Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, gives vital advice on spotting fake buyers for your property in Granada and the surrounding region…
SELLING your property in Granada and Costa Tropical is a sufficiently serious undertaking without having your precious time occupied by fake viewers, otherwise known as tourists or timewasters. Whether they fancy “a day out looking at quaint townhouses” – at your inconvenience – or “a lovely trip to see a mountain cortijo”, this is NOT what you want during the conveyancing process.
Some buyers fly across continents, funds ready, intent clear re buying property in Granada. Others arrive with enthusiasm but no plans, zero paperwork, and – crucially – no intention of buying. Telling the difference can save months of frustration.
Timewasters is a common issue across the Costa Tropical, Lecrín Valley, Órgiva, and the wider Alpujarra. A property goes live, enquiries appear, viewings get booked… and then nothing. No feedback. No follow-up. No offer. Just silence.
Real buyers act differently from the start
You feel it early in the process. Genuine buyers stand out from tourists seeking to “see what some charming houses look like from the inside”.
If they are the real deal, they will usually ask meaningful questions about legal status, structural condition, water rights, and location. They will respond to phone calls and emails – not ghost you, as they are now back home in ‘Inglaterra’. They have their NIE number, are ready to proceed, and are clear about budget and timelines.
Timewasters, on the other hand, will book viewings without speaking to their bank first. They drift through the house with no urgency – possibly with dreamy, non-committal looks on their faces. They focus on the kitchen colour and “that lovely weaved basket in the corner from an artisan maker” but ignore the paperwork that actually matters. They usually want a last minute viewing – scheduled just before they fly home the next morning.
If you’ve ever hosted a viewing for holidaymakers “just seeing what’s out there,” you know exactly how draining this can be!
It’s not about judging people: it’s to secure a valid buyer
Sellers frequently default to accepting every viewing request that comes their way. It feels productive, but feelings don’t always match reality! In rural areas around Vélez de Benaudalla, Restábal, or Salobreña, managing viewings can be a logistical effort. You deserve viewers who are ready to buy your property in Granada region, not merely curious. You and your home – that you have prepared carefully for sale – are not the latest spectator sport!
A good agent will pre-qualify every viewer before booking a visit to your property. That involves simple but essential questions, such as: in principle, do they have proof of funds or a mortgage agreement? Do they know the area, or are they simply here for a week in Almuñécar, and dreaming out loud about those “lovely houses”? Are they relocating, investing, retiring, or seeking a lifestyle change? Most importantly: when do they plan to buy?
When a buyer can’t answer these questions, they’re not ready – so why waste time showing them around your home?
When you do have genuine viewers, pricing and preparation are key.
Why it matters even more in the current marketplace for property in Granada
In attractive coastal towns, such as Salobreña and Motril, as well as the rural paradise of the Lecrín Valley, interest from buyers is usually rapid when a high-quality property is uploaded. Digital platforms make it easy for browsers to contact multiple agents in one click. That means more noise – and more unqualified enquiries.
Your agent must have a clear screening process. If they don’t, you’ll open our doors to people who are never going to buy. That’s not just inconvenient. It increases risk and reduces momentum.
The right buyers bring energy: the wrong ones drain it
We’ve seen it too many times regarding real estate agents who don’t scren their clientele before arranging bookings. This can lead to five viewings in a week and not a single serious buyer amongst the crowd. Then, confidence drops. Weeks pass without movement in your sale. Price reductions follow, as the property has now been on the market for a while, spooking newer, potential buyers as it seems “stale”. You don’t want that for your property in Granada and its sale!
It’s preferable to have two qualified buyers than 10 tourists visiting the latest “Alpujarran theme park” – your house. As with any process, the best approach is to take it seriously and not lose impetus because of timewasters that can easily be avoided.
