Spanish estate agents offer free divorce with every home
April 29th, 2009 - Chris MarshallSpanish estate agents are offering couples ever more unusual deals in a desperate attempt to kick-start the country’s stagnant housing market.
The latest offer from a property company in Huelva province in southwestern Spain promises a free divorce lawyer to couples who buy one of their three bedroom houses for 68,000 euros (£61,000).
The deal by Geimsa realtors hopes to capitalise on the number of married couples delaying divorce proceedings because they cannot afford to set up new homes in the current economic climate.
“A divorce is very expensive,” said Vanesa Contioso of Geimsa. “So we are offering new clients the free use of our lawyers to handle the process.”
The initiative follows a 100,000 euro offer by the same company of a brand new apartment and all-expenses-paid wedding for partners thinking of tying the knot. The deal has already been taken up by dozens of couples.
In a separate scheme, some 30 estate agents across Spain have agreed to offer discounts on homes of up to 40 per cent to buyers going through a divorce or separation. The offer also includes a year’s free mortgage.
Others have attempted to sell their properties offering lottery tickets for as little as 25 euros or through “buy one get one free” deals.
Estate agents are struggling to sell an estimated 1 million empty homes in Spain with the latest figures showing that the total number of house sales nationwide has plummeted by 40 per cent in a year.
Official data shows house prices have dropped an average of 6.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2009 from a year earlier. (Via Expat Life Spain)
