Hi Gareth
Welcome to the Forum.
Firstly it depends on the circumstances you are buying under:
Are you buying a resale or new property?
Has the property got any debts attached to it, as in Spain the Debts stay with the property, so if for example the property has outstanding community charge you could be responsible for it if any outstanding amount hasn’t been settled before completion.
Are you going to be able to be in Spain for completion whenever that is?
Do you understand the process and all papers that are required for completion such as habitation licence?
Are you going to be able or capable to inspect the property for defects large or small before completion?
I could go on.
Some people have used the services of Solicitors and Home inspection services and some haven’t, its personal choice and your own abilities and availability.
I used a solicitor, for me I wouldn’t buy a property in the UK without one so I definitely wouldn’t in Spain. Others happily just used the builder to arrange everything, this wasn’t an option for me but its horses for courses.
I did complete our own so called snagging inspection of our property which is inspecting the property for minor defects to be corrected by the builder before of shortly after completion. This should not be confused with a structural survey as we would consider having in the UK which is different and again consideration should be given to this also. Once again horses for courses.
Solicitors are not cheap in spine however in the finical climate that exists at the moment you should be able to get a reasonable discount as they are short of work.
The cost of reputable home inspection services are not too bad and well worth it if you are not capable to do this for yourself.
Hope this helps, sorry if I have added to your confusion.
Regards
Phil