Buyer guide
New build or resale on the Costa Blanca? A practical buying checklist
Start with how you will use the home, then compare the full cost, completion date and documents. Here is a practical way to build a better shortlist.
At a glance
- Set a budget for the complete purchase, including transaction and ongoing costs.
- Compare homes against your intended use and a realistic move-in date.
- Have an independent professional review the property and reservation terms before committing.
Choosing between a new-build property and a resale home on the Costa Blanca is easier when both are judged against the same brief. A finished apartment, an off-plan development and an established villa can suit very different plans. Use this checklist before arranging viewings in San Miguel de Salinas, Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa.
1. Write the brief before comparing the properties
Will this be a permanent home, a holiday base or a home for later retirement? List what you need in an ordinary week: bedrooms, storage, accessibility, outdoor space and the journeys you expect to make. Separate essentials from attractive extras.
Test the particular address, not just the municipality. Visit the surrounding streets, check the route to the shops and consider transport when you are not driving. A pool and a terrace matter less if everyday life does not work for you.
2. Compare the complete budget
Put the asking price alongside purchase taxes, professional fees, any finance costs and the work or furniture you will need. Request estimates for recurring costs, including community charges and maintenance. Use the same headings for every property.
Spain's tax agency distinguishes first deliveries by developers, generally subject to IVA, from transactions subject to ITP. The correct treatment depends on the transaction. Ask your adviser for the applicable taxes and rates rather than assuming one percentage covers every Costa Blanca home.
3. Match the property to your timing
For an off-plan home, compare the contractual handover terms with your accommodation plan. Ask what is included in the specification, how changes are handled and what happens if completion is delayed. A show home should help you understand the product; it is not a substitute for the contract.
For a resale, ask when vacant possession can be provided and which fixtures are included. Identify repairs, arrange an appropriate technical inspection and allow time to obtain quotations. A finished home can still need work before it suits you.
4. Check the documents before reserving
The Colegio de Registradores explains how Land Registry information helps buyers check ownership and registered charges. Have your independent adviser review this information alongside the proposed contract. Also ask which planning, occupancy, energy and community documents apply to the property.
Request written clarification of the reservation amount, refund conditions, deadlines and any financing condition. Avoid making a payment simply because another viewer is interested. Clear terms matter more than pressure to make a fast decision.
5. Build a shortlist you can actually compare
Keep a one-page comparison for each home: intended use, full estimated budget, timing, condition, recurring costs and outstanding questions. Record what is confirmed and what still needs evidence. This keeps appealing photographs from taking over the decision.
Verdi Estate can help refine your search across Costa Blanca South and coordinate requests for information. Start with your preferred areas, budget, bedrooms and purchase timeline. Legal, tax and technical conclusions should come from the relevant independent professionals.
Questions buyers ask
Is a new-build home always a better purchase than a resale?
No. Compare suitability, complete cost, condition, timing and the documents for the specific home. Neither category is automatically better for every buyer.
Should I compare properties using only the asking price?
Include transaction costs, work, furnishing and recurring expenses. Ask for a property-specific estimate so that you compare like with like.
What should I send Verdi Estate to start a search?
Your intended use, preferred areas, complete budget, minimum bedrooms and target move-in date. Mention any accessibility or transport requirements.
Sources and further reading
- Colegio de Registradores — Guides to buying a property in Spain
- Agencia Tributaria — Buying a home: VAT or property transfer tax?
General information, not individual legal or tax advice. Confirm property-specific requirements with an independent professional.