Buying property in Spain is a dream for many, but the process can quickly become complex, especially if you are not fully familiar with the local market. Between administrative steps, property search, price negotiation and legal security, many buyers wonder: should you work with a property hunter or a lawyer?
Before comparing these two professionals, it is important to understand how a property transaction works in Spain and the different ways to purchase a home.
Having the right support is key to successfully buying property in Spain.
The Property Buying Process in Spain
Buying a property in Spain generally follows three key steps.
Reservation (Reserva)
Once the property is chosen, a reservation contract is signed with a deposit. The property is then taken off the market while initial checks are carried out (legal status, documents, deadlines).
Contrato de Arras
The Arras agreement is more like a preliminary sales contract than a simple pre-contract. It includes the elements of the reservation while adding more details: final price, deadlines, conditions precedent, and penalties in case of withdrawal.
Generally, the buyer pays around 10% of the property price at this stage.
Signing at the Notary
The sale is finalized before a notary. The balance is paid, the keys are handed over, and the property is registered in the Spanish land registry. The buyer officially becomes the owner.
Many buyers cannot be present at every stage of the project. However, it is entirely possible to buy property in Spain without being on site.
To learn more, check out our article on buying property remotely in Valencia: https://www.buenapart.com/en/buying-real-estate-remotely-valence-methods-and-advice-from-buenapart/
The Different Ways to Buy Property
There are several ways to buy real estate in Spain, depending on your level of autonomy and need for support.
Buying Independently via an Agency
In this case, the buyer goes through a real estate agency to access listings but handles themselves:
property search,
viewings,
price negotiation,
verification of documents provided by the agency,
reservation,
preliminary sales contract (Arras),
coordination with the notary.
This option requires time, availability, and good knowledge of the Spanish real estate market. The buyer is fully in control of the project, with more freedom but also higher risk of errors.
Buying with an Agency and a Lawyer
In this setup, the buyer keeps a lot of autonomy:
property search,
viewings,
choice of property.
Once the property is identified, the lawyer intervenes to:
check the legal status of the property,
review contracts,
secure the Contrato de Arras,
coordinate with the agency and the notary.
This solution provides real legal security while allowing the buyer to remain in charge of the search. The lawyer secures the purchase but does not handle property search.
Buying with a Real Estate Hunter
The real estate hunter supports the buyer from start to finish:
project definition,
targeted search,
selection of the best opportunities,
organizing viewings,
price negotiation,
coordination of reservation and preliminary sales contract,
guidance until signing at the notary.
The buyer is relieved of the entire property buying process in Spain. The hunter acts exclusively in the buyer’s interest, helping avoid wasted time, mistakes, and unpleasant surprises.
This approach also allows access to off-market properties, i.e., properties not listed on major real estate portals. They circulate through professional networks before being published, often meaning less competition, more discretion, and better opportunities.
Advantages of a Real Estate Hunter in a Purchase Project
The lawyer primarily handles the legal framework of the transaction. The real estate hunter supports the buyer throughout the entire process, from project definition to signing at the notary.
Hiring a real estate hunter allows you to:
structure your project,
save time in property search,
access off-market properties,
better analyze market prices,
delegate organizing viewings and procedures,
be accompanied at every stage of the purchase in Spain.
At Buenapart, the combined expertise of agent and real estate hunter provides a global vision of the project while working in the buyer’s interest. Depending on the situation, this support can be complemented by a lawyer when the case requires specific legal checks.
Conclusion
Buying property in Spain is not just about signing a contract. You need to understand the Spanish real estate market, identify good opportunities, and secure each step.
The three options presented are valid and depend on the profile of each buyer. Some, who know the market well, can handle everything themselves. Others prefer to maintain autonomy while securing the purchase with a lawyer. Finally, others choose to delegate the entire project to a real estate hunter for peace of mind.
The real estate hunter and the lawyer are therefore not competitors but complementary. Where the lawyer provides legal protection, the hunter orchestrates the overall project and can recommend involving a lawyer when necessary.