How long have you lived in Nerja?
Since summer 2015.
What attracted you to buy a property in Nerja?
Nerja attracted first and foremost because it is a very beautiful place. In addition, the climate here is the best in Europe (although the neighboring village of Torrox has officially received this "award") with a warmer climate in the winter than the rest of the Costa del Sol and cooler in the summer when the rest of southern Spain is very hot.
The price level of housing in Nerja is also still much lower than, for example, Marbella. In addition, the price level for restaurants and services (such as sunbed hire, massage, hairdresser etc.) is still at a low level and many times half of what you have to pay in Marbella.
Then there is a lot to do here, everything from playing padel to countless hiking trails in the mountains, water sports of various kinds to just relaxing on one of the beaches or enjoying one of the many fine restaurants. Last but not least, Nerja attracted because it is a popular place for both Swedes, Scandinavians, Germans, French and Spaniards to be, so it is easy to rent out your home here if you want to. Despite this, there is a genuine Spanish core with genuine local Spaniards living here so Nerja has really retained its Spanish soul and culture.
How long have you been thinking about buying a property abroad before you decided on Nerja?
We had been thinking for quite some time about buying something in Spain. Maybe for about 5 years. I lived in Madrid for a year in the late 90s and studied at the university there and enjoyed it very much. Then, after I started a family, I lived for 6 months in Cádiz in 2007 with my wife and two of our children (our third child was not born then). It added extra flavor. In addition, many years after that we vacationed on the Solkusten and got a rough idea of where we wanted to live and where we didn't want to live.
Hur gick din sökprocess till när du letade efter boende i Nerja?
Unfortunately, there is no equivalent to Hemnet in Spain that is as comprehensive, although some sites such as Idealista.com cover a lot of homes. Therefore, it often helps to get in touch with a broker that you trust and who can help you find a home 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 May Day 2015 and told me "don't come home without a place to stay", haha. So it helped me to have a goal oriented wife who knows what she wants.
The apartment we ended up buying was not one of the ones we had booked before but an apartment that had come on the market just a few days before I arrived in Nerja. Even though it was above our budget, I checked it out. After I returned home to Stockholm, we looked through all the films on the houses/apartments and decided on the apartment that we still own today. The choice fell on this apartment because of the location, which in our opinion is Nerja's best location: Nerjas bästa läge.
Can you describe the buying process? What steps were involved and how long did it take?
Just as in Sweden, the buying process begins with the buyer making an offer. In Spain, the starting price is a desired price, and in most cases a bid is therefore made that is below the starting price. How much under you should go depends very much on the object, how long it has been out etc. but approx. 20% below the starting price is not unusual. After that, just like in Sweden, there will be a negotiation with the owners and possibly waiting for other bidders. In our case there was no other bidder although we heard of a very interested German who was coming down to look at the flat. Most people expect the final price to land at about 10% below the starting price (but again, it differs a lot between objects - so don't be afraid to make a "shame bid").
Something that differs from Sweden is that the furniture is often included in the purchase, but check this before you bid. It may also be the case that neither you nor the owners want to keep the furniture and then you can make a lower bid but at the same time offer to take care of removal etc. When you have agreed on the price, you put 10% as a down payment. You must also agree on a date when the purchase will go through and you must take over the keys to the house. The broker helps with all of this. You will also need a Spanish lawyer to take care of all the paperwork. The broker can often recommend someone if you haven't already worked with someone.
All money transactions can be done via the lawyer if it feels safer than paying directly to the seller/broker. On the day of the purchase, when the remaining amount must be paid and you will receive the keys, you, the buyer, the broker 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 with a lawyer and notary is something that differs from the process in Sweden where the bank and the broker take care of everything. You can also count on a mark-up on the purchase price of between 8-12% for taxes, legal fees, and the cost of a notary. Having said that, it is usually taken as a guide that the final price of the home ends up being roughly the amount that the object is listed for in the ad (minus haggling, plus taxes and fees).
What challenges did you encounter during the buying process and how did you overcome them?
There weren't any specific challenges except that the process is different than at home in Sweden, but if you just know about this, there won't be any surprises. During our last purchase, when we bought an estate, the process dragged on due to the inheritance going through, but apart from the taking over of the home being moved forward twice, there were no major surprises.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone considering buying property in Nerja?
Visit a few brokerage firms and feel for which ones give you confidence and perhaps above all communicate quickly and in a good way. I would use these.
How was it adjusting to life in Nerja after your purchase?
There were no problems. As I said, we already had experience living in Spain before so we knew what to expect. Apart from family and friends, we miss nothing about Sweden. And if you're craving herring and hard bread, there's both Hemlängtan and Iranzo, where they sell Swedish food. In addition, it is easy to make friends by different groups for eg padel, hiking etc.
What are the biggest cultural differences you have experienced compared to Sweden?
There are of course many cultural differences, for example what times you eat lunch and dinner (2pm and 10pm in Spain), and thus when the restaurants are open, to how well planned vs. spontaneous things are (more spontaneous and less planned in Spain). However, we have very good experiences with, for example, both healthcare and craftsmen who often actually work better than at 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. It is natural because the weather is so much better. The children's routines also changed and were also more about inventing things outdoors than sitting at home in the room with the phone/toad.
How would you describe the community and neighborhood where you live?
Nerja is a genuine Spanish city with Spaniards who have lived here for generations. The apartment we bought is mostly inhabited by foreigners such as Toks, Englishmen, Swedes or Spaniards who have it as a holiday home. Now we have also bought a terraced house which is in a Spanish area where it is more mixed but with very permanent Spaniards living there.
Do you have any tips for integrating and building a social network in Nerja?
Yes, start playing padel or go and train at Box Nerja or similar places. And above all, learn Spanish! The key to getting into a community is to learn the local language.
How do you manage the maintenance and upkeep of your property in Nerja?
We have had help from various people. Right now the wife of our porter is helping us with cleaning between guests.
Can you share any unexpected costs or financial surprises that came with living in Nerja?
As described earlier, there is an additional 8-12% of the purchase price in the form of taxes and fees. Other unexpected costs are tax that is added for foreigners because you own a home plus tax on the days you don't rent out your home. Of course, you also have to pay tax for rental income and for an accountant to manage your finances (which is needed to do everything right - otherwise you can be penalized with quite high amounts).
What are your favorite aspects of living in Nerja?
Life that is so much simpler than Sweden, especially Stockholm where the pace is very fast. The climate and the price level of food and services also have a positive effect.
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 lots of 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 most of the year. We plan for it to also work with our respective jobs.
Do you see this as a long-term home or more of an investment or vacation rental?
From the beginning, it was more like an investment and holiday home. But now we see Nerja as our long-term home in a few years.
What is your best memory since you moved 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 trip with a catamaran from Torre del Mar. Once out on the Mediterranean, we were joined by many dolphins who swam and jumped around the boat. It was a fantastic and very special experience.
If you had the opportunity to redo the process, is there anything you would do differently?
Not really. It is also better to look forward than to look back. But perhaps to be even braver in making a shame bid and having ice in your stomach when you complete your home purchase. There is no need to rush here, the processes are long.
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