The move is bigger
than the house.
Moving from Barcelona or relocating from abroad means coordinating far more than a property search. Schools, commuting, finances, timing and sometimes the sale of another home all need to work together.
TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR MOVE →
Work out the move first.
Then look for the home.
It is easy to begin by scrolling through properties. But before deciding what to view, it helps to understand what your everyday life needs to look like, what has to happen first and how the different parts of the move fit together.
What actually changes?
More space is often the reason people start looking outside Barcelona. Everyday life is what ultimately determines whether the move works.
The commute
Think about the journey you will make on a normal Tuesday, not simply the distance shown on a map.
The car
Depending on where you live, the car can become a much bigger part of school runs, shopping and everyday life.
More house
Gardens, pools and larger homes bring more space, but they also bring more maintenance and responsibility.
Family routine
Schools, activities, friends and transport can matter more than an extra bedroom or a better view.
Working from home
A home office can change how important commuting distance is and open up a wider search area.
City life
Barcelona remains close, but spontaneous city life becomes something you may need to plan rather than simply step outside for.
Which needs to
happen first?
If the move depends on selling your current property, the timing becomes just as important as finding the next home.
There is no single sequence that works for everyone. The right approach depends on your finances, how quickly your existing property may sell and how flexible you can be with completion dates.
SELLING ONE HOME AND BUYING ANOTHER? →Coming from abroad?
When the move also involves relocating countries, it helps to organise the practical side early rather than dealing with everything after finding a property.
Documentation
Make sure the identification and documentation required for a property purchase are being organised.
Financing
If you require a mortgage, understand your borrowing position before making the property search too specific.
Legal advice
Independent legal advice should form part of the buying process, particularly when you are unfamiliar with purchasing property in Spain.
Schools
For families, school availability and the daily journey can influence the property search from the beginning.
Temporary accommodation
A short-term solution can sometimes remove pressure to buy before you understand the area properly.
The real budget
Work from the total amount available for the move rather than looking only at the advertised property price.
Don't view ten houses.
Understand the area first.
A first visit does not have to be a race between property appointments. Spending time understanding the places that could work for your lifestyle can make the property search far more focused afterwards.
EXPLORE EL MARESME →
Sometimes the school
comes before the house.
If education is one of the main reasons behind your move, understand the school options and daily journey before narrowing the property search.
EXPLORE SCHOOLS →A simple moving timeline.
Understand what needs to work.
Start thinking about finances, schools, commuting, your current property and the type of move you want to make.
Narrow the search.
Explore the areas, establish the buying budget and start looking seriously at suitable properties.
Slow down before committing.
Understand the property's documentation, condition, costs and the terms of the proposed purchase before moving forward.
Prepare the practical move.
Coordinate the completion, moving arrangements, utilities, insurance, schools and any sale that forms part of the move.
Start living here.
The property search may be finished. Getting to know the community, local services and everyday routine is the next part.
Discover El Maresme.
Our El Maresme guide looks at the towns, lifestyle and different places to live along the coast north of Barcelona.
EXPLORE EL MARESME →
You don't need to know
exactly where to start.
Tell us what the move needs to look like. We can help you understand the areas, organise the search and find a home that fits the life you are trying to create.
Chat with us!