Recent content by arlo.west

Before committing, I’d run two versions: an expected first year and an uncomfortable first year. In the uncomfortable version, include the insurance excess, an urgent inspection item, the first mortgage payment and higher-than-expected moving costs. You do not need to predict the exact disaster...

Parking and outdoor space need separating rather than burying them in a general €/m² adjustment. A smaller apartment with a balcony or parking space may legitimately ask more per square metre than an 85 m² unit without either. I’d make a simple grid: completed price, asking prices, size...

Choosing on the wrong figure could be costly if I refinance or sell earlier than planned. I have a Madrid mortgage quote at 8.14%, fixed for 15 years, against a purchase of roughly €1,311,000. The initial headline was more appealing than the final terms once the lender’s fee and LTV band were...