Expensive conveyancing to sell

Hello, 2 years ago I sold a property in the UK, the fee was less than £500. I am now selling a Spanish property and I am quoted 3000€. Is this just the way it is, or are there any discounters. 

Regards Mac

Like a lot of financial services in Spain there is litlle or no regulation in the property sector - there are probably more abuses going on than in the UK.

The Spanish way is just to buy a "For Sale" sign up - available from your local Chinese shop. 

I sold a place like that and saved several thhousand euros.  The ageny wanted a 5% rate which I felt was too greedy - should be 2 - 3% max.

You are right, it is an unregulated sector. 

I did not make it clear that these 3000€ fees quoted were not sales commission, but legal fees. The sales fees are quoted at 13500€ !!!

In my view, Madness 

Well, that doesn't sound too bad if you're buying a castle, as you say warrants a bit of scrutiny. 

But it's good to be aware that Spanish solicitors tend to see their role differently to their UK counterparts. 

First off you often have to take the lead and ask the questions, they are not proactive.  

You are best off confirming everything in writing - they very rarely write to you. 

Thirdly even though you pay their bill don't assume they are on your side, particularly if the transaction is with a local.

I download the UK Law Society checklist to use as an aide memoire when buying - a lot of the queries are similar.

You should find a reputable real estate brokerage center in the area where you need to sell land. They will have a way to show you how to do it most profitably. Of course, you will need Penalty Shooters to share a percentage of commission to pay them.

Mmm..."...reputable real estate brokerage..." is that an oxymoron?

The general rule is that the lawyer’s fee in Spain is around 1% of the property's value, but on top of that, you also need to account for notary and registry fees, which are separate.

It’s important to understand that the work of a Spanish conveyancer is quite different from that of a UK conveyancer. In Spain, the lawyer or notary handles more detailed work, such as verifying the legal status of the property, checking for any outstanding debts or charges, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and managing the contract and registration process. This process can be more complex due to Spain's legal system and regulations.

In the UK, the conveyancer’s role is generally more streamlined, often focusing primarily on paperwork and ensuring the legal transfer of the property. The overall process in Spain tends to be more involved, which is reflected in the higher associated fees.

Selling costs can definitely add up quickly, especially when conveyancing fees feel higher than expected. It’s always worth comparing a few quotes and checking exactly what’s included in the service so there are no surprises later on. Some firms charge extra for things that others include as standard, so reading the small print really helps

“It’s really eye-opening to see how conveyancing fees in Spain can stack up compared to the UK €3,000 plus huge solicitor and agent costs can feel shocking if you’re used to much lower fees back home. It’s great that people here are sharing honest experiences and tips about the unregulated nature of the property sector and the importance of getting detailed quotes. I’d definitely encourage anyone selling in Spain to shop around and ask exactly what is included in those fees so there are no surprises.”

Thank you all for the recommendations, we will definitely look at the proposals at our leisure.