Some buyers arrive in Andalucia with flights booked, funds lined up and a clear plan.
Others turn up full of enthusiasm but with no paperwork, no finance in place and, if we’re being honest, no real intention of buying.
Knowing the difference saves everyone months of wasted time.
It’s one of the most common frustrations we see across the Costa Tropical, the Lecrin Valley, Orgiva and the wider Alpujarra.
A property launches. Enquiries flood in. Viewings are booked back-to-back. And then… nothing. No feedback. No follow-up. No offer. Just silence.
Serious buyers give themselves away early
You can usually tell within the first conversation.
Genuine buyers tend to:
- Ask practical questions about legal status, water rights, structure and access
- Respond promptly to calls and emails
- Already have their NIE, or are actively applying for one
- Know their budget and what they can realistically afford
- Have a rough timeline and stick to it
Timewasters behave very differently. They book viewings without speaking to a bank. They wander through the house with no urgency. They comment on kitchen colours while ignoring the paperwork that actually determines whether the property is viable.
And very often, they want a last-minute viewing just before flying home the next morning.
If you’ve ever opened your home to holidaymakers who are ‘just seeing what’s out there’, you’ll know how exhausting that can be.
This is not about judging people
It’s not about judging people but about protecting your time.
Many sellers feel obliged to accept every viewing request because it feels like progress.
In reality, especially in rural areas around Velez de Benaudalla, Restabal or Salobreña, each viewing takes effort to organise. You deserve buyers who are ready, not merely curious.
At Hola Properties, we qualify every enquiry before a viewing is booked. That means asking some very simple but very important questions:
- Do they have proof of funds or a mortgage agreement in principle?
- Are they familiar with the area, or are they visiting Almunecar for a week and dreaming out loud?
- Are they relocating, investing, retiring, or changing lifestyle?
- When do they realistically plan to buy?
If a buyer cannot answer those questions, they are not ready. And we won’t waste your time pretending otherwise.
Why this matters more than ever
Well-priced homes in areas like Salobreña, Motril or the Lecrin Valley attract attention quickly. Online portals make it easy for people to message multiple agents with one click. That creates noise. And noise attracts unqualified enquiries.
If your agent doesn’t filter properly, you’ll end up opening your door to people who were never going to buy.
That doesn’t just drain your energy but it slows momentum, increases risk and often leads to unnecessary price reductions.
I’ve seen the same pattern too many times… Five viewings in a week, not one serious buyer, confidence drops, weeks pass and the price gets cut.
I would rather bring you two qualified buyers than ten tourists.
What we do differently
To keep momentum and protect your privacy, we:
- Screen every enquiry personally, not with automated replies
- Use professional video tours to filter interest before any viewing
- Speak to buyers early to understand motivation and readiness
- Track digital engagement so we know who is genuinely interested
The result is that you only meet people who are genuinely in the market for a home like yours, whether that’s a hillside cortijo, a townhouse in Orgiva or a coastal apartment in Almuñecar.
One final thought
Buying and selling property in Andalucia should be exciting, not draining. The right buyers bring energy and clarity. The wrong ones sap both.
If you want a sale without the stress, choose an agent who protects your time, your privacy and your peace of mind.
Mathew Wood, co-founder of Hola Properties, has more than 30 years of experience in real estate, and has dealt with international sales at the highest level. He previously started the number one rated agency in the UK and has a vast network of contacts across Northern Europe, the USA.
