wrote on May 25^th, 2014 at 6:23pm:

After all my research and advice, hopefully working with a recommended solicitor there is nothing else to do but make a hopefully good decision. Fingers, legs etc all crossed. :)

There is a lot to do. A house/building shell on land with olives smacks of a family not paying death duties or the land is in dispute and there are no documents (Escritura) and the house going into disrepair you see them all over Spain bear that in mind. Solicitors here in Spain only tend to ask the minimum of questions They will only go deeper if you ask the questions. Make sure all the searches re outstanding debts, Access to your property, And The properties legal right to be there. You also need permissions for pool, Wind turbines, Building permits you need them for electricity/Gas/Water supply and insist that the Escritura (Title deeds) for the property has a copy in English also make sure it shows the correct amount of land you are buying over the years bits of your land may get taken when fences are moved etc, Also any building on that land and their purpose (A house not a cow shed). Remember once you sign with the notary and hand over the cash you are lumbered with that property. Another thing future plans near your property is that new 4 lane A road coming through your garden ? You can never glean enough information you can discard some but have too little and you are throwing your money away. As good as David is, You still need to make sure you have all your questions answered BEFORE YOU HAND OVER A PENNY. Check all the pumps,toilets,Sewage Treatment Plant is legal and fit for purpose if not it could cost you thousands of Euros. This is not like the UK it can take 5 years to sell a property take your time it's a buyers market. Everyone is smiling at you at the moment because they want your money just take a step back and a deep breath and calm down.there is no rush and do not sign anything unless you have your solicitor approval and more important still you understand everything in that document you are signing.If it's unclear tell David to go back and get answers that's what you pay him for remember he is working for you.

I have had a little rant there but everyone on this Forum is wiser today than they were when the first arrived here.There are many many pit falls and sometimes those people you think are your new friends are sometimes jealous and send you in the wrong direction. I wish you all the best and hope everything for you and your family go smoothly.  ;)

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-buy-property-in-spain

http://britishexpats.com/articles/spain/buying-property-safely/

http://www.euroresidentes.com/Property/vocab/escritura.htm