{"id":8500,"date":"2026-05-06T18:54:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T16:54:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theonestate.com\/the-9-mistakes-made-by-the-international-buyer-when-purchasing-a-luxury-property-on-the-costa-brava\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T15:54:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:54:05","slug":"the-9-mistakes-made-by-the-international-buyer-when-purchasing-a-luxury-property-on-the-costa-brava","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theonestate.com\/en\/the-9-mistakes-made-by-the-international-buyer-when-purchasing-a-luxury-property-on-the-costa-brava\/","title":{"rendered":"THE 9 MISTAKES MADE BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUYER WHEN PURCHASING A LUXURY PROPERTY ON THE COSTA BRAVA."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Buying a luxury property on the Costa Brava is not only about finding a beautiful house facing the Mediterranean: it is important to know how to distinguish real value, uniqueness, privacy and heritage projection. For the international buyer, distance, lack of knowledge of the territory and incomplete reading of the market can cause costly mistakes before, during and after the purchase.At The On Estate we identify the 10 most common mistakes when buying a luxury property on the Costa Brava and the keys to buy with criteria, security and strategic vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TOTAL COSTS OF THE OPERATION: <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many look only at the price of the house, but in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia you must take into account :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to 1.000.000 \u20ac \u2192 10%Between 1.000.000 \u20ac and 2.000.000 \u20ac \u2192 11%Between 2.000.000 \u20ac and 3.000.000 \u20ac \u2192 12%More than 3.000.000 \u20ac \u2192 13% (second hand property)Notary, registry, agencyPossible legal feesIn total, the real cost is usually +11% to +13% of the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    2. <\/strong>NOT HAVING A LOCAL PERSON AND\/OR PROFESSIONAL OF FULL CONFIDENCE TO HELP YOU WITH THE OPERATION:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    FACTORS TO CONSIDER:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If the property has CHARGES.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If there are unpaid debts or DEBTS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CATASTRAL and REGISTRAL information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    URBANISTIC situation, AFFECTIONS and PROTECTIONS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the case of PATRIMONIO, if it is eligible for an OFFICIAL SUBSIDY and in what %.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Legal situation of the property: HOUSES WITH UNREGISTERED EXTENSIONS \/ DISPUTES WITH NEIGHBORS \/ DEBTS TO THE TOWN HALL IBI \/ ILLEGAL TOURIST USE…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Existence of HIDDEN VICES AND HIDDEN AFFECTIONS…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    3. IGNORANCE OF TAX OBLIGATIONS IN SPAIN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Even if you rent, you must pay IRNR (imputed income)If you rent \u2192 you are taxed on income in SpainYou must declare in your country of origin (double taxation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. TO HAVE CHOSEN PROPERTY, WITHOUT HAVING APPLIED FOR THE NIE.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Without NIE:You cannot execute the transaction.You cannot pay taxes correctly.Forgetting to process the NIE, DOCUMENTO DE IDENTIDAD DE EXTRANJERO, means delaying the transaction or even losing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. UNDERESTIMATING FUNDING.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    SPANISH BANKS WORK WITH OTHER % WHEN DEALING WITH FOREIGNERS<\/strong>, A RESIDENT IS NOT THE SAME AS A RESIDENT ABROAD <\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    YOU MUST FORESEEP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    30-40% input and more demanding conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. FORGET THE TOWN PLANNING OF THE TOWN WHERE YOU BUY: POUM (PLAN DE ORDENAMIENTO URBAN\u00cdSTICO MUNICIPAL). <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Especially in rural or coastal areas:\/ Restrictions on alterations \/ Heights \/ Non-building elements \/ Setbacks \/ Expansion % \/ Style charter \/ Limitations on tourist rental …. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These aspects can seriously affect the future use of the property and your life project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. UNDERESTIMATE LOCATION (beyond aesthetics).<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The most common mistake is to fall in love with a property, without taking it into account:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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