Almeria Property For Sale
Area Guide
The beautiful province of Almeria is situated in the south east of the Spanish peninsula and borders the provinces of Granada and Murcia.
Those owning Almeria property can lay claim to living in the sunniest region in Europe, with an average 3,100 hours of annual sunlight which lasts from Easter until November. As well as glorious weather, the area benefits from a host of activities to suit all tastes. The Sierra de Gador mountain range provides a spectacular backdrop for the whole region, and its white, sandy beaches are largely unspoilt offering a haven of breathtaking views and traditional Spanish culture. Many historic villages remain untouched by tourism, retaining their old-world charm and the atmosphere of traditional Spain in which one may choose to buy property.
Inland, the area offers an almost lunar landscape, the dry river beds and sandstone outcrops drawing film-makers from all over the world. Visitors can explore Yucca City, the set of ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ and other films, and the scenic landscapes used in the classic ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. The contrasting fertile zones produce a wealth of local produce, including citrus fruits, olives and almonds, to name but a few. These can be found at the local open-air markets along with clothes, ceramics and other handicrafts sold by the locals. Larger department stores can be found in all the major cities in the province.
The thermal waters of Alhama de Almeria and Sierra Alhamilla have drawn people from afar since Roman times. With a natural temperature of between 30 and 46 degrees, their sacred history is undeniable. Bronze and Iron Age settlements can be found nearby. From a cave in the north of the region comes the ‘Indalo Man’, taken from a prehistoric cave painting. This image is now synonymous with good luck and decorates much of the local jewellery.
Situated at the foot of the mountains is the capital of the province, also named Almeria, meaning ‘mirror of the sea’. The city enjoys a long and rich history, and has a unique blend of ancient buildings and modern amenities. Crowning the city is the magnificent Alcazaba, an Arab fortress founded in the 10th century. Though now ruined, the sheer size of the fortress bears testament to Almeria’s turbulent past. Even Almeria’s spectacular cathedral is heavily fortified, and once held cannons in its corner towers. Inside, the building tells the tale of Almeria’s wealth as a port. High in the sumptuous Gothic ribbed ceiling, builders made use of both jasper and the local marble which is famed for its almost ethereal purity. A further point of note is the city's famed cave quarter, 'Barrio de la Chanca'. There are also several museums within the city, detailing Almeria’s history, including the Roman occupation.
Shopping is a must in a city like Almeria. In addition to the larger commercial outlets, selling ‘must-have’ goods at a fraction of the UK prices, Almeria has not lost its traditional Spanish feel. Small restaurants line the streets, offering traditional local food such as freshly caught seafood and locally grown produce. There are many bars offering Tapas and a variety of drinks including vintage wines and sherries - all at unbelievable prices.
In addition, the nearby bustling market town of Vera combines the traditional Moorish architecture with a modern and vibrant commercial centre. We are able to offer a large choice of Costa Almeria property in Vera and nearby villages.
Where the Almanzora valley sweeps down to the sea at El Playazo, the sandy beach offers a host of water sports, including windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving. Beachside bars are available for relaxation, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. All along the coast are oases of Spanish culture, contained within the largely forgotten fishing villages. Many of these contain overnight mooring for sailing around the unspoilt coastline and there are marinas at Aguillas, Garrucha and San José, plus two tiny harbours at Villaricos.
The Almanzora valley is a popular area for Costa Almeria property. From older, traditional properties with attractive white exterior to modern and stylish villas and apartments, the Costa Almeria offers property buyers a wide and competitive choice. Our Costa Almeria property can be viewed here.
Almerimar features one of the largest pleasure marinas in southern Spain, surrounded by bars and restaurants offering a wide selection of food. As a purpose built tourist and sports resort, the town has everything the visitor could require, including English speaking doctors. Spanish culture has not been lost, with a variety of fiestas and fairs held throughout the year, and the local architecture is in keeping with the traditional Spanish buildings, having had a maximum building height imposed. For the more adventurous, Almerimar is only about one hour's drive from the snows of the Sierra Nevada, one of the best ski areas in Europe. There are also two superb golf courses, offering professional tuition for all levels of ability. Click here to view our Costa Almeria property including property in Almerimar.
Roquetas, a coastal town with Roman origins, also has a good mix of bars and restaurants covering all tastes and budgets and is popular with golfers looking to buy Costa Almeria property to take advantage of the Serena golf course, which is situated, conveniently, right by the beach and natural park area. This 18 hole course offers a challenging round of golf with an excellent clubhouse, serving both drinks and food.
Buying a Property in Spain
1. Putting down a Holding Deposit
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner. This part of the process is not binding. We would recommend using an independent English speaking legal advisor. Once a purchase price has been agreed, normally a holding or reserve deposit will be required to ensure the property is removed from the market. The sum required will vary between properties and will be based on the purchase price. A time limit for the preagreement to be signed will be arranged and there will also be legal checks to be made.
2. Setting up a Pre-agreement (Contrato privado de compraventa)
The pre-agreement will set out the conditions under which the Buyer and Seller agree to complete the purchase of the property and the price they have agreed upon. Relevant details will generally be included for example the property details, purchase price and the date for completion. A deposit will be required at this point, this will vary, but will generally be 10% of the agreed price. This agreement will include a penal clause if the sale does not go through. If the seller pulls out of the sale your compensation will be double the deposit you have paid, but if you decide not to go through with the sale then your deposit will be lost. Certain checks will need to be made before signing the contract, checks should be made against the title of the property, mortgage status and if the property has any debts held against it. The planning status should also be looked into. These conditions can be varied by the seller and the buyer and other types of agreement can be made.
3. The Contract (Escritura de compraventa)
Before a non-Spanish purchaser can buy a Spanish property they will need to have set up a Spanish bank account and obtained a Spanish tax number (NIE). The completion will take place in the presence of a Notary Public. This is a Spanish public official, by law the deed of sale must be witnessed by a Notary Public. You will also need your own independent, expert legal advisor to act on your behalf. On Completion the buyer must pay the balance, that is the price agreed after the deposit has been deducted, plus any other fees on the completion date. Both buyer and seller must sign the Escritura de compraventa contract, (this is the Spanish equivalent of the title deeds). The title deeds (escritura) will be given to the buyer, this will be done in the presence of a Notary Public, they will certify that the transfer has taken place. The tax office will be sent a copy and the property registry will be informed of the transfer.