The most expensive mistake involves using the agent’s recommended lawyer. The agent gets a commission when the deal closes, which differs from looking after your interests. Separate legal representation costs a small fraction of the purchase and remains the best protection.

Signing cheap houses in alicante a language you do not speak ranks close behind. An official translation costs little next to what is at stake. Verbal assurances will not help if the written contract says otherwise — only the signed text matters.

Committing to an unbuilt project blindly has damaged plenty of plans. Ahead of a deposit, examine previous developments, the planning approvals, savinja real estate and whether payments are held in escrow. Late deliveries are common with even the best developers; stalled projects are less common but genuinely ruinous.

Forgetting about resale is less obvious but just as costly. Every purchase will eventually be sold, and the pool of future buyers determines the price. A home attractive only to a narrow group is harder to move when sentiment turns.

Last of all, many buyers underestimate the ongoing obligations. Local tax returns are often required even when the home sits empty, and overlooked notices lead to penalties that accumulate quietly. Putting in place a local accountant at the outset heads off most of it.