Why Every International Buyer in Spain Needs a Specialist Property Lawyer — And Why Maria Is the Best in the Business

Buying property in a foreign country is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make. The excitement is real — the lifestyle, the sunshine, the culture, the opportunity to build a new life in one of Europe's most beautiful cities. But so are the risks.

Spain's property market has its own unique legal landscape, and for international buyers navigating it without expert legal support, the consequences can be severe. Hidden debts. Illegal extensions. Planning irregularities. Title disputes. These are not rare edge cases — they are issues that experienced property lawyers encounter regularly. And they are exactly the kind of problems that, left unchecked, can turn your dream purchase into a financial nightmare.

At Encantada World, our clients don't just have a property finder in their corner. They have Maria.

Meet Maria: The Lawyer Who Leaves Nothing to Chance

Maria Alacreu Carbonell is a native Valencian lawyer with over 25 years of legal experience. Her career reads like a who's who of the legal world — trained at Bufete Amoros, she went on to specialise in commercial, administrative and procedural law at PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal, before moving to KPMG Abogados as a Senior Associate. For the past 14 years she has been at Bosch&Tormo Abogados, one of Valencia's most respected law firms, where she has built an outstanding reputation as a specialist in property law, urban planning, and the legal needs of international buyers relocating to Spain.

She is Valencian born, English speaking, and — as more than one client has noted — absolutely relentless when it comes to defending her clients' interests.

"A pitbull at the notary" is how some clients describe her. It's a description she has more than earned.

What Due Diligence Actually Means

There is a common misconception among international buyers that having a lawyer simply means having someone present at the notary to sign the paperwork. In reality, thorough legal due diligence begins long before any contract is signed — and it covers far more ground than most buyers realise.

Maria's due diligence process includes:

Title and registry checks — verifying that the seller has clean title to the property and that there are no outstanding mortgages, charges, embargoes or legal disputes attached to it.

Debt verification — confirming that all community fees, IBI property tax, utility bills and any other charges associated with the property are fully up to date. In Spain, property debts transfer to the new owner — making this check absolutely essential.

Planning and licence verification — confirming that all construction on the property has the correct building licences and planning permissions, and that there are no outstanding infractions or orders that could affect the property's value or your ability to use it as intended.

Urban planning review — checking the local urban development plan to understand what future development is planned for the surrounding area, and whether any planned infrastructure could affect the property.

Energy certificate and habitability — ensuring all required certificates are in place for the property to be legally occupied and sold.

Contract review and negotiation — reviewing and where necessary negotiating the terms of the purchase contract to protect the buyer's interests at every stage.

This is not a rubber stamp process. It is a thorough, forensic examination of everything that could affect your purchase — carried out by someone with the experience and the tenacity to pursue every issue to its conclusion.

Real Stories, Real Protection

Christina Schwartz purchased her apartment in Valencia while still living in Washington DC — navigating an entirely unfamiliar legal system from thousands of miles away. For many buyers, that scenario would be terrifying.

"I was very nervous buying an apartment in Valencia while still living in the US, since I know almost nothing about the procedure, requirements, or language. Maria made the complicated process as smooth as possible for me. From start to finish, I felt like I was in extremely smart and capable hands. Her knowledge of all legal requirements, local connections, and real estate needs was beyond compare. She knows exactly where to go and what to do for everything, anticipated and took care of potential hurdles around any corner, and truly looked out for me. Honestly, I would trust Encantada with anything, they are that good." — Christina Schwartz, Washington DC

Her husband John echoes that sentiment — and highlights something that sets Maria apart from many property lawyers: her involvement doesn't end at completion.

"Between Stephanie, the native Brit who speaks Spanish completely fluently, and her business partner Maria, a native Valencian lawyer who successfully shepherded our visa renewals and continues to advise us as we deal with neighbours below who suffered a water leak from our terrace — we couldn't be happier with all the services Encantada has provided." — John Schwartz

This is the Encantada difference. Maria is not a transactional lawyer who disappears once the keys are handed over. She becomes a trusted advisor — someone clients return to when the unexpected happens, long after the purchase is complete.

Beyond the Purchase: Legal Support for Every Step of Your Spanish Life

For international buyers relocating to Spain, the legal journey doesn't end at the notary. Visas, residency applications, tax obligations, neighbour disputes, community issues — life in Spain comes with its own legal complexities, and having a specialist lawyer who knows you, knows your property and knows the local system is invaluable.

Marieke Kramer, who relocated to Spain with her family, found that Maria's support extended far beyond the property purchase itself:

"María helped us to make the step of moving to Spain. Our experience with them could not have been better. From getting a bank account and our NIE to buying our own home — they are fantastic. Clear and quick communication, explaining all the steps along the way and great knowledge. We could not have done it without them!" — Marieke Kramer

And for Eduardo and Alejandra Padua, who navigated the Valencia property market with Encantada's support, the verdict was equally clear:

"Stephanie and Maria have been extremely professional and very kind, and their help has been invaluable in navigating the process of buying our property in Valencia. We don't think anyone has as much experience as they do. Truly excellent service." — Eduardo & Alejandra Padua

The Risk of Going Without

It is worth being direct about what is at stake when buyers proceed without proper legal due diligence.

Properties with illegal extensions or building licence irregularities can be almost impossible to sell on — and in some cases, authorities can require the illegal structure to be demolished at the owner's expense. Properties with outstanding community debts or unpaid IBI tax pass those debts directly to the new owner. Title disputes can freeze a property for years, leaving buyers unable to sell, renovate or refinance.

These are not hypothetical risks. They are situations that experienced property lawyers encounter regularly in the Spanish market. And they are entirely preventable with the right legal support in place from the beginning.

The cost of thorough legal due diligence is a fraction of what it costs to resolve the problems it prevents.

Why Maria, Why Now

The Spanish property market is moving quickly, particularly in Valencia and along the Costa Blanca, where international demand continues to grow strongly. In a fast-moving market, the temptation is to cut corners — to move fast, to trust the selling agent's assurances, to treat the legal process as a formality.

That temptation is one Maria has seen lead to serious problems for buyers who didn't have proper representation. With 25 years of legal experience, a deep network of local connections, and an unwavering commitment to her clients' best interests, she is exactly the protection that international buyers in Spain need.

As one client put it — sweet in person but she truly is a pitbull at the notary. And in the Spanish property market, that is precisely what you want.

Ready to Buy with Confidence?

Whether you're at the early stages of considering a purchase or ready to make an offer, having the right legal support in place from day one makes all the difference.

Maria brings the legal expertise, the local knowledge and the determination to protect your purchase from every angle.

Stephanie brings the property search expertise, the market knowledge and the network to find you the right property in the first place.

Together, the Encantada World team is the smart, safe way to buy property in Spain.

Get in touch with Encantada World to arrange your complimentary consultation.