Purchase and renovation
What to check before buying a property to renovate: mistakes that cost money
Buying a property to renovate can be a good opportunity, but it is also where most surprises appear. These are the points worth checking before you sign.
1. The real condition of the property
Structure, damp, electrical and plumbing systems, roof and windows. A professional should visit it before the purchase, not after.
2. Paperwork and legal situation
- Land Registry extract (nota simple): owner, charges and mortgages.
- Debts to the homeowners' association and unpaid property tax (IBI).
- Energy certificate and habitability certificate, where applicable.
3. A renovation budget with a margin
Ask for detailed quotes and always leave a margin for the unexpected. A renovation without a margin is the most common reason an investment does not turn out as expected.
4. Regulations and permits
Check which works require a permit and whether the planned use, such as holiday rental or splitting into rooms, is allowed by the rules of the municipality and the region.
5. Exit and final use
Decide before buying how you will operate the property and adapt the renovation to that use, not the other way round.
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