to do all of this for you.
Hi.great videos. If I move to spain on non lucrative visa and gain residency after 5 years, can i work once im a resident? or do i have to be a spanish citizen to work and bow long until i gain citizenship.many thanks.jason
Well, I think there are possibility in that. I think the first step should be becoming a resident first, this way you have the capability of working But if it is the Non-lucrative visa, then I don't think you are eligible to work because it's purpose is simply to for entry and exist purposes only. I would advice you to earn with the passive income (it is accepted in Spain) means since you are looking to enter Spain with just the Non-lucrative visa
Would you recommend to buy a property without going to Spain and physically seeing the property? I live in the US, and I do speak Spanish as I´m original from Cuba. Thank you for your informative video. 🤔
Personally, I would want to see the property and the area before making a decision. The costs of purchasing (taxes etc.) are high and if you quickly decide that it was the wrong property for you then selling will also be expensive. If there is a problem with the property you may also find that the price needs to be reduced to find a buyer. A mistake could prove to be very expensive. Buying a home is an emotional purchase, and so the assessment is entirely subjective therefore the only person who can assess whether it is the right property for you is you yourself. While modern tools like 360 tours, google maps, drone footage etc are great for shortlisting properties to view and for location research there is no substitute for your own eyes and ears (and sometimes nose!) I've taken many people to properties that, based on their criteria and my perception of their tastes, I was sure they would fall in love with and sometimes been completely wrong! Other times I have taken people to properties that they would have dismissed based on photos and seen them fall in love with the place before even opening the front door. While this is a lifestyle channel and my career with Spanish property has been almost entirely based around people who are buying for personal reasons as opposed to for investment, the only time I would consider buying without viewing would be a if it were a purely unemotional purchase. eg an investment with a sitting tenant. Under those circumstances, where the only thing that matters is that the numbers add up, then viewing the property wouldn't make much difference, however I would ensure that the property is independently surveyed and that an independent lawyer checks the legalities. (NB: this is not to be construed as investment advice you should of course always seek professional advice upon any investment.)
Interesting to know. This video is a little old now and I will revise it later this year. Do you find you get a better response on other portals? It’s crazy that an agent would pay for advertising only to ignore enquiries, but it’s not unusual. Portfolios are often badly managed and it’s pretty common to find properties listed long after they come off the market. It may be that some of your enquires are being ignored because the property is no longer for sale. Just a thought but idealista has a lot of Spanish speaking agents on it and is automatically translated into English. Have you tried translating your enquires to Spanish?
Brilliant information James thankyou ,have learnt so much already from your site .I am looking to buy in murcia area as soon as we can travel ,so much research to do not just finding a house ,.
That's great to hear! thank you. Have you seen the cost course on the site? It free to follow and has loads of information about purchasing and running costs? www.thespanishpropertyexpert.com/ultimate-guide-to-spanish-property-costs/
ANNOUNCEMENT 17 January 2023
After months of preparation, I launched The Spanish Property Expert on UA-cam at the beginning of 2020, unaware of the impending global pandemic. Despite the challenges presented by lockdowns, I persevered with the channel. However, as the pandemic progressed, I had to redirect my energy towards more immediate sources of income and could no longer devote my time and energy to the channel. I left existing videos live on UA-cam as they were still receiving positive feedback and seemed useful to viewers. As a result, over the past couple of years, the traffic to these videos has remained steady and the feedback consistently positive.
Given the clear demand for such a channel, I am excited to announce the launch of "Spain Unfiltered" in 2023. This new channel will continue to provide quality, honest advice about Spanish property, while also expanding the scope to include a wider range of topics, such as locations in Spain, relocation, and visas, as well as insights into Spanish history and culture. My goal is to provide an unfiltered look at Spain, giving viewers an authentic and well-rounded understanding of the country, its culture, and its property market.
I am committed to providing valuable and informative content that will help viewers make informed decisions about purchasing or relocating to Spain. Be sure to subscribe to my channel to stay updated on the relaunch and new content.
