How long have you owned a property in Nerja?
Since the summer of 2015.
What attracted you to buy property specifically in Nerja?
Nerja primarily attracted me because it is a very beautiful place. Furthermore, the climate here is the best in Europe (even if the neighboring village of Torrox officially holds this "distinction"), with warmer winters than the rest of the Costa del Sol and cooler summers when southern Spain is otherwise very hot.
The price level for properties in Nerja is also still much lower than, for example, Marbella. In addition, the price level for restaurants and services (such as sunbed rental, massage, hairdressing, etc.) remains low, often half of what you would pay in Marbella.
Then there's plenty to do here, from playing padel to countless hiking trails in the mountains, water sports of various kinds, or simply relaxing on one of the many beaches or enjoying one of the many lovely restaurants. Last but not least, Nerja appealed because it is a popular place for Swedes, Scandinavians, Germans, French, and Spaniards alike, making it easy to rent out your property if you wish. Despite this, there is a genuine Spanish core with authentic local Spaniards living here, so Nerja has truly maintained its Spanish soul and culture.
How long had you considered buying a property abroad before deciding on Nerja?
We had been thinking about buying something in Spain for quite a while, perhaps about 5 years. I lived in Madrid for a year in the late 90s, studying at university there, and I really enjoyed it. Then, after starting a family, I lived for 6 months in Cádiz in 2007 with my wife and two of our children (our third child wasn't born then). That further whetted our appetite. After that, we vacationed on the Costa del Sol for many years and got a rough idea of where we wanted to live and where we didn't.
How did your search process go when looking for accommodation in Nerja?
Unfortunately, there is no equivalent of Hemnet in Spain that is as comprehensive, even if some sites like Idealista.com cover a lot of properties. Therefore, it often helps to get in touch with a real estate agent you trust who can help you find a property according to your wishes and requirements. My wife got in touch with Anders at Spanska Fastigheter in Nerja and booked a number of viewings with him. Then she bought me a ticket over the May Day weekend in 2015 and told me, "don't come home without a property," haha. So it helped to have a goal-oriented wife who knows what she wants.
The apartment we eventually bought was not one of those we had booked beforehand, but an apartment that had come onto the market just a few days before I arrived in Nerja. Even though it was above our budget, I looked at it. After I returned home to Stockholm, we reviewed all the videos of the houses/apartments and decided on the apartment we still own today. The choice fell on this apartment because of the location, which in our opinion is Nerja's best location.
Can you describe the purchase process? What steps were involved and how long did it take?
Just like in Sweden, the buying process begins with the buyer making an offer. In Spain, the asking price is an aspirational price, and in most cases, you therefore make an offer below the asking price. How much lower you go depends very much on the property, how long it has been on the market, etc., but about 20% below the asking price is not uncommon. Thereafter, just like in Sweden, there will be negotiations with the owners and possibly a wait for other bidders. In our case, there were no other bidders, although we heard about a very interested German who was on his way down to view the apartment. Most people expect the final price to end up at about 10% below the asking price (but again, it varies greatly between properties - so don't be afraid to make a "lowball offer").
Something that differs from Sweden is that furniture is often included in the purchase, but check this before making an offer. It can also be that neither you nor the owners want to keep the furniture, and then you can make a lower offer but at the same time offer to take care of removal, etc. Once you have agreed on a price, you pay a 10% deposit. You should also agree on the date when the purchase will go through and you will take over the keys to the house. The real estate agent will help with all of this. You will also need a Spanish lawyer to handle all the paperwork. The real estate agent can often recommend someone if you haven't already worked with one.
All money transactions can be made via the lawyer if it feels more secure than paying directly to the seller/agent. On the day of purchase, when the remaining amount is to be paid and you are to receive the keys, you, the buyer, the agent, and the seller gather at the notary in Torrox (if you are buying in Nerja and the surrounding area) to sign the purchase agreement and receive the keys. The agreement is written in both Swedish and English. This aspect with a lawyer and notary is something that differs from the process in Sweden where the bank and agent handle everything. You should also expect an additional cost on the purchase price of between 8-12% for taxes, legal fees, and notary fees. That being said, the rule of thumb is that the final price of the property will be approximately the amount the property is advertised for (minus negotiation, plus taxes and fees).
