Four Negatives

4. Vulnerability
This is not Bexley, or Barnsley, 
or Dalkey, or Paisley . . .

It's Spain, and things are different here.            
 

Here, You Look After Yourself
Spanish law is not UK or Irish law and the way that 'the system' works is very different.
You will not be protected from yourself and your mistakes, so wise up and try to protect yourself and avoid problems in the first place.
You will also have only limited protection from others actions or inactions, so select your advisors with the greatest care. What happens if things go wrong? Spanish law will probably not help you, so help yourself.

The rule of common sense that applies in the UK or Ireland still applies, so don't leave the aircraft without it. A good buy is still a good buy, but a deal that's too good to be true probably isn't true at all. Buying property involves a lot of money there, and it does here too, even if what you get for your money is more (including all that sun and scenery). If you'd be careful with your money there, then be careful here too - it's not Monopoly money, it's all too real, including the heartache if you get it wrong and the amazing pleasure if you get it right.

If you wouldn't give (a lot of) money to a stranger then don’t do it here. Appoint a trustworthy lawyer on the specific basis that they're not to pay out a penny of your money unless in their professional judgement they believe it to be safe to do so. An initial reservation payment, by credit card, to a reputable developer is normal and should be safe.

If you buy off-plan (nothing wrong with that) then ask yourself the twin questions (1) what happens if the development doesn't get planning consent? (if it hasn't already got it) and (2) what happens if it hasn't started on-site when I've been led to believe it will be, or finished when I've been led to believe it will be? All of these are not uncommon phenomena of the Spanish property scene.

Once again, there are great opportunities to be seized in Andalucia - for a better life and for a better investment. Better than anywhere else in Europe. But there are also opportunities to 'come a cropper' too. Big time, as they say.