Buying a place in Barcelona

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    • #55815
      GarySFBCN
      Participant

      Hello,

      I’m looking to buy a place in Barcelona. I posted my mortgage-specific questions in the mortgage forum, but I have other questions. I am American married to a Spaniard. Our ‘libro de familia’ will be ready next April (we were married in the US).
      At this point, I do not have a Numero Extranjero, but I will endeavor to get it next month. I am living and working in the US and I want to buy something soon so I can figure-out my expenses so I can retire. I plan to live 8 months out of the year in Barcelona and 4 months in San Francisco. I will have an adequate pension when I retire, but I may work during some of my stays in San Francisco.

      Questions:

      1. I have talked with a few real estate agents, and frankly, I didn’t trust them. One said that I should plan on 12% costs, above the sale price and if I didn’t buy something by the next quarter (earlier this year) that I’d probably lose out because the prices were going to skyrocket again. The other said that the fees were 10% but everything had to be off the books, which means that I couldn’t get a mortgage. Is this typical? Is there an honest agent in Barcelona?

      2. As I am still living in the US, does anyone know a quick way to get a Numero Extranjero? I’ve been rejected once. I was told to get a letter from a bank stating that I couldn’t get a mortgage, but the banks will not provide me with this letter. Can I get a letter from a lawyer or real estate agent? I’ll be in BCN in September, but only for 3 weeks. My previous attempt at getting this number was here in San Francisco as the consulate.

      3. I have seen ‘aticos’ that are small, but with very large terraces. Is it difficult and expensive to add a bedroom and bathroom on a large terrace?

      4. About how much does it cost to reform a kitchen? I don’t need the greatest in design, only something modern and functional. I know this question is impossible to answer, but if I could get a range of costs, that would be helpful. Is it possible to do anything for under $10k euros?

      Anyway, thanks in advance.

      Gary

    • #100388
      Anonymous
      Participant

      Is this typical? Is there an honest agent in Barcelona?

      Not uncommon but also not the rule. I’d give this agent a wide berth. Honest agents can be thin on the ground. Perhaps mark can point you in the right direction as he lives there.

      Is it difficult and expensive to add a bedroom and bathroom on a large terrace?

      Yes, getting planning permission can be difficult. As a newbie to the country I suggest you avoid attempting this.

      About how much does it cost to reform a kitchen?

      Like anything this depends on what you want to do. Typically a new, normal size, kitchen will cost in the 5-15k range.

    • #100390
      petej
      Participant

      I have talked with a few real estate agents, and frankly, I didn’t trust them. One said that I should plan on 12% costs, above the sale price and if I didn’t buy something by the next quarter (earlier this year) that I’d probably lose out because the prices were going to skyrocket again. The other said that the fees were 10% but everything had to be off the books, which means that I couldn’t get a mortgage. Is this typical? Is there an honest agent in Barcelona?

      Agents are the same the world over, some good some bad, when you have talked with many you will get some idea of the good and bad, Mark (the owner of this site) may be able to help as he lives there
      As a rule you should allow 10-11% on top of purchase price, as far as the market goes it is area specific but I cant see prices running away, Mark has a spot on he blog about the market there

      I have seen ‘aticos’ that are small, but with very large terraces. Is it difficult and expensive to add a bedroom and bathroom on a large terrace?

      IMO this would be a minefield, the local builder may tell you all sorts of things are ok but the town hall would have other ideas

      About how much does it cost to reform a kitchen? I don’t need the greatest in design, only something modern and functional. I know this question is impossible to answer, but if I could get a range of costs, that would be helpful. Is it possible to do anything for under $10k euros?

      Just had mine done and all in it was around 10,000euro, this was only small but it was new floor, wall tiles, granite worktop, real wood doors etc, if you wanted more basic you could half that no problem even less if you don’t need/want new floor/wall tiles, as a rule of thumb the labour is cheaper than in the UK, US but the kitchen parts ovens etc are more expensive except granite worktops, they are around a 1/3 of the price they are in the UK, not sure re the US

    • #100400
      GarySFBCN
      Participant

      Thanks for your responses. I was hoping a kitchen remodel could be had for round 10K €.

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