Notes on homes and neighbourhoods

ITP, FEIN, STV, AJD, LTV, subrogation, Euribor, CIRBE… clear translation of the jargon so you sign knowing what you sign.

Why an appraisal can split value between land and construction, and how it affects your mortgage and the taxes you pay.

The essential clauses that should appear in an arras contract. A template with commentary that protects the buyer.

Having a guarantor isn't the same as co-signing a guarantee. The legal implications for the family are very different.

Not every renovation raises the sale price. The 6 that return your money and the 4 that never do.

Capital gains tax (IRPF), reinvestment exemptions, over-65s. How much you'll really pay when selling and how to legally minimise it.

How to assess whether a flat is a good investment. Formulas, hidden costs and the minimum yield to look for in 2026.

What the monthly fee covers, how special levies are approved, what you should vote on. Neighbourly life is applied accounting.

ITE/IEE is mandatory for old buildings, but as a buyer you can also commission an independent inspection.

European Standardised Information Sheet: the official document containing ALL the conditions. 10 fields you must check.

Sometimes a live mortgage or an embargo looks scary but is solvable. Other times it isn't. Guide to telling them apart.

After ruling STC 182/2021 the calculation changed radically. What's paid today, two alternative methods, and when NOT to pay.

Law 12/2023 mostly affects rentals. But it also changes things for buyers: stressed areas, large landlords, financing.

The document that tells you whether a flat has liens, mortgages or embargoes. What we look at line by line before signing the deposit.

Why flats with professional photos sell 30% faster and at 3-5% better prices. What to demand from the photographer.

Bad photos, inflated price, paperwork not ready. The 10 mistakes that drag a sale out by 6 months.

Far from the Salamanca-Chamberí circle, where the real upside opportunities are.

Price per m², rental yield, demand and tax. An honest comparison between Spain's two main cities.

The best price-to-connection ratio in the metropolitan area. Analysis by zones, new builds and why more Barcelona families are crossing the Besòs.

Three iconic neighbourhoods, three different buyer profiles. Tax advantages, architecture, price and future.

Honest analysis: price per m², schools, parks and transport. Sarrià, Gràcia, Les Corts and a few surprises.

The 5% reduced rate for under-32s remains in force. Conditions, income limits and how to claim it without losing the benefit.

What to ask the owner or agent in the first 20 minutes to spot problems before falling in love.

Taxes, timelines, warranties, negotiation power. Four axes to decide without romanticism.

Mandatory since 2013, required to sell or rent. What it measures, how much it costs and why it increasingly affects price.

What it is, how long it takes, who issues it, and why without it you can't sign the deed in Catalonia or connect utilities.

They are not the same and in practice many contracts mix them up. What you actually sign and what risk you take at each step.

Euribor has stabilised. Does the fixed rate still make sense? Honest comparison with real examples from the 6 main banks.

Real breakdown of the costs you'll pay BEYOND the property price. With numerical examples for Barcelona and Madrid.

From the first coffee with your advisor to picking up the keys at the notary: real process, timelines and money you'll need at each phase.