The sector of the construction is one of strongest of the country. 1/3 of houses built in the European Union in 2004 were constructed in Spain. The tendency will continue until 2007. This is the conclusion of several analysis of Euroconstruct a group of 19 European Research Institutes.
The rate of growth of this field in Spain has forced this group, to review their analysis that they made for this year: as opposed to the growth of the 3.4 percent that indicated at a first moment, now it anticipates that this one will be of the 4.4 percent.
They are many types of houses available for sale in Spain, they have different names for each types but translated in English, some of the meaning can be lost or altered. In this article we will see what types of houses and their names you can find in Spain.
Finca Rustica
The oldest type of properties, you usually find them at the countryside. They tend to be cheap and need considerable renovation. Those types of houses are usually near the nature.
Chalet - Casa unifamiliar (House, town house)
Also referred in England as Cottage, a chalet with at the countryside or in a small village with his own garden is a detached house. A house near the sea is sometimes referred as a villa. Bungalow are chalet with one single level.
You will also encounter the terms semi-detached house, link house and corner house.
Semi-detached houses
Atico – Penthouse
Atico is flat built under the cornice or an apartment located on the top floors of a building.
Piso – flat
A piso is just a flat , mostly available in town with one or more bedrooms. Some of them comes with a terrace. You may also encounter them under the terms of seaside apartment and town apartment.
Duplex
A duplex is a property with 2 or 3 floors usually in a complex of duplex and apartments. Communal areas in or around the duplex properties, usually contain a pool and seating areas. It is normal that these facilities are for the sole use of the duplex residents and a community charge is levied for the upkeep of these. Some duplex have private space.
Never ever buy a house or sign anything on emotion or on a rush. They are a couple of verification to make before you buy anything, this is the best way to avoid bad surprise.
First, if you are new to an area it makes sense to rent a flat or a house in this area during a couple of months to really know the place. Some area seems to be very interesting when you are there for 1 or 2 weeks of holiday but living on those areas for a longer period can be quite frustrating.
For example, I went for a 8 days holiday in Valencia, I thought the city was great, so I decided to rent a flat there and to spend the year. It appeared that Valencia is one of the most boring place, I have ever lived. Most of the time, I’m away in other location, if you want to avoid such disappointment by all mean rent something first for a while , this way you will really know how the area is and how the people behave with you outside of a holiday context.
If you are interested to buy a resale property make sure it was renovated unless you want to renovate it yourself (which can cost you up € 20,000 or more in renovating cost alone). Check the quality the electricity, gas and water installation, in fact check everything, and if you are not an expert, ask one to come with you. Bad surprise sometime happens if you neglect to do this.
If you move in a new area and you are still in age to work, you will have to consider either a job or a new business to start. If you are from say England, you cannot expect the same salary in Spain than the one you had in England, you will probably be paid less. In my field of expertise, Spain pay 500 to 600 Euro/net less than in my country (Belgium). I personally, choose to start a business. This is important that you can keep in mind the way you will live there.
Last but not least, if you are about to divorce, wait until you are completely divorced, the divorce may take you a large portion of your money.
