Bought A House In Javea, Forgot To Tell My Boss – How One Real Estate Agency Made Me Stay
It started, as all good stories do, with a long lunch, a cold drink, and a view that didn’t seem entirely real. The kind of view that makes your shoulders drop two inches and your inbox feel like it’s happening in someone else’s life. By the time the sun set over Montgó and the waiter brought the bill with a knowing smile, I’d made a decision: I’m not going back.
This wasn’t the plan. I came to Javea for a short break. A recharge. A week of sandals, seafood and switching off. But then I met the team at www.javeaestateagent.com—and they didn’t just sell me a house. They quietly made it impossible to leave.
Contents
- From Holidaymaker to Homeowner: How It Really Happens
- What Makes Javea So Hard to Leave
- The Role of a Local Estate Agent When You Didn’t Plan to Buy
- Comparison Table: Local Javea Agents vs International Firms
- FAQs About Buying Property in Javea as a Foreigner
- Final Thoughts
1. From Holidaymaker to Homeowner: How It Really Happens
You arrive in Javea for the sun. You stay for the pace.
There’s a peculiar magic here—something between the sea air, the whitewashed buildings and the way the town moves to its own rhythm. It doesn’t so much shout its charm as whisper it into your bones. And that’s where the trouble starts. You begin asking harmless questions:
- “What’s property like around here, out of interest?”
- “Do many people stay longer than planned?”
- “Is this… doable?”
The next thing you know, you’re looking at listings “just for fun” and asking the local agent about fibre broadband like it’s a normal thing to do on a beach holiday.
2. What Makes Javea So Hard to Leave
Let’s be practical. Javea offers more than good looks.
- Over 300 days of sunshine per year
- Low crime, high community feel – safe, walkable, welcoming
- Excellent infrastructure – hospitals, schools, international connectivity
- Stunning diversity of property – from penthouse terraces to rustic fincas
- Bilingual living – English and Spanish widely spoken
It’s also unusually liveable for a tourist town. The locals don’t just tolerate foreign buyers—they often embrace them, especially when introduced through a good, well-regarded estate agency.
3. The Role of a Local Estate Agent When You Didn’t Plan to Buy
I wasn’t looking for a villa. I was looking for a decent paella. But a good estate agent doesn’t just “sell” you a house—they read between the lines. They spot the shift from “I could live here” to “I think I already do.”
A local Javea estate agent brings:
- Unfiltered local knowledge – the kind that tells you why one street sells faster than another
- Guidance on paperwork – NIE numbers, notaries, and town hall idiosyncrasies
- Realistic pricing – not just what’s on the website, but what homes actually sell for
- A soft landing – recommending banks, lawyers, plumbers, even where to get a good cortado
They’re not pushy. They don’t need to be. In Javea, the houses sell themselves—the agent just shows you the keys.
4. Comparison Table: Local Javea Agents vs International Firms
Feature | Local Javea Estate Agent | International Property Company |
Knowledge of Javea zones | Deep – street-level insight | General – often based on listings data |
Support with local process | Full, including NIE and legal help | Often outsourced to third parties |
Language support | English, Spanish, often Dutch/German | English only |
Negotiation flexibility | Realistic, localised guidance | Tied to head office systems |
After-sale support | Yes – ongoing community referrals | Usually ends at handover |
5. FAQs About Buying Property in Javea as a Foreigner
Q: Do I need to be a Spanish resident to buy property in Javea?
No. Non-residents can buy property in Spain. You will need an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), which your agent can help you obtain.
Q: What are the typical buying costs?
Allow for 10–13% on top of the sale price. This covers tax, notary, registry, legal fees and agent commission.
Q: Can I get a mortgage in Spain as a foreigner?
Yes. Many Spanish banks offer non-resident mortgages, though terms may vary. A local agent can introduce you to lenders with experience dealing with international buyers.
Q: How long does the process take?
Roughly 8 to 12 weeks, depending on financing and legal checks.
Q: What if I want to rent it out later?
You can. Many buyers let out their homes as holiday rentals or long-term leases. You’ll need a licence for short lets—your agent will know the local rules.
6. Final Thoughts
There’s a moment—usually just after your third café con leche, as you check the weather back in Britain—when you realise you’re not going home next week. Or possibly at all.
It’s not always planned. But it is, more often than not, helped along by a local estate agency who understands both the market and the moment. The moment you go from visitor to local. From browser to buyer.
Javea doesn’t twist your arm. It holds out a set of keys and says: when you’re ready.
And when you are, you’ll want someone like www.javeaestateagent.com by your side.