You can also register on the new website to be notified when it goes live, so you'll be the first to know when new content is released.
www.spainunfiltered.com
Thank you for your support, and I can't wait to share my new and exciting content with you!
The best video on explaining the Spanish property market. Fabulous and simple.
Excellent video, very helpful 😊 for me, who is currently on the beginning of this journey
Thank you! Please do keep an eye on the channel as there is lots to come in 2024!
Sir, your page is a godsend! So clear, concise, and informative, thank you
Thank you!
You're doing a great job (and I am a very harsh critic) - keep it up!
Thank you Ian! I am currently on day 4 of editing a video that I thought would take a day so your words or encouragement couldn't have come at a better time! Very much appreciated!
Great video. Enjoying the content so far.
Awesome, thank you!
Amazing! Thank you for this very useful information👌👌👌
De Nada!
Grant informative video David 👍😀
Thanks 👍
Subbed
Thanks Guy. Working on new content as we speak!
Great video 👍 very useful
Thanks Darryl!
Excellent video. Very helpful and encouraging. Many thanks.
Thank you Nick!
Big fan !!
EXCELLENT VERY HELPFUL THANKS
I also enjoy this website
Hi James Great video and very helpful. Not sure when you posted this and if anything has changed since but tried doing the valuation exercise on the Trovimap website and was blocked from the start. Do I need to register first and if so what am I signing up to ? Putting in personal details seems to indicate you’re taking on a personal shopper ?? We’re looking at a property at the moment and to get the information you’ve outlined on the video would be very helpful. Thanks Philip
Hi Philip. You were right to ask. This video is about 12 months old and it looks like Trovimap have changed their offer. I just ran a property through it and it gave a very basic valuation (which seemed high but as it was my own house I'd be happy to accept it!). To get the full report as I showed in the video you now need to pay €4.99. It looks like you are signed up to a mailing list but nothing else.
I'd say that that's a price worth paying.
If you are looking at properties at the moment then you might want to take a look at the free guide to costs on my website here:
www.thespanishpropertyexpert.com/ultimate-guide-to-spanish-property-costs/
WAIT!... scrub what I just said... I have received an email with the report attached so the report is still free. I'm not sure what extra information you get for the €4.99 but everything I mentioned in the video is in the free report.
I wonder is it that I’m being blocked as I’m based in Ireland ?
@@Spainunfiltered Just tried it again and it worked for me (almost). Not quite the property I’m looking at but gave me a valuation on a property nearby. Thanks for all the help.
Great video David, can you tell me is there a way on Idealista of knowing which sellers are private vendors and which are agents?
Apologies Deb, I think I made a mistake in my notifications as I only just saw this.
For private Sales look for the Spanish word, "Particular". I don't think that Idealista allows for specific searches of private sales ( I guess they don't want to rock the boat with the agent's too much) but in the results pages look for listings with no logo and typically a mobile phone number (starts with a 6 of a 7). On the details page the right sidebar with the contact details will say " particular/private seller"
Some classified ads sites like milanuncios will let you search for private sales.
Hey James, great video thanks. Trying to get some extra info from your site but I see that it is down. I know this video is over 2 years old so not sure if you've moved on to other things.
Hi Frank. Apologies. I launched this channel just as Covid and lockdowns hit and like so many others I was forced to change tack. I'm glad you liked the video and I am currently planning a reboot and a new series of videos. There will be a new website and rebrand, but the same honest advice about buying in Spain. Please subscribe to the channel and you will be informed when the new videos launch (in the new year). Thanks
I'm waiting as well!
Hi James. Great information! Do you think it is a good time to buy now in Spain as a cash buyer or do you think prices will go down soon?
Thanks DeeBee. Honestly, I don't know. I focus on buying for lifestyle not investment, but obviously the whole world's economy is looking pretty precarious at the moment.
If you are looking to buy a property and flip for profit then I would suggest, based on the costs of buying and selling property in Spain, that there are better countries to look at.
If you are looking for the long term then take a look at the steps I set out in this video:
ua-cam.com/video/VJQ3FE21SF4/v-deo.html
Especially the point I make about having an exit strategy. The best properties, in prime positions, will always sell more easily than those that are just one of hundreds of similar properties especially when the market is weak.
