What Is a Property Shopper?
- nerjawithsanna
- Mar 28
- 7 min read
Buying a property in Spain, especially in beautiful places like Nerja, can be one of the most exciting decisions of your life. But it can also be overwhelming. Between confusing processes, limited access to listings, language barriers, and unclear advice, it’s easy to feel lost or unsure who to trust.
That’s where a Property Shopper comes in.
Unlike traditional real estate agents, a Property Shopper works exclusively for you, the buyer. We’re here to represent your interests, help you navigate the entire process with confidence, and make sure you get the right property, at the right price, with none of the usual stress.
Below, we answer the most common questions about how it works, and why more and more buyers in Nerja are choosing this smarter, safer way to buy.
1. What is property shopping?
Property shopping is a complete, end-to-end service where a local expert helps you find, evaluate, and successfully purchase the right property, working only for you, the buyer.
But it goes far beyond just browsing listings. We start by searching the entire market, including hidden gems and off-market options, and identifying the best properties based on your needs. From there, we contact the agents, request all the important details, and organize property visits, joining you and asking the right questions to protect your interests.
Once we find the right place, we negotiate the best possible deal, request and review all relevant documents, and work closely with trusted local lawyers to ensure everything is 100% in order.
If financing is needed, we help you secure the best mortgage deals from local banks. We also assist with getting your NIE number (required for property purchases in Spain), and make sure all legal checks are done in advance, before you sign anything.
But our work doesn’t stop at the notary. We’re there with you at the signing, ensure key handover happens smoothly, and help transfer utility contracts (electricity, water, internet), apply for a tourism license if you plan to rent the property, and connect you with reliable rental partners, cleaning services, and even renovation experts if needed.
In short, we handle everything, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
2. How is this different from a real estate agent?
It’s important to understand this: real estate agents don’t work for the buyer, their client is the seller. Their goal is to sell the property, often as close to the asking price as possible, because that’s how they earn their commission.
Most agents will only show you the properties they have in their portfolio. They won’t search across the full market or recommend properties listed with other agencies, especially in Nerja, where exclusivity is common and collaboration is everyday more rare.
A property shopper works only for you. We have no ties to any one agency or seller, so we can freely search all listings on the market, including off-market opportunities. Our job is to find you the right property, not to sell you one specific home.
We represent your interests throughout the entire process, from search and selection to negotiation, closing and many other things after.
3. Why can't I just work with one trusted agent?
It’s a common assumption: “I’ll just find one good real estate agent and they’ll show me everything.” Unfortunately, that’s not how it works, especially in Nerja.
Many agencies here have exclusive listings that they do not share with other agents. So even if your trusted agent is doing their best, they simply don’t have access to all the properties available. That means you could miss out on your dream home, just because it’s listed with another agency.
But there’s a bigger pitfall most buyers don’t realize:
If you contact the wrong agent about a property, they may register you as their client in their CRM system. Once that happens, no other agent is allowed to show you that property, even if you'd prefer to work with someone else later on. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it happens all the time.
With us, you don’t need to worry about any of that. We always approach the listing agent directly, the one who actually controls the property, so you get the right access, without being locked into any agency. We make sure you never get caught in the middle of commission politics or lose out because of the system.
4. Are real estate agents willing to work with a property shopper?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, many real estate agents in Nerja prefer working with us.
Why? Because they know that when we reach out, we’re representing serious, committed buyers who are ready to move forward. We don’t waste their time with window-shopping or vague requests. We’ve already signed an agreement with the buyer and done the groundwork. Also we don't touch their fees. So they get to keep whatever they have agreed with the seller. This also ensures that all agents want to work with us.
Our customers have two payments:
An engagement fee when we start the collaboration
And the final payment only when the deal is closed and the deeds are signed
Agents also appreciate this structure, because it shows we’re professional, organized, and actively working to get the deal done.
Plus, they know that when they work with us, they usually have less work. We handle most of the process, follow-ups, paperwork, lawyers, even post-sale tasks. Yes, they know we’ll ask detailed questions and check everything thoroughly, but they also know we’re helping the deal move forward smoothly.
