From a charming Andalucian village house to a luxury villa hiring a surveyor is a sound investment |
|
Property Surveyors
To ensure that your real estate investment in Andalucia is sound, both structurally and economically, it is advisable to contract the services of a qualified property surveyor. That way, you will have a reliable building survey and property valuation on which to base your decision.
These professionals are able to inspect a property and provide a comprehensive report on its condition, incorporating the building's structure, fabric, finishes, outbuildings and grounds, and including the surveyor's unbiased and objective professional opinion. The surveyor will refer in his building survey to visible defects and will offer guidance on maintenance and corrective measures for the property in question.
There are two type of survey: a general condition report, offering a basic insight into a building's condition, based on a visual inspection and a test of basic services. The report highlights any urgent risks and defects.
A building (structural) survey goes into greater detail and is are more comprehensive, providing an in-depth report on the property's condition, including advice on repairs and maintenance. These are no longer called structural surveys.
RICS Surveyors. Building Surveys before you buy. Expert Witness Valuations for UK and other Courts.
Independent RICS Chartered Surveyors with extensive experience of valuation and survey of residential property in Spain.
What can a surveyor's report tell you?
What types of damage or imperfections might a surveyor detect that the untrained eye might not see? Water damage and structural problems due to moving earth, for example. In fact, when dealing with "second-hand" homes, there is also the possibility that signs of damage have been covered with a good coat of paint and even a dash of plaster. A professional will not be fooled by these cosmetic modifications.
In addition to detecting damage and imperfections, a professional surveyor can give you an idea regarding the type of work and costs that might be involved in fixing them, as well as whether or not it would be possible to simply live with the problems. This building survey and property valuation are essential in making an informed decision on whether to invest in a property.
Things to Consider
If you are obtaining a mortgage from a Spanish bank, the bank will arrange for a survey to be carried out, the cost of which will be charged to the mortgage applicant. This survey is not the same as a property survey. Its purpose is to establish basic details about the property, including its valuation, in order to protect the bank's interest in lending money against the property's value.
Andalucia.com recommend a full survey. Buyers's agents always recommend a survey, preferably before an offer is made as the property survey it can influence the level of the offer. If speed is required then an offer is made in writing SUBJECT TO SURVEY then the buyer has the possibility that anything major can be renegotiated or they can walk away and be refunded of any reserve deposit they may have paid.
Membership of professional organisation
A good surveyor will belong to an official body, such as the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) in the UK - there are a numer of RICS-registered surveyors in Andalucia. He or she will also ensure the report produced is easily understood by the layman.