Hi Phil,We did exactly the same in Feb,no lawyer,probably a good idea as the notary seems to do it all,no problems as of yet.......The extra price to put the ruins on the deeds is probably the charge for the local architect to photograph the ruins,take measurements etc.etc and sign the paperwork,ours wasn't signed so we had to go back a month later to recomplete,it was an oversight by all concerned.As long as you have about 10% extra of the total price for taxes and notary fees you should have enough. Cheque and cash payment is a done thing,it can save you on taxes,if you know what I mean...it does sound a bit dodgy but it does work and seems all to easy.Most people get some sort of rebate when you pick up the completed deeds a few months down the line.If you are  buying of a non resident,as we are this time,the notary told us we had to pay a 5% tax on behalf of the vendor,so the total amount  was altered to allow for this,check this with your agent or better still check it with your notary just to be on the safe side.
If you are using a currency firm to change your sterling into euros,open accounts with two firms and play them off each against themselves in a sort of dutch auction,we saved over £800 in half an hour on a 40,000 euro deal.We are due to purchase another property very soon and I am just in the process of doing the same again.It's fun and well worth it.
For money withdrawals from your spanish bank,it is well worth giving them a few days notice so they can order the money(cash).The frightening bit is wondering around with a bag full of euros,if you have a pulse you'll have sweaty palms and a dry mouth........Keep us posted,we are over from the 23rd,if you're there we can meet up.