Ten ways to make sure your dream really does come true

1. Plan carefully. Your plans will not always work out as you expect so be prepared to change them as circumstances arise. 2. Employ the services of an independent solicitor, not one recommended by your builder. This should be one of the most important and FIRST things you do when you have committed yourself to purchasing a property.

3. Think carefully about things that will affect you and your family. Such as: Schools Work, this can be hard to find in Spain, especially if you do not speak the language. Wages are generally lower. Ideally you have sufficient funds to last a year.

4. Remember that you will be required to provide staged payments for your dream home. Make sure you get good advice on how best to have these resources available. 5. Keep in touch with your builder/developer at all stages of the construction of your home. 6. Make use of local websites designed to help

you. For example www.arboleas.co.uk or www.viva-almeria.com 7. Consider using an independent after sales service that can be of enormous help in ironing out various problems that may arise. 8. Open a Spanish bank account at an early opportunity. This is very easy to do and can be very helpful in changing money. 9. Check out your health entitlement with the appropriate UK authorities. 10. Make arrangements for any pensions that you may wish to have paid in Spain.