Every new expat in Valencia is faced with the same (thorny) question: how do you find suitable accommodation in this dynamic city? On paper, the method is fairly straightforward, with three strategies, each with its advantages and disadvantages: property portals and classified ad sites, local estate agents, and word of mouth. Even so, finding a pied-à-terre in Valencia can be a real obstacle course… First piece of advice for new expats in Spain: the Iberian Peninsula is neither France nor Belgium… Bear this in mind.
Explore property portals and classified ads in Spain
Using property portals or venturing onto classified ad sites offers undeniable convenience: you don’t have to go anywhere to start your search! The method, which is practical and full of choice, means that you can start your search from the comfort of your sofa, but this means that you have to rely mainly on the descriptions of the ads, which vary in detail. But there are always questions: is the address correct? Do the photos reflect the recent condition of the property? What is the actual condition of the environment around the property? Is the property still available?
For current residents of Spain with a good command of the language, this is a viable option. For those living abroad, however, the situation is more complex, particularly for rentals, whether student or otherwise. The rental market is characterised by volatility: demand is high and supply limited, exacerbating the competition. Local residents can travel quickly to visit properties, a decisive advantage as properties can be rented even before an international applicant arrives in Valencia.
It’s also worth noting that the typical lifespan of a rental advert in Valencia is little more than a week, and a lingering advert is often synonymous with complications: excessive rent, poor location or unsatisfactory condition of the property. When it comes to buying a property, although timescales are slightly more lenient, competition remains fierce, especially if the property is of interest to investors, which can overshadow an excellent deal.
Using estate agents in Valencia: a double-edged sword
For those who haven’t found their future home on property portals, turning to estate agents seems the next logical step, at least on paper, as these professionals know their geographical area inside out and have a catalogue of available properties. You might also expect them to speak French, given the number of expats in Spain. But the reality on the ground is sometimes very different…
In the Valencian Community, the property sector is not regulated, and in practice this means that anyone can open an estate agency. On Monday, you could come across someone running a bar, and the following week, the same person could very well be running his own estate agency. This lack of a regulatory framework means that the estate agency landscape fluctuates considerably, with frequent openings and closures, and consequently a quality of service that can vary greatly.
It is therefore advisable to favour agencies with a solid reputation and long experience in the field, even if this does not guarantee excellence every time. Estate agencies in Valencia operate differently to their French counterparts, with much less structured and formalised practices.
What about word of mouth?
If you have family or friends in Valencia, it’s a godsend if you’re looking to set up home without going through the traditional real estate channels, as they can often connect you directly with someone who sells or rents the type of property you’re looking for. The big plus here is obviously the saving on agency fees, which is not negligible. But there is a but…
The major disadvantage of this approach is the lack of a professional to guide and secure the process. To get round this problem, we strongly recommend that you use the services of a French-speaking lawyer, especially if you are planning to buy a property. In Spain, the role of the notary differs significantly from that in France or Belgium, which can complicate the process without proper guidance.