In short, working with us makes their job easier, and often more successful.
5. Do property shoppers help with negotiations?
Yes, this is one of the biggest advantages of using a property shopping service. We know the local market, understand seller behavior, and are skilled negotiators.
On average, our clients save between 4% and 9% on the final purchase price. For example, on a property listed at €400,000 (which is quite typical price for a house in Nerja), that’s a potential savings of €16,000 to €36,000, money that stays in your pocket.
But it’s not just about the money. We also help you avoid overpaying, making emotional or rushed decisions, or missing red flags that could cost you more later.
6. How much does it cost to use a property shopper?
Our fee is 2% of the final purchase price, but the value you receive is far greater than the cost.
On average, our clients save between €20,000 and €50,000 and oftentimes even much more. The biggest savings usually come from our ability to negotiate a better purchase price, but that’s just the beginning.
We also help you save money in many other areas, including:
Lower lawyer fees thanks to our trusted legal partners
Better mortgage rates through our network of local banks
Improved utility contracts (electricity, internet, etc.)
Trusted renovation quotes that avoid overcharging or delays
Avoiding bad investments by flagging legal, structural, or location issues early
Preventing costly mistakes from inexperience or miscommunication
Maximizing rental income if you plan to rent the property out
We’ve personally run successful Airbnb rentals in Nerja for years, achieved Superhost status, and managed one of the highest-earning and top performing apartments in the area. We’ll help you make smart decisions from the start to ensure your property performs well if rental income is part of your plan.
Beyond the financial savings, you also get peace of mind, expert guidance, and a much smoother process, from your first search to holding the keys in your hand.
7. Can I access more listings through you?
Absolutely. Unlike traditional agents who only show you their own listings, we explore the entire market, including listings from every agency, private sellers, and even off-market opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised. Thanks to our wide local network and constant market monitoring, we make sure you don’t miss out on any hidden gems.
8. Do you also handle the legal process?
Yes, we’re with you every step of the way. We connect you with our trusted, experienced lawyers, help request and review all key documents in advance, and guide you through the entire legal process from first offer to final signature. We double-check everything, so there are no surprises. You’ll feel confident and protected throughout the purchase.
And yes, a lawyer is always needed when buying property in Spain, especially to protect your interests and ensure everything is legally sound. But don’t worry, it’s not as expensive as many assume. The general rule in Spain is to pay around 1% of the property price in legal fees. However, our clients usually pay less than €2,000, no matter how much the property is worth, thanks to our trusted, cost-efficient legal partners.
9. Can you help me if I live abroad?
Definitely. Many of our clients live outside of Spain, and we’re fully set up to support you remotely. We do video tours, provide honest feedback, and keep you constantly updated. From the first viewing to signing at the notary, we manage the full process on your behalf, and if you visit in person, we’ll make sure every minute is used effectively.
10. Why choose NerjawithSanna?
Because we combine local knowledge, personal experience, and total independence. We’ve lived and worked in Nerja for years, we know how this market truly works, and we genuinely care about helping people find the right property, not just closing a deal. We work only for buyers, never for sellers, and our only goal is your success.
On a personal level, we’ve also bought three different properties for ourselves in Nerja over the years. So we know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes. That experience is what made us realize the real need for a professional service that actually protects the buyer’s interests from start to finish.
Time and time again, we noticed that what real estate agents told us wasn’t always true. In many cases, we understood the laws, requirements, and procedures better than the agents themselves. And that made us think: What happens to those who don’t?
So yes, we’ve come across some very questionable agents, people who simply cannot be trusted. That doesn’t mean all agents are bad, there are absolutely some excellent ones too. But as a buyer, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference. And sadly, behind a friendly smile, not all intentions are good.
That’s why we started NerjawithSanna, to be the independent, trustworthy expert we wish we had when we started. We’re here to make sure your experience is not only successful, but safe, smooth, and enjoyable.
