Renovating a Spanish Finca

Sadly, for Spanish property investors, the days when you could pick up a Spanish "finca for reform" and do it up with local labour and materials for less than twenty thousand pounds are long gone. Though there are still bargains to be had, particularly in inland Spain, properties in need of renovation are in high demand and prices have risen accordingly – increasing steeply over the last two decades, as sellers and investors have realised the potential profits involved.

So what is a Finca? The nearest translation is ‘farm’ but the term can be used more loosely to mean an area of land belonging to one or more owners (often members of the same family) generally with a farmhouse and outbuildings regarded as a single saleable unit. In real terms, a finca can be a rambling country estate or a small rural property. Fincas tend to be in remote areas and, obviously, for many people, this is part of their attraction – you can get far away from the crowded and built up coastal regions. It’s vital to be realistic about your needs, however. Remote can mean isolated and lacking in amenities – if a decent supermarket, a medical centre and schools are high on your list of priorities you will have to think carefully about whether a property in a remote rural area is right for you. You can travel, of course, but the massive investment in the coastal road infrastructure has not been matched inland.

As with any potential property purchase in Spain there are pros and cons, and pitfalls to look out for:

• The title deeds to a finca can be problematic - and sometimes nonexistent. They can be applied for but you will need sound, professional advice. Other areas which can cause problems are boundaries – are they clearly defined and is there guaranteed access to the property you intend to buy? It is vital to use an Estate Agent you can trust and get good legal advice.
• A finca “in need of renovation” can cover a multitude of possibilities. If you are very lucky, it may be a cheap fixer-upper needing a few coats of white emulsion…at the other end of the scale are massive renovation projects which will take time, money and commitment.
• Labour and materials are cheaper in Spain than in the UK, but finding a good builder with local knowledge can be tricky. Personal recommendation and word of mouth is the best way to find one. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on site, personally supervising the work – otherwise you may find that the labour and materials you have paid for don’t stick around too long!
• Does your potential dream home have water and electricity? If supplies are available nearby then getting connected is not usually a problem – but it is, of course, an added expense.

Be realistic about your abilities and limitations – a bit of DIY in Britain is very different to heavy-duty building work under the Spanish sun. It’s important to recognise when you need to call in professional help. The rewards, though, can be immense and the satisfaction in creating your dream home from a bare shell is hard to beat. You need determination, vision, patience and a sense of humour – if you’re up to the challenge then take a look at CountryHomeEspana's exciting range of fincas for sale.

See all Fincas currently available for sale

More information about renovating a finca:
Fincabook.com A companion website for the book Finca by Alec and Erna Fry. Cotains lots of useful information.