Renting or buying property: areas, prices & the process

The short version

• The coast runs from La Herradura and Almuñécar in the west, through Salobreña, to Motril and the beaches east; inland are the cheaper, quieter Lecrín valley and Alpujarra.
• Renting first is the smart way to choose an area before you commit.
• Buying is straightforward but budget ~10–13% on top of the price for taxes and fees, and use an independent lawyer.

The areas

• Almuñécar & La Herradura — the most established expat base: seafront, restaurants, a pretty bay at La Herradura, the widest choice of services in English.
• Salobreña — a striking white town under its castle rock, quieter, with a long beach and a working-town feel.
• Motril — the comarca's commercial hub: less touristy, better value, the hospital and main transport links.
• Inland (Lecrín valley, Alpujarra) — cheaper property, cooler in summer, mountain villages and countryside — but you'll need a car and to accept fewer services.

Renting

• Long lets usually run on a one-year contract (renewable), with a one-month deposit (fianza), sometimes plus a further guarantee.
• Search on Idealista and Fotocasa, or through local agencies — many list in English.
• As a very rough guide, a long-term one-bedroom flat often starts around €500–800/month, more on the seafront and in summer.
• Short summer holiday lets cost far more per week — for choosing an area, look for alquiler de larga temporada (long-term).

Buying — the process

1. Get your NIE and open a Spanish bank account (see the Moving here guide).
2. Appoint an independent lawyer (abogado) — not the seller's agent — to run the checks.
3. Your lawyer requests the Nota Simple from the Land Registry to confirm ownership, debts and charges.
4. You sign a reservation / arras contract and pay a deposit (commonly ~10%); pulling out then usually costs you that deposit.
5. Completion is at the notary, where you sign the title deed (escritura) and pay the balance.
6. The deed is registered at the Registro de la Propiedad and utilities/IBI are put in your name.

The costs on top

• Transfer tax (ITP) on resale homes in Andalusia — currently a flat 7%.
• New builds instead pay 10% IVA plus stamp duty (AJD, roughly 1.2%).
• Plus notary, land registry and lawyer fees.
• Budget around 10–13% of the price in total on top.

Prices — a rough idea

Prices vary hugely by town, sea view and condition, so treat these as ballpark only and check Idealista for today's market: coastal apartments commonly run from ~€1,500–3,000+ per m², with inland village property markedly cheaper. Always compare recent sold prices, not just asking prices.

Watch-outs

• Rustic land (suelo rústico) and unlicensed builds: some countryside properties have legal issues — your lawyer must check planning status.
• Community fees (comunidad) on apartments, and annual IBI property tax — factor both into running costs.
• Off-plan / new build: check the developer's bank guarantee and licences.

A few tips

• Always use your own lawyer — this is the single most important step.
• Rent before you buy, and in more than one season if you can.
• Don't rely on a verbal price — get everything, including what's included, in writing.
• A good local gestor or lawyer will also handle the tax filings after purchase.