Every one of these is common — and every one is preventable
1
Buying without an independent lawyer
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The seller's agent works for the seller. The notary certifies the deal but doesn't assess whether it's fair. In the UK, even your own conveyancer may not flag poor value — only an independent solicitor representing you abroad will.
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Hire your own lawyer before signing anything. Don't use the one suggested by the seller or agent.
Saving €1,500 → risking €10,000+
2
Underestimating the additional costs
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You budget for the listing price and forget about purchase tax, notary, registration, legal fees, and international transfer costs.
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Add 8–15% on top. On a €200,000 / $220,000 / £170,000 property, that's €16,000–30,000 extra.
3
Skipping the title check
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"The seller has the keys, so they must own it." The property could be mortgaged, subject to an inheritance dispute, or even an illegal build with no permit.
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Request a registry extract (€10–50). In the UK you'd never skip a Land Registry search — apply the same standard abroad.
4
Signing documents you can't read
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A legally binding contract in Spanish, Turkish, or French — and you've signed without understanding a word. No English translation was requested.
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Always insist on a sworn translation into English. Cost: €200–500. Cost of a contract error: incomparably more.
5
Sending money directly to the seller
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A "simplified" bank transfer straight to the seller's personal account, bypassing escrow, notary deposits, or solicitors' client accounts.
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Always use a protected channel: escrow account, notarial deposit, or banker's draft via your solicitor.
The golden rule: never skip due diligence
A week of checks and €3,000 on a lawyer aren't costs — they're insurance against losing your entire investment.