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27/10/2025 The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Property in Spain — Based on 30 Years of Real Experience on the Costa del Sol
A step-by-step guide by British–Spanish lawyer Ricardo Gantes Ludgate, helping English-speaking buyers and sellers navigate the Spanish property market with confidence.
Buying or Selling Property in Southern Spain: A Practical Guide Based on 30 Years of Real Experience
My name is Ricardo Gantes Ludgate, a British–Spanish lawyer with over 30 years of professional experience assisting English-speaking clients in the purchase and sale of properties in Spain, particularly along the Costa del Sol and the province of Málaga.
After three decades working on real property transactions, I have seen every possible scenario — from smooth, straightforward purchases to complex legal disputes, administrative delays, and unfortunate surprises that could have been easily avoided. That is precisely why I’ve decided to publish this Practical Guide to Buying and Selling Property in Southern Spain, a series based not on theory, but on real cases, real clients, and real experience.
What this guide is about
This guide is designed for anyone planning to buy or sell a property in Spain — whether it’s your first purchase, a holiday home, or a property investment.
Its purpose is simple: to help you understand, anticipate, and control every stage of the transaction, so that both the buyer and the seller can act with full confidence and clarity.
In Spain, buying or selling a home involves several layers of legal and financial requirements — from title checks and deposits to tax implications, bank procedures, and compliance with anti–money laundering laws.
These rules are essential, but often misunderstood. Many clients, for instance, start looking for properties before confirming the legitimacy and origin of their funds, only to discover later that they cannot proceed because the developer or notary will require documented proof of where the money comes from. This guide will show you how to prepare financially before you even start searching, so that when you find the right property, you’re ready to move forward without obstacles.
Why follow this guide?
The main goal is to minimize risk and save time — for both buyers and sellers.
Every step, every example, every piece of advice is drawn from real professional experience. By following these practical insights, you will:
• Avoid unnecessary delays and misunderstandings.
• Know exactly what to expect at each stage of the process.
• Understand what you are signing before you sign it.
• Keep full control over your money — how it is paid, received, and protected.
• Anticipate the tax and legal consequences of your decisions.
While no real estate transaction is ever completely risk-free, proper guidance can make the difference between a secure and successful purchase — and a costly mistake.
What’s coming next
In the coming weeks, each article will focus on a specific stage of the process, such as:
• Financing and bank compliance under Spain’s anti–money laundering law.
• Mortgage financing for non-residents in Spain: what you need to know, how the process works, and how to prepare your documentation.
• Selling your property (resale property sales): key steps, timing, documentation, and how to prepare for the legal process.
• Understanding the Spanish property system and contracts.
• Buying from a private owner vs. buying from a developer.
• Key legal checks before paying a deposit.
• The role of the lawyer and notary: who does what.
• Taxes and costs for foreign buyers and sellers.
• How to safely receive or transfer purchase funds.
Each section will offer clear explanations, practical examples, and real-life situations, so you can make informed decisions with peace of mind.
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Final note
This guide is not just for British clients — it is written for all English-speaking buyers and sellers who wish to invest or sell in the Málaga region and the Costa del Sol. If you are planning a property transaction in Spain, this guide is meant for you.
Buying or selling property in Spain can be a safe and rewarding experience — provided you know how the system works and who to trust.
With over 30 years of professional experience and a dual legal and cultural background, my goal is to help you make that process transparent, secure, and successful.
Stay tuned — the first article in the series, dedicated to Selling Your Property in Spain, will be published this week.
Ricardo Gantes Ludgate
Lawyer
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I am at your disposal for any queries you may have.
Contact
RGL ABOGADOS – LAWYERS
Calle Sierra Blanca, 2 , 4ºC
29602 Marbella
Málaga (España)
T + 34 952824522 · F + 34 952902463
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You can TRUST us if buying a property in southern Spain.
You can TRUST us if having to litigate in southern Spain.