presta estate
Buying property in Spain as a non‑resident
Viewings timeline (can it be done in 5 days?)
Presta Estate is based in Barcelona, but we support purchases across Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga/Costa del Sol, the Balearics, and anywhere else you’re buying. The main constraint isn’t geography; it’s planning enough lead time so viewings, documents, and seller availability line up.
Can Presta Estate help me buy anywhere in Spain?
Yes. Our work is buyer-side coordination: defining criteria, screening listings, structuring viewings, negotiation support, and (when relevant) aligning the purchase timeline with mortgage and due‑diligence milestones.
Barcelona is our home base, but our process is designed for buyers who are:
If you’re comparing support options, see: Idealista + local agent vs buyer’s agent vs mortgage broker vs lawyer in Spain and One firm to buy property in Spain + get a mortgage (for non-residents).
Barcelona is our home base, but our process is designed for buyers who are:
- purchasing outside their own city (including international/non‑resident buyers), and/or
- trying to compress viewings into a short trip, and/or
- buying in high‑demand areas where timing matters as much as price.
If you’re comparing support options, see: Idealista + local agent vs buyer’s agent vs mortgage broker vs lawyer in Spain and One firm to buy property in Spain + get a mortgage (for non-residents).
Planning a 5‑day trip (or need a mortgage)?
We can map your shortlist + viewing blocks and align a mortgage pre‑assessment with end‑to‑end buying coordination.
How much time do I need to plan viewings?
A realistic rule of thumb:
Why the difference? Outside Barcelona, you’re more likely to deal with:
- Barcelona: plan 1–2 weeks ahead.
- Outside Barcelona: plan 2–3 weeks ahead.
Why the difference? Outside Barcelona, you’re more likely to deal with:
- owners or keyholders who are not local,
- fewer overlapping schedules between agencies,
- longer travel logistics (especially if you want to cluster viewings efficiently).
Important note about fast-moving markets
In Barcelona and other popular high‑demand areas, good properties can sell very fast. That’s why we typically recommend you:
- shortlist in advance (before you get on a plane), and
- be ready to move quickly on a top property (including aligning lawyer review / financing steps early where possible).
Can everything be done in 5 days?
You can often do serious progress in 5 days, especially if you prepare properly, but it’s important to define what “done” means.
What is realistic in 5 days (with pre-work)
If you shortlist beforehand, a typical 5‑day trip can cover:
- 2–3 days of viewings (clustered by area and quality)
- 1–2 days to prepare an offer (final comparisons, negotiation strategy, term alignment)
In other words: 5 days can be enough to go from “I’m searching” to “I’m ready to submit a well‑structured offer” if the pipeline is prepared before you arrive.
Evgeny Shkaraburov
Presta Estate Founder
What is usually not realistic in 5 days
5 days is typically not enough to reach the arras stage.
A common sequence in Spain is:
From reservation to arras, the timeline is commonly 7–10 days. That window is used for document collection, contract drafting/review, and coordinating signatures. (Exact timing depends on the seller, the agency, and how organised the file is.)
A common sequence in Spain is:
- Offer accepted (or terms agreed)
- Reservation (to take the property off the market)
- Arras contract (a more formal deposit contract)
From reservation to arras, the timeline is commonly 7–10 days. That window is used for document collection, contract drafting/review, and coordinating signatures. (Exact timing depends on the seller, the agency, and how organised the file is.)
A clear 5-day viewing timeline (example)
This is an example structure that works well for non‑resident buyers.
Phase
Timing
What happens
Outcome
Pre‑trip shortlist
1–3 weeks before
Criteria alignment, screening, confirming documentation basics, booking viewing blocks
A realistic list of “must see” properties (and backups)
Day 1
Arrival + first cluster
Area orientation + 3–5 viewings
First filters: layout, noise/light, building condition, street quality
Day 2
High‑signal viewings
4–6 viewings
You identify top 2–4 candidates
Day 3
Re‑visits + decision
Revisit best options, building/admin questions, pricing context
A ranked shortlist + clear trade‑offs
Day 4
Offer prep
Offer price/terms, timeline feasibility, negotiation plan
Offer ready to submit (or already submitted)
Day 5
Buffer day
Follow-ups, extra viewing, counter‑offer response
Terms stabilise; next steps agreed
Barcelona-specific workflow (optional)
If you’re buying in Barcelona and want to make a short trip count, we can run this workflow during the pre‑trip shortlist phase:
- We send you an Excel list of shortlisted properties (links + key notes).
- You confirm which properties you want to see (and which to drop).
- We pre‑visit the selected properties without you (when access is possible) and take our own photos/videos to validate the listing.
- If you want to proceed, we create a definitive 3–5 day viewing itinerary for your Barcelona trip (clustered by area, with backups).
Numbers above assume your viewings are geographically clustered. If you try to cover multiple far‑apart areas, you’ll see fewer properties per day.
Evgeny Shkaraburov
Presta Estate Founder
Want a tailored viewing plan?
We can build a 5‑day itinerary and align the mortgage pre‑assessment + NIE timeline (what to do before the trip vs remotely after).
What happens after the 5-day trip (typical)
A realistic next-step timeline after an accepted offer is often:
- Days 1–3 after agreement: reservation step (if used) + document exchange
- Days 7–10 after reservation: arras signing (typical)
- After arras: due diligence work continues (legal/technical), mortgage processing (if applicable), then notary completion
The main planning insight: treat the 5‑day trip as the decision + negotiation window, and assume the contract and admin milestones will continue after you leave Spain.
Evgeny Shkaraburov
Presta Estate Founder
FAQ
Can you arrange viewings in more than one city in the same trip?
Sometimes, but it’s rarely the most efficient approach. If you want to visit two cities, we usually recommend splitting the trip into two clear clusters (e.g., 2 days + 2 days) and accepting that you’ll see fewer properties in each market.
How many viewings can I realistically do per day?
In dense areas (e.g., central Barcelona), 4–6 viewings/day can be feasible if they’re close together. If travel times are longer, plan for 3–5/day.
What if a property sells before I arrive?
This is common in high‑demand markets. That’s why we plan backups and try to keep your shortlist “live” right up to the viewing days.
Do I have to be in Spain to sign reservation or arras?
Not always. Some steps can be handled remotely, depending on the parties and the documentation. If you expect to leave Spain before arras, plan for that from the start so signatures, payments, and deadlines are structured sensibly.
Can you do video viewings if I can’t travel?
In many cases, yes. Remote viewings can help you narrow the field, then use an in‑person trip for final candidates only.
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