You want to buy a house in Valencia. So you hop on a plane or in your car and go house hunting. Right? Wrong! A smart buyer takes a thoughtful approach and ends up with the best house. We’ll tell you what to do – and, more importantly, what not to do – if you want to view houses in Valencia like a pro.
Viewing properties in Valencia? If you can answer “yes” to the following four questions, you’re ready to go:
- Are you familiar with the area?
- Have you listed your requirements?
- Are you ready to buy?
- Are you familiar with the best and worst times to view properties?
Can’t answer “yes” to everything yet, or do you need more clarity? Don’t worry, we’ll go into detail in this blog.
Are you familiar with the area?
We always tell: location is the most important thing. That’s why we always ask if you’ve been there before. If not, be sure to explore the area. This is in fact a very enjoyable part of the whole process!
Not sure where in Spain you’d like to live? Our blog Best location to buy a property in Spain might help you get started.
Have you listed your requirements?
Once the location is clear, the requirements for the house also come into focus. New build or renovation project? Balcony or terrace? Extras, such as a view or a swimming pool? Let us know in advance in a Property Finder Service, so that we can help you even better as a buyer.
Are you ready to buy?
Being ready to buy means that you have already taken care of the most important steps in advance:
- Budget & financing: know exactly how much you can spend, including additional costs (approx. 12–14% on top of the purchase price). Need financing? Allow about four weeks to apply for a mortgage in Valencia.
- Payment ready: you must be able to pay 10% of the purchase price within one month.
- NIE number: you cannot purchase a property without this tax number (we can always arrange this quickly with a power of attorney through the solicitor).
- Spanish bank account: required for payments and official documents.
- Documents in order: think of proof of identity, income details and, in case of financing, a provisional approval from the bank.
If you are ready to buy, you can sign a reservation contract immediately when you find the right property. This way, you can prevent someone else from beating you to it.
The best time to view a property in Valencia
Are you ready to buy? Then it’s time for a viewing trip. But timing is important and not every time of year is suitable.
The best times to view properties in Valencia are after Epiphany (6 January) until July (with the exception of the Fallas season) and from September until Christmas. The weather is pleasant, estate agents and sellers are easily accessible, and you get to see the city and region at their best.
When should you not go?
Avoid scheduling your viewing trip to Valencia during:
- Fallas (15-19 March, including the week before): the whole city is turned upside down, making appointments virtually impossible.
- Easter weekend (Thursday to Monday): this is celebrated in Spain as Semana Santa. Businesses are closed.
- August: many Spaniards are on holiday, including estate agents and sellers. It is also the hottest month of the year and, because of the holidays, less lively.
- Christmas holidays (24 December to 6 January): businesses are closed and there is little activity in the property market.
- Weekends: the weekend is sacred to the Valencians, when they like to enjoy life (and we don’t blame them). So always plan your viewing trip to include as many weekdays as possible.
There are also other national and regional holidays in Spain to take into account, but these are the most important ones.
Coordinate your trip with the real estate agent
Do you have specific dates in mind? Let us know! We can tell you right away if it coincides with any of those holidays, and we can tailor our availability to yours. Then we can get to work putting together a great programme, so that you can hopefully return from your trip with that provisional purchase contract.
Frequently asked questions about viewing properties in Valencia
Can you view a property in Valencia if you are not ready to buy?
In Valencia (and throughout Spain), purchasing subject to financing is not customary. This means that viewing a property is pointless if you are not ready to buy.
Why is it a good idea to plan a viewing trip to Valencia?
Your estate agent can then put together a programme for you, so that you can view several houses in one day, or over several days. In Spain, there is no such thing as exclusive listing, so flying over to view just one house is risky: it could be sold while you are still on your way!
Can you view multiple properties in Valencia with just one estate agent?
Yes, that is the advantage of no exclusivity: Dream Properties Valencia can show you almost the entire range of properties as a purchasing agent, without you having to leave your details with all kinds of parties. This costs you nothing extra on top of the normal costs as a buyer, but offers enormous advantages.
