Buying in Punta Prima: the best of Orihuela Costa at a fair price

Buying in Punta Prima means having beach, seafront promenade and shopping centre within walking distance, without paying the Cabo Roig premium or giving up the quality of life most foreign buyers are looking for. Bennecke has been handling purchases in this area since 1988, and this guide explains the full process for anyone buying from outside Spain.

Why buy in Punta Prima over other areas

Punta Prima occupies a very interesting middle ground: more contained prices than Cabo Roig, while keeping the same immediate proximity to the beach and a central location relative to the rest of Orihuela Costa.

• Walkable beach from most buildings, without depending on a car day to day.
• Direct pedestrian link to La Zenia and its shopping centre in 15-20 minutes.
• A practically consolidated area, with little uncertainty over future nearby construction.
• An active, stable international community, with services geared to foreign residents.

Steps in the buying process

The procedure follows Spain's general legal framework, but it's worth being clear on the order of steps to avoid losing time or negotiating leverage.

1. Obtain the NIE, a prerequisite for any purchase.
2. Open a Spanish bank account to manage payments, mortgage and utilities.
3. Check an up-to-date nota simple to confirm the property is free of charges.
4. Sign the contrato de arras, usually with 10% of the price as a deposit.
5. Review documentation with an independent gestor or lawyer before signing.
6. Sign the deed before a notary and settle taxes.

Costs of buying in Punta Prima

Since most stock is resale property, the bulk of the cost is ITP, plus notary, registry and gestoría fees.

What to check before buying here

Since buildings here have some age to them, especially on the first and second beach lines, it's worth paying attention to certain aspects before signing.

• Status of pending special assessments and the community's reserve fund.
• Up-to-date energy certificate, mandatory for sale.
• Condition of the façade and common areas, especially in front-line buildings exposed to sea salt.
• Confirmation of an included parking space or storage room, not always present in older construction.

Financing for non-resident buyers

Spanish banks typically finance between 60% and 70% of the appraised value for non-residents. Since the period between signing the deposit and the deed is usually 6 to 8 weeks, it's advisable to start the mortgage application as soon as the contrato de arras is signed, to avoid last-minute delays.

Next step

If you're considering buying in Punta Prima, Bennecke accompanies you throughout the process, from the first viewing to key handover, with over 5,000 transactions managed since 1988. Write to us at info@bennecke.com or call +34 965 714 362.