What challenges did you encounter during the purchase process and how did you overcome them?
There were no specific challenges other than the process being different from back home in Sweden, but if you're aware of this, there won't be any surprises. During our last purchase, when we bought an estate, the process dragged on because the inheritance had to go through, but apart from the handover of the property being postponed twice, there were no major surprises.
What advice would you give to someone considering buying property in Nerja, based on your experience?
Visit a few real estate agencies and feel out which ones instill confidence and, perhaps most importantly, communicate quickly and effectively. Those are the ones I would use.
What was it like adapting to life in Nerja after your purchase?
It was no problem. As I said, we already had previous experience living in Spain so we knew what to expect. Besides family and friends, we don't miss anything about Sweden. And if you yearn for herring and hardtack, both Hemlängtan and Iranzo sell Swedish groceries. Plus, it's easy to make friends through various groups for padel, hiking, etc.
What are the biggest cultural differences you have experienced compared to Sweden?
Naturally, there are many cultural differences, for example, the times you eat lunch and dinner (2 PM and 10 PM in Spain), and consequently when restaurants are open, to how well-planned vs. spontaneous things are (more spontaneous and less planned in Spain). However, we've had very good experiences with healthcare and tradespeople, for example, who often actually work better than back home in Sweden.
How has your daily life and routines changed since you moved to Nerja?
Above all, we were outdoors much more in Nerja than we are in Sweden. That's natural because the weather is so much better. The children's routines also changed and were more about doing things outdoors than sitting at home in their rooms with their phones/tablets.
How would you describe the community and neighborhood where you live?
Nerja is a genuine Spanish town with Spaniards who have lived here for generations. The apartment we bought is mostly occupied by foreigners, like Germans, Englishmen, Swedes, or Spaniards who use it as a holiday home. Now we have also bought a townhouse located in a Spanish area that is more mixed, but with many permanent Spanish residents living there.
Do you have any tips for integrating and building a social network in Nerja?
Yes, start playing padel or go to Box Nerja or similar places to work out. And most importantly, learn Spanish! The key to integrating into a society is to learn the local language.
How do you manage the maintenance of your property in Nerja?
We've had help from various people. Currently, our doorman's wife helps us with cleaning between guests.
Can you share any unexpected costs or financial surprises that came with your property in Nerja?
As previously described, approximately 8-12% of the purchase price is added in the form of taxes and fees. Other unexpected costs include taxes for foreigners for owning a property, plus taxes for the days you don't rent out your property. Of course, you also pay tax on rental income and for an accountant to manage your finances (which is necessary to do everything correctly - otherwise, you can be subject to quite high punitive taxes).
What are your favorite aspects of living in Nerja?
Life is so much simpler than in Sweden, especially Stockholm where the pace is very high. The climate and the price level of food and services also have a positive impact.
Are there any local gems or experiences in Nerja that you particularly appreciate?
Yes, lots. I refer to these posts about activities in Nerja for many tips.
Has your purchase in Nerja affected your long-term life and housing plans?
Absolutely! When our youngest daughter is old enough, we see ourselves living in Nerja for most of the year. We are planning for it to work with our respective jobs as well.
Do you see this as a long-term home or more of an investment or holiday home?
Initially, it was more of an investment and a holiday home. But now we see Nerja as our long-term home in a few years.
What is your best memory since moving to Nerja?
Oh, there are so many. One that stands out in recent years is when we celebrated my birthday last year and went on a catamaran trip from Torre del Mar. Once out on the Mediterranean, we were joined by many dolphins swimming and jumping around the boat. It was a fantastic and very special experience.
If you had the opportunity to go through the process again, is there anything you would do differently?
Not really. Besides, it's better to look forward than to look back. But perhaps be even bolder in making lowball offers and exercising patience when buying your property. You don't need to rush here; processes are long.