Thank you James, unfortunately the link to your website doesn’t work anymore. I would like to download your cost calculation sheet
Hi Lino... Apologies. You can guarantee that if something goes wrong with your website it will be while you're having a week off... It's back online now.
Also, if they are private vendors, is there a way of checking they actually own the property, ie what is the Spanish equivalent of our Land Registry. Thanks
Yes, first check the deed (escritura) the agent or seller should be able to give you this in the form of a "Copia Simple". This will only show the ownership at the point that it was signed, but it contains the details you need to check the "Registro" and get a "Nota Simple" which will show current ownership, charges on the property etc (bear in mind that debt fixed against a property will pass to the new owners if it is not cleared). Again, the "Nota Simple" will only show the propeties status on the date it was issued. It is normal practice to order another 'Nota Simple" when at the notary signing the new ownership deed to ensure that nothing has changed in the meantime. I recommend that you use a qualified Spanish Solicitor to do all of this for you.
Many advertisers/brokers lie about were homes is located, maps are not correct
Hi.great videos.
If I move to spain on non lucrative visa and gain residency after 5 years, can i work once im a resident? or do i have to be a spanish citizen to work and bow long until i gain citizenship.many thanks.jason
Well, I think there are possibility in that. I think the first step should be becoming a resident first, this way you have the capability of working But if it is the Non-lucrative visa, then I don't think you are eligible to work because it's purpose is simply to for entry and exist purposes only. I would advice you to earn with the passive income (it is accepted in Spain) means since you are looking to enter Spain with just the Non-lucrative visa
Would you recommend to buy a property without going to Spain and physically seeing the property? I live in the US, and I do speak Spanish as I´m original from Cuba. Thank you for your informative video. 🤔
Personally, I would want to see the property and the area before making a decision. The costs of purchasing (taxes etc.) are high and if you quickly decide that it was the wrong property for you then selling will also be expensive. If there is a problem with the property you may also find that the price needs to be reduced to find a buyer. A mistake could prove to be very expensive. Buying a home is an emotional purchase, and so the assessment is entirely subjective therefore the only person who can assess whether it is the right property for you is you yourself. While modern tools like 360 tours, google maps, drone footage etc are great for shortlisting properties to view and for location research there is no substitute for your own eyes and ears (and sometimes nose!)
I've taken many people to properties that, based on their criteria and my perception of their tastes, I was sure they would fall in love with and sometimes been completely wrong!
Other times I have taken people to properties that they would have dismissed based on photos and seen them fall in love with the place before even opening the front door.
While this is a lifestyle channel and my career with Spanish property has been almost entirely based around people who are buying for personal reasons as opposed to for investment, the only time I would consider buying without viewing would be a if it were a purely unemotional purchase. eg an investment with a sitting tenant.
Under those circumstances, where the only thing that matters is that the numbers add up, then viewing the property wouldn't make much difference, however I would ensure that the property is independently surveyed and that an independent lawyer checks the legalities. (NB: this is not to be construed as investment advice you should of course always seek professional advice upon any investment.)
Thankyou for the link James and reply very much appreciated we have so much to learn and your info is brilliant x
The estate agents on idealista rarely respond to emails
Interesting to know. This video is a little old now and I will revise it later this year.
Do you find you get a better response on other portals? It’s crazy that an agent would pay for advertising only to ignore enquiries, but it’s not unusual. Portfolios are often badly managed and it’s pretty common to find properties listed long after they come off the market. It may be that some of your enquires are being ignored because the property is no longer for sale.
Just a thought but idealista has a lot of Spanish speaking agents on it and is automatically translated into English. Have you tried translating your enquires to Spanish?
Brilliant information James thankyou ,have learnt so much already from your site .I am looking to buy in murcia area as soon as we can travel ,so much research to do not just finding a house ,.
That's great to hear! thank you. Have you seen the cost course on the site? It free to follow and has loads of information about purchasing and running costs?
www.thespanishpropertyexpert.com/ultimate-guide-to-spanish-property-costs/