Buying a resale property in Tenerife: what to look out for

Buying a resale property in Tenerife can be a very good move. One of its advantages is that taxes and purchase costs are usually lower than on a new-build bought from a developer, although the exact figure depends on the type and value of the transaction. The other advantage is that the property already exists: it has a history and an entry in the Land Registry. Once the deed is signed and the paperwork is done, you can simply start using your home – no waiting for construction work or for handover.

Don't look at floor area alone

In Tenerife the price per m² does not tell the whole story. Location, the view, the terrace, the floor, the layout, the number of bedrooms and a garage all matter more. Sometimes 55 m² with a large terrace and an ocean view is the better buy than 70 m² with no view.

Buyers from northern Europe tend to focus on the flat itself – its size, its specification and its finish. Life in Tenerife works differently. You spend far more time outside: on the beach, by the pool, in a restaurant, out walking or on the promenade.

So a property does not have to look like a catalogue interior to be an excellent buy. A generous terrace, an ocean view and a location you will genuinely use are often worth more than a flawless kitchen.

Needing work is not always a drawback

A property may be ready to move into or in need of modernisation. If the location is good, the view is attractive and the potential is there, renovation is simply an investment in its value and your comfort.

Check the property before you buy

On the resale market it pays to check the legal status of the property carefully, along with the paperwork, any charges against it, the owners' association and the running costs.

Negotiating? Yes, but with judgement

Prices in Tenerife can be negotiated, but you need to know the local market and what the property is really worth. Understanding how things work here, and handling the conversation professionally, makes a real difference.

The most important rule?

You are not buying square metres. You are buying a location, a view, a setting and a way of living. Furniture can be replaced. A kitchen can be refitted. An ocean view cannot be added later.

At Dom na Teneryfie we help our clients find a resale property and buy it safely – from choosing the area to completing the transaction.

Looking for a home in Tenerife? Get in touch and let's talk about what you are really after.